Page 32 of A Winter Admire
“I offered Torin a Solstice gift,” Edwin said. “He rejected me and accepted one from you. He chose you! I don’t understand why you can’t just leave me alone.”
“Because you ruined it,” Ulir hissed.
“Ruined it? What did I ruin?” Edwin had no idea what Ulir was talking about.
“I’d been planning to give Torin a Solstice gift. I’d been planning to give it to him that very same day. I was on my way to give him it, and I came across both of you. You were offering yourself to him as if you were ever good enough.”
“So?” Edwin didn’t understand why that upset Ulir so much.
“So? It was meant to be magical and beautiful. It was meant to be perfect. And then you came along and asked him first. I had to follow you after your idiotic declaration. You ruined everything. You’re pathetic, and it’s disgusting that you ever thought you were good enough for him. That you could compete with me.”
Ulir stepped closer, crowding Edwin. “So who gave you the Solstice gift? Did you make one for yourself? Did someone give it to you because you’re so sad and pathetic? Come on, Edwin, tell us!”
“It was me,” Sinoe said from behind Edwin.
ChapterTwenty-Four
“Igave Edwin the Solstice gift.” Sinoe stepped up next to Edwin and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. “And I gave it to him because it’s a beautiful and rare flower and it suits him perfectly. Also, I admire and adore him.” Sinoe was shorter than Torin and Ulir, but somehow, he managed to look down on them with his steely silver gaze.
Edwin’s chest warmed at Sinoe’s words.
“And only an arrogant fool wouldn’t see his worth, wouldn’t think Edwin was worthy of love and affection,” Sinoe said, voice calm and measured. But Edwin could feel the tension radiating off Sinoe’s body.
Torin looked away. Ulir’s face turned red, and he looked like he was about to speak.
But Sinoe turned his back on them as if they were beneath him. “Come, Edwin, you promised me Solstice cakes.”
Ulir spluttered with shock. Sinoe didn’t even glance back as they walked to the stall and got in line.
“I’m sorry,” Edwin said.
Surprise passed across Sinoe’s face. “For what?”
“For having to deal with them.”
“Oh, Edwin. Are they the reason you think so little of yourself?”
Edwin shrugged, unable to deny it.
“They’re jerks and aren’t worth your time. You shouldn’t care what they think. And I meant what I said. Only a fool wouldn’t see that you are wonderful and deserving of care and affection.”
“I think I am starting to see that.” Edwin took Sinoe’s hand in his own, running his fingers over the soft skin. “It’s strange. For years, I always believed the horrible things they said. But today when Ulir was talking to me, I couldn’t understand why he’d treat me so bad. Even if I wasn’t good enough for Torin—”
Sinoe made a noise in the back of his throat that made Edwin smile.
“Even if I wasn’t good enough, I knew they shouldn’t treat me like that,” Edwin said. “I knew I didn’t deserve their bullying and torment.” He lifted his gaze to Sinoe’s. “I’ve never stood up to them before. But today, for the first time, I found the strength.” Edwin touched the wrin flower pinned to his coat, his Solstice gift. “Now let’s forget all about them and eat some Solstice cakes.”
Sinoe leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
After that, they bought their cakes and walked over to the snow sculpture. “I can see why you love these. They’re delicious!” Sinoe said.
Edwin nodded, mouth too full to speak.
“The ice sculpture is very interesting,” Sinoe said.
This year, the snow had been sculpted into two humans huddled together on the ground. Trees made of snow curved over them. Two oreads, long-haired and naked, stood in front of them, holding out an apple.
“Edwin!” a voice called. “Sinoe!” He turned to see Odara walking toward them.
