Page 46 of A Winter Awakening
The cabin door opened.
“Is he all right?” Orteo asked.
“He’s fine,” Edwin said. “Here’s your tea.” He held out the steaming mug. “Sinoe says you should come in now.”
Orteo swallowed. He took the mug and stepped past Edwin.
Gael sat on the chair. He held a cup of tea. He turned to Orteo.
Gael smiled. Orteo’s chest tightened. Gael still smiled and looked at Orteo as if Orteo hadn’t let him down. As if Orteo hadn’t failed him.
“He’s fine,” Sinoe said. “The wound has stopped bleeding. I’ve checked him, and everything is fine.”
“He says we can go back to Sariah’s cabin,” Gael said. “After all, you’ll be there to look after me.”
Orteo’s throat tightened at the trust Gael still had in him. He didn’t deserve that trust.
“Are you sure that’s all right?” Orteo asked Sinoe. “What if I miss some symptom or sign of a problem?”
Sinoe walked to him. “He’ll be fine. It was just a small cut. Go to the cabin. Lie down, both of you, and get some sleep. The tea should help with that.” Sinoe squeezed his arm. “He’ll be fine, Orteo.”
Orteo nodded, but he felt sick, his stomach clenching and twisting.
After drinking their tea, they left the cabin. Gael leaned on Orteo as they walked. At some point, he’d need to retrieve Gael’s crutch, which had been left in the forest. The villagers waiting outside the cabin wished Gael well when they saw him. No one tried to talk to them.
Ori stood amongst those watching. But his eyes seemed fixated on Orteo. Orteo didn’t meet his gaze.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” Gael said as they entered Sariah’s cabin. “It barely hurts.” He sat on the bed and sighed. “But it’s nice to be back here with you. It was all a bit exhausting.”
“I’m sorry I panicked and worried you,” Orteo said, ashamed he’d lost control of himself.
“Sinoe said it’s common.” Gael stared up at him. “He thinks you must care about me a lot.”
“I do,” Orteo said.
Gael smiled and began to remove his clothes.
Orteo moved forward to assist. He may have let Gael down, but he could still help him undress. Afterwards, Gael lay in the bed.
Thankfully, Sinoe had cleaned the blood around the wound. But Orteo could see a few dark-red spots on the shoulder of Gael’s coat. He wanted to fling the garment into the fire. He glanced at his own chest. Flecks of dried blood stuck to him. Gael’s blood. He grabbed a cloth and vigorously wiped it away.
“Are you sleeping too?” Gael said. “Sinoe said we both should rest.”
Orteo hesitated. He should go and retrieve Gael’s crutch.
“I’d rest better with you beside me,” Gael said.
Orteo nodded and lay beside him, body rigid. Gael curled up to him. Orteo stared at the ceiling.
In his mind, he kept seeing Gael fall. His own hand failed to grab a hold of Gael. The blood dripped onto the snow. He clenched his jaw.
“Are you all right?” Gael asked.
“I’m fine. I just…I was worried,” Orteo said. “I was scared.”
Gael kissed his chest. “I’m fine.” He yawned. “But thank you for worrying.” A moment later, his breathing evened out.
Orteo continued to stare at the ceiling, the event circling before his eyes. He didn’t think he’d sleep. But soon the tea took effect, and he felt his body sink into the bed. His eyes drifted shut.
