Page 29 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
KELLEN
To say that night was the most memorable of my life would be an understatement.It was the most beautiful, love-filled evening I could imagine and the most heartbreaking.As I held Sylvie while she slept, all I could think about was that I would probably lose her.The idea that she might have someone else waiting for her tore at my heart.Yet, at the same time, I was grateful.
Perhaps I would never have a wife or family, but I would have this one perfect night to remember.As sleep finally claimed me, my only prayer was that when morning came, Sylvie would remember her life and choose to stay with me.
But when the sun rose, the hope of her memory returning was quickly dashed.
“Nothing?”I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief.
Sylvie shook her head, her brows furrowed.“Nothing at all,” she admitted.“I don’t understand it either.It was a dreamless sleep.I thought maybe I’d remember something in a dream or wake up with everything rushing back to me.But there’s still…nothing.”
Impossible.Everyone knew moonshine berries were the most potent healing remedy in existence.I glanced at Marvelle, who was now hopping from branch to branch of the willow, chasing the moon dragons like he’d never been injured.His leg was fully healed, and his energy was boundless.
Sylvie must have caught the frustration in my expression.“I’m sorry, Kellen,” she said softly, her voice breaking.“I feel like I’ve let you down.”
“No,” I told her firmly.“Don’t think like that.We don’t know how these things work.It might still come back to you.”
Her lips trembled as she nodded, and I could see the tears she was trying to hold back.I hated myself for making her feel worse, even unintentionally.It wasn’t her fault.But deep down, I was as perplexed as she was.How could the berries not have worked?
We packed the camp silently, each lost in our own thoughts.Sylvie lingered by the pool, staring into the water and stroking the heads of the sleepy fairy moon dragons as they came to say goodbye.They yawned, their nocturnal nature evident as they fluttered lazily around her.They had accepted her in a way I never thought possible for someone who wasn’t a dryad.As I watched her, I couldn’t help but imagine a future where we lived together in harmony with the forest.
But that dream seemed further away now than ever.
Once everything was packed, we made our way down the mountain.Sylvie hummed a low tune under her breath.I didn’t recognize the song, but it was clearly dwarven in origin.She didn’t know it yet, but I suspected the dwarven man from her dreams had been important to her.Perhaps he was even the key to her identity.
As we walked, the ache in my chest grew heavier.If her memory didn’t return soon, I would have to take her to Moonshine Hollow.The upcoming Artem Festival would bring people from all over the region.Surely someone would recognize her.It would be safer than keeping her in the forest, away from whoever might be searching for her.
We were halfway to the cottage when the forest began to whisper to me.My stomach knotted as the leaves quaked, and I felt an urgent warning ripple through the trees.
Guardian of the forest, there is trouble afoot.Hurry, Guardian.You are needed.
“Sylvie,” I said, stopping in my tracks.“Something’s wrong.”
She paused, concern flashing in her eyes.“What is it?”
I hesitated, listening closely to the whispers of the forest.“I don’t know yet, but I need to find out.Marvelle will lead you back to the cottage.You’ll be safe there.”
Her lips parted, and she looked like she wanted to protest, but she nodded.“Don’t worry about me,” she said softly.“Be careful.”
I nodded and turned to Marvelle.“You remember the way, don’t you?”
The squirrel chittered in response, leaping onto Sylvie’s shoulder as I sprinted off into the forest.
* * *
Hurry,Guardian,the trees whispered.Old Mohr is awake.The brownies menaced his den, and he is full of rage.Stop him before it is too late.
Cursing under my breath, I quickened my pace.The brownies were notorious troublemakers, but annoying Old Mohr as he prepared for hibernation?That was a death wish.Old Mohr was no ordinary bear.He was as much a part of this forest as I was, with his own magic.And when provoked, his fury was unmatched.
The trees guided me, and soon, I found the band of brownies fleeing through the woods.Their tiny voices rose in a chaotic chorus as they spotted me.
“Help us, Guardian!”they cried.
I halted in front of them, my voice sharp.“Do you really think you deserve my help?Perhaps I should let Old Mohr deal with you.It would serve you right after all the trouble you’ve caused—harassing humans, trolls, and now Old Mohr.And let’s not forget, you nearly got a woman killed!”
The brownies cowered, their protests dying as I scooped them up and stuffed them into my satchel.Turning, I reached out with my senses, searching for Old Mohr.I would need to speak to try and calm him.
His presence was unmistakable.His rage was like a wildfire, and it was heading straight toward my cottage.
