Page 27 of A Winter Romance
Odara grinned. “Sero! Aryn! Wonderful to see you both! Winter Solstice is fast upon us, only a few days now. The nights grow longer, darker, and colder. It’s my favourite time of the year!”
Normally, Aryn wouldn’t understand why anyone would be so excited about long, dark nights. But having spent over a week sharing such nights snuggled up with Sero in his cabin, he could now definitely see the appeal.
“And how are you finding the village?” she asked Aryn. “You’ve been with us for quite a few days now. I imagine it is quite different from Bordertown. Are you homesick?”
“No, not really,” he said with complete honesty. “I like Ores.” At first, he’d missed the comforts of his apartments. But each day, that all seemed less important. Something was appealing in the simplicity and peace of what Ores offered. In fact, he was starting to fret over how quickly the days passed, and how soon he would need to leave.
“Ores has changed a lot over the years. Once upon a time, oreads and humans used to be so close. It was almost like we were one community. But we have drifted apart. I’m one of the few who can still speak the nymph tongue. Mila and Sero can too, of course, but I remember when most of the village spoke it.”
Her gaze travelled over the village. “But times change, and so many leave our village to go to Bordertown, Castle Evermore, or some faraway place to build a new life.” She sighed.
“Anyway, Solstice is fast upon us.” Odara smiled. “And many oreads will come from the valley for the day to visit us. It will be time to remember our past and the connection between the humans and oreads. I’m glad you will be with us to celebrate, Aryn.”
“Me too,” Aryn said. He’d heard so much about the festivities from Sero; he couldn’t help but look forward to it as well.
Aryn and Sero continued, leaving Odara with her grandchildren. Edwin, the botanist, kept his head down as he walked towards the trees. The blacksmith, whose name Aryn couldn’t remember, strolled along, hands in his pockets, a giant reindeer following him. The reindeer leaned forward and butted the blacksmith’s shoulder. The blacksmith laughed and turned towards the reindeer.
“Why does he…?” Aryn pointed at the blacksmith.
“Why does Ulrich have a reindeer for a pet?”
Aryn nodded.
“During the winter several years ago, Ulrich was working in the smithery when a half-starved reindeer calf wandered in, probably trying to get warm. Ulrich looked after her throughout the winter, and come spring, she wouldn’t leave him.” Sero laughed. “I’m pretty sure she thinks she is human.”
Ulrich patted the reindeer’s nose and gave her food from his pocket.
“It’s a nice day. Want to go for a walk in the forest?” Sero asked.
Aryn nodded. They walked past the wooden cabins and continued into the dense trees beyond. The sky above them was clear, and the sun shone low on the horizon. Golden sunlight filtered through the trees. Its weak rays provided little warmth but made the snow shine a brilliant white.
“You know, it’s strange, but now that I have the proper clothes, and I’m a bit more used to the cold, it’s not so terrible.”
Sero smiled at him, his silver eyes shining.
“When you found me, I hated these mountains and the forest. I wanted the trees all torn down and controlled. I couldn’t wait to be back in the city, away from all this nature.” A bird fluttered between the trees. “But it’s nice here. Pretty.”
“It’s like you belong here,” Sero said softly, then looked away.
Aryn’s chest tightened. Perhaps he wasn’t the only one who wasn’t looking forward to him leaving. “What’s it like here in the summer?”
“No snow, except on the peaks in the highest parts of the mountains. The forest is greener. More alive. You’ll see many more animals and birds. There are places where you can swim or lie in the grass, letting the sun warm your skin. I think you’d like it.” There was a sadness in Sero’s voice.
Both knew Aryn wouldn’t be here to see it.
It hurt to think that he would never get to experience the seasons here with Sero. But what could be done? His home was in the city. Even if his family hadn’t noticed he hadn’t returned yet, they soon would.
He shook his head. He’d stay until Winter Solstice. He’d have this time with Sero, in this magical village in these mountains. Then he’d return to his family and Bordertown.
ChapterNineteen
“Ilove all the greenery,” Aryn said, looking around and admiring the evergreen decorating the cabin. “We never do anything like this in Bordertown.”
“You don’t?” Sero’s mother said as she leaned towards Aryn, horror and shock in her eyes. “What about a tree? Don’t you bring one in on Solstice Eve and decorate it together? What about a big meal afterwards?”
Aryn shook his head.
“But it’s a Solstice tradition!” his mother cried.
