Page 58 of A Winter Courtship
“Hello, Lutoth,” Ulrich’s father mumbled.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Lutoth said, pretending they hadn’t met previously.
Silence followed, stretching between them. The three stood awkwardly together whilst around them, laughter and joyous voices resounded through the air. Lutoth tried to think of something to say.
“I’m going to get food,” Ulrich’s father finally said and left without saying goodbye.
They watched him go.
After a moment, Ulrich spoke. “Well, that definitely could have gone worse.”
Lutoth turned and faced Ulrich, wrapping his arms around Ulrich’s waist. “I’m proud of you.”
Ulrich pressed his lips to Lutoth’s hair. “Thank you.”
“How are you feeling now?”
“Good. I think I feel good,” Ulrich said. “I think I feel happy.”
“Me too.”
They smiled like fools into each other’s eyes, with no care for anyone who might see them.
“Ulrich!” a man called out.
Tall and thin, the man walked with a slight sway of his hips. A carefree, confident smile graced his mouth. Two others followed him. Lutoth was pretty sure he’d seen the other two around the village before.
“You must be Lutoth,” the man said. “I’m Elias, Ulrich’s older brother. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled at Ulrich. “And it’s nice to see you two blissful lovebirds fawning over each other. Makes me almost believe true love exists.”
“Almost?” Ulrich asked.
Elias laughed. “And Lutoth, let me introduce my closest friend, Damur, and his little brother, Gideon.”
“I’m twenty-nine, hardly little,” Gideon protested.
“To us, you’ll always be the little boy following us around,” Damur said, ruffling Gideon’s hair.
He and Elias laughed.
Gideon smoothed back his hair. He looked like he wanted to pout.
“Gideon will be visiting me in Bordertown in the summer,” Elias said, patting Gideon on the back. “But I’m assuming you won’t be joining me there, Ulrich.”
“No.” Ulrich smiled, shaking his head. “I’ll be staying here.” He wrapped his arm firmly around Lutoth’s shoulders and squeezed.
Ethel stood a little distance. Several human and nymph younglings, including the little girl who had previously ridden her, gathered around Ethel.
“It looks like those children are interested in your reindeer,” Elias said.
“The younglings probably want to ride her,” Lutoth said. “Ulrich is so good with the younglings.”
“Is he now?” Elias asked, raising his brows.
Ulrich flushed.
Ulrich and Lutoth approached Ethel and the younglings around her.
“Who would like to ride her?” Ulrich asked, voice deep and soft.
