Page 45 of A Winter Redemption
Aryn smiled. “Thank you.”
They stood awkwardly for a few moments, neither seeming to know what to say. But the anger and hurt that had rolled off Aryn before wasn’t there. That was a start, and Jarne would take it.
“Is Ketho coming back?” Aryn asked.
“He said he would,” Jarne said, placing a hand on the smooth counter.
“You don’t think he will?”
“He has places to be no doubt.” And perhaps he had found better company. Perhaps he’d completely forgotten about Jarne, too busy wandering the forests and mountains.
“Do you care for him?” Aryn asked.
Jarne wanted to say no. He wanted to lie. But he felt so exhausted. “Yes.”
Aryn reached out and touched his hand.
Jarne tensed and then relaxed.
“I hope it works out between you two,” Aryn said.
Jarne shook his head. “Even if he returns, I’ll go back to Bordertown soon, and he’ll stay here in the mountains,” Jarne said. “There is no future for us.”
“But if you care for him…”
Jarne shook his head again. “Thanks for the cookie,” Jarne said and retreated to his room.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
It’s fine that I’m returning to Ores. It’s completely fine.
Ketho trod through the forest, weaving his way through bare trees and shrubs. Light snowflakes drifted down, falling on his hair and shoulders.
Returning doesn’t mean I’m too attached. I just want to see Jarne again. We only have a short time. He’ll be gone after Winter Solstice. So there isn’t anything to worry about. I just overreacted that night.
For days, Ketho had travelled. He’d climbed cliffs and mountains. He’d journeyed across valleys and flats with no direction in mind. Then his feet had turned to the valley, which lay only a short distance from Ores. And Jarne.
He kept thinking about how Jarne would leave after Winter Solstice and every day Ketho kept away was a day with Jarne lost. He began to walk towards Ores before even properly considering it.
It’s not the same. It’s not like it was with my brother. This is totally different. This is nothing to worry about at all.
Because Jarne and Ketho would end after Solstice. Ketho knew that. Jarne knew that.
And Jarne wanted that. Jarne had a life in Bordertown. Jarne worked there as a perfume alchemist. His family lived there. His terrible family but a family nonetheless. Jarne had no life here. He wouldn’t stay. He had no reason to stay!
Ketho had completely overreacted the other night. They’d had a lovely day, and then he’d run off like a moron because his fears had risen and gotten the better of him. He’d acted ridiculously. Jarne just wanted to spend time with him whilst he stayed in Ores. There was no possibility of anything longer.
And Ketho had made it clear he’d never return to Bordertown. Their relationship had no future. No chance. So he had nothing to worry about. If there were no endpoint to their relationship, then this might be risky. He might be in danger of developing feelings, of falling in love, of giving someone the power to manipulate, use, and control him.
But there was a clear endpoint. Winter Solstice. They had until then. Then they were finished. Over. Done.
So Ketho needed to stop worrying. Stop overreacting and panicking. Stop running off in the night.
It didn’t matter that just the thought of Jarne made his heart race and his soul feel like it could fly. It didn’t matter that he’d missed the severe, rigid man who, when they were alone, smiled, relaxed, and spoke openly with Ketho. It didn’t matter that he’d missed snuggling with Jarne in the cluttered room beneath a pile of blankets. It didn’t matter that he’d missed the taste, the touch, the feel of Jarne.
None of that mattered. Because they’d be done soon.
Ketho halted. Off the path and by a river stood Jarne, holding what looked to be a berry between his fingers. Ketho’s chest swelled and lifted at the mere sight of the dark-haired man.