39. Adelbert

Chapter thirty-nine

Adelbert

"Baby, look!" Florence says breathily. Her hands cover her mouth and her eyes sparkle with absolute delight.

"Are those…?" I quickly button my pants and stand up.

"They are!" Florence exclaims as she runs toward the closest flower that has sprouted up around us. Crouching down, undiluted joy radiates from her as she gently traces the bioluminescent blue petals before hopping to the next flower and repeating the motion. Giggles chime from her like the sweetest song while she makes her way around the oak tree, greeting the numerous flowers and acknowledging their unexpected presence.

My heart nearly stutters to a stop with my sheer love for Florence, and I marvel that I get to call her mine.

The golden rays of the setting sun dance between the tall branches on the edge of the meadow and all around us, the trees sway on a light breeze, making the leaves rustle in applause. Goose bumps dot my arms and reach into the nape of my neck at the magical scene.

I walk over to Florence and wrap my arms around her. Not even tempted to mask my emotions, I let her read it all on my face—my joy, my love, my gratitude for her.

"These are the exact same flowers from the island that led me to you," Florence whispers with glassy eyes darting all over my face. "The fates really think of everything, don't they?"

"Surely, this is their way of acknowledging our mating," I say, fairly certain I've figured out how they've orchestrated the events that led us to this moment.

I cradle her face and brush my thumbs across her cheekbones.

"I'm sorry if I was a bit rough back there, but I didn't have much self-control. I did check in on your emotions when I had enough self-awareness, though the rut quickly took over and I had to claim you in a very primal way."

Florence splays her fingers across my chest and pushes a hoard of emotions toward me. She patiently waits for me as I sift through all of them until I can identify surprise, arousal, fascination, marvel, and satisfaction.

"The way you fucked me back there was the hottest moment of my life. Your cock. Wow. The way you moved. Wow. If this is what it means to be mated to you, I can't wait for the rest of our lives. I like feral Adelbert. You were a beast. And I wouldn't change a second of that," Florence says with total candor, reinforcing the emotions she sent me. The mere picture of her pinned beneath me has my cock twitching again.

I blink my lustful thoughts away, then trail a hand up one horn.

"Isn't it ironic that my whole life I've been focused on looking composed and elegant, upholding the image that's becoming of an Alberad. And now, I've turned into a beast with horns and a barky dick."

"First of all, I love your barky dick. That thing is an A-plus penetration machine. Not that there was anything wrong with your previous one, but this one—" Florence gives me a pointed look, then looks at my crotch before looking into my eyes again. "That bumpy knot. Mm-hmm. The ridges. Yum. You didn't even have to touch my clit before my orgasm barreled into me. I'm going to have to drink so much water tonight. Not that I'm complaining," she quickly adds. "Also, oolong tea cum with notes of oak. There's nothing better. You might just make me addicted to drinking straight from you instead of a cup in the morning."

"Stop." I laugh and lean my forehead against Florence's. "You're going to make me hard again, and I know you must be sore. I plan to have you soak in the tub while I prep dinner before I can even think about touching you again."

Florence skims her fingertips along the skin above my waistband, taking extra care to caress the raised patches of bark. She leans back to look at me. Her brows knit, and her voice turns serious.

"Thank you for sharing your fears and worries with me. For verbalizing your introspection and bringing me along your emotional journey. It gives me insight into where you are at emotionally and mentally, and I appreciate how hard you are working to communicate clearly with me."

My mouth tips up into an easy smile for my mate.

"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. I need to 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 from my point 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.

Galadh. Tree of the forest.

"How can I assist you, elder?" I ask the tree that I'm guessing to be more than a thousand years old.

"Your mate has unlocked your true nature. Thus, you are henceforth able to access the intrinsic parts of your soul. It allows you to once again commune with nature the way your forebearers had, the way it was intended for your kind."

"And Florence? Can she hear you too?" I turn my head and find her still frolicking through the meadow in nothing but the sweater she had commandeered from my wardrobe. She's breathtaking.

"Ah, your dear mate," Lebethron says with affection apparent in his voice. "I find it unfortunate that it is a gift only woodland elves have the honor of. However, her pure heart has granted her the ability to sense the soul of the forest. We are deeply connected to her and call her Lót?."

"Flower," I whisper to myself, feeling Florence's Elvish name out. It's perfect.

My lips quirk up. Trust Florence to not only enchant this elf but also the whole forest.

"The fates have foretold of you, Galadh," Lebethron says in his grandfatherly voice. "You are the first elf in hundreds of years to have opened your heart so fully. It is time for woodland elves to return to the forest. To access their true magic the way you have. To open their hearts and listen to the deepest parts of their souls."

"I want to help. I want other elves to experience what I have, to be set free from the cage that has been placed around us. To feel, to truly live. Can you teach me more?"

"We only require you to make woodland elves aware of their nature, which has been hidden for too long. Let them leave their stone castle and bring them to the forests they are native to. We will guide each elf who is willing to learn, as we did with you. It will be their decision if they choose to listen."

A plan takes shape in my mind and I stand up a bit straighter, a smile settling onto my lips. I can already imagine what my father's response will be, but I will fight for this forest, for elves, no matter what.

"I can do that."