I summoned silvery threads of moonlight, wrapping them around my arms. “I’m not offering you an imaginary stone. I’m offering you solidified moonlight, which contains more power than you know.”
His face grew a shade paler, the disdain vanishing from his voice as he said, “Alright, let me take a look.”
I approached his table, placing a single moonstone in front of him.
He wrinkled his forehead, reaching for a small magnifying glass. He held it above the moonstone, rotating it in a slow, thorough inspection. “Too few inclusions to be an agate,” he muttered to himself. Then moments later, in a voice filled with awe, he murmured, “I never would have thought—and yet…its striking luminescence, its flawless clarity, its glowing silvery-white light. So, this is a moonstone.” He brought the milky-white stone closer to his monocle, scrutinizing it even more fervently. “Holding this now, I’m starting to believe the stories may be true. I think you’ve brought me something very valuable indeed. I have to admit it’s unlike anything I’ve ever laid eyes upon before.”
He leaned forward eagerly, rubbing his hands together. “Tell me—are you willing to part with it? If so, name your price.”
I shook my head. “I’m not looking to strike a single deal. I’m looking to establish a long-term relationship with your guild. I have more than just one moonstone to offer you. But I want something in return. I want you to distribute a free moonstoneto the populace for each one you sell, so that they can spread throughout the realm. If you’re willing to agree to such an arrangement, to draft a contract to sign, then I’ll bring you more of them in the future, and even pay you a distribution fee. You can keep the moonstone I’ve given you as a sample too, to show to the other members of your guild.”
“Youwant to payusto distribute them? What’s the catch? Are the moonstones stolen? Cursed? Counterfeit? Liable to explode?”
I supposed I couldn’t blame the man for being cautious. “There is no catch. Moonstones used to be prevalent. I want them to be widespread among the people again. My position requires it,” I responded, trying to reassure him. “This could be a mutually beneficial arrangement. One that could prove quite lucrative for your guild. I come to you as the Moonstone Maiden. I’m not motivated by a desire to make money—I have a deeper purpose.” I summoned my powers until incandescent moonlight swirled all around me, hoping the display of power might reinforce the truth behind my words.
The jeweler stroked his short beard, thinking over my proposal. Finally, he nodded. “I’m willing to bring this moonstone to the guild and see what they think. If they’re amenable, I’ll draft a contract with the terms you have described. Then we can meet again to discuss.”
“It’s a deal,” I said, sticking out my hand after shamelessly brushing my hair back to fully expose my pointed ears again.
The jeweler gulped, but he accepted the handshake, albeit with slightly sweaty palms.
“It’s a deal,” he repeated back.
I left his shop, hopeful I accomplished something worthwhile.
I found Corvin and Nix sitting at the edge of a large stone fountain, each chowing down on some roasted fish. I wedgedmyself in between them, declining Corvin’s offer to share with a shake of my head. “How’d it go?” he asked, using his teeth to tear off another bite. “I think the meeting went well,” I responded. “I told him I would return later to finalize our agreement. The jeweler seemed intrigued by the moonstone I gave him, at the very least.”
“Is there anything else you want to do today?” Corvin asked.
“There isonemore thing. I’d like to plant a few of these moonflower seeds. Preferably somewhere they won’t be trampled.”
“I noticed a small communal garden in the market square. We could plan them there,” he suggested.
Nix twitched his nose and whiskers, sniffing the air. “Just keep in mind—it’s going to snow soon.”
“You think so?” I asked skeptically, gazing up at the clear sky. “But it’s so sunny right now.”
“I don’t mind the walk, or the snow,” Corvin said good-naturedly. “A little cold won’t kill us.” He looked me over, his next words soft enough I wasn’t sure he meant for me to hear them. “Though I’m pretty sureyou’regoing to be the death ofme.”
Corvin and Nix turned toward the direction of the community garden, and I studied their retreating forms a moment before moving.The death of him.Perhaps he was referring to the danger we’d found ourselves facing the last few moons. Or perhaps…he meant something deeper. That he felt this connection between us, and the gravity of it scared him too. Standing up to follow, I wished to myself it were the second option.
As we walked, the delicate tickle of a snowflake melting in my hair took me by surprise, even with the foresight of Nix’s warning. As additional snowflakes started to fall, coalescing intoa light flurry, I affectionately nudged the cat’s side. “You were right,” I conceded.
Nix licked his paw in smug satisfaction.
Corvin leaned into my side. “It’s nice to spend time alone with you. And Nix,” he said.
“I feel the same. It was great to have dinner with your friends too. They’re good people—you’re lucky.”
“Yeah, I am. They asked about visiting you again soon, you know.”
“Really? That would be great. Maybe after the Winter Solstice. I’m all worked up about the inauguration.”
“You’re worried about stepping through the gateway?”
“I have this fear—that it isn’t going to let me through. What if I haven’t done enough? What if I’m not worthy? I feel like I’m teetering on the edge of a precipice. I’m worried that everything might change, and also, somehow, at the same time, worried it might not.”
“Change is coming for us,” Corvin agreed solemnly.
