Page 17 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
“Sylvie?”Kellen’s voice was barely a whisper.
“I remembered something.A caravan… I was traveling with others.”
“What kind of caravan?”
“There was music and…” The dwarf’s face came clearer now, his blue eyes sparkling as he playfully kissed my hand.My stomach twisted.“Oh gods.What if—what if someone is waiting for me?”
Standing quickly, I wrapped my arms around myself.My ribs protested the sudden movement.“I’m sorry, Kellen.I can’t.”
He rose slowly, pain flickering across his face before his guardian’s mask slipped back into place.“No apologies needed.I overstepped my role.I’m the one who should apologize.”He retrieved my trousers from beside the fire.“We should return.You need rest.”
The formal tone in his voice felt like ice water down my back.“Kellen… Please, you don’t need to be sorry.”
“It is my job to see to your care.I just got lost… I’m sorry, Sylvie.Let’s go back.”
He turned to extinguish the fire, each movement precise and controlled.I stood there, torn between the memory of the dwarf’s friendly face and the ache in my chest as I watched Kellen withdraw.
“Glimmer, little Sylvie.That’s what they call it when you meet your true love.When you find your soul’s twin, you will feel it to your core.You will know without a doubt you have found the one you are meant to be with for all your years.”
My grandmother’s voice echoed from some distant memory.For a brief moment, I remembered her house amongst the limbs of the forest city of Greenspire.I’d been sitting at her feet playing with fairy dolls I’d crafted from leaves, twigs, and acorns.I remembered her weathered hands and her long, silver braid, even if her face was unclear.And I remembered that she loved me, every lesson she ever shared was given with care.I stared at the water, whispering, “Glimmer.”
Kellen paused, looking back.
I shook my head quickly.Gods, he would think me foolish, talking about ancient true love magic.I reached for my trousers, wincing as I pulled them on.
He noticed, of course.His hand caught mine as I reached for the blanket.“Go slow.You’re still healing.”His voice was gentle again, though his eyes remained guarded.“I’ll help with your boots in a moment.”
He returned to his task, leaving me with my churning thoughts.
Pitchforks and torches, the glimmer.Was it possible?
Dwarf, whoever you are, I hope you are worth what I may have to give up.
CHAPTER10
KELLEN
Sylvie and I were silent as we made our way back to the cottage.I felt utterly ridiculous about what had happened…ridiculous and confused.As a young man, I’d had my dalliances in Woodsong before coming to Silver Vale.But since becoming protector of the forest, I had lived the life expected of me.Aside from my brief romance with Isla, I had cared for the forest…alone.I had lived in silence, tending to nature and keeping my urgings quiet so something like this could not happen.Even when I visited Moonshine Hollow, I slipped in and out, only collecting what I needed and meeting with Juniper, the herbalist.There were many beautiful and kind-hearted women in the village, but I would not let myself consider them.I could not.I dared not.
And yet, here I was, falling for the first beautiful, kind, warm, and utterly perfect woman to pass my way.
It had been a long year.
I hadn’t spoken to anyone since last autumn except for chiding the brownies or having passing interactions with the fairies who tended the flowers.Winter was coming again, and the thought of spending it alone had left me feeling forlorn.No wonder I had fallen prey to my thoughts.
And yet, that kiss…
That kiss had been magic.Not just passion—more.There are many kinds of kisses.Some playful, some meaningless, some mere momentary presses of lips upon lips, some nothing but lust.And then there is the kind of kiss you feel in your soul.My world had come undone by her kiss, and I knew I would never be the same.
Sylvie paused to pick a handful of daisies growing on the forest floor.Humming to herself as she walked, she wove a daisy crown.I watched her, realizing that she, too, was wrestling with the nervous energy between us.I wanted to take it away.She didn’t need this.She needed to feel better and be on her way.She didn’t need someone like me hampering her travels.No doubt, she had a very full life—one filled with people and friends, apparently, a whole caravan—somewhere far away from me.
Glimmer.
That was the word she had uttered, her gaze far away, lost to her memories.
It was a belief both Sylvans and dryads shared.Other races had different names for it, but for us, it was the belief we are born into this world with a twin.When we find them, we become whole once more.The true love magic was rare, ancient in its origin.
I had just met this woman.
