Page 78 of A Siren Song for Christmas

Trent shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Leo opened his mouth, but Grady stepped in and put his hand on Trent’s shoulder, squeezing. “All right. You don’t have to talk about it right now if you don’t want to.”

“I’ll put on some tea.” Leo gave Trent a once-over. “Rosebuds, hibiscus, and goji berries.” He walked towards the fireplace. Percy followed as if wanting to help.

Grady helped Trent take off his coat and led him to a chair. Then Grady wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and placed another on his lap.

“Shall I hurt Malachi?” Uzoth’s deep voice growled.

Trent’s head shot up. “No! It’s not his fault. He didn’t mean?—”

Grady placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s all right. Uzoth won’t hurt Malachi.” Grady glanced at Uzoth.

After a moment, Uzoth nodded. Trent’s shoulders relaxed.

He stared, unseeing, into the flames as his brothers fussed around him. Then he felt it, a slight movement on his chest. He reached into his breast pocket. He touched something soft, warm, and slippery.

“Kelby!” He pulled her out. “What are you doing here?”

“Ribbit.” Then she hopped onto his shoulder and moved in close to his neck.

“What is that?” Leo asked.

“It’s Malachi’s frog, Kelby.” Trent touched a finger to her damp skin. He almost felt like he could sense sympathy coming off her. Had she come with him because she worried about him?

His throat tightened. But surely not. Frogs couldn’t be that intuitive. Could they?

And what if Malachi worried about her when he realised she was missing? Perhaps Trent should take her back. But it was late, and he was tired. And he didn’t think Malachi would want Trent coming back. He’d have to work something out tomorrow.

After drinking his first cup of tea, he managed to tell the others what had happened.

Grady had informed Trent that he wouldn’t be working the next day. Trent had tried to protest and was told firmly he’d be resting.

So the next day, he’d spent the whole day before the fire, resting as his siblings came by and checked on him. After Casand Graal left, Trent stared at the window. Snow rustled against it.

In the evening, Leo came home. He’d gone to the Aquatic Horticultural Emporium instead of Trent to get the elothea seeds for Jas.

Trent sat up. “How did Malachi look?” he asked before Leo had even taken off his coat.

Leo hesitated. “Not well. But don’t you worry about that. You worry about yourself.”

But Trent did worry. And he missed Malachi. He’d barely slept the night before. He’d missed the feel of tentacles and arms encircling him as his body pressed against Malachi’s.

“What do you mean, not well?”

Leo came towards him. “He looked sad.”

Trent’s stomach squeezed. He patted Kelby, trying to comfort himself.

Not for the first time that day, Trent wished he had just kept his fucking mouth shut. He regretted saying a word. Because he wanted to go back. He wanted to be friends with Malachi. He wanted to sit in his room, making more Christmas decorations. He wanted to talk to him and tell him about his day. He wanted to kiss Malachi and have sex. And he wanted to sleep next to him.

He’d never have any of that ever again. Pain burrowed deeper into his belly until he thought he might vomit.

I want Malachi.

Why had he ever professed his love? Why had he gotten greedy and asked for more? Sure, he hadn’t been completely happy. But he was so fucking miserable now!

Trent hesitated, gaze on Kelby’s shiny green skin.