Page 11 of A Siren Song for Christmas

And Trent could picture who he wanted it with. His lungs expanded as he imagined himself and Mr Marin sitting before the fire, each holding a cup. Maybe Mr Marin would wrap an arm around his shoulder and ask him about his day.

“I bought some more ingredients for hot chocolate.” Trent pulled them out from his pack. “I saw we were running low.”

“You have my gratitude, Trent.” Uzoth smiled. “I do enjoy hot chocolate.”

“I know.” Trent hesitated. When he’d bought the hot chocolate, he’d considered sitting with his family and enjoying a cup himself. It would be nice to drop into one of the free seats and join Grady and Uzoth.

The warmth of the dancing flames would chase away the cold from his core. He could rest and relax, soaking in their company. He knew they’d not complain about him joining them.

But for as long as Trent could remember, Grady had always worked himself to the bone. Stress had always lined his face. It was nice he was taking more time for himself and that he had found a partner.

In the summer, Grady had even taken time off and gone with Uzoth on a trip. It had shocked everyone in the family. Since then, he’d looked refreshed. Younger even. Like several years had lifted from his shoulders.

Trent didn’t want to intrude on the couple tonight. So instead he just said, “Goodnight,” and walked to his room.

“Goodnight,” Uzoth and Grady said in return. Uzoth’s deep voice rumbled as they returned to their conversation.

Trent heard Lachlan and his cat-shifter partner and familiar, Kit, in their room, talking softly. He also heard the twins, Leo and Jasper, chatting in Jasper’s room.

Only Trent was alone tonight.

Just last year, nine of his siblings had lived in this small five-room apartment. It had been noisy, overcrowded, and bursting with life. You couldn’t get a moment to yourself. You could barely think. You could barely move without bumping into someone.

And Trent had loved it.

Then last year, his brother Briar had cast a siren’s love spell on himself and the majority of his siblings. They’d fallen in love, and some of them had moved out with their partners. Now only five of the siblings remained in the apartment. It meant for the first time in his life, Trent had a room to himself.

Everyone thought Trent must appreciate having his own space. They commented on it constantly. Trent opened the door to his room. He lit the lantern and looked around his cold bedroom.

Sighing, he stepped in and closed the door. Honestly, having his own room just felt…unsettling. This past year he had realised that he had never really been alone before. For his whole life, there’d always been his siblings. Everywhere he went, there they were.

They’d worked and they lived together. He could never escape them. He’d never wanted to. He’d always felt included and surrounded by those he loved most in the world.

Then everything had changed. He had never felt lonely before this year.

Trent undressed, washed, and prepared for bed.

Realistically the apartment was still crowded. Four of his siblings still lived there plus two partners. But the couples paired up, and Jasper spent so much time on his own.

Trent stared at the spot where Briar’s bed had been. It was now in a cave in the forest where Briar lived with his werewolf mate, Wulfric.

Trent turned off the lantern and crawled into bed. He shivered amongst the cold sheets. He’d forgotten to grab a bed-warmer. But he’d warm up soon enough. He closed his eyes.

Trent had never wanted his own room. He’d never wanted anything for himself. He’d been content sharing or with second-hand everything. Even now, he preferred using his wages to help the family than on himself.

He’d never really wanted anything purely for himself. Until now.

Because when he’d met Mr Marin, he realised he wanted the siren for his own. And when he saw his siblings with their mates and partners, he felt the sharp sting of jealousy.

Why couldn’t Briar have included me in his love spell?

Trent hadn’t cared so much the previous year. After all, he knew Briar hadn’t actually known what he was doing when he cast the spell. He hadn’t even realised it was a love spell. He thought it would help them get along better or something like that. And he had intended to include all the siblings in the spell. But he’d been interrupted.

Still, it hurt. It hurt to think that maybe if Briar had just mentioned his name whilst casting, Trent wouldn’t be lying here alone. He might instead be in bed with Mr Marin.

He imagined a body pressing against his back, an arm sliding around his waist, and then tentacles squeezing him tight. He squirmed, body sensitive against the cool sheets.

Sometimes he wondered if the loneliness of the past year had contributed to the obsession he’d so quickly developed with MrMarin. Like he’d been so lonely that when he saw the handsome siren, he’d become intoxicated to fill the void of his loneliness.