Page 27 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
She paused, the moment growing quiet.A shadow of sadness crossed her features.“When I lifted the stone from the water, I did remember something,” she said hesitantly.“Another time I held a rare stone in my hands.I can’t recall the details clearly, but… I knew what it was, just like I knew this one.It felt so familiar.”
She trailed off, and I sensed there was more she wasn’t saying.Had she remembered someone else?Seen a face she didn’t want to share?I wouldn’t press her.If she wanted to tell me, she would.
Sylvie shook her head as if clearing her thoughts.“The memories flutter through my mind like these moon dragons across the pool.They’re there one moment, gone the next, fragile and fleeting.”
She glanced out at the water, the shimmering light reflected in her eyes.“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anywhere more beautiful in my life.”
“There are many beautiful places in Silver Vale,” I said, watching her.“But this is the most beautiful of all.”
Sylvie sighed heavily, her expression shifting as if regret had settled over her.“Well,” she said with a wry smile, “as healing as that little brew might be, it did nothing to stave off my hunger.Now, where did we put that food?”
Laughing, I dug into my pack, pulling out some rations and a flagon of elderberry wine.We sat by the fairy flame, sharing food and sipping wine as the fire warmed us.Halfway through the bottle, the humor started flowing as freely as the wine.
“I’m definitely an assassin,” Sylvie announced, her tone mock-serious.“Sent to take out… I don’t know, someone important.”
“Because they terrorized your home village?”I offered, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded quickly.“Exactly!They terrorized my village in search of the missing Golden Wool Slippers.”
“The Golden Wool Slippers of King Stopholis,” I said, grinning.“He needed them because the golden floor of his palace was too cold.Also, they kept his feet from turning into flippers.”
Sylvie snorted.“Right!Because if his feet turned into flippers, he’d become a merman, and his entire kingdom would sink underwater.”
“Exactly,” I said, nodding sagely.“And since his people can’t breathe underwater, they would surely perish.”
We both laughed, doubling over as the ridiculous story grew more absurd.The wine did more than loosen our humor—it brought us closer.Somewhere along the way, our bodies gravitated toward each other until we were pressed together, shoulders touching, her hand resting lightly on my knee.The heat of her touch sent a slow burn through me, and I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering to all the ways I wanted her hand to move.
“That seems like a reasonable history for someone like me,” Sylvie said with mock thoughtfulness.“Far more believable than being a ballet dancer on the run.”
“Or a jewel thief,” I offered.
She grinned.“Or a bard.Or maybe a wandering priestess-slash-witch-slash-sorceress.”
“I like the idea that you’re a shape-shifting dragon.”I smirked.“And someday, you’ll reveal your true form and eat me.”
Sylvie chuckled, her eyes sparkling.“Well, you do look delicious…” Her voice trailed off as she brushed a crumb of bread from my chin.
Her touch lingered, and the air between us shifted.The laughter faded, replaced by something deeper, more urgent.My heart pounded as I caught her hand, holding it gently against my face.
Our gazes locked, and for a long moment, neither of us moved.Maybe it was the wine, or the frustration over her lost memories, or the feelings we’d both been holding back.Whatever the reason, I couldn’t stop myself.I leaned forward, and so did she.
When our lips met, it was as if the world disappeared.Her touch was soft but full of yearning, her fingers sliding to the back of my neck as I pulled her closer.Every emotion I’d bottled up poured into that kiss, and I knew—whatever happened next, whatever her memories revealed—I didn’t want to let her go.
CHAPTER15
TANSY
It began as just a kiss but quickly burned into something more.
“My memories may not have returned, but I do remember something… What it is to want someone.And I want you,” I whispered into Kellen’s ear as I slipped onto his lap, kissing his neck and feeling his muscular body.He was much larger than me, all lean muscle and raw power.I could feel his yearning, his cock hard and straining against his trousers.My breath caught when I realized how large he was, anticipation curling low in my belly.
Kellen’s hands slid down my back to my ass, squeezing me and pressing me closer against his broad chest.
“I have been thinking about that moment at the pool all this time.You are so beautiful, Sylvie.I have never wanted anything more than I want you.”
I let out a soft sigh against his lips.The way he touched me—so careful, so deliberate—made something in me bloom with desire.It was slow and languid, like a dance meant to last forever.My body ached, yearning for his touch.
His hands moved to my waist, sliding under my tunic to touch my bare flesh.I shivered—not from the cold, but from how he made me feel, all heat and tenderness.I wanted more.I wanted all of him.
