Page 88 of A Siren Song for Christmas

Trent’s eyes sparkled. “You’re in love with me?”

“I am.” Malachi touched Trent’s cheek with his fingers. “I love you, Trent. So much.”

Trent beamed. “I love you too.” Then he surged forward, pressing his lips to Malachi’s.

Malachi closed his eyes, holding and kissing the man he loved as the world around them stopped breathing.

How could I have been so oblivious? How could I not have known that I loved this human? That he was my mate?

After several moments, they broke the kiss. But they didn’t pull back. They held each other. Noses and foreheads pressed together as the snow continued to fall.

“I love you,” Malachi whispered.

Trent shivered. “I love you too.”

“We should get you inside.” He lifted his head, but he still held Trent against him, trying to keep him warm.

Several of the strangers who’d gathered had left. But Trent’s family, who stood a few steps back, watched them.

Grady no longer glowered at him. And Malachi felt a surge of gratefulness towards the man for pushing him and helping him realise his true feelings.

Grady walked towards them. “Well, I’m glad you finally came to your senses. For both your sakes.”

The other family members came forward, smiling. But they watched Malachi with a hint of wariness.

“I’m pleased for you both.” A woman, who Malachi assumed was Ordelia, smiled at Trent. She smiled at Malachi too, but there was something assessing in her gaze. “We care for Trent very much. We only ever want what’s best for him. We hope you do too.”

“I do,” Malachi said. “I’m sorry for any pain I caused Trent. I intend to make it up to him, to do all I can to look after him and show him how much I love him, for as long as I draw breath.”

Trent leaned his head on Malachi’s chest.

“I’m so happy you worked it out!” Pixie dust burst around Cas. “I really am.”

A man stepped forward. “I’m Jack, by the way,” he said to Malachi. Then he looked at Trent and held out his hands, which were clasped around something. “And she wanted to come. She almost hopped right out the back door into the snow to follow you.”

Jack lifted his top hand slightly. Malachi could see a flash of green and beady black eyes blinking up at him.

“Kelby.” Malachi smiled at the sight of his old friend.

Trent reached out. “Thank you, Jack!” He took the frog, cradling her against his body.

“We should get you both inside,” Malachi said. “It’s cold.”

They said their goodbyes to Trent’s family and made their way to the emporium. Grady had informed Trent that he would not be expected to work the rest of the day.

They walked silently through the streets, Malachi’s arm and tentacle wrapped firmly around Trent’s shoulder and waist. He never wanted to let his mate go.

They reached the emporium and entered. Trent placed Kelby on the yellow sorrow. She hopped from the stem into the water. Malachi smiled to have her back.

“I really am sorry, Trent,” Malachi said. “It was cruel what I did to you. I can’t really explain it. I just didn’t think it was possible.”

Trent tilted his head. “You didn’t think what was possible?”

Malachi considered. “Growing up, there was so much talk about finding a mate. And like I told you, when a mate died, it was considered the right thing if their mate died too.” Malachipaused. “But no one ever spoke of those who went on living. It was taboo.”

Trent took his hands.

Malachi stared at them. “I went on living. And I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love again. I thought that since I’d already found and lost my mate that I couldn’t love again. But…”