Page 8 of A Winter Awakening
ChapterFive
“Ithink you need to rest for a bit.” Orteo didn’t know what else to suggest after Gael’s tale. But right now it seemed sleep would be a good idea. The man seemed worked up and on the verge of shock. “We’ll work everything out in the morning.”
“All right,” Gael said. He let out a breath. His body sagged as if suddenly realising how exhausted he was. From the sounds of it, Gael had barely slept or eaten in the past few days. And today he’d fled on horseback and gotten lost.
Gael leaned against the horse behind him, who already slept. Gael pulled his fur coat around his shoulder. He gazed at Orteo.
“Goodnight,” Orteo said.
“Goodnight.” Slowly, Gael’s eyes drooped as if he couldn’t fight the tiredness anymore. His eyes snapped open. “You’ll still be here when I wake, right?”
“Yes,” Orteo said. “I’ll watch over you and make sure nothing happens.”
“Thank you.” Gael hesitated. “Do you live nearby?” Gael asked. “In that place I saw you and the others?”
“No.” Orteo turned his gaze to the fire. He hadn’t lived in the valley in years. Not since his sister’s death. He hadn’t felt comfortable there since then. So he’d lived alone, keeping to himself and out of the way of everyone. “I live on the outskirts of the valley. A cave not too far from here.”
“But you won’t go there tonight. You’ll stay here.”
“Yes.”
Gael smiled and stared at him a moment longer. “Thank you.” Then he closed his eyes again. His breathing evened out almost immediately.
Orteo placed a log on the fire, studying the sleeping man. He reached into his bag. He pulled out several small chunks of wood that he’d collected throughout the day. He placed them near the fire but far enough away that they wouldn’t catch alight. They would dry out nicely.
Reaching into his bag again, he found one of his whittling tools that had once belonged to his older sister. He pressed the sharp blade against the wood. Chips fell to the dirt floor. Every now and then, he glanced at Daisy and Gael as he carved. It wasn’t often he met new subjects.
Poor boy. Gael had definitely made a mess of his life. And now he had nowhere to go or no idea what to do.
But Orteo didn’t judge Gael. After all, who was Orteo to judge? He’d done things that still shamed him. He’d let down those he loved. He knew exactly what it was to despise your own behaviour.
Gael frowned. No doubt the guilt and troubles of the day followed him into his dreams. But at least he remained asleep. Dirt dusted his fine silver-and-white clothes and skin.
But the state of him did nothing to hide his beauty. Orteo studied the youthful face, taking in the fine, delicate features. His gaze traced the dirty, slender hands. The hands that had held Orteo’s as Gael gazed at him with adoration and gratitude.
Orteo swallowed at the memory. Gael worried he’d offended Orteo by reacting to his textured palms. Truthfully, Orteo had been taken aback by the touch.
When was the last time someone had touched Orteo like that? Perhaps he’d had a pat on the shoulder in recent years. But nothing like Gael gripping his hand whilst gazing at him with such intensity.
Orteo didn’t have close friends or family. And he hadn’t taken a lover in years. After his sister’s death, he’d had lots of sex. As if trying to chase the grief away. Sometimes it had worked. Mostly it had made the pain and loneliness worse. So he’d stopped.
Since then, he hadn’t thought of sex or touch. Not in years.
He glanced at Gael. What would it feel like to have Gael touch him? To feel those soft hands cup his cheek? To feel those arms wrap around him and hold him?
His throat tightened.
Orteo continued to whittle, taking off large swathes of wood to get an overall shape. The details of the figure would come later. He paused to place another log on the fire. The embers glowed, and the flames danced.
At some point during the night, Orteo slept for a bit, curled up on the floor.
Finally, the sky lightened. The darkness receded, giving way to soft pink-and-orange hues. Orteo stepped towards the entrance. He could hear a pair of birds singing in the distance.
Orteo returned to the man and knelt by him. Gael had slept through the whole night. But Gael’s ankle looked worse. The swelling had increased until his ankle seemed almost the size of his fist. Orteo didn’t know how bad or serious it was. He needed to get a healer.
For a second, Orteo considered sneaking out and getting Sinoe and returning before Gael woke. He didn’t want to worry the man. But how would Gael react if he woke and Orteo wasn’t there?
Orteo placed a hand on Gael’s shoulder. He gave a gentle shake.
