Page 93 of Enchanting the Elf
Besides teaching mage hand magic, I work with local companies who want to pursue more holistic carpentry. Over the past year, Lebethron has helped me learn how to identify which trees are ready to bid their woodland homes goodbye and I act as their intermediary.
“Good morning, Sir Purrington. I was just about to search the whole house to find you,” Florence coos, bending down to run her hands down our cat’s fur. He nudges against her, leaning into her touch, before sauntering over to me.
“Hey there, big boy,” I say affectionately and lower onto my haunches to scratch under his chin and behind his ears. “Do you like your new window perch?”
Florence perks up. “Oh! It arrived?”
“Lindsey dropped it off this morning. I assembled it already and stuck it in the living room window. When I looked earlier, Sir Purrington was stretched out on it, basking in the center of a sunbeam. Weren’t you, boy?” I ask him as I pick him up to cradle in my arms for snuggles. Florence huddles close and we lavish our boy with love.
Despite basically having his own room dedicated to him, Sir Purrington goes where he wants. On cooler mornings he’s in the living room with Florence, but he also likes to lie in the special bed I bought him when I’m in my study.
“Lindsey left you a note too when I said you were still sleeping.”
Florence pouts. “I’m so sad I couldn’t say bye.”
“You literally saw her two days ago for that exact reason,” I state with a chuckle.
“I guess that’s true.” Florence’s shoulders slump and a trace of despondency trickles through the air. “I’m going to miss Sir Purrington. It’s never easy leaving him when we travel.”
With my free hand, I tilt Florence’s chin up to look at me and cup her jaw, with Sir Purrington still a cozy bundle between us. Florence’s one hand automatically sneaks under my shirt and splays across my abdomen, tracing my sensitive bark.
“I know it’s not easy,” I say, “but Sir Purrington is so smart, I know he understands. And, I am absolutely certain that he’s happy that you’re being recognized for your talent. We are all very proud of you for everything you’ve accomplished. This new exhibition in Seoul is going to be even better than last year’s in San Francisco.”
Florence’s eyes turn glassy and her voice is breathy when she says, “I never thought I’d have an exhibition in South Korea. Is this real life?”
Sir Purrington chooses that moment to let us know he’s had enough cuddles for now. I set him down and he prances back toward the sunny living room.
I run my hands down Florence’s neck and cup her shoulders, ducking my head so we’re eye level. “I love that I get to follow you everywhere. Plus, this time, we get to take Everett and Dede with us too.” I smile at the beautiful woman before me who is still astounded that so many people around the world appreciate her art.
Florence turns the conversation to me. “Are you ready to teach your first classes in the Far East?”
I think about it for a second before answering. “Yes. Though, I am a little nervous too. Daehan said the students are very knowledge hungry, and might ask difficult questions. It will be interesting to see how they’ll respond to my lesson on accessing emotions when they’re used to theory-based teaching. But what I’m most excited about is the school’s location in Hallasan Forestand meeting some of their trees. Each forest we’ve been to has felt completely unique to the others.”
“You’ll be fantastic,” Florence says and her eyes glimmer with her belief in me. “Luckily all the trees speak Elvish so you don’t have to worry about language barriers. While you teach, I’m going to try to convince Dede and Everett to hike up the volcano with me.”
I laugh, unable to imagine Sadie enjoying the hike up Hallasan. “You might have to negotiate with her for that. Maybe go shopping in Seoul together before we head to Jeju?”
“That’s actually a really good idea,” Florence says and narrows her eyes in thought. Stepping away to boil the kettle for her tea, she says, “What time will Sylvia and Edmond get here?”
I collect the variety of jams we have and place them on the table along with theHefezopf. “I think they’ll be here in time for lunch with everyone.”
Florence sets the table with breakfast plates and cutlery. “Have you spoken to Nithard?”
Things have been different between my father and I since my presentation. Now that I’m free from his hold—and he’s desperate to master his mage hand, which he’s finding incredibly difficult—he’s not been sure how to deal with me. I won’t go as far as calling him “nice,” but he’s certainly been more amenable to my requests.
“He’s apprehensive about Edmond teaching a class at Alberad,” I say with a light scoff. “I reminded him that Edmond went to school with us and actually did better than me on tests. But I guess as the first non-elf professor at Alberad, it’s going to be an adjustment, even if he’s just guest lecturing.”
Florence boosts herself up on the counter in front of me and I automatically gravitate to her, parting her legs to stand between them. Her hands go to my nape and play with strands that I’vebeen wearing longer since I got horns. Haircuts and looking neat and tidy are not really a priority for me anymore.
“The age of nepotism is over,” Florence declares melodramatically. Then adds, “Or getting there. Point is, progress is being made. You said he’s going to teach flying lessons too, right?”
“Yes. Flight Physics will be offered to all winged species. He’ll also teach Magical Architecture as an extra credit for those interested in learning how magic is used in the building process.”
I twist Florence’s hair around my mage hand and angle her head as I kiss and nip along her jaw.
Relaxing against my body and leaning into my kisses, she says, “I’d love to listen in on one of his classes, even if I don’t have magic or wings.”
“Me too. Since they’re staying here for so long, let’s take Sylvia with us and attend a class when we’re back from Korea. I’m not sure if she’s sat in on one before.”
