Page 44 of Must Love Moss and Moonshine
Tonight, I planned to tell him that I was going to stay in Moonshine Hollow…and how I really felt.I couldn’t hold back anymore.
I loved him.
And I would tell him inthatdress.
CHAPTER21
KELLEN
Istood before Bromir, waiting for his answer.Despite being nearly three feet taller than him, the weight of his gaze made me feel like I was facing a hundred fathers, mothers, brothers, and aunties all judging me at once.I’d made my case.Now, I just had to wait.
He stroked his beard, his expression unreadable as he mulled over my request.Finally, he gave a short nod.“I’ll do it,” he said, clapping me on the back—or as far up my back as he could reach—with a hearty laugh.“I’ll do it, lad.And I’m glad to!”
Relief flooded through me, and I managed a small smile.“Thank you.It means more than I can say.”
Bromir grinned, shaking his head.“Oh, don’t thank me yet.Let’s see what she says.You know, she spent the whole day thinking you were lurking about but never spotting you.How’d you know I was here alone?”
“She was right.I’ve been here, but I was waiting for her to leave,” I admitted.“I used a little forest glamour to hide myself.”
Bromir laughed.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the forest quartz Tansy had left behind.The light from the forge danced across its surface, making the greens and golds come alive.I handed it to Bromir.“Is it suitable?”
He took the gem from me and studied it for a moment.“More than,” he said, then looked up at me, his rough features softening.“You’re in love with her.”
“Yes,” I said simply.“More than I’d ever thought possible.”
The dwarf nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.“Well then, lad, I’d best get to work.This is a fine stone.It’ll make a ring she won’t ever take off.”
“Thank you, Bromir.And Tansy?Where did she?—”
“She went to Juniper’s shop.She told me that you’d be there tonight, which means I better hurry.Sunlight is fading,” Bromir said with a chuckle.
“Are you sure you’ll have it done in time?”I asked, glancing at the forge.
Bromir gave me a look of mock offense.“Lad, I’ve got my own magic.Never you mind.And this is for Tansy.I’ve watched Tansy stare at every ring I’ve ever made.I know her taste better than my own.You’ve brought the stone, but I’ll bring the metal.No enchantments needed for this one.Give me an hour.I’ll see it done.”
I nodded, my chest tightening with emotion.“Thank you, Bromir.”
“When she says yes, you’re coming to the caravan to celebrate.Then we’ll see what you’re made of when it comes to drinking with dwarves.”
With that, I chuckled and then headed back into the market.All day long, Tansy had been eating sweets from The Sconery’s market booth.Perhaps, if the ring was not enough, some sweets would ply her.
When I arrived at the baker’s stall, she was carefully packing up her wares for the evening.Her delicate, iridescent blue wings caught the fading light, glinting like shards of sapphire.As I approached, she turned her head slightly as though sensing my presence before she saw me.When her gaze landed on me, her expression shifted to polite curiosity.
“Guardian,” she greeted, inclining her head with respect.Her voice was as light and lilting as a bird’s song.“This is a rare visit.How may I help you this evening?”
I returned her nod, feeling the weight of her discerning gaze.“Rosalyn, is it?”
“It is,” she said with a small, warm smile.“And you are Kellen, Guardian of Silver Vale.It’s not often I have the honor of serving one such as yourself.”
Her tone was polite, but her expression had an undercurrent of curiosity.Pixies were known for their sharp intuition, and Rosalyn, it seemed, was no exception.
“I’m here for a gift,” I said, glancing briefly at the table of brightly colored desserts and candies.
“Oh?For whom?”
“Tansy, the jewelry maker.”
