9. Florence

Chapter nine

Florence

I place my hand in front of my mouth to stop the gasp that wants to escape, the sight of Alberad castle pulling the sound right out of me.

The sunrise frames the formidable four-story classical stone building on the crest of the hill, looking like something straight out of a fairytale. Sharp gray turrets jut up proudly on each of the wings, the sandstone facade smooth and well-kept. Intricate details run above the large wood-paneled window frames, and heavy double doors lead into the maw of the castle.

The manicured garden at the foot of the hill is dreamy. Flower beds of coordinated colors run between sculpted trees and neat hedges. Roses bloom in rosettes of blush pink, lilac, and magenta. More climbing grandiflora roses are trained over archways and hugging pillars—the sunshiny yellows, creamy whites, and apricot oranges creating a color buffet for my artistic eye.

My eyes catalog each detail, trying to capture and store the hues in my mind so I can recreate them when I have access to my embroidery supplies again.

I turn to Adelbert, my eyes alight with the joy I feel, my spirit charged with the beauty I see, only to find his gaze already trained on me. His lips are slightly parted and his eyebrows squished together, his steel eyes almost soft as he studies me.

"This place looks magical," I whisper giddily, remembering to keep my voice low.

He blinks and replaces his expression with the harsher version I'm more familiar with, and runs a hand through his sleek hair.

"Come," he whispers back in a grim command and, with footsteps lighter than his long limbs should allow, leads me around the back of the castle.

Adelbert guides me behind a low stone wall that will obscure me from view. "You may wait here."

Underneath a lone oak tree with a gnarly bark that looks like it's witnessed thousands of stories, is a quaint bench. It's a perfect make out spot for teenagers, and I'm tempted to ask Adelbert if he's had a girl or two here.

I ignore the unexpected stab of jealousy that comes with the thought. Instead, I ask, "This is cute. Will no one find me here?"

Adelbert nods and points at a medieval-looking door.

"I do not believe so. The library is closest to that entrance and this bench is out of direct view of any windows. The dormitories are closed for the summer and the kitchen sits on the western side, therefore it is highly unlikely that anyone will come near this early."

Judging by that information, this is most definitely a make out spot. I wonder what Adelbert would do if I pulled him down with me.

No, Florence. Stop your dirty brain right there. This is not the time.

My teeth release my bottom lip from where they were nibbling away at it, and I return to more demure thoughts. "I take it that the library in this school is massive. Will you be able to remain within the hundred yards of the bond?"

Before Adelbert can answer, I rub at my chest and continue with the idea that just occurred to me, "I wish I brought my phone. Then, you could call me and tell me if I need to move closer."

"You do not need your phone. It will not work within the wards."

"But it worked at your house. I texted Sadie when we arrived last night," I counter.

Adelbert's jaw clenches. "I have tailored the wards around my house to my needs, which include allowing guests in as I please. Alberad's wards are much more… secure."

"I must be super special to be here, then. Right?" I shoot double finger guns at Adelbert, then cringe at myself.

What the hell was that? Who even makes finger guns?

Adelbert shakes his head. As he turns away from me, I swear I hear him mumble, "Looks like it."

Did he just stop using formal words? Color me intrigued. I wonder what else I can do so he'll speak more casually around me. Maybe I can even get him to let down his walls one day and we could eventually become friends.

"So, no phones..." I prompt.

Adelbert turns back to me, posture rigid once again. "There is no need to fret. Your location is a constant variable I have been conscious of since the island, and I am rather well equipped to gauge distance. Just remain on the bench and… enjoy nature." Adelbert started off so confidently, but his last two words sound more like a question, as if he's never just sat in the forest and taken in his surroundings.

I guess he hasn't.

Choosing to be mature and not remark on him saying he's "rather well equipped," I store the sentence in my memory to tell Dede about later. She'd have a ball with it.

Ball!

My smile, however, plays along my lips as I acknowledge my role this morning. "I shall keep my behind firmly placed on the bench until your return, Mr. Alberad."

Adelbert stares at me impassively, but I swear I see a flicker of amusement in his eyes as I lower myself onto the bench.

A sigh is Adelbert's only audible response, then he pivots and strides toward the back entrance.

