Page 31 of A Winter Romance
“Live in Bordertown. What would I even do there?”
“Well, you could be a baker. There is a really good bakery near my apartments.” He seemed to hesitate. “But then again, maybe you could work at the perfumery with me. I’m sure my parents would oblige.” He sounded so excited, just like Sero had felt a moment ago. “I was thinking that perhaps you could help source new material for our perfumes. I told you about Eviane, the half-dryad who works for the business. She says her nymph heritage gives her an advantage at finding materials in the forest.”
Sero was at a complete loss. He felt like he’d stepped into a bizarre conversation where absolutely nothing made any sense. “Why would I work for a perfumery?”
“Well, you could be a baker… But it’s just… It’s not very prestigious. And I know my family wouldn’t really like a baker in the family.” Aryn dropped his gaze to the kitchen counter.
Sero felt like he’d been punched in the gut.I am a complete moron.
Initially, he’d wondered if Aryn judged him. Aryn from Bordertown, with his fancy clothes, wealthy family, famous perfumery, and servants. But as the days had passed, Sero thought Aryn had come to appreciate his world, that Aryn respected him, that he liked the village and its people. And all this time, he’d been looking down on it. And on him.
He’d been so stupid to think that Aryn could ever fit in here. Aryn didn’t belong in the village, and he didn’t belong with Sero.
“And I’m sure Eviane could train you,” Aryn raced on, completely oblivious to Sero’s sudden change in mood. “My parents think she is so talented. You’ll meet her and she’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
Sero shook his head, gut churning. “I don’t want to work in a perfumery,” Sero said, voice only just above a whisper.
But Aryn didn’t hear. “And you can even come with me to my brother’s wedding. They’ll be so—”
“I don’t want to come to Bordertown with you!” he burst out.
Aryn stared at him in shock. “But…but what about all the stuff you said? About staying together?” His smile was gone now, brown eyes wary.
“I meant here. You stay here in Ores with me.”
“Here?” Confused, he looked around.
Clearly, Aryn had never even considered it. It had never even crossed his mind. Sero wanted to think Aryn was selfish, but then again, he’d never considered the possibility of moving to Bordertown. It all just showed how ill-suited the two were, that they had both gotten it all so wrong.
“I couldn’t live here. What would my parents think?”
Sero sucked in a breath. “I don’t understand why you care so much what your parents think. They don’t give a damn about you. They didn’t care when Sasha used you and cast you aside for your brother. You said yourself that they probably don’t notice that you’ve gone missing! Your parents probably wouldn’t have even cared if you had died in the forest!”
Aryn’s head jerked back as if he’d been slapped. “That’s—”
“And you know what else, I’m proud of who I am! I love being a baker. I love this village. These mountains. I’m sorry if that isn’t good enough for you. Or for your parents. But I’m not going to change to please them or you!”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“Don’t,” Sero said, cutting him off, voice dripping with anger. He didn’t want to hear another word from Aryn. “And did you even think what it might be like for me, a half-oread, living in Bordertown? What if I got sick? Did you ever consider that?”
Aryn didn’t meet his eyes.
I’ve been so foolish.He’d thought there was a chance for them, that they might have a future together. It seemed so ridiculous now. How could he ever be with someone who thought so little of him?
There was a knock at the door.
Ignoring Aryn, Sero went to answer it. He opened it to find Odara.
“Hello, Odara.” He forced a smile. “What brings you to my door this evening?”
“Well, I was wondering if you had any extra Solstice sweets. The younglings found them and ate them all before Solstice! Now I have nothing to give them as Solstice gifts tomorrow.” She shook her head. “Mischievous little creatures. I should punish them, but it’s Solstice!” She laughed.
Sero smiled, but it felt pained.
Odara squinted at him. “Everything all right, Sero?”
“Yes. Of course. Just lots to bake before tomorrow. And yes. I have some Solstice sweets. Come on in. I’ll get them for you.”
