Page 32 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
Marvelle, a look of shock on his tiny, furry face, clicked apologetically at me.He then scurried over, scooped up the offending brownie, and unceremoniously dumped him into a nearby pot, slamming the lid shut.
I wanted to laugh, but I could only wait for the spell to wear off.The hilarity of the situation made me want to burst into gales of laughter.What would Kellen think when he saw me like this?But I couldn’t move.I could only cackle in my mind.The stillness reminded me of a mishap years ago during the Midsummer Festival in Willowwick, where Bromir and I had visited a magical florist selling enchanted flowers.Bromir had jokingly handed me a Stardust Daffodil, unaware that inhaling its pollen froze people for a few seconds.I’d ended up standing stiff in the middle of the bustling market while he roared with laughter.
When the spell wore off, I’d exacted my revenge by swapping out his usual sour cherry pie with a toadstool pie—something Bromir absolutely hated.We still joked about that mess.Despite the mishap, that summer had been one of our most successful seasons.With Bromir spinning threads of silver and gold for my jewels and me enchanting gems for his tools, we’d nearly sold out.That year, when we visited Bromir’s brothers—apparently, all dwarves considered themselves brothers unless they were brawling—for the Yule festivities, we hoisted many tankards of ale, toasting the good people of Willowwick and their deep pockets.
Thinking about Bromir brought a pang of nostalgia…and clarity.
Bromir.
His name was Bromir Ironside.He was my business partner and best friend.
And I… I was Tansy Foxglove.
I was a traveling artisan specializing in enchanting jewels.My work involved crafting necklaces, amulets, earrings, and other pieces with magical properties.Bromir, a master metalsmith, and I had been working together for the last five years, our skills complementing one another.He made the gold band, and I set it with a gemstone enchanted for good health.He had a hammer, and I enchanted a stone that ensured it never missed its mark.
Our goods were in high demand.In fact, we were on our way to Moonshine Hollow for the Autumn Market when everything went wrong.I’d left Silverpine Village early to get to the hollow to set up camp and work on inventory.Bromir had stayed behind to relax.But my horse had thrown me, and I’d ended up with Kellen.
I struggled against Marvelle’s spell, eager to get to Kellen.He had to know.
I remembered.
I remembered everything, including that while I loved my trade and Bromir—platonically, of course—I was free.I’d been planning to winter in Moonshine Hollow and figure out what came next, either rejoining the caravan or finally settling down.
The spell finally broke, and I blinked, shaking off the stiffness.Marvelle chirped worriedly at me, his little paws clutching my pant leg.
“I’m all right,” I assured him, bending to stroke his head.“Actually, I’m better than alright.”
My memories were back, and with them came the realization that my heart was free.
I had no husband, no children, no romantic attachments.Nothing held me back from being with Kellen except for my obligations to Bromir and our business.But Bromir would understand.I had to get to Moonshine Hollow to find Bromir and reassure him I was okay.He must have been worried sick.But once I did that, I’d come back for Kellen.
Before I could make a plan, however, a familiar voice called out from the edge of the clearing.
“Tansy?Tansy, lass, are you here?”
I froze, my breath catching.“Bromir?”
I hurried toward the sound of Bromir’s voice, rounding the corner to see Kellen walking beside the dwarf.Bromir’s expression struck me immediately—it wasn’t his usual jovial smile or even the wistful sadness he sometimes carried when he spoke of his long-lost love back in Ironmist Mountain.No, this was something entirely different.His face was lined with fear and exhaustion, as though he hadn’t slept for days.
“Bromir?”I called.
“Lass!”Bromir yelled when he saw me, his voice breaking with relief.“Thank the mountain gods, we’ve found you!”
“Bromir!”I cried, rushing to him.When we met, I threw my arms around his solid frame, and he pulled me in tightly, his hug as warm and grounding as I remembered.
“Where have you been?”he asked, his voice gruff.“Your horse returned to Silverpine Village with all your gear but no sign of you.We’ve all been worried sick.We thought… We feared the worst.”
“I’m well,” I assured him, stepping back.“It’s a long story, but I’m safe.Thanks to Kellen,” I said, turning to the dryad.
Bromir turned to look at Kellen, his eyes scanning the tall dryad with curiosity and caution.“Kellen, is it?”
“Bromir, this is Kellen, the dryad guardian of this forest.He saved me and took care of me.You wouldn’t believe what happened to me.That horse threw me, and I hit my head.I lost my memory.It is only thanks to Kellen’s dedication that it came back.”
Kellen stared at me.“It’s back?”
I nodded.“Yes.I remember everything now.”
Kellen’s gaze flicked between Bromir and me before drifting toward the forest behind us.Something in his expression—something distant and closed off—made my chest ache.