On his way, he bends to pick up a large rock in one hand. I do not stare at his firm ass as he places the rock in front of the heavy door to prop it open. It makes sense if he's going to be carrying a bunch of books to not have to bother with door handles.

Adelbert doesn't look back at me as he disappears into the darkness of the corridor beyond.

For the first time in two days, I'm alone. Even though I slept in what is probably the loveliest bed I've ever laid down on, my sleep was fitful and insufficient. I knew we would be getting up early this morning, and I didn't want him to wait for me.

I tossed and turned most of the night, until I finally gave up on attempting to sleep. From the early morning hours, I lay awake, straining to hear any sounds coming from the other side of the house. When I heard a door click open then thud shut, I dressed quickly and waited for Adelbert to summon me.

Considering the stress of nineteen people depending on him to find a fix to this bond so we can all return to our normal lives, my heart can't help but ache for him. I wish there was something we could do to help, but no one has the resources that he has, nor would he allow anyone but me—who had to come—to follow him to Alberad.

Adelbert has not complained once, just taken it all in stride, and it makes me question how many burdens he carries around that this doesn't send him careening into panic.

He's a bit of a closed book and I doubt I'll have the opportunity to get to know him and have him trust me enough to tell me his deeper thoughts, but I can be a silent pillar of support while I'm here.

Because that's who I am at my core. I help where I can. I listen. I care. I empathize. And unlike my extroverted sister, I like to make as few waves as possible.

Are there things I wish I could demand more strongly? Yes, but never at the expense of others. Not at the expense of Adelbert's peace.

Waking up early and complying with his requests while keeping my complaints to a minimum, seem like the easiest things I can do right now.

I scoot back on the bench and cross my legs as I close my eyes and bask in the tranquility of the early morning forest, my moment of solitude in nature wrapping around me in a friendly embrace.

Birds chirping, leaves rustling, and I let out a quiet sound of contentment.

A sudden humph and a weight settling on the bench beside me has my eyes flying open and a mini closed-mouthed shriek flies from me before I can catch myself.

Thankfully, it's just a cat. A wonderfully plump cuddly ginger cat looking for scratches sitting next to me on the bench.

My lips curl up in a delighted smile and, this time, it's a tiny squeal of excitement that makes it past my tightly sealed lips.

"Well aren't you the most handsomest boy in all the land," I coo gently at the cat and reach a hand forward to stroke under his chin. He looks unimpressed but allows my touch with a slight tilt to his head, intelligent sage-green eyes still locked on mine.

"You're so cute, aren't you? Are you the master of this castle?" I whisper as I keep petting and scratching him, following his lead as he shifts his body for me to reach the best spots on his back.

Seemingly pleased with the attention, he starts up a stuttering purr and moves closer, staring at my legs until I readjust so he can climb on my lap.

His sizable body settles on my legs and I run both my hands through his soft fur, which is warm under my touch like he just left his spot in front of a toasty fire. I didn't realize how chilled I was until my legs started to thaw under his hefty weight, the warmth seeping through my jeans.

"You're the goodest boy, making me all toasty. Thank you, purr boy." At that, the cat looks up at me with what I swear is a judgmental stare, and stops purring.

"Not a fan of the baby talk or the nickname?" I ask the cat in a more neutral tone this time. His answering blink is all I get, so I reword the question while my hands keep up their petting.

"Purr-purr?" I try. Still, I get nothing from him.

"Sir Purr?" At this, a weak vibration starts up under my hands and I decide to try one more.

"Sir Purrington?"

Ladies and gentlemen, we have liftoff.

Sir Purrington preens under this name and a solid purr works through his body and vibrates into my limbs. He curls up in my lap and a sense of rightness settles in me.

Since Alberad Island, I have felt somewhat unmoored. I'm not someone who likes to complain out loud, nor do I enjoy drawing attention to myself. I usually go with the flow and remain in the background, letting others take center stage and make the big decisions.

But, right here, under a lonely oak tree with Sir Purrington curled up on my lap, it feels like I can finally take a deep breath and like something has clicked into place.

I close my eyes and breathe deeply while my fingers stroke Sir Purrington's soft fur, and an easy smile settles on my lips, basking in this peaceful moment before reality is bound to come crashing in again.