Page 42 of A Siren Song for Christmas

Cas’s and Malachi’s situations had been completely different. Cas had broken up with a dickhead boyfriend. That was very different from losing your mate.

He felt a pang in his chest as he thought of what Malachi had gone through. He’d had a mate, and his mate had died. It was too sad for words.

Trent rubbed the sponge against the side of the bowl. He knew he could never compare to someone’s mate. There was no point in hoping he could.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

Aknock at the door caused Malachi to lift his head.

After closing up for the day, Malachi had gone out to pick up some things from some local stores. Then he’d lingered in the emporium rather than going upstairs. He had tended to his plants. Then he’d gone around wiping down the tanks.

But truthfully, Malachi was just waiting for Trent to arrive. He crossed to the door and opened it. “Good evening, Trent.”

Trent’s grin stretched his cheeks. “Evening.”

Snow rested on his brown hair and coat. Malachi stepped back, allowing him to enter.

Trent stamped his boots and brushed the snow from his shoulders. He carried a couple of packages under his arm.

“Shall we go up?” Malachi asked.

“You’ll take Kelby up as well, right?” His gaze flitted to the yellow sorrow.

“Of course.” Malachi walked to the plant. Kelby waited on the stem as always. He glanced at Trent, who’d followed him. The young human stared at Kelby.

“Would you like to carry her?”

Trent’s eyes widened. “She wouldn’t mind?”

“I’m not sure,” Malachi confessed. “But I think she likes you. We could try.” Malachi held out his hand towards the packages Trent carried.

Trent handed them over.

“Just hold out your hand next to her, palm up. If she feels comfortable, she’ll hop on.”

Trent tugged off his gloves and shoved them in his coat pocket. He held out his hand. Kelby didn’t immediately hop on as she normally would with Malachi. Instead, she blinked her big eyes for several seconds as if considering.

Meanwhile, Trent looked like he was holding his breath. Then Kelby released her grip on the stem and stepped onto Trent’s hand.

Trent beamed triumphantly and looked at Malachi. “She hopped on!” he whispered.

“She did.” Malachi smiled. The young man’s enthusiasm was contagious.

Malachi carried a lantern upstairs. Trent followed very slowly, cradling his palm to his chest, clearly worried about any harm coming to Kelby. It was ridiculously sweet.

When they reached the top, Trent put Kelby in her terrarium, watching her as she settled in.

Malachi placed the packages on the table, took off his coat, and went to start a fire. “You’ve been on your feet all day?”

“Yes.” Trent let out an exhausted sigh as he took off his coat. “I went to the bakery. Then I worked at the Christmas markets. After that, I went and helped Ordelia with her kids. Now I’m here.”

“So you haven’t stopped?”

Trent shook his head.

“You must be exhausted.”