Page 15 of A Winter Awakening
The pile of blankets on the makeshift bed jerked, and suddenly Gael’s head appeared from the pile.
“Orteo! You’re here!” Gael cried out.
“Are you all right? Why is it so cold in here?” Orteo closed the door and strode in.
Gael trembled. Which wasn’t surprising considering that the room felt only slightly warmer than outside.
“I made a mess of everything. Again.” Gael stared up at Orteo. “I tried to keep the fire going, and I couldn’t manage that. And I burnt my food, and I couldn’t open the window. So I had to open the door to get the smoke out, and then I fell asleep.” He shivered. “It’s so cold.”
“I’ll fix the fire.” That seemed the most pressing issue.
Orteo went to the fireplace. He frowned. An assortment of sticks, logs, twigs, and leaves had been stuffed into it. It seemed Gael had smothered the fire. But he didn’t tell Gael that. The poor man felt awful enough. He cleared it all and started again.
Within a couple of minutes, the fire blazed and crackled.
“There, that should keep you warm,” Orteo said.
His attention turned to the burned pot of stew near the fireplace. An empty bowl sat next to it. Poor Gael. He really did seem helpless.
Returning to Gael’s side, Orteo lowered himself onto the mattress.
“Thank you.” Gael laughed. “I seem to be thanking you constantly.”
“I’m happy to help,” Orteo said and meant it.
“Ever since I left Castle Evermore, I feel so out of my depth.” Gael smiled, but Orteo heard the strain in his voice. “I just don’t know what I’m doing. I had servants in Castle Evermore. I never had to do anything for myself.”
Reaching out a hand from beneath the pile of blankets, Gael gripped Orteo’s arm, his hand so soft. “I’m so glad I met you. If you hadn’t been there in the forest, I’d have died. And now you come and save me again.” Gael’s vivid green eyes bored into Orteo. And he just kept staring at Orteo with so much wonder glistening in them. “You’re wonderful.” He leaned towards Orteo.
No one had ever thought Orteo wonderful before. And no one had ever looked at Orteo with so much awe.
Orteo was scum. He knew that. He’d let down those he loved. He’d abandoned his nephews when they needed him. But the look in Gael’s eyes made him for a moment believe that he wasn’t some worthless piece of dirt. It made him feel like he could be something more. Something good.
That look even made him feel like he could be someone to be admired. And maybe if Orteo kept looking after Gael, he could earn that admiration.
“I can get you some food from the store too,” Orteo said. “They should have food there. And you’re probably hungry.”
Gael’s smile blinded Orteo and caused his chest to tighten. “I am. That would be wonderful.”
Orteo didn’t move. Instead, he stayed where he was, basking in Gael’s warm regard.
Finally, Orteo tore himself away and rose. “I’ll go now. But I’ll be back soon.” Orteo paused. “Actually, do you have any money? I don’t have any.” He’d never had a need to buy from a store before. Orteo always could provide for himself.
“Of course.” Gael reached for the pouch on the floor. He grimaced.
“Is it your foot?” Orteo knelt so they were at eye level, placing a hand on Gael’s arm.
“I just have a tendency to forget it’s injured.” He pulled out a few coins from the pouch and gave them to Orteo.
“Well, be careful,” Orteo said. “I want you to heal quickly.”
Gael smiled. “I’ll try.”
They gazed at each other. The silence stretched out. The air seemed heavy and thick between them. Orteo felt a sudden urge to reach out and touch Gael, stroke his soft cheek.
He realised with a start that he wanted to kiss Gael. When was the last time he’d wanted to kiss anyone?
With a sudden fierceness, more wants and urges followed. He wanted to tangle his fingers in those brown curls and draw their mouths together. He wanted to press Gael into the mattress, undress him, and run his fingers along his skin. He wanted to tear sounds of pleasure from Gael’s mouth. He wanted to make the man unravel and beg for Orteo. And he wanted to fulfil every desire and need Gael had until the man lay sated beneath him.