Page 16 of A Winter Redemption
ChapterEleven
Ketho approached the village store. The sky remained clear and blue. Ores appeared just as beautiful and picturesque as he remembered. The sun had recently risen, and only a few of the villagers moved about.
Ketho kept an eye out for Jarne. Three days had passed since he’d met the man at the inn, and he was keen for a repeat.
But before he sought out Jarne, Ketho had to deal with something else first.
He pushed the door open and entered the store. He searched the cluttered shelves, but no one seemed to be there. Then he heard movement, and a short oread woman appeared.
“Ketho?” Mila’s face broke into a wide smile. Then it immediately dropped as if she’d forgotten for a split second that she should be angry with him.
“Hello, Mila,” he said, stepping towards her. Ketho had always liked Mila.
“What are you doing here?” Her gaze darted to the window, no doubt looking at Sero’s cabin.
“I’m just visiting.”
She wrung her hands together, eyes sad. It hurt to see someone who laughed and smiled so easily so clearly upset. “You broke Sero’s heart,” Mila said, voice small.
Ketho’s chest twinged. This was why he hadn’t been to Ores in over a year. He hated to think how much he’d hurt Sero. So he’d avoided seeing Sero. And Sero’s mother.
“I am sorry. I never meant to hurt him.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “You know, I never lied to him or gave him false hope.”
“I know,” she said. “But still, he was so distraught. He had to retreat to the forest to recover.”
“I really am sorry. But you must agree. He and I were never suited.” He kept his voice gentle. “I’m too much of a wanderer. Too much of a free spirit. Not at all like your son.” He gave her a small smile. “And you knew we weren’t really good together.”
“No…but he cared for you.”
“And I cared for him, just not as he wanted.”
Mila nodded. “I always liked you. And it was obvious that you are too wild and not at all suitable for long relationships. You like your short flings.”
Which had gotten even shorter after the incident with Sero. “Are you calling me fickle?”
She laughed. “You know you are.” Mila playfully slapped his arm.
“But I am fun.” Ketho grinned.
“And a troublemaker!” She smiled.
His chest loosened. Sadness did not suit the woman. “So am I forgiven?”
“You have to ask my son that.” Mia paused. “But you are right, I never thought you and Sero matched. Not like him and Aryn.”
“Aryn?” Ketho asked. “Who’s Aryn?”
“Aryn is the most wonderful man!” Mila gushed. “He and Sero are truly in love. They’ve been together a whole year, and they are so happy!”
“See, you can’t lament that it didn’t work out for me and Sero,” Ketho said. “If we were still together, then he wouldn’t be with Aryn.”
“That is true,” she said. “And they are so in love. And if they hadn’t gotten together, poor Aryn would still be living in Bordertown with his horrible family.” She shook her head. “They did not appreciate his sweet nature. I told him he is part of our family and that he is like a son to me. I told him that, and he cried. What a terrible, terrible family.”
Mila’s eyes fixed on the hallway. “His brother is here,” she whispered. “But Aryn doesn’t like him. That’s why he’s staying here with us and not with Sero and Aryn.”
“His brother?” Wheels spun in Ketho’s head.
“He’s from Bordertown too. He is older. He’s very uptight and never smiles or laughs. But you know what’s the worst?”