Page 30 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
Sylvie!
Panic surged through me.If Old Mohr found her, an outsider, when he was already enraged…
I sprinted faster than I ever thought possible, leaping over roots and boulders, the satchel bouncing against my side as the brownies cried out from inside.I burst onto the path near the cabin just in time to hear Old Mohr’s deafening roar.
“No,” I whispered, my blood turning cold.
Sylvie stood on the path, a large branch held in one hand.Her other hand was outstretched as though trying to calm the enormous bear on his hind legs who was poised to attack.Purple light sparkled from her fingers.But what stopped Old Mohr wasn’t her—it was Marvelle.The tiny squirrel had positioned himself between Sylvie and the bear, his small hands raised as he cast his Mesmer enchantment.Old Mohr was frozen, his massive form trembling with suppressed fury.
“Sylvie!”I shouted, rushing toward her.
She turned, her face pale.“Kellen!”
Marvelle’s enchantment wouldn’t hold for long, and when it broke, Old Mohr would be even more enraged.I handed Sylvie the satchel containing the brownies.“Hold this,” I said firmly, “and don’t let them make a sound.”
With that, I scooped up Marvelle and set him on my shoulder.A faint cracking sound signaled the enchantment’s weakening.
As the spell broke, I called upon my magic, summoning thick roots from the ground to wrap around Old Mohr’s legs.Twisting like vines, the roots emerged from the earth, holding the bear in place.
The bear roared in indignation, but the roots held firm.
“Old Mohr!”I shouted, my voice commanding.“Would you attack an innocent woman in my forest?”
He roared again, thrashing against the roots.
“You are lost to rage and are a danger to my forest.Youwillbe calm.”I began to chant a calming spell.Old Mohr resisted, knowing what I was doing, but gradually, his rage ebbed, replaced by a heavy weariness.
“The brownies will answer for their crimes,” I said, my voice firm.“The brownie elders will ensure it, but you cannot harm her.She is no threat to you.”
Old Mohr lowered himself to all fours, his massive head bowing in apology.
Sylvie, trembling but steady, inclined her head toward him.“I forgive you, Old Mohr,” she said softly.“This is your forest, your home.I’m the intruder here.”
The bear huffed and then turned to me.
“We understand one another?”
He gave a reluctant sigh.
With the wave of my hand and a few whispered words, the roots retracted, freeing the bear once more.
With a final glance and huff at me, Old Mohr turned and lumbered back into the woods.
Sylvie let out a shaky breath and looked at me.“I think… I think I need a drink,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Me too,” I replied.“Let’s go.”
Inside the cottage, I poured two mugs of cider ale and set one in front of Sylvie.She took it gratefully, her fingers trembling slightly from the encounter with Old Mohr.
“My heart is still thumping,” she told me.
“You were brave, though.Braver than most would’ve been.”
Sylvie’s eyes shifted to Marvelle, who was perched on the table, preening smugly.She pulled off her belt and set it on the table.Reaching into one of the pouches attached to it, she pulled out a small handful of nuts.“This little guy is the real hero.”She set the nuts before him, smiling.
The squirrel wasted no time, diving into the pile with enthusiasm.
I couldn’t help but grin.
