Page 35 of A Winter Romance
Sero kissed him, and Aryn almost dropped the loaf.
“Do you mean it?” Sero asked. “Do you want to stay?”
Aryn nodded, the smile stretching across his face. “I meant every word. I want to stay here with you. I love you.”
“I love you too, Aryn. And of course I’ll have you.” He kissed Aryn again. “Now show me this loaf.” Aryn held out the loaf, which luckily had not been crushed between them.
Sero took it, holding the offering almost reverently as if it was something precious rather than disastrous. “Thank you,” Sero said. “We’ll eat it together later.” He reached out and stroked the back of his fingers against Aryn’s cheek.
“You don’t have to eat it. I can’t imagine it will taste any good. The edges are burnt, and it’s…wrong.”
“You made it for me. That’s what matters.” Sero smiled at him, then kissed him, silencing his protests. “And later we’ll do much more than just eating. But right now, we must prepare for the Solstice festivities.”
ChapterTwenty-Four
Aryn and Sero kept stealing glances and sharing smiles as they went back and forth, carrying the baked goods to a stall set up by Sero’s parents.
“All right, you two, go off and enjoy yourselves,” Mila said. “We’ll take care of the stall. Sero, make sure you show him everything. It’s his first Winter Solstice. And perhaps if he likes it enough, he will come back and visit us again.”
“Actually,” Aryn said. He smiled and gazed into Sero’s silver eyes. “I’m planning to stay.”
“Really?” Mila cried out, causing several people to look in their direction. She rushed forward and embraced him. “And soon you will marry my son and have children together!”
“Mother!”
“That’s excellent news,” Rhorton said, smiling and embracing Aryn.
“Well, go on and celebrate, then!” Mila said, waving them off. “Have fun!” She clapped her hands together.
Aryn couldn’t stop smiling, couldn’t stop looking at Sero, and couldn’t stop reaching over and touching him. He felt light-headed. He loved Sero. And Sero loved him. His world had never been more perfect.
Sero took his hand. “Do you want some hot chocolate, or how about some spiced wine?”
“Isn’t it a little early for wine?” Aryn’s cheeks hurt from how much he was smiling.
“It’s Solstice, and we’re celebrating!” Sero laughed and kissed him.
Sero led them to a stall. There were rows of emerald mugs to one side and a giant pot of mulled wine in the middle. A woman ladled the steaming red liquid into two mugs.
“Happy Solstice,” she said as she handed the mugs to them.
The smell of the fragrant wine hit him. He took a sip. It was warm, heady, and perfectly spiced. The heat from the mug warmed his hands, and the liquid sliding down his throat warmed his insides.
“Are these Solstice mugs?” Aryn asked. It was a silly question. They each said “Happy Solstice” and were decorated with stars and snowflakes.
“Yes. The potter, Wareth, makes new Solstice mugs every year.” Sero tilted his head. “These are much more festive than usual. Normally they just say ‘Happy Solstice.’ Wareth must have been feeling whimsical this year. Oh, there he is.” Sero pointed. “And that’s Ori with him.”
Aryn followed the direction he was pointing and saw Wareth and an oread standing very close together. The oread leaned up to kiss the tall, broad-chested man, placing a hand on Wareth’s waist.
“I didn’t know he and Ori were together. That might explain the whimsical mugs,” Sero said. “And there’s the rest of my family. Come, Aryn, you need to meet them.”
Aryn didn’t have time to be nervous as suddenly he was surrounded by Sero’s extended relatives, being introduced to cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents.
“It’s so nice to meet you all,” Aryn said.
Sero translated to his grandparents, and Sero’s grandfather spoke.
“They said you should come and visit soon,” Sero said.
