Page 31 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
Sylvie laughed, the tension in her shoulders finally easing.“I’d say he’s earned a lifetime supply after that performance.”
Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, her smile softening.“And thank you, Kellen.For everything.I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d be fine,” I said, though my voice was quieter than I intended.“Memory or not, you are strong, Sylvie.And your magic…the purple.”
Sylvie lifted her hand and waggled her fingers, purple sparks dancing around her fingertips.“It’s there, but I don’t know what for.Not an effective bear deterrent, though.Thank all the gods for Marvelle,” she said, patting the squirrel gently on the head.
I smiled then nodded.From outside, I heard the calls of the brownies still stashed in my satchel.“I need to step outside for a moment.I must summon the brownie elders to collect their troublemakers.”
Sylvie smiled and nodded.“All right.Don’t take too long.”
I rose, pausing to set a gentle kiss on her forehead, then headed outside.The autumn breeze was cool and crisp.I walked to the ancient hollow tree that stood sentinel near the cottage, its gnarled branches reaching toward the sky.Placing my palm against its bark, I whispered the words of invocation.The tree hummed in response, and a faint glow emanated from the hollow, signaling a connection.
“Alert the brownie elders I need them,” I whispered to the tree, knowing it would glow similarly golden on the other side.The tree glowed brightly in reply to my request, then dimmed again.
The satchel containing the mischief-makers hanging from the hook wiggled, and I heard their muffled protests.“Silence,” I told them with annoyance.“You have gone too far this time.Now, you will answer for your misdoings.”
I turned, planning to rejoin Sylvie, when there was a sharp breeze.The air around me stirred, and the trees shook.The forest whispered to me, its voice gentle yet urgent.
Guardian, come.They are here.
I froze, the glow from the tree momentarily forgotten.“Who is here?”I whispered.
Friends,the forest answered.They come for her.We have allowed them to pass.They have come in search of the Sylvan woman, their hearts breaking with fear for her life.
A rush of conflicting emotions surged through me, the strongest of which was dread.If these were her friends, then they knew her.They could answer all my—our—questions, unlock the secrets of her mind, for better or worse.And they could also take her away, back to the life she’d forgotten.
“Are you certain?”I asked the forest, though I already knew the answer.
Yes, Guardian.Come and see.
The thought of losing her, even if it was to her rightful life, made my chest ache.But I couldn’t deny her the truth.If these people knew who she was, I had to let them reunite with her.For her sake.For her.Even if the mere thought made my heart break into a thousand pieces.
Come and see.
I looked over my shoulder at the cottage, hearing Sylvie chirp to Marvelle inside.
A knot formed in my stomach.
Great Gaia, no.It’s too soon.I can’t lose her now.
But no matter my heart’s urging, I turned and set off on a path to meet whoever had come to take Sylvie away from me.
CHAPTER17
TANSY
Ifinished my mug of ale and collected both mine and Kellen’s cups to wash them.The simple gesture felt so good, so right.I sighed.Would it be so bad if I never regained my memories?This life… It felt so happy.Marvelle joined me at the window, watching outside.I picked up a pitcher and began watering the plants on the windowsill.Then, Marvelle shifted nervously, his tiny paws pressed against the glass.He was chittering in agitation, his eyes focused on something outside.
“What’s going on?”I asked, leaning closer to see for myself.My eyes landed on the brownies, whose heads poked out of Kellen’s satchel.Apparently, they had hatched an escape plan.They had fashioned a makeshift rope ladder from the supplies in his bag.The first of the miscreants was in the process of hoisting themselves toward the ground.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I said, my gaze narrowing.“Not after the trouble you’ve caused.”I rushed toward the door.Marvelle darted ahead of me, his tiny body practically vibrating with indignation.
As soon as I stepped outside, one of the mischievous brownies dropped to the ground and made a break for it.Without thinking, I lunged to grab him.Unfortunately, Marvelle had the same idea.The squirrel let out a sharp, familiar chirrup, and suddenly, my body froze.
I couldn’t move, couldn’t blink.I was completely caught in his spell.
In my peripheral vision, I saw the brownie was frozen too, his tiny limbs locked mid-sprint.
