Page 33 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
“Bromir,” I said quickly, turning back to the druid, “I need a moment with Kellen.”
The dwarf nodded, eyeing Bromir with brotherly wariness.“Aye, lass.Just don’t take too long.Everyone in the caravan is in a fit over you.Jonsie was already planning to write your memory song.Even Misty could not find you,” he said, referring to our mystic.“They will all be so glad to see you.”
I gave my friend a half-smile but then moved closer to Kellen and took his hand.I led him away from Bromir.He wouldn’t meet my gaze, his jaw tight as though bracing himself for what I might say.
“Kellen,” I began softly, reaching for his other hand.“You have to know… Bromir is my business partner and my best friend.There’s nothing romantic between us.”
Kellen swallowed hard.I saw the lump in his throat rise and fall.He looked back at Bromir and then to me.He studied my face for a long time, then smiled softly.“Tansy.Your name is Tansy.”
I nodded.“Tansy Foxglove, originally from Greenspire.That part of my memory was true.But I left as a young woman, wandering for a time, then joining a caravan.I have traveled this wide world crafting jewels ever since.I lifted one hand and waggled my fingers.A soft, violet-colored glow appeared.“I make jewelry and enchant gems.Bromir is a metalsmith.We work together.I was on my way to Moonshine Hollow for the market.In fact, I’m rather late.That’s why I was feeling the urgency.I was trying to get to the market for my spot at the fair to make money.”
Kellen watched the magic as it sparked between my fingers.He inhaled a deep, shuddering breath.“So, you must go to Moonshine Hollow,” he said, his voice carefully neutral.
“Yes.I must.My friends must be so worried,” I said, but quickly added, “but it doesn’t mean I want to leave you.I need to make things right with the caravan and with Bromir.He’s my business partner.We’ve worked together for years, and I owe it to him.But my heart… My heart is here.Even before your forest brought me to you, I’d been making a new plan for my future.I hoped to stay in Moonshine Hollow for the winter.That’s why I was in a hurry.I was trying to get to the market early so I could prepare and make as much coin as possible so I could get off the road for the winter.My friend, Juniper, is the herbalist there.Wait, you must know her.Youare the dryad who supplies her with the moonshine plant for her potions.
Kellen nodded.
“She has a loft above her shop.I was planning to rent it for the winter.”
“You’ll stay for the winter,” Kellen said, a flicker of something like hope in his eyes.But the moment it rose, it faded once more.“And then… will you go back to the road, to the caravan life?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered, the uncertainty pressing down on me.“I haven’t decided for certain, but I’m so tired of traveling.I haven’t worked it all out yet.But now…”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and I could see the battle raging inside him.“You’re not sure,” he said quietly.“You don’t know if you’ll stay or leave again.”
“Kellen,” I said, stepping closer.“I need time to figure things out, but I know I want to be with you.”
He looked past me toward Bromir, who waited patiently.“I’ll take you and your friend to Moonshine Hollow through a hollow tree.It’s the fastest way.The dwarf was riding with a ranger.The forest befuddled him.The man is lost in the vale, but I will see him safely back once you and your friend are gone.”
“Kellen,” I said, touching his arm.I felt the energy within him shifting.He was pulling back.“Kellen, this is only for the moment.I will be back.My memories… Kellen, I’m free to be with you.”
He smiled, his lips trembling slightly.“You have another life waiting for you, Tansy.A very full one.Make no promises.Let’s get you on your way.”
“Kellen?”
“Good dwarf lord,” Kellen called to Bromir.“I will see you to Moonshine Hollow.There is a faster route available to me.Rather than returning to the road, I would see Tansy safe in the village as quickly as possible.You have my word that I will see your ranger friend safely in the village thereafter.Sir, if you would follow me.”He gestured for Bromir and me to follow him as he headed toward the hollow tree.
My heart ached.He was pulling back, becoming the standoffish dryad I had first met.He was afraid I would choose my old life.Now that my memories had returned, he was afraid that…that he wasn’t enough.How could I make him see?I just needed to make good on my promises.I had to sell at the market to be able to stay here.I needed to make coin.And I needed a minute to think.I didn’t even know who I was for the last week, and now…
Bromir joined me.He eyed me carefully.“Tansy, you okay?”
“Yes, I just…” I said, then looked from Kellen to my friend and back again.
Bromir read the expression on my face.“Aye, lass.I see.”
At the glowing hollow tree, Kellen set his hand on the bark, then whispered the incantation, his voice a low murmur.The bark shimmered with golden light as the portal opened.
He turned back to us, gesturing for us to come forward.
“Step through,” he said, gesturing to the opening, his tone calm but distant.“Think of Moonshine Hollow, and the forest will lead you there.You will emerge just outside of town.”
I nodded, then turned to face Kellen one last time.“Come to me in Moonshine Hollow.Let’s talk more.”
Kellen nodded, but I could already see the distance growing in his eyes.
My heart pounded in my chest, and a desperate feeling swelled up in me.“Kellen,” I said, unnerved by what felt like a lack of certainty.“Promise me,” I said, my voice trembling.“Promise me you’ll come to me in Moonshine Hollow.”
“I’ll come.”
