Page 20 of A Winter Redemption

“Are you really thinking of adopting children?” Jarne asked Aryn.

“Yes. Why?” Aryn sounded defensive.

“I suppose I just never thought of you with children,” Jarne said.

In fact, Jarne realised he’d thought very little about his brother over the years. Before this whole Sasha thing, he’d never given him much consideration at all. His image of his brother had been simple. Bad perfume alchemist. Sulked often. Had run off at some point to the mountains.

But Aryn had built a life here. A life without the family or Greweth Perfumeries. He couldn’t put his finger on why, but it unsettled Jarne.

“Well, I am,” Aryn said, pulling his shoulders back.

“So you really don’t want to come back to Bordertown.” They hadn’t discussed it since the day Jarne arrived.

“I told you I didn’t!”

Jarne nodded.

No one spoke for several moments.

“You know, it’s been a while since I was in Ores,” Ketho said. “I was thinking of walking through the forests and reacquainting myself with the village. Jarne, I’m sure you’re still getting used to this place. Why don’t you accompany me?”

ChapterFourteen

Ketho and Jarne exited the store and walked out into the village.

“I thought it best we leave. It’s a little tense in there,” Ketho said.

Jarne nodded. He glanced at Ketho. “You and Sero were together.”

“We were. And it seems that not long after he and I ended, he met your brother. Now I’m visiting Ores to see you.” Ketho laughed. “It’s all a bit complicated.”

They walked in silence. Both, it seemed, were lost in thought.

Ketho recognised several villagers, but right now he didn’t feel like reacquainting himself with them.

“Let’s go this way.” Ketho steered them towards a path leading into the forest.

He had known seeing Sero again would be difficult. He couldn’t expect Sero to be pleased to see him or want to resume their friendship. Still, it hurt. Sero had been a friend, and he’d never had many of those.

“Have you been for very many walks?” Ketho asked.

“No,” Jarne said. “I’m not familiar with the forests, and I did not wish to get lost.”

It seemed that no one had made the effort to show Jarne around. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you don’t get lost.” Ketho smiled at him.

But Jarne didn’t really seem to notice. He seemed subdued as he stared ahead, back stiff. They entered the forest. The bare trees stretched up around them. An empty bird’s nest nestled between some branches, obvious now that the leaves had fallen. The weak sun filtered through the trees.

Ketho had seen how Sero and Aryn reacted to Jarne. Even without Mila’s comment, it was clear Aryn didn’t like his brother.

Which was no surprise considering what Jarne had told Ketho about their relationship. And it probably didn’t help that Jarne seemed socially oblivious, unable to behave in ways that put others at ease. In fact, he seemed to naturally raise people’s hackles.

Which honestly, Ketho found both fascinating and painful to watch. When he’d offered Jarne the Solstice loaf, he’d assumed the man would take a bite and compliment the bakers.

But no. Jarne had sniffed it, then chewed it with a slight frown. He’d taken his time evaluating it and asking questions, like some fancy lord, before finally deeming it acceptable. Sero had clearly been annoyed.

But Ketho didn’t think Jarne intentionally meant to be rude. He was too blunt. Too unaware of how he came across. If anything, he seemed too brutally honest. Like he wouldn’t tell someone they’d done well unless he believed they had.

And the worst part was that Jarne had liked the loaf and believed it was good. He just was so bad at communicating that politely.