Page 5 of A Winter Redemption
“We both…spilt fluid,” Jarne blurted.
“You both spilt fluid?” Ketho burst out laughing and then immediately muffled it with his hand.
Miffed, Jarne folded the napkin, sliding his hand along the fabric edge.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. That was a rude question, and I shouldn’t laugh,” Ketho said. “It’s just a bizarre situation.” His expression sobered. “So what’s your relationship to your brother now?”
“To be honest, I never had much to do with him. He is the youngest. I am the oldest, and there are seven of us. He is twelve years my junior,” Jarne said.
“I only ever noticed that he was not very good at being a perfume alchemist. He concocted the worst perfumes. Absolutely terrible! It was like he threw stuff together at random.” Jarne sneered. “He had no respect for the artistry. And then he—” Jarne cut himself off.
“But that isn’t important at the moment,” Jarne said. “You see, he fled to Ores after Sasha and he broke up. My brother is the one I’m visiting. I want to tell him I didn’t know he and Sasha were together.”
“And apologise?”
“Of course,” Jarne said. “But I’m not sure how I was meant to know. He always seemed to be moping. How was I meant to know he was now moping because I’d stolen his lover?”
“I probably wouldn’t lead with that. Better just to apologise.”
“Of course.” Jarne waved a hand. “I want to bring him back to Bordertown. I want to amend the situation. I don’t like the idea of him living in exile because of this unpleasantness.”
“You don’t like the Norend Mountains?” Ketho asked.
Jarne shrugged. “They seem fine enough.”
“And is your brother unhappy in the mountains?”
“How should I know?” Jarne asked.
Ketho raised his eyebrows. “Perhaps you could ask him. I take it you haven’t been exchanging letters.”
“No. But he must prefer Bordertown. What could possibly be of interest out here?”
Ketho gave a slight shake of his head, a smile teasing his lips. It looked like he wanted to laugh.
“If you visit Bordertown sometime, then you would understand.” Jarne lifted his glass and noticed it was empty. He placed it back on the table.
Neither spoke for several moments. Jarne wished he had more wine.
“We could get back at him,” Ketho said.
“Why would I want to get back at my brother?”
“Not your brother.” Ketho smiled. “Sasha.”
“How?”
“We could…spill fluid together,” Ketho drawled.
It took Jarne a moment to process Ketho’s words. Then he felt a booted foot slide along his shin beneath his breeches.
Jarne jumped in his seat. “We just met!”
“Yes. It’s very improper!” Ketho mimicked Jarne’s outraged voice. Then he leaned forward, body graceful and fluid. He laughed. “But it could be very fun. It’s only one night. Two strangers meeting in an inn. Two souls crossing paths before going their separate ways. Both happy and free.”
Jarne frowned. He’d never done this sort of thing. He’d at least been aware of Sasha for a while before Sasha had propositioned him. And there had been no one other than Sasha. When would he have had the time?
He had the time tonight.
