Page 26 of A Winter Redemption
“Did you grow up here?”
“No.”
“Where, then?”
“Bordertown.” Ketho hadn’t wanted Jarne to know. But it wasn’t a secret in Ores. If Jarne stayed until Solstice, he’d definitely find out.
“Really?” Jarne sat up slightly.
“Yes.”
“Where in Bordertown? Perhaps we grew up in similar areas.”
Maybe. But even if they had, Ketho knew they had grown up in different worlds. Jarne had lived with his nannies in fancy apartments.
Ketho’s heartbeat rose. Ketho had lived in the orphanage and then on the streets. Perhaps he’d begged near where Jarne lived. His chest tingled. Perhaps Jarne or his family had walked past him as he sat on the wet, cold cobblestones with his arm outstretched. Perhaps Ketho had pickpocketed Jarne’s parents. His head started to spin.
Perhaps as a child, Jarne had stopped to stare at shivering, starving Ketho, as some children did before they learned not to make eye contact with the poor, dirty beggars.
“We moved around a lot. And then I left and haven’t gone back.” Ketho pulled from Jarne’s arms and stepped out into the chilly air of the room. He clenched his hands, trying to stop the trembling. “I should get going.”
ChapterSeventeen
Ketho hadn’t planned to leave, but suddenly he needed to get away with a desperate urgency. He didn’t want to talk about Bordertown. He didn’t want to think about Bordertown. He wanted to erase it and everything that had ever happened there from his mind.
Happy and free. I’m happy and free. Nothing holds me.
A wave of dizziness hit him.
“You’re leaving already?” Jarne asked.
“Yes.” Ketho dressed quickly and grabbed his rucksack, trying to ignore the room swimming around him. He’d been here less than a day, but he had to go. Now.
He glanced at Jarne, who sat on the edge of the bed, naked, staring at the floor with an oddly vulnerable look on his face.
“Did I do something wrong?” Jarne asked. “I know I am abrupt and say the wrong things at times.”
The sight of Jarne, combined with those words, caused Ketho to pause. He took several deep breaths. And after a few moments, the panic began to subside.
“No,” Ketho said softly. “You did nothing wrong.” Ketho stepped in front of Jarne. “I always planned to leave today.” A lie, but he didn’t want Jarne to think it was because of him. “I don’t like staying still. I like to roam. But I’ll be back in a couple of days.”
Placing a hand on his shoulder, Ketho leaned down and kissed Jarne.
“I’ll see you soon,” Ketho whispered against Jarne’s lips. “In fact…” He shucked his breeches and grabbed Jarne’s. “I think I’ll borrow yours. Then you know I’ll be coming back.” He smiled.
Jarne didn’t respond to Ketho’s teasing. “I will see you then,” Jarne said.
Ketho’s chest twisted as he left the room. Guilt ate at him, for leaving and for the lie. But he had to get away. Even though the sharp terror had receded, he still needed space. He needed to walk and move. He needed to flee. Like he so often did.
But he’d be back soon. So it didn’t matter. That was what he told himself.
Though, he really didn’t need to worry about Jarne getting attached. Ketho lived in the mountains. Jarne in Bordertown. They had nothing in common. He should just enjoy this brief interlude and meeting of souls. But Ketho knew he wouldn’t be able to stop the worries gnawing at him. He never could.
He walked the short hallway leading into the store.
Sero and Aryn unpacked baked goods. Mila, along with her husband, Rhorton, stood talking with them. They all stopped and greeted Ketho.
“Morning,” Ketho said. He shoved down any remaining dismay in his body and smiled.
