8. Adelbert

Chapter eight

Adelbert

The presence of Florence in my home is utterly vexing, and it could not have come at a more inopportune time. I am due to give my research presentation this fall, an event where the top scholars of the supernatural community will be present.

Including my father, the head of Alberad.

I have studied, researched, and prepared for years. The result of my presentation will determine whether I will become an active professor at Alberad, the same as every other male figure in my lineage until they eventually take over the running of the school. Should I fail to impress, I will have to extend my research and present again next fall, once I have gathered sufficient results.

My father was twenty-seven when he presented his research and qualified to become a professor, a full year younger than I am now, and he will not let me forget that fact. Nor my intellectual inferiority to him, and therefore, the fate of the future of Alberad hangs in the balance because of me.

Much the same as my friends are depending on me to resolve these bonds we have been saddled with. My promise to everyone on the island that I will work as fast as I am able to in order for all to return to their normal— separate —lives again, weighs heavily on me.

I intend to keep my word.

My feet slow in order for Florence to catch up to me, and I quickly take a step sideways when she almost gets too close. I cannot afford for the bond to intensify like it did for Everett and Sadie. This is difficult enough as it is.

Aware that my ever-present scowl is affixed in its usual place, I try to arrange my face into something resembling friendliness. "Florence, within the next minute you will most likely feel the wards around Alberad. I am not certain how strong the effect will be since we have never had a human pass through the school's boundaries. However, you had no problem passing through the boundaries around our Caribbean estate. These should not pose a problem." I raise my brows to indicate I am attempting to elicit a response from her.

Florence's nose scrunches in what one might consider to be an adorable manner and I feel my frustration at the situation bubbling up anew. She quirks her head to the side and nibbles on her plump bottom lip. "I wish there was a way for me to not cross the wards. I don't want to get you in any trouble in case something gets triggered."

And just like that, I curse the fates again for putting this woman in my life.

She's kind and gentle and considerate. And so fucking gorgeous it almost hurts my eyes to look at her. There is no space for her in my world that's filled with routine, discipline, and harshness. I have been raised on excellence and zero emotion. Florence, in contrast, is soft and full of feelings.

She is sunshine, and I am the storm cloud threatening her warmth.

Ignoring the way the thoughts squeeze around my cold heart, I bring us to a stop in front of the invisible boundary line and say plainly, "If you feel a hint of resistance, tell me immediately. I can alter the wards and allow you passage. But first, I would like to establish if the effect here will be as minimal as it was on the island."

Florence looks up at me with an open expression and warm smile, her lustrous blonde hair cascading down her back.

"Sure, what can I do?"

I blink at her easy acceptance. For the first time in my life, I am caught off guard and left speechless. Except for my friends, everything I have said has always been challenged, needing to substantiate my opinions with facts and research. My word alone has never been enough.

I swallow against the discomfort in my throat and move my arm in an arc to indicate the light sheen of magic. "I am not sure if your human eyes can pick up the ward, but it is right in front of you."

Eyes squinting, Florence's gaze travels from the root-riddled path up to where bits of navy-blue sky peek through the branches. The corners of her mouth turn down when she comes up empty.

I do not care for her mouth in that shape. Though I know I cannot make her happy, I will try to keep that look from being a recurring feature.

Clearing my throat, I say, "I am certain that the same factors are in play here than those from the island. Even if you are unable to see the ward, the magic should have repelled you at this point."

"What would that feel like?" Florence asks with discomfort clear in her voice and in the slump of her shoulders.

I press my lips together for a second to stop the words of reassurance that want to escape. I must remain firm with distancing myself from her as much as possible in order to avoid her forming any sort of attachment to me.

In a neutral tone, I answer, "You would remember something you had to do and would turn back the way you came, and be disinclined from ever moving in this direction again."

Florence's cornflower-blue eyes narrow in thought. The same blue as the flowers from the island that led her to me. The same blue that haunts me when I close my eyes.

Oblivious to my internal musings, her thoughtful expression is replaced with a soft smile and a lighthearted shrug.

"Well, I can't think of something else I'd rather be doing right now, and I definitely want to walk through this forest again. Repelling wards don't work on me. Boom. Take. That." The words are punctuated with playful fists punching at the air, inadvertently going through the barrier.

"I guess that takes care of crossing the wards," I say, unable to hide the mild amusement in my voice.

"Oh, no. Did I do something bad?" Florence's dainty hands clench into fists and she brings them to her face and hides her pinkening cheeks behind them.

"It's alright," I awkwardly try to comfort her, mirth attempting to pull my mouth into something approximating a grin, but I quickly squash it down. "You managed to punch through the barrier, but it seems there are no consequences. I cannot detect any changes to the wards."

Florence keeps her hands over her mouth as she mumbles her apology. "Honestly, I'm so sorry for my silliness. I promise I'll be on my best behavior from here on."

I acknowledge Florence's apology with a nod, ignoring the mental image of ripping her hands from her pretty lips and putting Florence on her knees, apologizing properly with my cock down her throat.

My expression darkens as I consider the sense of humor the fates have. I am not fully certain that they are to blame for this bond, but all evidence points to them.

Florence is so… pure and not someone I would choose to be sullied by me. I can only hope she will be able to leave my home unscathed by my surliness once everything has been resolved.

"On this side of the wards I require you to be as quiet as possible now that there is no sound barrier in place. Most monsters have special abilities," I remind her, "and for many that includes enhanced hearing and sight. I do not anticipate crossing paths with anyone since the students are on summer break, though, it is better to err on the side of caution."

"Sure. No talking and light, careful steps. I can manage that."

Florence raises her chin and gives herself an encouraging nod while looking down the widening path toward the school.

I refuse to find the action endearing.

"Let's go," I mutter and march ahead of her, trusting Florence to follow compliantly.

As we walk, I train my focus on finding a selection of books that could possibly dispel the bonds and the markings on our bodies, the weight of responsibility settling like a familiar mantle around my shoulders.

A week. I will grant myself a week of extensive research before I have to return to my usual studies. Before Florence has to return to her home in America. Hopefully.

With my resolve firmly in place, we round the bend and Florence lays eyes on Alberad for the first time.

Permitting myself a singular peripheral glance at her expression, I let my soul feed on the way her eyes widen, her whole being lighting up as she takes in the castle and the gardens.

Never before have I had an expression of such absolute awe on my own face.

It's going to be a very trying week.