Page 26 of Enchanting the Elf
Florence: Send pics later!
Chapter fourteen
Adelbert
Last night, Florence and I ate dinner in a rather companionable manner. She was able to explain what she needed for her embroidery and I immediately put in an order with Pixie Parcels. Florence also told me more about her business and showed me a few of her sold pieces, per my request, and I find her to be an exceptionally talented artist.
I have never bought my own art, but I like the idea of one of her designs gracing the walls of my house.
I am also curious to see how she’ll portray the Black Forest. I wonder if she will be able to capture its true character. If anyone could do it, though, it would be Florence.
After dinner, we went off to our separate wings and I allowed myself some rest. My eyes felt too heavy to properly concentrate on the detailed texts I still need to comb through.
When I tried to relax for a split second, my hand drifted to my cock, visions of Florence in all kinds of positions flashing beneath my tired eyelids. Florence spread out on my bed, pushed up against a wall, laid out on the kitchen table, on her knees in my study… I just about ran to the shower to wash away my filthy thoughts under a stream of icy water.
I know the fated bond is pushing us together, and most of these thoughts probably stem from that, but the emotions the bond evokes in me are leaving me unsettled.
My whole life I’ve prided myself on my elvish nature and being able to control myself. However, with this woman forced to be in close proximity to me, I find myself facing new kinds of challenges.
Today, I woke at dawn as per usual, and retrieved the delivery left by the front door. I’ve warded my home so the pixies can enter the grounds, but not the house itself. I am very careful with who I allow access to my home. The possibility of my father showing up here whenever it suited him makes my skin tighten.
I enter the kitchen with the packages and place them on the table. Then, I set the kettle to boil for Florence’s tea while I unpack the contents of the delivery, all while my mind races through theories and connecting dots.
I collect Florence’s fabric, a selection of thread, an embroidery hoop, small sewing scissors, and an array of embroidery needles and place them on a tray on the kitchen table. The fact that she can take these separate items and create such elaborate pieces that mimic nature so closely absolutely fascinates me. I alsoprepared a small basket for her to carry everything should she want to spend time outside again.
The teapot I ordered is unbearably dainty with cornflowers painted on it. I spent an inordinate amount of time scrolling through options before settling on this one. It reminded me of Florence and I thought she might like it.
I rinse the pot out, place an oolong tea bag inside, then fill it with boiled water, letting the tea steep while I brew some coffee for myself. After my coffee is done, I remove the tea bag from the teapot and place it on the enchanted cup warmer I also ordered, unsure of the time Florence will wake and wanting the tea to remain warm for her.
Opening the box that theHefezopfis in, I am hit by the aroma of the fresh yeasty bread. I breathe in the scent, and memories of baking in this kitchen with my grandmother flicker through my mind, bringing an easy smile to my face.
I mentally thank the pixies, and their knowledge of where to get the best baked goods and keep them fresh throughout the delivery period, as I cut a couple of slices of the braided bread.
I butter Florence’s slices, and prepare two small jars of jam for her to choose from—apricot and fig, not strawberry. Then, I grab a cup and saucer, and place everything in front of her seat on the table.
I give the arrangement a final glance and contemplate leaving a note, but ultimately decide against it. The collection is pretty self-explanatory.
Feeling pleased with myself that Florence would be delighted with this presentation, I grab my mug of coffee and head to my office and close the door behind me, ready for today to be the day I find answers.
I make a concerted effort not to stare out the window or look up too much, having noticed Florence glide across the clearing a time or two.
Today she is wearing a long yellow dress and it pains me to admit to myself that I recognize she must have embroidered flowers along its hem. They are too similar to the flowers on her jeans yesterday to be a coincidence.
Does she do that to all her clothes?
Stretching my neck, I lean back in my chair and finally let my gaze linger on the sight outside my window. The clouds hang low across the valley today, threatening with a thunderstorm in spots. I cannot see Florence but I can sense her on the western side of the clearing.
It is odd to have someone in my vicinity at all times. For years, I have lived alone–days filled with studying, experimenting, practicing. Now, my thoughts are divided, oscillating between my work and Florence.
I have not given this much thought before now, for I do not spend much time outdoors, but Florence’s skin seems rather delicate under the power of a summer sun. On the off chance that she has not taken proper precautions, I gather my power and cast an extra layer to the wards around the house. It will not be able to withstand the sun’s rays fully, but it could lessen the effects of sunburn on Florence’s exposed shoulders.
Tonight, I will put in a new order for the strongest sunscreen I can find on Pixie Parcels.
Frustrated that I have not done enough to ensure her physical comfort, I get up with a humph and stomp through the quiet house. The sound of my shoes clomping along the wooden floors annoys me even more. She has only been here two days but her constant humming has somehow altered the once-comforting silence of my house.
“Florence!” I call once I’m outside.
“Over here!” Florence raises an arm high above her head and waves at me from where she’s sitting against one of the marked trees on the boundary line, embroidery piece in her other hand. A wide grin spreads across her face and her eyes light up when she sees me. Something tightens and loosens within me at all once, confirming one more theory I had.
