Page 20 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
Kellen met my gaze.There was a twinkle in his eyes that had not gone away since that kiss at the side of the stream.“I think you might be the most dangerous creature in this forest right now.”
I smirked at him.“Good, then I have you right where I want you.”
“Indeed you do, Sylvie,” he said, lifting the pitcher again.He turned it over, showing it was empty.“We have reached the end and have a very long walk tomorrow.Suppose we should go in?”
I nodded, realizing my head felt dizzy.When I rose, I paused a moment so I would not sway.I then collected our mugs, the pitcher, and the small block of excellent acorn cheese Kellen had made—the same kind that had tempted the brownies to near death.
Kellen set about putting out the fire while I returned the supplies to the cottage.Within, a fire burned warmly in the fireplace, casting a cheery orange glow.Marvelle had curled up at the foot of Kellen’s bed on the crocheted blanket.The little creature slept soundly.I put the cheese into the icebox to stay cool, then went to the sink, where I washed the pitcher and mugs.Working the pump, I pulled up fresh water and then began my work.Something about the very simple task of being at home and doing dishes felt calming.The bundles of herbs hanging over the window shed their gentle scents of lavender, wild rose, aster, and chamomile.I looked out the window, watching Kellen work.He was stacking up the unused wood, covering it from the rain, and working to dampen the fire.
I paused, feeling the scene deeply in my chest.
I want this.
This.
This is what I have been searching for.
The voice came from deep within me, from a place that remembered who I was and where I had come from.
“Why?”I whispered back to myself.“Am I running from something?Someone?Why?”
But it was not my own voice or memory that answered.
Once more, I felt my grandmother’s presence and, with it, the sweet scent of snowdrops that always clung to her.“It’s the glimmer, little Sylvie,”she whispered.
I stood motionless, watching Kellen, my heart yearning to take him into my arms once more, to kiss him again and again.And then, the deep feeling of want groaned to life once more.
Turning back to the dishes, I began my work again.“I don’t even know who I am or where I come from.Until then…” I replied to myself, my grandmother, to whoever I felt watching and listening.
I was drying the dishes, setting them back on the shelf, when Kellen entered again.When he saw what I had done, he smiled gratefully.“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
We stood there in silence for a moment, neither of us sure what to say.After a long moment, Kellen gestured toward his bed.“You should rest.I have some reading to do before we set off tomorrow.”
“Kellen, I really can’t just continue to take?—”
“There will be no argument here.At least, not with me.As for Marvelle… Well, I leave that to you.”
“All right, then,” I said, glancing back at the bed.
“Let me make you a healing tonic before you sleep.I have plied you with ale all night.The least I can do is remember my duties as caretaker.”
“Plying me with ale is caretaking, I promise,” I replied with a laugh, then went over to the bed and sat down, trying not to disturb the little squirrel.
As Kellen worked to make my tonic, I carefully removed my boots.Either the ale was working, or my ribs were mending.Either way, it hurt much less.
The dryad returned a few moments later, handing me a steaming clay mug.
“Drink and rest.I will wake you when it’s time to go.”
“Thank you, Kellen,” I said, taking the mug from him.“For everything.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he replied.“Call if you need anything,” he told me, setting a gentle hand on my shoulder before he retreated to the reading nook on the other side of the cabin.
Wrapping my hands around the mug, I sipped, feeling the tonic soothe me as it went down.On the other side of the cabin, I saw Kellen light a candle and then settle in to read.I sat silently, feeling a calm wash over me as I watched him.When I finished the mug, I set it aside and slipped under the covers.My head felt heavy from the ale, but my body was warmed from the healing brew.I moved carefully so as not to wake the squirrel.He lifted his head, looking at me, then made his way closer, shimmying under the blanket with me and curling up against my chest.Closing my eyes, I held the tiny creature gently with one hand, then tried to fall off to sleep.
My elven ears remained tuned to Kellen’s every move.After a time, I heard him set the book down and blow out the candle.He then adjusted himself in the seat, the chair creaking.
