Page 4 of A Winter Crush

Ori gave Wareth one more lingering look before following Sariah into the front room.

Wareth didn’t understand what was happening. Ori looked at him like he was interested in him. Which made no sense. What would someone as young and beautiful as Ori see in someone like him? Wareth was clearly older, and he knew he wasn’t particularly attractive. It didn’t bother him. It was just a fact.

Ori couldn’t possibly be interested in him. Wareth was misreading the situation. Ori would be interested in someone like Ori. Someone who lit up the room as Ori did.

Wareth looked towards the front room. He could see the two moving around through the open door. His cabin was comprised of three rooms. The back room was easily the largest of the three. It was his pottery studio and contained the pottery wheel, shelves to store the pottery, and all his equipment. It also had a wood stove and a cupboard to store food, although that was usually empty. A small room off the pottery studio contained his bed.

Wareth tried to focus his attention on his work, but his eyes kept being drawn to the oread in his home. To Ori.

Wareth forced his attention on the clay. Usually focusing was easy. Working was peaceful. Calming. But not today. He couldn’t help but be distracted by the cute oread, who kept glancing at him through the doorway with heated silver eyes.

He started the pottery wheel again, kicking his foot back, trying to focus. Laughter reached him, and he glanced up. Sariah and Ori stood laughing in the front room. She held up a plate in her hand. Why were they laughing? Ori’s eyes slid to him, and Wareth looked down at the wheel, cheeks heating, embarrassed to be caught staring at Ori.

ChapterFour

“Well, you should come back soon,” Sariah said to Ori as they re-entered the studio. “Isn’t that right, Wareth?”

Wareth grunted.

Why would she invite him back?

“Don’t mind Wareth,” Sariah said to Ori. “He doesn’t talk much. But he’s a softy under that gruff exterior.” She laughed.

Wareth ignored her, concentrating on the clay. Clay was safe.

“Will you be celebrating Winter Solstice in the village?” she asked Ori.

“I love Winter Solstice! I never miss the festivities in Ores. I always bring my brother. He loves them as well.”

Wareth felt Ori’s eyes burning into him. Why didn’t he just leave?

“I look forward to meeting your brother. Have you seen the Solstice mugs for the spiced wine in previous years? We make them.”

“Really?”

“And we’re making special Solstice plates as well this year. We’ll be starting those in a day or two, since it’s less than three weeks to the Solstice.”

Wareth wanted to point out that he had already started. He’d even made the glaze, but he didn’t want to draw any attention to himself.

“Are they difficult to make?” Ori asked.

“They aren’t difficult at all.”

Wareth humphed.

“Well, to be honest, I don’t really know,” Sariah said. “I assist, but it’s usually with the cleaning. Between you and me”—she lowered her voice to a whisper, but Wareth heard every word—“I’d like to be more involved, but Wareth is a bit controlling. Doesn’t trust anyone with his precious clay. Won’t even let me sit at the wheel, and I’m his dearest and best friend!”

Ori laughed. A light sound that made Wareth’s heart skip a beat. Wareth had to force himself not to look up and instead continue making the mug.

“So you’ll be at the Solstice festivities?” Ori asked Sariah.

“I’ll be there. My daughter is two, and hopefully she won’t just sleep the whole time like last year.”

“And you, Wareth?” Ori asked, voice more tentative than it had been a second before.

He shrugged. He didn’t want to go. Not really. He felt out of place amongst the noise and merriment. He’d rather be at home or in the forest. Anywhere quiet. But if he didn’t go, he wouldn’t hear the end of it from Sariah, so he’d make an appearance like he did every year.

He assumed that was why he’d never seen Ori. He tried to keep his visit as short as possible. Turn up, say hello to Sariah and her husband, and then get straight back to his studio.