Page 60 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
No one had ever quite put it like that before, but it was a truth I felt deep in my stony heart. Even if Primrose would not have me, it was time for a change.
In Granik’s room once more, I slipped out of his clothes and into my old frock. When I stuck my hand into my pocket, I discovered the message slip from the council. I stared at it for a long time, my mind spinning with possibilities, then crumpled the paper and tucked it away.
CHAPTER 21
PRIMROSE
Sometimes a dress is just a dress. But sometimes, a dress radiates your inner spirit and shows the world who you are. The outside matches the inside, and you feel truly seen. I swished my long gown. The baby-pink silk shimmered, and the glowing strawberries embroidered thereon twinkled under the soft glow of the lantern lights. I had set an enchantment on the fabric, giving the gown an iridescent shimmer. The strawberries glimmered rosy pink. I let my curly hair hang loose and long.
Tonight, my party would sparkle, and so would I.
And it didn’t matter anymore if there was anyone there to see me.
My sparkle was for me.
“Oh, Primrose,” Elder Theodonna said with a gasp, clutching my arm as she joined me before the arched flower entryway that led into the party. “It looks beautiful. You look so beautiful.”
“Thank you, Elder Theodonna.”
“Truly magnificent,” she said. “You’ve transformed the place despite all the difficulties.”
I chuckled softly, trying to pretend that my heart was not twisting. “It was my honor.”
She patted my arm and left me then, joining the others.
I looked out across the party. The cream-colored tent glowed golden, illuminated by the floating lanterns. Winifred’s flowers sparkled in shades of mauve, pink, gold, and red. She’d even included night-blooming raspberry rose, which effervesced balls of sparkling ruby-red light into the air. As well, Winifred had woven paper roses into all of the displays, the paper taking on the appearance of aged manuscripts. It was bookish perfection.
The soft sounds of the harps, cellos, and violins floated across the lawn. The sound was perfect, not too loud, just audible enough to bring good cheer to everyone. The spell I had cast let the music reach everyone’s ear at exactly the same volume. Later, after the wine was flowing, the musicians would adjust the tempo for dancing on the veranda.
Inside the tent, people were beginning to gather at the tall tables. Zarina stood watch at the towering display of cupcakes, chatting with people as they came by to admire her handiwork. At the catering table, people helped themselves to canapés and stopped by the donation well to leave coins in donation to the library and for the care of the bookwyrms.
I cast my glance toward the draped library windows once more.
No sign of the bookwyrms either. I thought, perhaps, that Stevenson would be curious about the snacks, but apparently not.
I swallowed hard, trying not to let my feelings show.
“Primrose!” a happy voice called.
I turned, and to my surprise, spotted Rosalyn, the pixie owner of The Sconery, and her new husband, Prince Bjorn of Frostfjord.
“Rosalyn? Rosalyn! I didn’t think you were going to make it!” I said, crossing the lawn to meet her. Rosalyn had been gone from Moonshine Hollow these past weeks. I was so happy to see my dear friend again.
“We encountered a bit of wild weather, but here we are. I told you I’d be back in time,” she said, embracing me. “Oh, Prim. It looks so beautiful! And so do you. Look at you!” she said, stepping back to look me over. “Prim, you look… Is this a new dress? No, it’s something else. Something is different. You look radiant.”
“I… Well, I…” I said, then turned to Prince Bjorn. “Bjorn, I’m happy to see you again,” I told him.
“And you, Primrose.”
Rosalyn gently took my arm. “Misdirection? You’re not getting away that easily.”
I laughed. “There’s a lot to catch up on. Later,” I whispered to her.
She nodded, her eyes flashing with excitement as she looked around the party. “Oh, there’s Zarina. Now I see why the shop smells like spice cake,” she said with a laugh. “Look at all of those cupcakes! I bet she’ll be relieved to see me. Let’s go say hello,” she told Bjorn, staring adoringly up at the burly rune elf.
“Whatever my wife asks,” he said, offering her his arm.
Rosalyn pointed at me in jest. “You have not escaped. We have catching up to do.”
