Page 25 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
“Shall we make camp and explore?”I asked.
Her eyes wide and dewy, Sylvie looked at the tree.“I’d love nothing more.”
CHAPTER13
TANSY
Iwondered at the moon dragons circling the ancient tree, their shimmering scales catching the light like prisms, casting rainbows across the clearing.It was breathtaking—an extraordinary sight that tugged at something deep inside me.My heart swelled, not just for the beauty of it all but for the thoughtfulness of Kellen bringing me here.
This place was magical and sacred, and I felt unworthy to stand in it.As I turned to look at Kellen, his face was illuminated by the faint glow of the tree’s silver leaves.His expression held a quiet reverence, his eyes tracing the tree’s intricate patterns as though committing every detail to memory.
He caught me staring.Turning toward me, he gave me a soft, shy smile.
“Thank you, Kellen,” I said softly, the words feeling too small for what he’d given me.
Without a word, he gestured for me to follow him, leading me down a narrow path toward a crystal-clear pool.I trailed behind, my gaze darting between the shimmering water, the tree, the moon dragons, and the plants growing on the bank.
“Is that…” I started, my voice trailing off as I crouched near the pool’s edge.
Kellen knelt beside me, his hand brushing against one of the flowers.“Moonshine plant,” he confirmed.“Rare, powerful, and more valuable than gold.”
“There’s so much,” I said, looking at the plants lining the pool.
“A million coins wouldn’t compare to their worth.”His voice dropped, turning serious.“But they might be worth something far more important.”
I tilted my head, watching him closely.“What’s that?”
“Your memory.”He turned to me, his gaze steady, searching.
The weight of his words settled over me like a shroud, and I realized this wasn’t just about the beauty of the moment.There was something deeper, something Kellen wasn’t saying—at least, not yet.My memories held the key to whatever was blooming between Kellen and me.Right now, it was an emotion I was struggling to bottle up.But once I knew the truth, knew who I was, where I belonged, and if I belonged to another…
“Yes,” I replied.“That is something.”
Kellen turned back to the glowing plants with a reverence that tugged at my chest.“Only a little can be harvested at a time,” he explained, his voice low and careful, as though speaking too loudly might harm the flowers.“If we take too much, the entire crop could be ruined.That’s why the moonshine plant must be treated so tenderly.Its powers are without compare, but the plant itself is incredibly fragile.It grows here, under the light of the willow, protected by the tiny moon dragons you see flitting about.This glade must remain sacred and safe.If the wrong eyes ever discovered this place, or worse, tried to harvest the moonshine flower, it would never grow again.”
He turned to me, his eyes luminous in the ethereal glow.“That’s why no eyes save those of a dryad have ever seen this place…until now.”
A lump rose in my throat, and I struggled to find the right words.“Oh, Kellen… I can’t express how grateful I am.”
Kellen’s smile was gentle and full of unspoken emotions.It told me everything I needed to know.He trusted me, not just because I was Sylvan, but because of who I was.
“Come,” he said, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.“Let’s gather some berries and get to work.Remember, you’re not the only one who needs healing tonight—an injured squirrel is counting on us.”
I glanced at Marvelle, who was perched on a rock near the pool, eyeing the moon dragons with curiosity and wariness.I smiled at the sight of him, feeling a surge of affection for the plucky little creature.
“There’s a small grotto over there,” Kellen continued, pointing toward a sheltered nook at the mountain’s base.“We’ll camp there for the night.”
The grotto was cozy and inviting, with a natural overhang forming a protective roof.In the center was a fire ring, but a strange black rock was at its heart instead of charred wood.I set down my things, pausing to study the stone.
“Have you ever seen a mountain ember before?”Kellen asked, watching me with a knowing look.
“No,” I admitted, crouching closer.“What is it?”
Instead of answering, Kellen turned toward the small moon dragons fluttering near the tree.He summoned a delicate pink moon dragon with iridescent wings with a soft whistle.She landed lightly on his shoulder, her tail curling around his arm.
“My friend,” he murmured to the moon dragon, his tone gentle.“It’s dark, and we need warmth.Can you help us?”
The moon dragon chirped in response and darted toward the black rock.Hovering over it, she took a deep, almost comical breath before exhaling a stream of shimmering pink-and-turquoise flames.The rock sprang to life, glowing with vibrant colors that danced like fire but didn’t burn.
