Page 35 of Enchanting the Elf
My heart does this very strange thing where it feels as if somebody kicked it and it flew off a ledge, only to come back and start beating uncomfortably hard and fast.
Before I have the opportunity to gather my wits about myself, Florence gently places the cat on the floor and gets up from her seat. She moves to the counter where she had placed the fresh box of pastries. I frown as I try to puzzle out what is happening.
No one has ever been kind to me for the sake of being kind. There is usually some caveat. Even with my grandmother. She was not a warmhearted elf, though, she tried to show me traces of affection by teaching me to cook so I could become self-sufficient.
Does Florence have an angle she is playing? I doubt it.
I guess only time will tell.
Chapter seventeen
Florence
The next morning when I arrive in the kitchen, I find a similar layout to yesterday waiting for me on the counter. There’s a fresh pastry on a plate and the delicate cornflower teapot is sitting on its magical warmer. But next to it is something new.
A sweater.
A soft, wooly, ivory men’s sweater that I instantly hug to my body then slip on over the sundress I’m wearing. The fit is long and loose on me, and I fold the sleeves over my wrists, feeling more from Adelbert in this moment than he’s ever said to me.A contented feeling spreads from the center of my chest and travels to the tips of my fingers and toes, warming me up from the inside out on another cool morning.
Adelbert really is the noble male I thought he was, staying true to his word to get me something warm and taking care of my needs in his own way. He may not be very expressive, and given what he’s explained to me about how emotionally closed-off elves are, it makes sense, but his chivalry runs deep.
I finish my tea and breakfast and move to the living room where Sir Purrington is already stretched out in front of the window, basking in a thin ray of sunshine penetrating through the morning cloud cover.
“Good morning, Sir P. You were the bestest cuddler last night. Thank you for keeping me company,” I say to the relaxed cat as I crouch down next to him to smooth down some of his orange fur. True to his name, he starts up a satisfied purr at my touch and something settles in my heart.
I grab my embroidery supplies and hum my favorite song as I curl up on the couch to continue working on the valley piece. I have so many scenes of the Black Forest that I want to thread paint that I think this will turn into a series dedicated to my time here.
The morning passes quickly and quietly as my attention stays riveted on the scene unfolding on my hoop. The colors layer over each other and the depth of the scene pulls me right in, making me feel like I’m outside. I’m brought back to the present a time or two when I adjust my position and catch traces of what must be Adelbert’s aftershave on his sweater. I may even lift the collar to my nose and burrow into the sweater, but I’d never admit it to anyone.
Last night we had a video call with everyone from the island, plus the new members that have been bonded, to give them the news that Adelbert shared with me yesterday morning.Adelbert laid out all the information very succinctly and gave the opportunity for others—who were willing—to share their experiences so far. He didn’t press anyone to disclose personal information that they weren’t ready to tell.
Dede and Everett shared that they have accepted their bond and she has decided to stay in Las Vegas with Everett and move in together. I’m so happy for my sister. Every time we talk on the phone, or even just when we message, I can tell how much she likes him and how happy he makes her. The male is practically obsessed with her and it’s exactly what she deserves.
I have a feeling they’re going to be relationship goals for everyone.
It took all day yesterday to process everything related to fated bonds and mate bonds. Then, with the extra information that was added during the video call, I almost spiraled when I thought about how drastically my life is changing and that I’m stuck in the Black Forest until the bond dissolves.
When I got in bed, Adelbert’s face flashed in front of my mind and the tightness in my chest loosened a fraction when I realized all of this is clearly out of our control and I’ll be safe with him.
The idea of a mate bond, though, of the fates intervening to match you up with the one person they have chosen for you, that they think you are compatible with, is the most romantic thing I’ve heard of. But since there is no chance of anything happening between Adelbert and myself—despite my glaringly obvious attraction to him—I made the conscious decision to treat it as an extended vacation in a lovely rental home with a reclusive roommate.
Knowing Adelbert hardly ate or slept while searching for answers to the bonds, and he still has his big presentation coming up, I want to do my best to help him any way I can.
The only ways I can think of to help him are to stay out of his way and not let my emotions get close to him while he’sconcentrating, and also to perhaps prepare some lunch for him when he gets caught up in his study.
With that thought in mind, I get up from the couch, take my sweater off now that the weather has warmed up, and head to the kitchen.
I’m not a great cook, but I can throw together a mean sandwich or salad, maybe even a basic pasta on a good day. Today is a sandwich day.
I’m a little excited about being the one doing the cooking for a change, and my humming soon turns to singing and dancing as I prepare the food.
There’s just something about this kitchen that feels warm and welcoming. The solid wood counters and the exposed beams on the ceiling give it an inviting charm that’s not present in the rest of the house. It’s not that the house is unwelcoming, but there is an emptiness and a coldness to it that’s remarkably absent in the kitchen.
When I’m satisfied that what I’ve put together is edible, I grab a pen and piece of paper to add a note. I mentally debate between options of what I should write, then finally settle on something that might cause an amused lip twitch.
What did Sushi A say to Sushi B?
What’s up, B?
