Page 25 of A Winter Redemption
Ketho could not believe that anyone’s parents would take the side of the person who cheated on their son. He didn’t think he’d like Jarne’s parents.
“I’ll just have to focus on work when I get back,” Jarne said.
Ketho rested his head on Jarne’s chest, drawing circles on his skin. “At least you enjoy your work.”
Jarne didn’t speak for several moments. “Honestly, I dread going back. I don’t want to see them, even if my work is back there.”
Ketho paused his finger, surprised at the admission. Perhaps Jarne found it easier to speak truths in the near darkness of the room. “That’s fair.”
“My life has just always been clear,” Jarne said. “I focused on work, and everything else just went on in the background, taking care of itself. I still have my work. But everything else has become muddled and confusing.”
“Perhaps it would not be bad to stay a little while,” Ketho said. He gazed into Jarne’s face but couldn’t read his expression. “You could have a break and give yourself some time to think.”
“What about my work?”
“You’ve never taken time off before?” Ketho asked.
“No. This is the longest I haven’t worked,” Jarne said.
“Maybe it’s time. Give yourself some space to gain perspective.”
“I don’t like the idea of not working,” Jarne said, body tense. “But maybe… I could source new materials here in the mountains. I can discover new scents and work on developing perfume concepts.”
It wasn’t the break from work Ketho had suggested, but he supposed it was a lot for someone like Jarne.
“I’ll send my parents a letter informing them. And maybe I’ll send a letter to Eviane, the half-dryad I work with. I could ask her some questions about sourcing new materials.”
Jarne stared up at the ceiling, eyes brightening. Ketho could practically hear his mind turning as he planned how he would work here in Ores.
The wind howled outside, rattling the windows. Ketho snuggled against Jarne.
Jarne huffed a laugh.
“What is it?” Ketho asked.
“There’s an old woman in Ores. I think she’s part-oread. Do you know her?” Jarne glanced down at Ketho. “She tried to tell me some story about Ores.”
“That’s probably Odara,” Ketho said.
“Anyway, she said I should stay in Ores until the Solstice,” Jarne said. “At the time, I thought it was a ridiculous idea. But now I think I might stay until then.” He nodded. “Yes. I’ll stay in Ores until Solstice. Then I’ll leave.”
“It sounds like a good plan.”
Neither spoke for several minutes, and Ketho closed his eyes, preparing to doze a little more in this warm space, just resting here with Jarne.
“Will you be here until Solstice?” Jarne asked.
Ketho’s eyes snapped open. He kept his breathing steady.
Jarne had just asked a question. And he’d only asked if Ketho would be around until Solstice, not beyond that. It wasn’t a declaration of love or a request to be with Ketho forever. No doubt Jarne just wanted someone to fuck and perhaps a friendly ear whilst in Ores.
Still, his heart thudded in his chest. He knew how quickly some built attachments. And at the moment, Jarne had no one. Ketho needed to tread carefully to control Jarne’s expectations. He didn’t want a repeat of what had happened with Sero.
But Jarne wasn’t Sero. Sero had always wanted a family and a partner. Jarne loved his job and would eventually return to it in Bordertown. They had no future.
He forced his body to relax.
“I’ll be around a little between now and Solstice,” Ketho answered evenly. “So you’ll see a bit of me.” That was a good response. They’d see each other, but Ketho had made it clear that he had his own life and it wouldn’t revolve around Jarne. “I’m not one for staying still. I like wandering these mountains too much.”