Page 63 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
And this man loved me.
What?
How?
What is happening?
He turned to the crowd and in a deep voice said, “Citizens, I welcome you this night to Moonshine Hollow Library. I am honored to have you here. Miss Windsong has delighted you outside thus far, but she’s also arranged a special tour for you. Within, the bookwyrms and I have many delights and treasures to share: items of rare antiquity, pieces of Moonshine Hollow history, forgotten magical tomes, and the blooming Wyrmwood tree. Tonight, I will share with you the lore of Moonshine Hollow, and the bookwyrms and I will be your guides, if you will have us.”
At that, the crowd cheered.
Erasmus turned to me. “Will you have us, Miss Windsong?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Primrose,” I replied, my voice shaking, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Will you have us? Boorish and difficult as we may be? Will you have me, Primrose? I’m stone-hearted, peevish, often very wrong, but also, very, very sorry. As old as I am, I still have a few more lessons to learn. Who better to teach me than a strong-willed and sparkly half-elf? So, will you? Will you have me?”
I was suddenly aware that everyone in Moonshine Hollow was staring at us. The crowd whispered in amazement, and my mother’s gasp was audible over the crowd. But somehow, that didn’t matter. He was here, in front of everyone, a man who would rather hide in darkness, to claim me.
He was here for me.
He had done all this for me.
“Yes,” I replied. “With all my heart, yes.”
CHAPTER 22
ERASMUS
A lightness washed over me the moment Primrose uttered her “yes.” I didn’t deserve her forgiveness. I had been ridiculous to the extreme. But, somehow, I had won it anyway. I could only be grateful. Extending my arm, I led Primrose, the elders, and all the others into the library.
Primrose gasped when she entered, looking around at the beautiful flowers and garlands, the room illuminated by the light of the Wyrmwood tree. I led her to the front of the room, setting her down in a chair, then went to the podium Granik had set out for me.
Confused and excited, the elders and citizens of Moonshine Hollow filed in behind us, all of them taking seats or finding suitable places to stand to see. Soon, the room was packed with curious and gossiping townsfolk.
I didn’t care.
Let them gossip.
The woman I loved had forgiven me.
Loved.
What more could I have asked for?
At the door, Granik let those waiting know the room was full and reassured those waiting for a seat that I would repeat my lecture and tour. Satisfied, they hurried off to more drinks and food.
At the front of the audience, an unfamiliar nervousness held me. Gargoyles were, by nature, solitary creatures. We thrived in silence and solitude. This…this was…
My gaze went to Primrose.
Her expression softened, and she smiled reassuringly at me.
I cleared my throat and then rapped lightly on the podium. The room grew quiet, and everyone looked around.
I made a small gesture. The library, aware of the plan, dimmed the candles.
A moment later, whirlwinds of incandescent light spiraled from every corner of the library. The bookwyrms, finally getting the chance to show off their magic, spun and pirouetted through the air. Trails of colorful light, reflecting the colors of their scales, followed after them. They twisted and glided, showing off their magic before perching around the room, with ancient Melville sitting on the podium beside me.
