Page 93 of A Siren Song for Christmas
Trent tidied up after everyone, wiping down spaces, washing utensils, pots, bowls, cauldrons, and whatnot. But he kept glancing at the krampus who seemed to be with Jasper. In fact, most of the family seemed to be watching Jasper and Kraghol.
At one point, Trent came over to Malachi. “So Jasper just turned up in the apartment with Kraghol last night,” he whispered. “The krampus stayed over in Jasper’s room. But Jasper hasn’t told anyone what’s going on between the two of them. He hasn’t even told Leo!”
Grady clapped his hands. “All right, I think everything is ready.”
Trent glanced around the room. “Is Jack here?”
Grady shook his head as he took a basket of fresh bread rolls. “Sadly not. One of them had to stay with their egg. So they decided to both stay home so they could spend Christmas together.”
“But after lunch we’ll all be going over. We’ll bring more food, and we can sing carols together,” Ordelia said. “They aren’t missing out on Christmas with the family!”
She turned to Malachi. “And I think with a siren amongst us, we’ll be the best carollers ever. You have the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard, Malachi! I can’t wait to hear you sing again!”
Malachi smiled. “I will gladly sing with you. But you’ll have to teach me the songs. I am not particularly familiar with Christmas carols.”
“And we will bring Jack and Avery their presents!” Lacy waggled her eyebrows as she carried a tray of bread rolls. “Apparently Avery has been ordering lots and lots of presents for us. Jack said he went overboard.”
Lacy’s troll partner, Orim, laughed. “You and your obsession with Christmas presents.”
“And then we’re going to make Christmas candles together at Jack and Avery’s,” Cas announced as he flew into the room and grabbed a large bowl of soup. “All the supplies are already there. Malachi suggested it might be a nice idea to do some crafts together as a whole family today.” Then he carried the bowl into the front area.
Trent turned and looked at Malachi, eyes wide. “What?”
“When I came by the bakery yesterday, I talked to Cas about how you and I have been doing Christmas crafts. He said that next year we should invite him and Graal over so they can join us.” Malachi smiled. “And I suggested it might be nice for us all to craft something on Christmas day together.”
Malachi lowered his voice so only Trent could hear. “I know you missed making decorations with your family.”
Trent gripped his arm. His eyes shone. “Thank you, Malachi.”
“Come on, everyone. Let’s keep moving,” Grady called out. “We don’t want the food going cold!”
Trent released his grip and picked up a platter of roasted root vegetables.
Using his tentacles and hands, Malachi lifted eight dishes and carried them into the front area.
“Well, that’s useful!” Lachlan laughed. “Here I am proud of carrying three.”
Malachi chuckled as he set them down.
“Malachi, you and Trent should sit by us.” Ordelia gestured to two seats beside her.
Smiling, Malachi sat. Whilst Trent’s siblings had clearly been concerned about Malachi and Trent’s relationship, it hadn’t stopped them from welcoming him into the fold.
Trent dropped down next to him. Malachi wrapped a tentacle around him and kissed his forehead. Around them, the room filled with happy chatter and laughter.
“Now let’s have a toast!” Grady stood and lifted a glass. Silence fell, and everyone grabbed a glass. “To family, old and new, and to celebrating Christmas together. Merry Christmas, all!”
“Merry Christmas!” Everyone raised their glass and toasted.
But Grady didn’t sit. He smiled wryly and looked to Briar. “Andto Briar’s magic spell. Which he just told me he has cast once again this year.” He looked to Malachi, Percy, and Kraghol. “It clearly worked.”
Murmurs erupted around the table. Everyone looked at Briar.
“I just wanted Jasper, Leo, and Trent to find love too!” Briar had to practically yell to be heard above all the voices. “Like the rest of us.”
Wulfric wrapped an arm around Briar’s shoulder, smiling proudly at his mate.
Trent gasped. “He cast it again! Of course he did.”