Page 19 of Enchanting the Elf
I nod. “That makes sense.”
“Please wait here. I’ll test the boundary and mark out a perimeter for you.”
Without waiting for a response from me, his long legs eat up the distance to the edge of the forest, his hands flexing at his sides.
My eyes track him as he slows down and nears the tree line. I bring my hair over my shoulder to braid the length, themovement familiar and soothing to me, and I start humming a song in the hopes that it will lift my mood.
I’m trying to give Adelbert some grace, but how he spoke to me earlier was incredibly hurtful. It’s not like Ichoseto be here. It’s fate, or “the fates” as he calls it, playing tricks on us and binding us to each other.
Confrontation makes me extremely uncomfortable and I try to avoid it at all costs, but the comebacks I have for him are lying on the tip of my tongue. I really wanted to give him a piece of my mind but that’s not going to help anyone. It will probably just aggravate his feelings toward me. Best to just stay out of each other’s way for the time being and wait for this all to blow over.
Dede has always been the one to speak her mind and enjoys having all the attention trained on her. I don’t like being in the limelight, and just the thought of it sends a shiver racing down my spine and cuts off my humming.
“I am approximately ninety yards from my study now.” Adelbert projects his voice over the clearing around his house and I stand a little straighter. “I shall proceed slowly from here. Please call out if you experience any discomfort.”
I raise one hand and give him a thumbs-up I’m sure he’ll see, knowing my voice does not have the same strength as his.
Unsure of why it surprises me, but Adelbert turns his body, gaze concentrated on me as he cautiously walks backward into the tree line.
My arms drop to my sides and my brow furrows at this move. Is he being… considerate? Caring?
A couple of paces later, a gentle pressure pushes against me from behind, and I arch my back as the sensation grows stronger. It must be the bond guiding me toward Adelbert, and I lift both my hands to indicate that he should stop.
“Did you feel that?” I try to ask across the long distance.
“Somewhat. Please remain there.”
Adelbert turns to the tree and ties some kind of material around a long limb. He proceeds to walk in a wide radius around the clearing and every so often stops to tie another ribbon to a tree, marking out the distance within the boundary from the house.
I follow him with my eyes throughout the whole process, and never experience that pressure from the bond again.
Dede was practically pulled out of her seat and across the room when Everett exceeded the hundred-yard distance limit, which only serves to reinforce Adelbert’s stance that he and I should never have physical contact, or we’d suffer similar consequences.
I almost want to agree. Watching my sister look so scared with everyone hovering around her, not knowing what’s happening, was awful. But the moment Everett stepped up and tilted her chin toward him, I could see so much tenderness between them, and I knew my sister was in safe hands. If Dede had to be bonded to anyone, I’m happy that it’s Everett.
I swallow against the slight stab of envy at having someone so instantly dedicated to ensuring your comfort and happiness. Instead, I focus on the lovely trees surrounding the house.
“All done. Please stay within the demarcated area while I remain in my study. It will be most unpleasant for either or both of us should you venture beyond those marked trees.”
“I’ll be careful,” I promise. Trying to lighten the mood, I add, “And I love the pretty ribbons. I didn’t know you were a ribbon kind of guy.”
If looks could kill…
“They were my grandmother’s.”
“Do I want to know why you have your grandmother’s ribbons?”
Adelbert cocks his neck to the side, making his joints crackle and pop, and he rolls his lips between his teeth before he finally speaks.
“The house belonged to mylategrandmother. Some of her things have remained since I have become the sole resident on the estate.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry for your loss.” I reach a hand forward to comfort him and Adelbert jumps out of the way.
Eyes wide and breathing hard, Adelbert hisses, “Could you be more careful?”
“I—”
“I think this is enough for today. Please help yourself to coffee and food in the kitchen. I’ll be in my study.”
