Page 37 of Enchanting the Elf
Tonight, a few weeks after my arrival, the conversation turns more serious.
“So, you’re going to be the head of Alberad eventually, right? Is that something you’ve always wanted?” I ask Adelbert, now feeling slightly emboldened to ask more personal questions after we’ve both revealed little truths about ourselves over our meals in the kitchen.
Adelbert traces a deep groove in the grain that runs along the thick wood of the table. The oak table top is made from one piece of solid wood and has cracks and knots visible that give it that natural and homey feel—a little bit of the forest from outside brought into the home.
Adelbert doesn’t look up at me as he answers.
“Choice is not a familiar concept in my life.” His throat bobs on a swallow and I sit completely still, giving him the time to find his words.
Sir Purrington trots into the kitchen at that exact moment and jumps onto my lap. He curls into a ball and purrs deeply as I start petting him.
Adelbert takes a deep breath before he continues talking, his gaze on his hand as he draws a circle around one of the knots in front of him.
“I live a life of privilege. I can acknowledge that. I have my own house, have no concerns about money, and I have a promising future ahead at Alberad. However, I have never been given a choice in my life. Not in my family. Not where I live. Not in my career. And now… not even in my mate.”
Adelbert looks up at me, his lips pressed into a thin line and an apology in his eyes. Something squeezes in my chest and an uncomfortable lump forms in my throat.
With a tone that is flat but earnest, Adelbert says, “You have the ability to make choices for your future. To live whatever kind of life you want to. Wherever you want to. You only have to wait for the bond to break. You can walk away from me with only a memory of the time spent in this house. But I will remain here. In the same house. With the future that was planned for me before I was even conceived.”
Imploring me to understand, Adelbert’s brows draw together and his shoulders slump.
“That’s why I want to giveyoua choice. I do not wish for you to be limited to this life. To this place. To me.”
Suddenly, it all makes sense.
I give Adelbert a small smile and try to tamp down any of the hurt I feel. My heart mostly hurts forhim,at living a life that is so burdened by his sense of duty. His choices have been taken away from him, and being given a fated mate, is just one more thing he’ll never get to choose for himself.
He deserves to find his own love, in his own time.
Maybe in another life things could be different for us. But not this life. Not now.
I wonder if anyone has ever put Adelbert first. Made him a priority. Just taken care of him without expecting anything in return.
I’d like to do that for him. As his friend.
My eyes take in his sharp jaw, the breadth of his shoulders, his long elegant fingers, and I silently bid farewell to any traces of romantic notions I might have had.
My mouth opens and closes as I try to find the right words before finally settling on what makes the most sense.
“I understand. The moment the bond breaks, I’ll be out of your hair.”
Adelbert nods in acceptance and we only last a couple of minutes in the stilted silence before calling it a night and disappearing to our separate wings.
I enter my room and lock the door behind me, thankful for the first time that Sir Purrington didn’t follow me. I promise myself that this is the last time I’ll get myself off to thoughts of Adelbert. I need to let him go.
But tonight, I’ll make it count.
Grabbing the collar of Adelbert’s sweater, I bring it to my nose and unashamedly breathe in the light scent of him that still clings to it. This is the closest I will ever get to him.
I tear the sweater off my body and flop onto the bed. My dress follows next and I chuck it onto the floor, then quickly slip my underwear off too. I wriggle until I find a comfortable spot and spread my legs as wide as they can go, pretending Adelbert is watching me offer my pussy to him.
I drag the sweater across my body, letting the soft wool caress my skin, as one hand slips between my legs. My breasts grow heavy and my nipples harden to points as I imagine Adelbert’s hands gliding across my body—stroking, kneading, fondling.
I grab one breast and tug on the nipple, a whimper falling across my lips. I bite down on the sleeve of the sweater in the hopes that it’ll keep any sounds from leaking out of the room, just as I drag one finger through my drenched core.
Fuck, I wish I asked for that vibrator now.
I add a second finger and slowly circle my clit, then pump them in and out of my slick pussy. I repeat the action until I’m squirming on the bed.
