Page 60 of A Siren Song for Christmas

“I do. But…” There was a time Malachi couldn’t imagine being away for even a few months. Now it had been years. “It was hard to stay after Forathia died.”

He had yet to button up his shirt. It hung open, and he touched the seashell that hung around his neck.

“Can I ask how he died?” Trent asked softly.

Malachi took a deep breath and ran his fingers over the smooth swirl of the seashell. “A sea serpent. We were swimming along the rocky coast, diving and swirling through the water. Suddenly, a sea serpent darted out from amongst the rocks and attacked him.”

Malachi closed his eyes and wrapped his hand around the seashell. “It happened so quickly.” Blood and water flittered before his eyes. “I swam towards him. But by the time I reached him… The wounds themselves weren’t too bad. But a sea serpent’s bite is poisonous.”

His fingers around the shell tightened, squeezing so hard it might shatter. A tear slid down his cheek. “I tried to save him, but there was nothing I could do.”

A hand pressed against his shoulder.

Letting out a breath, Malachi released his grip. He opened his eyes and blinked away the tears and memories. He took aslow, deep breath. “The sea serpent must have had a nest or something. That’s usually why they get aggressive.”

He swallowed. “After he died, I stayed for a while, wanting to be near my family, wanting their comfort and companionship.”

Trent nodded.

“But sirens don’t like to be around those who’ve lost a mate.”

Trent frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“It reminds them that they could lose their mate too. To a siren, there is nothing worse than losing their mate.” Malachi swallowed. “So they prefer sirens like me to not exist. To disappear or just die.”

Trent shook his head. “That can’t be true.”

Malachi took a shaky breath, and the icy air filled his lungs. “Most just swam away from me when I approached.”

“Your family did that?” Trent asked, shock clear in his voice.

“My siblings would swim away. My parents did not. But they avoided looking at me. They were so uncomfortable in my presence.” He exhaled. “I needed them, and they abandoned me. So I left without telling anyone.”

“On your own?”

Malachi’s throat tightened. “I was so already alone amongst my family. It didn’t seem like there would be any difference if I left.”

“That’s not right! They shouldn’t have—” Trent’s features twisted. “I’m so sorry.”

The actions of Malachi’s family must seem despicable to Trent, whose family were always there for one another. “A siren mate bond is revered. And it is very strong. Many sirens who lose a mate die.”

Malachi glanced out over the water. “I didn’t. Perhaps because I was too young and healthy. Or perhaps because I didn’t love Forathia enough.” Malachi’s lungs constricted.“Either way, it would have been easier for my family if I had done the proper thing and died of grief.”

Trent made a choking noise. “They would really prefer you dead?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not. I just know they didn’t want me around after Forathia died.”

Trent wrapped his arms around Malachi’s waist. “I’m glad you didn’t die. And I’m sorry you had to go through all that alone.”

Malachi returned the embrace, resting his head on Trent’s shoulder.

A gust of wind blew, and Malachi pulled Trent closer, protecting him from the cold air. It was still strange to talk of Forathia. But now, he at least had someone he could talk to about him. And that made him feel less alone with his grief. “Thank you, Trent. I’m grateful you are in my life.”

Trent’s arms tightened around his waist. For several moments, they stood there, just holding each other.

Malachi’s skin prickled with awareness. He turned his head. Two men watched them. He’d seen the pair in the forest before. But they’d never watched him like this.

On instinct, his muscles tensed. Trent, sensing the shift, lifted his head and looked at Malachi. Then followed his gaze.