Page 86 of Enchanting the Elf
“I know I have much to learn about communication, but I am trying my best to be open and honest about everything I’m feeling. I am so grateful that the fates brought you into my life and that they gave me enough time to get my head out of my ass before I lost you. I’m also grateful for friends who gave me a reality check when I needed it.”
“The fates really knew what they were doing, matching us up. Do you think the distance limit is gone now that we’re mated?” she asks and tenderly caresses the base of one horn.
“I’m certain it is. We can test it on our way back home.”
“Home,” she sighs delightedly.
“Home,” I echo.
Florence’s nose does that adorable wrinkling thing and a hint of nerves tinges the air around us.
“Is now a bad time to tell you about your eyes?”
My brows climb up my forehead.
“What about my eyes?” I ask, feeling curious and less worried than I would normally be.
Florence’s voice is full of tenderness as she says, “They’re the loveliest hazel-brown eyes I have seen in my life. They’re this rich, honey-brown color with a mossy-green ring around the edges. If you look closely, there are flecks of gold at their center.”
“Do you like them?” I ask.
“I love them,” Florence says earnestly. “There’s so much warmth in them.”
“That’s all that matters to me. You’re the one who spends the most time looking at them. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” I shrug one shoulder, not feeling too bothered about the new eye color after everything that has happened today.
Reaching up onto her tippy-toes, Florence throws her arms around my neck and presses a firm kiss to my lips.
“I’m very happy,” she whispers against my mouth. “I love you. No matter your shape, form, horns, or eye color. I loved you long before this and will love you long after.”
“I love you too, Liebling. Forever.”
Taking a step back, Florence says, “Now, please excuse me. I don’t know if you’ve recognized it yet, but this is the exact forest from the dream the fates sent me. Ineedto dance in this meadow. Come join me, if you want.”
Florence glides through the bright blue flowers, taking care not to step on one. My feet remain rooted to the ground but my eyes stay firm on her, not wanting to miss a moment of her recreating the scene from the embroidery piece she showed me. I gasp and stumble back a step as it hits me.
Her dream, this view right here, was frommypoint of view.
The way she described it. The scent, the foliage, the crisp fall air.
Everything has come full circle.
“The forest is fond of your mate.”
I twist and turn, searching for the source of the deep, rumbling voice, but find no one else in the meadow besides Florence and myself.
“Who said that?” I ask.
“I am Lebethron Nordo. I am the leader of the trees of the Black Forest. I speak on their behalf.”A chorus of leaves stirs behind me and I turn slowly, not ready to face what I’m sure is an ancient oak tree talking to me in Elvish. I swallow hard and incline my head respectfully toward it.
“Please accept my most humble apology,” I say in Elvish, addressing the thick trunk. “It is an honor to talk to you.” I mentally cringe that I had fucked Florence so brutally in front of this sentient tree.
“Do not fret for reverting to your basest nature. We have waited a long time for your kind to return to us.”His tone is warm and has a dash of humor lacing it.
“Are you able to sense my thoughts?” My heart thumps violently in my chest at what this all could mean. I almost lift my hand to shield my head, but realize the action is futile.
“Your emotions, Galadh.”
A strange calm blankets me as the name settles into my soul, my deepest self recognizing it as its true name.
