Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Flash Fiction - COLD FAIRY MOON by Linda Mooney

Posted by: Linda Mooney

COLD FAIRY MOON
A fantasy romance flash fiction
by Linda Mooney

Sassa sensed him coming up from behind her. Her heart sped up a little, but she kept her attention focused on the large crowd gathered in the distance. More specifically on the fireworks and other things people were shooting into the sky.

            Brinn sat down next to her. “What ‘cha doing?”

            “Watching.”

            He gaze out at the celebration. “It’s loud.”

            “It always is.”

            “But they seem happy.”

            “I bet they are.”

            He cast her a side eye. “You sound…”

            “Bitter?”

            “Cynical.”

            She snorted in reply. To her surprise, he scooted closer to her, to where their shoulders almost touched.

             “It’ll be the new year pretty soon. That’s always a reason to be happy,” he observed.

            “Why?” Realizing how she must sound, Sassa apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out sounding the way it did.”

            “It’s all right. No offense taken.”

            A shriek of joy rent the night sky as another rocket zoomed upward and exploded in a kaleidoscope of colors. Brinn raised an arm to point to something overhead, and the feel of it brushing up against hers sent a little thrill through her. Glancing over at him, she noticed the delight on his face.

            “See that?” he asked.

            She following his pointing finger. “Yeah. So?”

            “It’s a full moon tonight. Know what people are calling it?”

            Sassa grinned. “Other than a full moon?”

            “They’re calling it the Cold Fairy Moon.”

            “What’s that supposed to mean?”

            “It’s supposed to be an omen of good luck.”

            This time she reared back to give him a quizzical look. “Good luck?”

            Spreading a big grin across his face, Brinn nodded.

            “With a Cold Fairy Moon?”

            “Uh-huh.”

            “What does that even mean? That fairies get cold?”

            The smile drooped slightly. “I guess that’s what they think.”

            “Or that fairies are cold-natured?”

            He shrugged. “I don’t know, Sassa. I’m just repeating what I’ve heard.”

            Realizing she’d trodden on his good nature again, she reined her tone in. “So what kind of good luck is this moon supposed to bring?”

            “A happy new year.” He appeared reluctant to elaborate.

            “Is that all?” she pressed.

            “Well, I heard someone say that dreams will come true. People will find true love. There’ll be better health all around, and everyone will find happiness.”

            She blinked. “All because of a Cold Fairy Moon?”

            “All because this Cold Fairy Moon appears on New Year’s Eve.”

            She stared up between the bare tree limbs at the huge, milky white orb that sat almost directly above them. “Did someone ever tell them that fairies don’t get cold?”

            He chuckled. “I don’t think it matters to them.”

            He moved his arm again, this time bumping against hers and sending another little shiver through her. He noticed the slight movement. “Are you sure you’re okay?” His hand folded over hers. Unconsciously, she spread her fingers to let him lace his between them.

            “Yeah. I’m sorry I’m being such a goose. I do hope the Cold Fairy Moon brings us good luck this next year.”

            A loud explosion made her jump. Instinctively, she leaned over to Breen and clutched the front of his shirt. His other arm went protectively around her shoulder. She turned to look at him as the sky turned a brilliant blue, then red, then yellow.

They were almost nose-to-nose. She didn’t want to disengage herself from his embrace, but neither did she want him to think she was asking…

Oh, shoot. What does it matter?

“So we’re supposed to find love, happiness, and good health?” she confirmed.

“And have our dreams come true.”

“How’s that going to happen? Do we have to…ask?”

It was difficult to read the expression in his eyes. Luckily, she didn’t have to.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, he closed the distance between them to touch her lips with his. It was a sweet kiss. A warm kiss, in spite of the chilly temperature. Sadly, it ended too soon. Sassa didn’t try to hide her disappointment when he pulled away.

“I guess it depends on who you ask, and what you ask for,” he softly replied. “Sassa? I’m tired of seeing you so sad. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to find love.”

It was difficult to tell what sound was louder—the crowd of revelers, the fireworks, or her thudding heart.

“Brinn.” She got no further. He leaned in again to kiss her a second time, another sweet, warm, but too-brief pressure. When he released her, she almost reached for him.

“I have a request to make. I’m going to ask,” he informed her. “Give me a chance, Sassa. Let’s both start the new year afresh. Let’s look for happiness together. Let’s work on being healthy together. Let’s…see what love has in store…for the both of us. Whaddya say, Sassa? Are you willing to give us a chance?”

She drew a shaky breath. Would now be the time to tell him how much she’d been wishing to hear him say what he was saying? She cast her eyes upward once more at the brilliant moonlight flooding the world. The Cold Fairy Moon. “All I have to do is ask?” she whispered.

“Uh-huh.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “And I’m all ears.”

Her eyes automatically went to the side of his head. Brinn had some of the sexiest looking ears of any man she’d seen. Their pointed tips almost curled.

“I would love to start this new year fresh with you,” she confessed. “I’m ready for some happiness.”

“And love?”

She didn’t try to hide her smile. “And love.”

Another bone-jarring boom rattled the sky, ending in cascading white trails.

Brinn got to his feet and held out a hand. She took it, and he helped her to her feet.

“Come on. How about we go somewhere where it’s not so noisy? Where we can look at the moon in private?”

“Sounds wonderful.”

Spreading his iridescent wings, Brinn launched himself off the twig they’d been sitting on. Sassa unfolded her wings to follow after him, and together, they soared into the sky, keeping just above the treetops to avoid being seen as the celebrations continued throughout the night.

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