Page 30 of A Winter Romance
Aryn tipped the ceramic bowl filled with Solstice berries into the wet dough before mixing it. He hummed as he worked, and the sound made Sero melt inside.
His home smelled of spices and baking. Aryn, who had never baked before coming to Ores, had done whatever Sero needed. Whether that was mixing ingredients, chopping nuts, kneading or shaping the dough into crescent moons, dipping them in chocolate, or just washing up and cleaning. Aryn didn’t complain, just did as Sero asked with a smile.
They’d gone to bed early the previous night, although had gotten little sleep, instead playing a fantasy Aryn had of being a prince seduced by a pirate. Sero knew very little about princes or pirates, but he was more than willing to oblige.
They had woken early. There was much to do on Solstice Eve. They’d spent the morning baking and then afterwards gone to see his parents. They’d selected a tree in the forest, chopped it down, brought it inside, and decorated it. They’d sung Solstice songs as they held hands around the tree, and then they’d sat down together for a big Solstice Eve meal.
Sero wished he could lie down and rest, but there was still more baking to be done. Normally he would be so much more stressed the night before Solstice, but with Aryn, he just couldn’t help but feel anything but happy and content.
And tomorrow, they could relax and enjoy all the Solstice festivities. He looked forward to showing Aryn all their traditions and introducing him to his extended family, who would be visiting from the valley.
Then Solstice would pass. The festivities would be over. Aryn would return home. And they probably would never see each other ever again. He continued to knead the dough, his good mood dissolving.
He just wished time would stand still. Or that Aryn wouldn’t leave. But maybe he didn’t have to.
Maybe, as his mother said, Aryn might want to stay. He fit in so well, and he did seem happy. And whenever he talked of his family, he seemed so miserable.
Perhaps he should ask. What did he have to lose by asking? Nervousness churned in his gut. He glanced over at Aryn, who worked away, still humming. But what if he said no? It would ruin their last few nights together. He couldn’t have their last moments ruined by awkwardness.
But I could ask afterwards.
After Solstice, Sero had promised to take Aryn to the village inn where Aryn had stayed the night. Sero could ask before they left. It would make the trip awkward if he said no, but better that than never knowing.
And if he said yes, then Aryn could live here with him. They could sleep in the same bed, lazy and cosy for the rest of winter, sharing kisses as they curled up around each other. They would bake together every day. Or he would bake before Aryn woke and then crawl back into bed with him. And in the spring, Sero could introduce him to the cakes he made for the Fertility Festival.
They could spend more time with his family. His family loved Aryn! In spring and summer, they could go for walks and go swimming. Sero could show him the mountains and the forests, which Aryn no longer seemed to hate. They could make love in the grass amongst the flowers. And maybe one day, Aryn would want to have children. They could adopt and start a family.
The picture in his mind grew. Excitement and nerves rattled around his body. He wanted this to continue, wanted to build a life with Aryn. He took a deep breath. Yes. He would ask after Solstice. And hopefully, Aryn would say yes.
Trying to calm himself, Sero returned his focus and kneaded the dough.
“You know, I’ve been thinking…,” Aryn said. “I’ve…” He licked his lips and frowned. “It’s been so wonderful, this time here with you. I almost don’t want it to end.” He gave a shaky laugh.
Sero’s heart stopped. Was Aryn thinking the same thing as him? Was it possible? “Me neither,” he said, throat tight.
Aryn’s shoulders relaxed. “Really? I thought maybe you couldn’t wait to be rid of me.”
“Not at all.” Sero shook his head. “I’ve loved every moment we’ve spent together. In fact, I was thinking just now about how I didn’t want it to end. And maybe that it didn’t have to.”
“Me too!” Aryn’s voice was filled with excitement. “I feel like I’ve only just found you. And I’ve been so happy, happy in a way that I couldn’t believe was possible. I couldn’t bear for it to end!”
They smiled at each other, wide, full smiles brimming with happiness and the possibility of more time. Sero was sure they looked ridiculous.
“So you’ll come with me?” Aryn asked.
“What?” Sero asked. “Come with you. Where?” Had he missed something?
“Back to Bordertown,” Aryn said.
Aryn still smiled, but Sero felt like he’d been plunged into an icy river.
ChapterTwenty-One
“Go back to Bordertown?”
Aryn nodded, beaming. “You can live with me in my apartments.”
Sero stood there in shock, trying to process the sudden turn this conversation had taken. How had he misunderstood? How had Aryn? And how could Aryn think he’d be happy in Bordertown? He loved these mountains. This village. He never wanted to leave it. And what if he got sick there, like his mother?
