36. Adelbert

Chapter thirty-six

Adelbert

Walking through the forest with Florence's hand in mine is the most extraordinary feeling. Her sheer joy is so strong it's nearly palpable, making me feel incredibly grateful to her for allowing me access to her emotions. She hasn't stopped humming since she woke, a fact that hasn't escaped my notice.

"I'm really happy we are going to our meadow again today," she tells me with a broad smile that's been stuck on her face for hours.

Florence's cheerfulness is contagious and I answer her smile with one of my own. My heart has had this odd, full feeling since I've finally admitted my love for her and she has returned it with the same fervor. It is something I have never experienced before and can never do without again.

"I am happy to go anywhere with you, but this meadow does feel special. Plus, the last time we had a picnic here was rather memorable," I tease and enjoy Florence's blush. "Perhaps we could recreate some of that, but this time I'd like to use all three hands and my cock."

"That sounds… promising," Florence says, trying to sound nonchalant but failing spectacularly when her arousal spikes and hits me square in the chest.

I take a deep breath and let that feeling settle into me, then shoot her a smirk so she knows I noticed it. Florence shrugs with one shoulder and raises her eyebrows suggestively.

"You're trouble," I say with a laugh. "And I love you for it."

"Someone's got to keep you on your toes."

"You certainly do."

Not being able to resist any longer, I tug Florence into my arms and drop the picnic basket. Her arms instinctively wrap around my neck as I slant my mouth against hers.

Florence's lips part so sweetly for me when I suck on her bottom lip, and she whimpers at the first touch of my tongue against hers. My fingers dig into the base of her spine and I wrap her long hair around my fist so I can angle her head better.

I groan at the feel of her tongue dancing with mine, writhing, twining like they can't get closer.

The kiss takes on a life of its own. It's hungry yet tender, sealing promises and dreaming of futures.

Our breathing picks up and Florence's short nails scratch at the back of my neck, anchoring me in the moment.

I need more.

But before I lose control completely and fuck her right here, I slow us down and press open-mouthed kisses along her jaw and down her neck. Florence whimpers again and an uncommon growl rolls up from somewhere deep in me for not satisfying my woman the way she needs it right now.

"Hold on, Liebling. Let's get to the meadow and we can continue this."

Florence tilts her neck, quietly indicating her need for more, and I lavish that part of her skin with attention for a little longer.

Pressing a final kiss to her lips, Florence languidly opens her eyes and stares at me with a dopey smile.

"I like kissing you."

"I like kissing you, too," I reply and kiss the tip of her nose.

We right our clothing, which had gone askew at some point, and set off walking again, hand in hand.

Florence looks at me with mischief written all over her face.

"Knock knock."

Without hesitation, I say, "Who's there?"

"Armageddon."

"Armageddon who?"

"Armageddon in your pants real soon."

The sentence hasn't even fully left Florence's mouth before we're both laughing.

"I don't think I've ever laughed this much in my life before," I say, clutching my stomach.

"You've got a lot to make up for. But don't worry, I'll keep the jokes coming."

"That's not the only thing you'll keep coming," I joke and shake my head at my lame attempt.

Florence sputters out a laugh and I chuckle with her. I feel like I must be the fates' favorite male for bringing Florence into my life, and I instinctively pull her a little closer to me.

Once we settle down, I focus on carrying the picnic basket with my mage hand.

With her eyes fixed on the floating basket in front of us, Florence asks, "Is this the kind of experiment you would do in your study too?"

"Yes, there are a couple of other things I'd also like to try once we get to the meadow. The day of our picnic was the strongest my magic has ever felt and I had complete control over it."

"You can test it on me anytime," Florence jokes but I know she means it one-hundred-percent seriously too. "Do you think there's a specific reason for why there specifically?"

"I'm not sure. Even now, my strength is building. This basket is heavier than any of the items I could manipulate in my office." Quirking my head to look at Florence, I continue, "At first, I assumed it was my bond with you. When you are near me, it is definitely stronger. However, that day, it was like it had doubled in strength. It was itching under my skin, almost begging to be let out."

Florence places her other hand on my upper arm in comfort, and a line forms between her brows.

"I didn't know it was that strong. Is it uncomfortable?"

I shake my head and give a reassuring smile.

"Not really uncomfortable, but it's a sensation I haven't experienced before and haven't since. Perhaps there's some magical ley line running under that meadow that I'm unaware of. It could explain the boost to my magic that I get there and not at home."

