Page 40 of A Siren Song for Christmas

Trent opened his mouth. Outside a clock began to chime.

“I should get going,” Trent said. “Lachlan and Kit will have already opened the bakery. Leo and Jasper are always the second ones in. But with Jasper being sick, I try to get in around the same time as them so I can assist him.”

Malachi nodded. But he struggled to keep track of Trent’s many siblings, especially since he had yet to meet any of them. “Well, I’ll see you tonight, then.” Then he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Trent’s mouth.

Malachi had meant it to be a chaste and quick kiss. But as soon as their lips touched, Trent opened to him, gripping his shoulders as he eagerly deepened the kiss. Malachi moaned as their mouths moved together and Trent slipped his tongue into Malachi’s mouth.

Finally, after several minutes, they broke apart, both out of breath.

“Tonight, then.” Malachi took a step back and away from the temptation of the young man.

“Tonight.” Trent finished dressing. He walked over to the terrarium and leaned close. “Bye, Kelby. I’ll see you later.”

Kelby croaked. Trent glanced at Malachi. “See you tonight.” He grinned. Then he dashed down the stairs. Halfway down, his footsteps stopped. Trent came running back up the stairs. “Actually, can I get the elothea seeds for Jasper now?”

Chapter

Twenty-One

As Trent entered the bakery, Leo looked up from kneading pie dough. He smiled. “You’re here!”

“Am I late?” Trent glanced around as he took off his coat. He’d gone upstairs to the family apartment in order to change and quickly wash before coming downstairs to work. But since he wasn’t actually scheduled to start work this early, he didn’t understand how he could be late.

“No.” Jasper smirked. He sat on a stool, mixing ingredients in a massive bowl. “But since you didn’t come home last night, we wondered if you might be preoccupied and come in later than usual.” He and his twin shared a glance.

Trent laughed along with his brothers. And for a second, he wished he and Malachi were still in bed and Trent had turned up later than usual.

But he would never do that. He could never leave his siblings in the lurch. Especially since Jasper was unwell and needed his assistance.

“Our little brother is all grown up!” Leo teased.

Trent chuckled. He glanced at Jasper, noticing that he seemed alert this morning. But that wasn’t unusual. He oftenfaded throughout the day and left early. Trent made his way to the sink and the dishes his siblings had already used.

“So you had a good night with the siren?” Lachlan stood at the stove, adding water to the simmer pot.

Lachlan had not been at the Christmas markets yesterday when Trent had told his siblings his evening plans. It seemed Lachlan had been filled in on the family gossip. That was no surprise.

“I did. Malachi is very nice. We had a good night.” Trent tried to stop his face from bursting into flames.

“We’re glad. But you let us know if he doesn’t treat our baby brother right. We’ll have words with him.” Leo winked.

Jasper gave a nod. Trent shook his head. He rolled his eyes at their ridiculousness and turned to the dishes. He bit his lip. He wondered if he should tell them that it hadn’t actually been a date. That it had been a misunderstanding.

Maybe he would tell them later about it not being a date. If it came up again.

Something brushed against his leg. Trent glanced down. A black cat rubbed against his ankles.

“Morning, Kit.” He leaned down to pat Lachlan’s cat-shifter familiar and partner.

After getting enough pats, Kit sauntered off. Lachlan smiled affectionately at Kit as he lay down on a cushion where he often slept when in cat form.

For a while, they worked silently. Whenever the bell above the front door tinkled, either he or Leo went to serve before returning to the back area.

Lachlan poured sugar into a mixing bowl. He reached out a hand, and a spoon flew to it. He began to stir. Lachlan was the strongest hearth and kitchen witch amongst the siblings.

The bakery came alive for him. The door opened to welcome him. Lanterns lit. Utensils flew to him, desperate to be used. His bread never burned. His stews and syrups never bubbled over.

Trent looked away. The bakery loved Lachlan. And of course, Lachlan loved the bakery. The bakery also loved his other siblings. Trent got the sense that the bakery was ambivalent towards him. Like it didn’t really mind if he was here or not.