Page 31 of A Winter Courtship
Ulrich smiled. “I’d have followed you anywhere.”
Lutoth’s chest felt light as if he could float away on Ulrich’s words.
“Come on, not much further to go,” Lutoth said, leading the way into the valley.
ChapterNineteen
The wind howled down the valley, chasing Lutoth, beckoning him. The trees around them swayed as they danced in the breeze, creaking and calling to him. But Lutoth smothered his instincts. His feet and hands tingled. But he didn’t react. He just kept walking, footsteps calm and measured.
He didn’t want to scare Ulrich again.
“Look, Ethel,” Lutoth said. “Reindeer! Like you.”
Ethel stopped and stared at them. The herd moved through the trees, digging at the snow with their hoofs and eating what they found beneath.
She watched them for a few moments, then turned away and continued.
Lutoth chuckled. “She doesn’t seem so interested in other reindeer.”
“Sometimes I think she doesn’t realise she is one,” Ulrich said. “I think she thinks she’s human.”
“You don’t want to play with the reindeer, Ethel?” Lutoth asked, stroking her fur. “Run with them for a bit?”
She kept walking.
“Fair enough,” Lutoth said.
They passed several oreads as they walked through the valley. They passed Yurem and Yael, twins who sat by a fire roasting fish. Suroth, Yelan, and Lela, an older throuple, sat by their cave, weaving as they talked. Everyone they passed called out greetings to Lutoth and Ulrich.
Lutoth’s throat tightened. This had been his home for the past year. He’d never had a home before. And even though he spent more time in Ores these days, he still felt like he had a place in the valley. In fact, it felt like he had two homes, one in the valley and one in Ores.
“They know who I am,” Ulrich said.
“Of course,” Lutoth said. “Everyone here knows I’m courting you. They also know it is going well. My father and Auntie Mila update everyone constantly.” He smiled at Ulrich.
Music drifted through the valley. Lutoth and Ulrich turned towards the source. An oread sat on a rock, playing his flute.
“Who’s that?” Ulrich asked.
“Yashi,” Lutoth said. “He’s not from here and doesn’t talk much. To anyone. But he comes here sometimes and plays his flute.”
They walked past Yashi, and although Yashi’s eyes flicked to them, he didn’t stop playing his music to greet them.
“My father’s cave is up ahead,” Lutoth said. “He’s looking forward to meeting you.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting him,” Ulrich said, but Lutoth noted the tension in his shoulders and the tightness of his jaw.
When Lutoth’s father spotted them, he broke into a bright smile and came towards them, practically running with excitement. Ulrich really had nothing to worry about. After all, Lutoth’s father was Auntie Mila’s brother and was just as keen to welcome Ulrich into the family as she was.
“Ulrich, what an honour to meet you.” His father took both Ulrich’s hands in his, clasping them tightly as he gazed up at the man. “I’m Fifior, and I’ve wanted to meet you for so long. You must be something very special.”
“I don’t know about that.” Ulrich’s cheeks flushed.
Fifior leaned towards Ulrich. “I know you are. My son is half-sylph, and it is difficult for him to stay still, but he has done so because of you.” Tears glistened in his eyes. “It is because of you I have gotten to spend so much time getting to know him.”
Not for the first time, Lutoth felt a stab of guilt in his chest. Even if it had been his mother’s decision to move him from place to place, he still felt responsible for what his father had lost. Not just the sylph he loved but a son too.
And honestly, in the years since he had travelled without his mother, he could have spent more time in the valley with his father. But Lutoth couldn’t change the past. All he could do now was move forward.
