Free What Matters Most by Sasha L. Miller Page A

back to Kyros. "Stay here and get some rest."
    "Yes, mother," Kyros said, slanting him a smile. Raslin rolled his eyes, fastening his jacket shut with quick, well-practiced movements. Kyros' eyes followed his hands, and Raslin could feel his face heating under Kyros' gaze. He wanted more than Kyros' eyes on him, wanted more than the half-realized dream of Kyros in his bed, but he wasn't going to get it.
    Raslin left, before he could say something that would rile Kyros, like let me come with you. Kyros hadn't gotten angry at him since the day he'd arrived. Raslin wasn't sure if that was because the topic of his return to Alesdor hadn't come up or if Kyros had been too tired to control his temper the day he'd arrived in Ourenville.
    There were only a few days left until the Solstice celebration, and most everyone was preparing for it. Nearly every available surface in the square was decorated with greenery from the forest, most of it dusted with snow. The bonfire burned in the center of the square, heralding the pending festivities. It would burn throughout the festival and then after for as long as there was wood to feed it.
    Raslin usually loved the solstice festival, including all of the preparation and work that he did in the days leading up to it.
    This year, however, he couldn't seem to summon his usual cheer. Ailynn was behaving in much the same way, and that was unusual enough that a few people had asked Raslin if she was all right. Raslin had started sowing the seeds of rumors that Ailynn might be traveling soon to visit a sick relative, since that was what he'd have to tell everyone once Ailynn and Kyros left.
    Ailynn was visiting a sick relative; Kyros was headed back to the city, because there was absolutely nothing for him to be running away from. As far as Raslin and the rest of the village were supposed to know, Kyros was happy and thriving with his studies to be a mage.
    Kyros seemed positive that the council would be sending people to Ourenville, but Raslin wasn't sure he could lie convincingly enough when the time came. He hoped for Kyros'
    and Ailynn's sakes that he could. He didn't want to screw that up, but he couldn't even convince Kyros that going back to Alesdor was madness.
    Sighing, Raslin shook his head as his steps took him through the village. He didn't have anything in particular to do today, but he could always find work. That seemed the smart plan—to keep himself busy until Kyros and Ailynn left so he wouldn't think about being left behind, and then keep himself busy after they left so he wouldn't think about running off to join Kyros.
    If Kyros hadn't been killed or starved himself to death by that point.
    Maybe he would move at the end of the winter. Raslin pondered that, nodding in greeting as he passed Ailynn's neighbor. He could go to the nearby city of Islar; it was a day's ride south and, being young and fit, he could probably find work. It was better than spending the rest of his days in Ourenville, doing the same things and dealing with the same people day in and day out.
    He'd rather go with Kyros, even if it was dangerous. Kyros would never ask him to go, Raslin knew that. He was too wrapped up in keeping everyone but himself safe. Raslin couldn't force his way in, either. Kyros would find a way to lose him or make him stay.
    Raslin reached the square, pausing as he took in the roaring bonfire and the people milling around. There were children underfoot everywhere, and Raslin reluctantly cracked a smile as a pair of boys chased each other around the square, yelling at the top of their lungs. He and Kyros had been like that once, and he really, really needed to stop clinging to the past. Kyros wasn't his to worry about, and Kyros obviously didn't want him to do any worrying at all.
    Shoving the thoughts out of his head, Raslin went to tend the bonfire for a while. He'd barely taken two steps, however, when a strange sound distracted him. A pair of horses came up the main path on the