24. Florence

Chapter twenty-four

Florence

One moment I'm careening toward the ground, and then I'm caught by some invisible force. I'm eased into a standing position again and my heart gallops in my chest. I turn to Adelbert as I try to make sense of what just happened, but judging by his pallor, he's just as shocked as I am.

"I can explain," he says with arms raised in surrender.

"Okaaay." I bring my hair over my shoulder and start playing with the ends in a soothing manner, since I don't know what else to do with my hands as I wait for Adelbert to stop pacing and find the words he needs to explain what just happened.

"Let's sit," Adelbert says then quickly adds, "if that's okay with you of course."

"Sure." I nod slowly, frozen in place as I wait for him to make the next move. A tense silence stretches and after a couple of seconds of no direction, I gently suggest, "How about by that majestic oak tree with the long limbs? He looks friendly."

Adelbert's nose scrunches up in the cutest way before he strides over to the tree.

"I don't know about ‘friendly' but you do have a point," he says as he glances over his shoulder to me.

Adelbert sets the basket down on the lush grass and together, we lay out the soft buttery-cream blanket, each of us sitting down on opposite sides. If it were anyone else, I would consider this a really romantic date. In terms of setting and view, it is most definitely the best I've ever had. Though, there is no way I would reveal that to him just in case it will make him even more stressed than he already is.

"So, about what happened…" Adelbert rubs the back of his neck then pulls his collar from his throat. He brings his hands in front of his body, turning them over a couple of times before looking at me.

His nerves are clear and the weight of whatever he wants to tell me pushes down on me like a suffocating cloud of smoke. How much worse must it be for him.

Outwardly, I try to look as encouraging and supportive as possible, so I smile at him, trying to project comfort and confidence, but internally my stomach feels like a hole has opened and all my organs are slowly being sucked into an abyss.

"Take your time. You don't have to tell me anything, but if you want to, I'm here for you," I say, keeping my voice hushed to match the heaviness of the mood.

Adelbert clears his throat and his expression turns to focused determination.

"I want to tell you. And, I want to show you. I am only hesitant since absolutely no one else in the entire world knows about what I will reveal. This is what my research is based on. What I will present next month."

My lips part and I bring a hand to my mouth, stunned that this very private male wants to share something so significant with me.

"Whatever you say or do, it is completely safe with me. I promise not to tell a soul. Not even Sadie. Cross my heart," I vow solemnly and draw a little cross over my heart to emphasize my point.

Adelbert's face softens at that and his shoulders lose a bit of their stiffness.

"Not even Sadie?" He quirks a half smile. "Then I know you are very serious about this matter. Thank you."

Adelbert's chest rises on a deep breath before he dives into his explanation.

"You remember how I said that in the past, elves had different kinds of gifts and that I believe our magic has lessened over time?"

"Yes, like the portrait and the male with the branches?"

"Horns. But yes," Adelbert corrects. "My research is into the magic we possessed before. A very long time ago, we were more powerful and were not only empaths but commanded another form of magic."

"Okay, that sounds really cool." I recall our conversation in front of the portrait and ask, "Like the ‘speaking to trees' magic?"

"Unfortunately, I have not been able to confirm that theory yet, though it is possible. The magic I am able to confirm is called a mage hand."

I lean forward, my eyebrows raised as curiosity and excitement mingle. "Mage hand? How does that work?"

Adelbert's tone remains neutral and controlled as he continues, "I have been conducting numerous experiments to gauge the range of my power, but since you arrived, my power has actually strengthened."

"Could it be because of the fated bond?" I ask.

"That is my assumption as well. I do not possess complete control of the magic. However, what I have seen is that I am able to manipulate and move larger objects and make more intricate movements from a certain distance," Adelbert explains in such a logical manner it's as if he's explaining weather patterns to me.

I grin broadly and squeal, "That's amazing. Is that how you caught me when I almost fell?"

Adelbert gives me a single nod, then says the best thing, "I could demonstrate it for you, if you would like of course?"

"Oh! Yes, please! I'd love to see that." I clap my hands and wiggle my butt in excitement, ready to see real magic up close. Repositioning myself, I sit crossed-legged so that I am facing Adelbert directly. He, in contrast, does not share the same level of excitement but shifts so he's facing me too.

Adelbert places a red apple in the center of the blanket and sits back again. With furrowed brows he concentrates on the fruit, hands resting on his lap and fingers twitching.

My eyes grow wide as the apple slowly lifts into the air. Adelbert lets it levitate at eye level for a couple of seconds and my mouth goes dry at how extraordinary this feat is. The apple hovers closer to me and my heart rate picks up to a strong staccato rhythm. I hold out my hand and the apple is placed gently onto it.

I duck my head to look at it more closely, inspecting it this way and that, marveling at how incredible Adelbert is as he sits completely still on his side of the blanket, seemingly awaiting my judgment.

"That was seriously impressive. You say no other elf can do this? Why keep it a secret?"

"I am hoping that by keeping this a secret until the formal presentation that it will give me some leverage with my father. I keep practicing and extending my skills so that other scholars would have the desire to learn mage hand magic too. Perhaps I could convince my father to allow me to teach special classes dedicated to it, instead of relegating me to a desk, doing administrative work, as required for my future role as head of Alberad."

"You're exceptional, Adelbert," I praise him, completely in awe of this skill and the fact that he had to teach himself and keep it a secret the entire time. I swear his chest puffs out a little at the compliment. "If your father can't appreciate this level of skill, then he's an idiot."

Keeping his eyes fixed on mine with an intensity I have not yet encountered, Adelbert says, "I think I can do more than that. My magic is wriggling against my skin, wanting me to push it further than usual."

I sit up a bit straighter, place the apple in the center of the blanket again, and rest my hands on either knee, ready to see more.

"Great! What do you want to try?" I ask giddily.

Adelbert rolls his shoulder back and asks in a voice so gentle, I almost can't believe it's his, "Is it okay if I touch you? Not physically, but with my magic?"

I cant my head to the side, curious about this new side of Adelbert that is gentle and nervous and so cute that I just want to squeeze him. I had told myself no more lusting after him, to give him space. Unfortunately, my heart doesn't understand what my brain wants it to do.

Offering him a small smile, I swallow against the tightness in my throat and choose my words carefully.

"I want to help you in any way I can. You have my consent to touch me however you want. I trust you."

Adelbert inhales a sharp breath and licks his lips.

"I don't deserve you. But I will do my utmost to never lose that trust."