Page 61 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
Chuckling, I nodded, my heart swelling with happiness at her return.
A moment later, I felt someone step beside me. I turned to find Aggie, one of the librarians, there.
“Hello, Aggie. Enjoying the party?
“Yes,” she replied flatly, but I could see she was distracted by something cupped in her hands.
“What do you have there?”
“Starry-eyed moth,” she said, opening her hands just a crack so I could see. Nestled in her hands was a downy gray moth with eyes that lived up to their names, a sapphire-blue orbs with sparkling golden flecks.
“It’s beautiful.”
“The tent lights drew it in. I will take it back to the forest later.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
“Okay. Bye,” she said then drifted away, making her way toward the cupcake display.
Chuckling, I made my way across the grounds to the wine station. There, the libations were flowing freely. Mauve-, ruby-, and gold-colored lanterns floated in the air above the bar, casting a wine-inspired glow. For a moment, it reminded me of the wine cellar. I had to swallow the emotions that brought up.
Near the bar, the elders of Moonshine Hollow had gathered. They all greeted me at once. And then, the conversations began. One after another, I chatted with the elders. At some point, someone handed me a glass of champagne. At most parties, I stood in the back and merely watched. But tonight was different. Tonight, I was the hostess.
Champagne flute in hand, I began making my way around the party, welcoming everyone personally. The whole town was here, or it seemed, and everyone was having fun. So many people stopped to tell me how beautiful the party was or what the library meant to them.
My heart grew both warmer and sadder with each story.
This was what I wanted Erasmus to see.
I wanted him to know how much his work, his library, meant to everyone.
But still, he didn’t come.
I had half a mind to barge inside and drag him out by his stubborn ear. This was larger than whatever it was that was brewing, or not, between him and me. This was about Moonshine Hollow. And he was being ridiculous. If he didn’t show himself…
I sighed, shook off my agitation with that ridiculous gargoyle, then made my way to say hello to Portia, owner of Sir Hootington’s Bookstore, who was talking to Tansy and the dryad guardian of Silver Vale, Kellen. I smiled when I saw him. It wasn’t so long ago that Kellen was a rare sight in our village. Now, he was always here at Tansy’s side, his life transformed by love.
“Hello, friends,” I called lightly. “Well, how is it?”
“Beautiful, Primrose,” Tansy said.
I turned to Kellen. “I’m so glad to see you here, Guardian.”
“Thank you, Miss Windsong. I am glad to be here.”
“I was hoping the library would be open,” Portia said, eyeing the closed curtains.
“As was I,” I said. “But, there is a nesting pair of bookwyrms, and Master Erasmus did not want them disturbed.”
“You mean, he did not want to be disturbed,” she replied pertly, pushing up her round spectacles in annoyance.
“Perhaps a bit of that too,” I said with a laugh, trying to keep the sadness from my voice. “I haven’t seen Juniper and Granik yet, have you?”
Tansy shook her head. “Juniper’s been busy all day with something, but I don’t know what. She told me she would see me tonight.”
I nodded then gestured to Rosalyn, Bjorn, and Zarina, who had also been joined by Elder Thornberry’s daughter Emmalyn. “Did you see who is back?” I asked.
“Look,” Tansy said, excited. “It’s Rosalyn and Bjorn! We should go say hello.”
