Page 79 of A Siren Song for Christmas

“Leo.”

“Yes?” His brother turned to look at him.

“Do you think, maybe I could ask Malachi to forget what I said? Then we can just go back to being friends?”

Chapter

Forty

“Imean, maybe Malachi would be open to returning to how things were between us. We could go back to just being friends,” Trent said. “Don’t you think?”

Leo’s jaw tensed. But otherwise, his face didn’t move. “I don’t think that will work,” he said, voice calm and measured. Although, he clearly didn’t like the idea.

Trent looked back at Kelby. “But I miss him,” he said quietly.

He wanted Malachi and whatever Malachi would give him. He’d take that and be grateful. He might be being pathetic. But what else was he meant to do? He didn’t want to lose his entire relationship with Malachi.

Leo sighed. “I know. But he doesn’t return your feelings. It’s best you move on.”

But Trent didn’t want to move on. “Did you ask him about Kelby?”

“Yes. He said she can stay with you.”

Trent frowned. Why would Malachi just let Trent keep her? It didn’t make sense. Maybe he felt guilty for hurting Trent.

“I’ll need to get a terrarium for her. And work out how to feed her. Malachi said that she ate the insects in the emporium. But there aren’t as many insects here.” Trent met Kelby’s beady gaze.

“I’ll speak to Malachi about it.” Leo took a seat across from him.

Trent hesitated. “Maybe I should go and ask him about it myself. And I could get the elothea seeds as well. I can still do that.” Trent met Leo’s gaze. “You really don’t need to do it for me.”

Leo once again kept his face blank. “I don’t think that is a good idea.”

“I just want to see him.” Trent’s eyes stung. “I don’t want him to be gone from my life forever!”

Leo sighed. The chair creaked as he leaned forward, placing a hand on Trent’s arm. “I know. But I really think it’s best if you focus on moving on from him. Otherwise, you’ll just keep getting hurt.”

Trent didn’t say anything. He wanted to protest that he was already hurting. And the idea of never seeing Malachi again made him feel like he would shatter into a million pieces.

A while later, Leo left to give Jasper his elothea seed tea, leaving Trent.

Trent stroked Kelby. “Everyone seems to think I’ll get over this. But I don’t want to. I love him, and I don’t want to stop loving him.” He swallowed the knot that rose in his throat. “It’s only a day, and I miss him so much. How will I get through my whole life never seeing him again?”

Somehow it was easier to say this to Kelby than his siblings. They all gave him the same advice, just try to move on.

Honestly, he wanted someone to tell him he should hold on to hope. That maybe Malachi would change his mind and fall in love with him.

But no one did.

After Grady finished working at the Christmas markets, he came in and brought Trent slices of a hearty bread with a caramelised onion jam. And of course, he made Trent tea.

“You doing okay?” Grady asked.

“I’m fine,” Trent said.

“You can take a few days off. We can cover for you.”

“I can work!” Trent protested.