Page 36 of A Winter Romance
“We would enjoy showing you the valley,” said Lutoth, one of Sero’s cousins. Lutoth had striking eyes of almost white, a thin line of black around each iris.
“I would appreciate that,” Aryn said.
They talked for a bit before Sero’s family wandered off to enjoy the different activities and stalls.
“That’s the snow sculpture,” Sero said.
Aryn realised he had seen the people preparing earlier in the morning, standing beside the pile of snow. At the time, he’d been too worried about his apology to give it his full attention.
“The men and women sculptors start at dawn and will work until sunset,” Sero said. “It’s a challenge to finish it in one day, since the day is so short. Normally the sculptors plan a lot.”
“What’s it a sculpture of?” Aryn asked. There were a few mounds, but he couldn’t make out what the half-formed shapes of ice were meant to be.
“It’s too early to tell, but it always has something to do with the first Winter Solstice. We’ll have to keep an eye on it throughout the day.”
He noticed a few children watching the sculptors eagerly. “Why don’t the children help?”
Sero laughed and shook his head. “The children aren’t allowed to help. As I said, it’s a challenge, so the sculptors don’t want mischievous little hands damaging their hard work. Come this way. I’ll show you what the younglings can do.”
Taking his hand, Sero tugged Aryn towards a small frozen lake with children. “See, the children can ice skate,” Sero said, but they didn’t pause, just kept walking. “And they can toboggan.”
Children rode down the snow-covered hill on wooden sleds, their laughter and screams filling the air.
“There are your sisters!” Aryn watched as Ila and Ethred flew down the hill together. “Looks like they are having fun.”
When the girls got to the bottom, they turned around, pulling their sled back up the hill.
“I would have loved doing that as a child,” Aryn said. Fun like this had never really been encouraged, even when he was young.
“Well, let’s see if you love doing it as an adult,” Sero said, tugging on his hand.
“But isn’t it for kids?”
“Mostly, but no one will complain.” Sero smiled brightly at him.
“I’m still drinking my wine,” Aryn said, laughing.
“Finish it up, then!”
Aryn gulped down the wine, and they set their cups in the snow. Sero grabbed one of the sleds and tugged Aryn towards where everyone was walking up the hill.
“Don’t we each need one?”
“We can go together.”
“But aren’t we too big for just one?” He puffed as they continued upwards.
Sero turned around and planted a kiss on his cheek. “We’ll just need to stay extra close.”
They reached the top of the hill. From here he could see the entire village, with its pretty wooden cabins, all the festive huts, and the people and oreads celebrating. It was so different from the life he’d built in Bordertown. He’d never realised how lonely he was back in his old life.
For years, he’d struggled to prove himself to his parents. To try to show them he was worthy of them and their love. But he had never been able to do that. They had never truly cared for him. Not like Sero did.
“Come on,” Sero said.
Sero had already set down the sled and was sitting on it. Sero patted between his legs. Feeling some slight trepidation, Aryn sat. Sero wrapped his arms around Aryn’s waist and grabbed hold of the rope.
“Ready?” Sero asked, dropping a kiss on his shoulder.
