Page 22 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
Not Bromir.Not another man’s name.Me.She called me.
“I must prepare the provisions for our hike.”
She stretched gently, smiling softly.“Five more minutes,” she said, curling closer to me.
I smiled softly.“Very well.Five more minutes.”
She drifted off to sleep once more, nestled in my arms.I closed my eyes.
Mother Gaia, please let her be free.Please let her be free so I can make her mine.
Lying here for a time, listening to her breathing, I felt a peace in my heart I had not felt in as long as I could remember.
When I felt myself slipping back to sleep, I knew it was time to force myself out of my dream and get ready.If anything were to work, it would be a visit to the Moonglade.There was no more beautiful and magic-filled place in all of Silver Vale.Fernella’s writings indicated that the small white berries that grew on the moonshine plant were potent in helping one see the past and, sometimes, even the future.They had been primarily used in spiritual rites for dryads, but in a case like Sylvie’s, they would surely help.
I stirred once more, gently moving my arm from under her.
“Too early to hike.You dryads are so…active,” she said with a drowsy laugh.
“But it must be done all the same, and we are late now.I will need to pack provisions so we can spend the night.”
“I blame the chestnut ale.Ugh, sleeping in the forestagain,” she said softly as she drifted back to sleep.After a long moment, she added groggily and with a soft laugh, “And here I thought I was home.”
My stomach knotted instantly.She was feeling it too.How was this possible?
Mother Gaia, please let it be.
Working quickly, I made my way around the cottage, packing up the necessary provisions.We could be there before nightfall if we left within the hour, going at a slower pace to accommodate Sylvie.The hollow trees did not lead to the Moonglade.The forest carefully guarded its most sacred secret.And here I was, planning to take a stranger there.
What if she was among the many thieves who came for the Moonshine plant?I would be leading her right to it.
But she wasn’t.I knew that deep in my heart.
Sylvie woke a short while later and began making ready.“Let me help,” she said, joining me at the counter as I wrapped bread and cheese.
We worked side by side, preparing the food.A gentle, calm quietness to our togetherness touched my heart.When we were done, she paused at the window, pulling her fingers through her hair to brush it, then pulled it into a long braid.
I paused to watch her.
She smiled at me.“I’m a wreck.I don’t know what I usually look like, but I know I look better than this.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Liar.”
Turning, I went to the last resident in my bed, who had not yet stirred.“Well, Marvelle.Let me see that foot,” I told the squirrel, sitting down on the bed beside the animal.He yawned and stretched, but let me examine him all the same.
I nodded.“You will come with us,” I told him.“The Moonglade will also be restorative for you,” I said.The raw leaves of the moonshine plant were not comparable in their healing abilities, which made the tonic so potent.A fresh leaf would set the squirrel back to the right.
Marvelle clicked in protest.
“I’ll carry a pouch.Now, let’s get some acorns and set out.”
I watched as Sylvie bent to pull on her boots.She was able to fix them herself with only a little noticeable wince of pain.The tonics were working.The scratch on her face had healed completely.Now, all we had to do was mend her mind.
Working together, we soon gathered everything we needed.I hoisted my pack onto my back.When I went to grab the satchel of food and water, Sylvie took it from me and strapped it bandolier-style across her body.
“I’ll take that.Have to pull my weight.”
