Page 50 of A Winter Awakening
“Normally, it is always the three of us. You, me, and her. And after you left, she was a great comfort.” She smiled at Gracie. “And we talked and spent a lot of time together, just me and her. And one thing led to another.”
Gael looked at Gracie. She smiled back at Alisa.
“Oh! You and Gracie are…together?”
Alisa nodded. Her cheeks glowed.
“Well, I’m glad we didn’t marry, then,” Gael said.
She laughed. “Me too.” She patted his thigh. “It could have been awkward.”
“That’s wonderful!” Gael let out a breath and smiled. “And do you think Gracie will ever forgive me?”
“If I do, she will,” Alisa said. “But she will have many more words with you first.”
“I imagine she will.” Gael did not look forward to one of his sister’s lectures. But if she forgave him in the end, it would be all right.
“So you and I are clearly not getting married. But are you coming back to Castle Evermore?” Alisa asked. “Or are you staying with the handsome oread I saw you professing your love to?”
“Ummm. I’m not sure. You kind of interrupted that.” He bit his lip. His gaze sought Orteo. The oread was too far for Gael to tell if he watched him. “He didn’t say it back.”
“And do you think he loves you back?”
“I think so,” Gael said tentatively. “I know he cares for me and worries for me. He spoils me too. And I let him. He’s the one who rescued me. We often just sit and talk. And I read to him. And he never makes me feel bad for being a bit of a bumble-head. And I… What?”
Alisa laughed. “Nothing. You are just clearly in love.”
“I am,” Gael said. He gave a nervous smile. “I just need to find out if he feels the same.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Orteo leaned against the tree, watching Gael and Alisa. He hoped it was going well for Gael. Orteo knew how important this was to him.
But his mind couldn’t focus. It scrambled and flailed.
Gael loved him.
But Gael didn’t know who he was. And if he did, he’d want nothing to do with Orteo. Because Orteo realised with a sinking feeling he’d need to tell Gael the truth. He’d need to tell Gael who he was and what he’d done. Gael deserved that.
Gracie strode over to Alisa and Gael. Gael ducked his head. They spoke for several minutes, Gael looking small and contrite.
And once Gael knew the truth, he would stop looking at Orteo with green eyes filled with adoration and affection. He’d look at Orteo with disgust instead. Orteo didn’t know how he’d be able to stand losing Gael. It would destroy him to go back to his life of solitude and emptiness after experiencing life with Gael. Gael, whose bright, shining light always made every day better.
Gael walked towards Orteo, leaning on his crutch.
Orteo stood, chest spasming.
Gael smiled as he got nearer. Orteo tried to return the smile.
“How did it go?” Orteo came towards him.
“They forgive me!” Gael laughed. “They’re still angry. Especially my sister, but they forgive me.” He opened his arms and wrapped them around Orteo.
Orteo closed his eyes. He held Gael tightly, savouring the moment.This might be the last time Gael hugs me.
“They’re going back to the inn now but will be back soon,” Gael said. “I can’t believe they forgive me!”
“I’m glad,” Orteo said. If they forgave Gael, it meant Gael would at least have them when Gael realised how despicable Orteo was.