The forest opens up and the meadow spreads out in front us with the giant oak tree at its center, framed by the blue sky and the rolling hills in the distance. The yellows, oranges, and reds of the early fall leaves enrich the landscape. From next to me, Florence lets out a very satisfied sigh.

"It really is something special, isn't it?" I whisper reverently, feeling something deep within me clicking into place whenever I am here.

"It is. I'll never get enough of this place," Florence says and leans her head against my shoulder.

"It's here for you whenever you want. I am, too." I place a kiss on top of her head.

Feeling silly for the first time in my life, I utter words I never thought I'd say, "Last one to the oak is a rotten egg."

I take off, and Florence's laughter skitters through the air behind me. Soon she's catching up, giggling the entire time and I slacken my pace to lace our fingers together and run alongside her. Strands of golden hair glowing in the sun stream out behind Florence, and a carefree smile is painted on her face. I take a mental picture of her like this, wanting, needing to remember this image whenever I have a hard day.

Florence is my purpose.

My hope.

My future.

My grin is stupidly big and there's a lightness within me that makes me feel like I'm floating.

When we get close to the oak tree, I grab Florence's hand and slow us to a stop. I bend down and band my arms under her butt to lift her up. She slings her arms around my shoulders and, cautiously at first, I spin us in a circle, then go faster and faster.

"I'm flying," Florence sings and throws her arms out on either side of her. She tilts her head to the sky and laughs giddily with every twirl. Her pure delight permeates the air, and I fall a little deeper for her.

This feeling right here, this unencumbered gleefulness when I'm with her, is something I never want to lose.

I carefully bring our spinning to a halt and slide Florence down my front. Leaning my forehead against hers and with goofy smiles plastered to our faces, we take a moment to drink each other in and get our breathing regulated.

"That was fun," Florence whispers.

"You make me want to have fun," I whisper back.

Florence leans back, cups my jaw, and trains her fiery gaze on me.

"Good. You deserve to relax. To play. You're not a robot programmed to jump when someone tells you to. You don't have to carry everyone else's burdens and responsibilities," she says with such utter passion it makes my eyes sting.

I sigh sadly and lace my fingers with hers, bringing them to my chest. Florence's compassion and empathy wrap around me like a warm embrace, viscerally easing my burdens and motivating me to communicate my feelings clearly.

"I have never been given a choice before, Florence. I have been conditioned to serve others, and to put their needs before my own. To not feel, to only think. To not be self-centered and to only make decisions that will benefit my future as the sole heir of Alberad. It has been my whole identity until now. Please be patient with me as I unravel the beliefs I once held dear. I want to reevaluate my priorities as I discover this new side of life—with you."

"I understand that your father, even your name, has placed an incredible amount of pressure on you," Florence says and a dab of anger glimmers between her words. Not anger at me, I realize, but anger at my father and the situation. "But I'm telling you, with me , you have a choice. As long as I'm around, I'll always give you the freedom to make your own choices. I want you to be selfish and ask for what you want."

Like shutters lifting off my eyes, my brain and my heart come into alignment. The fates, the island, the research, everything has led me to this moment. Right here, in the middle of my favorite meadow—the meadow that appeared in Florence's dream—my soul is calling me to recognize its mate.

I know what I should do.

Staring intently into Florence's captivating eyes, I ready myself to say the words that will alter my future forever.

"Florence Everly, I choose you ," I say passionately, enunciating every word with all the love I have.

Florence sucks in a breath. The weight of my words—my choice, my decision—reflects in her eyes and her emotions change so quickly that I find them hard to track. There's surprise, elation, and affection, before finally settling on determination.

Florence squares her shoulders and fixes me with a soft but unwavering smile.

"Adelbert Alberad, I choose you ," Florence says confidently with tears brimming in her eyes.

I lean down and cup her face.

"My mate," I whisper against Florence's lips.

My lips skim over hers and Florence's tongue darts out in response. Granting her entrance, I meet her tongue with mine in a soft, languid kiss. Our tongues stroke and twine lazily, echoing our commitment and sealing our love.

My body heats and a prickly sensation spreads across my skin. It starts in the center of my chest and radiates out toward my fingers, my toes, even up my neck to my scalp.

Florence pulls away slowly and breaks our kiss.

"Baby."

The concern in her tone has me on alert, growing more worried when I see her wide eyes and mouth parted in shock.

"What is it?" I ask and look around us, searching for the threat. But something doesn't feel right and I lift my hand to inspect my head.

"You've got horns," Florence says tenderly and lets out an excited squeal.