Page 25 of A Winter Courtship

Lutoth smiled. “It’s been nice being in the valley this past year and getting to know everyone here.” He looked around at the other patrons. “And it’s been nice getting to know people here in Ores.” He leaned closer until their faces were only a breath apart. “Especially considering I might be staying.”

Ulrich’s chest squeezed at the words. He wanted that. He wanted Lutoth to stay here in Ores. With him. “I hope you feel like you belong here, then. Because I like having you here.”

Lutoth kissed him on the cheek.

Ulrich froze, and his gaze flicked around. No one seemed to be paying them any attention.

“Was that all right?” Lutoth asked.

“Yes!” Ulrich cleared his throat, cheeks burning. “I’m just not used to others seeing me do anything affectionate.”

“Does it bother you?”

Ulrich reached out and took Lutoth’s hand, trying to calm his racing heart. “It’s just something new.”

Lutoth rewarded him with a smile.

“Lutoth!” A voice called in greeting.

ChapterSixteen

An oread Ulrich didn’t recognise walked towards them. A human, whom Ulrich also didn’t recognise, appeared behind the oread. “Glad to see you again,” the oread said.

“Greetings, Ketho,” Lutoth said.

Although Ulrich didn’t know the oread, he immediately remembered the name as that of Sero’s ex-lover.

“Ketho, this is Ulrich. Ulrich, this is Ketho,” Lutoth introduced, placing a hand on Ulrich’s arm.

“And this is Jarne. He’s from Bordertown.” Ketho wrapped an arm around Jarne’s shoulders. “Mind if we join you in this cosy little corner?”

Jarne. This was Aryn’s brother. Ulrich could see some similarities. They had the same hair and eye colour. But Jarne stood rigid, thin lips pressed together. Very different from Aryn’s manner. And whilst Jarne wore clothes clearly well-made and that fit him perfectly, they seemed rather plain compared to Aryn’s more extravagant and what Ulrich’s father called “frivolous” wardrobe.

“Of course,” Lutoth said.

Ulrich didn’t particularly want Ketho and Jarne to join them. He preferred just eating with Lutoth, but he couldn’t really say anything without appearing rude. Ketho pulled a couple of chairs over just as Rhorton returned with their bowls of soup, some bread, and two mugs of ale.

“The same for us please, Rhorton,” Ketho said.

“Of course,” Rhorton said and went to get their order.

“What are you doing here in Ores, Jarne?” Lutoth asked.

“Visiting my brother.” Jarne crossed his legs and folded his hands on his knees, back straight.

“That must be nice,” Lutoth said.

Jarne smiled tightly but didn’t elaborate.

“And you are Lutoth’s blacksmith.” Ketho leaned towards Ulrich, entirely too close for Ulrich’s comfort. “I’ve heard all about you.”

“What Ketho means is that he must have heard that I planned to court you,” Lutoth said. “From Mila, I assume.”

“Yes. And I can see why,” Ketho drawled, gesturing to him. “You’re quite scrumptious-looking.”

Ulrich’s cheeks flushed.

Ketho leaned back and out of Ulrich’s space. “Tell me, what is it like to be a blacksmith?”