Page 92 of Enchanting the Elf
“After our mating became official, I was able to communicate with Lebethron, an ancient oak in the forest. He welcomes any and all woodland elves to learn about their inherent magic and is offering to guide those who are willing to learn.
“It is my personal mission to travel around the world, visiting different schools, and teach them about the use of mage hands, to reacquaint woodland elves with forests, and ensure that this knowledge is widely accessible to anyone who desires to learn.”
I glance around the semicircle and note those with bright eyes and keen interest, but a few remain skeptical. The rude elf from earlier hasn’t said a word for a long while and his face is completely drained of color. I try to grin at him but he just looks away and studies his feet instead.
Looks like he’s not ready to make friends any time soon.
Monika places her hand on her heart and her lips curve in a genuine smile. She looks at us with warm approval and I feel a special kinship with her.
“Adelbert,” Monika says, “I would love to learn more, and to meet this Lebethron. You are welcome to teach at my school anytime that suits you. You are both welcome to visit us in the Great Bear Rainforest and stay as long as you’d like in Canada.”
“What about your place at Alberad?” Nithard asks, voice coming out high-pitched and no longer looking very composed.
Adelbert looks at me and I give him an encouraging nod.
“The Black Forest is home. Florence and I will keep our house as our main base here. I would like to teach classes at Alberad when our schedule allows. My first priority, though, is my mate. Her artwork on the Black Forest has been curated for an exhibit at a well-known gallery in California. We will travel there first to prepare for the exhibition. Then I am open to teaching some classes at the local monster school there.” Adelbert gives one of the males a pointed look, and the male nods enthusiastically.
Good. Another one on board.
My mate continues, “We will repeat this pattern with other schools around the world, depending on Florence’s exhibition schedules. We will return to Germany to rest at home between trips. If your school is open to hosting classes, I would like to discuss options with you. But first, I’d like to take those interested to meet with Lebethron. The forest will enter their winter rest soon, so it’s best we start the process. Any questions?”
The elves are eager to learn more about their heritage, Adelbert’s magic, and our mating. They pepper Adelbert—even me—with questions on the walk. The stout elf looks to Nithard for cues on how to act, but I don’t miss how they’re both hanging on every word we say even when they’re both pretending to be disinterested.
Hand in hand, Adelbert and I lead the elves through the forest, ready to usher in a new era for all.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Morning, Liebling,” I say to my mate as she glides into the kitchen. I instantly put down the knife I’m using to cut slices of theHefezopf, and gather her into my arms.
“Hi, baby.” Florence’s breath is warm against my neck as she hugs me back. I squeeze her a little tighter and thread my fingersinto her hair at the nape of her neck. I tilt her head up and press a sweet kiss to her lips, then go back for two more.
“You let me sleep in,” Florence says with a slightly accusatory tone but her eyes hold no fire. Her fingers reach up to caress one of my horns and I melt into her touch.
“I know you’ve either been too nervous or excited to sleep well lately, so I wanted you to rest a little longer before Everett and Dede got here,” I explain and skim my hands down her back to rest in the back pockets of her jeans.
“Have you heard from them this morning?”
“Everett messaged when they landed, but I haven’t felt them cross the wards yet.”
Florence pulls me down for another kiss before we reluctantly part and go about our morning routine of preparing breakfast together.
“I still can’t believe they’re flying to Germany to pick us up,” she says while grinding enough coffee beans for Everett, Sadie, and me.
“Can you blame them?” I ask and finish buttering the pastry slices. “I know they’ve been so curious to see the house now that it’s done.”
Florence and I have spent the last year painstakingly furnishing our house, searching for unique, handcrafted pieces that spoke to us. It’s now a beautiful combination of natural wood and colorful fiber art.
“I know, but it really is a very long way around the world to pick us up here andthengo to Seoul. If they flew to Korea directly from Vegas it would’ve taken half the time,” Florence explains as she preps the coffee machine.
I can’t help the smile stretching across my face. “Stop trying to logic your way through this. They’re coming because they love us.”
Florence pauses and her jaw slackens. “Oh my goodness, how the tables have turned. Did I seriously just try to logic my sister, andyouremindedmeof emotions?”
I wink at her. “It’s been quite a year of growth for us.”
“You can say that again.” Florence giggles.
