Page 4 of A Siren Song for Christmas

“The elothea grass is a prolific producer of seeds.” Mr Marin continued placing the seeds on the cloth. “As long as she remains healthy, she will continue to produce more than enough seeds for your brother’s daily medicinal needs.”

“Oh. Well, it’s good that you take such good care of all your plants.” Trent smiled.

“I do my best to ensure all my plants are tended to properly.” Mr Marin straightened and placed the tweezers onto the counter, his gaze meeting Trent’s.

“You must have a green thumb.” Trent laughed. “Or perhaps you’d say a blue thumb, since you work with aquatic plants.” He laughed again.

Did that make any sense?

Or was that offensive, since Mr Marin did indeed have blue thumbs? His laughter died.

Mr Marin tilted his head, brows furrowing in what Trent guessed was confusion. Or offence!

Pissing potions! Should I apologise?

Then the corners of his dark-blue lips lifted in a smile, more polite than from genuine amusement. Still, Trent could breathe easier.

“And how is your brother today?” Mr Marin asked.

Trent gave a half shrug. “Much the same.”

Mr Marin’s brows drew lower. “Does the healer believe that to be normal?”

Trent hesitated. “No. But the healer says everything about my brother’s case doesn’t make much sense.”

“I am sorry to hear that.”

Mr Marin folded the small white fabric, containing the seeds. Then he slid it into a small envelope and handed it over to Trent. “I hope these bring your brother some relief from his ailments, Mr Berry. That will be 110 bells.”

Trent counted out the coins and placed them onto the counter.

“Prepare the fresh elothea seeds in a tea by—” Mr Marin broke off. “Of course, you have done it so many times now that I’m sure you know the instructions by heart. And you are a witch, so brewing teas must come naturally to you.”

“It does.” Trent nodded and took the small envelope. Brewing tea was at least something a weak hearth and kitchen witch like himself could manage. “Thank you.”

He stared at the envelope in his hands. It had been months ago when Trent offered to go to the Aquatic Horticultural Emporium for his brother Jasper for the first time.

The healer had said tea made with fresh elothea seeds would help Jasper recover from the accident in no time. But even though Jasper said it brought relief to his symptoms, Jasper did not improve as he should. The healer said Jasper should have completely recovered ages ago.

“You are welcome, Mr Berry.” Mr Marin inclined his head slightly.

With a brief smile to Mr Marin, Trent walked towards the door.

Then he halted as realisation slammed into him. He’d failed to ask Mr Marin on a date. But since he’d been trying to do so for several weeks now, he was not really surprised that he had been unsuccessful once again.

I’ll try again tomorrow.

But a niggling thought told him he’d probably fail. The problem was he always got so distracted by Mr Marin. He got lost in his gaze. He imagined those webbed hands touching him.

And those tentacles! Trent had so many thoughts about those tentacles. Improper thoughts.

For a moment he imagined all those tentacles, slithering along Trent’s skin, creeping into places on Trent’s body that had never been touched by another.

Trent swallowed as blood surged towards his groin.

With an unnecessarily hard shove, he pushed the door open. A snowy breeze blew into the humid store, brushing against Trent’s flushed cheeks.

“And, Mr Berry,” Mr Marin called out.