Page 41 of Me and My Christmas Familiar

Lachlan felt so much more for Kit than mere “like.” But still, the words he wanted to speak scared him. So many times, they’d been on the tip of his tongue. If Lachlan had an ounce more courage, he might have the strength to speak them.

But he hadn’t. Fear held him back.

Fear, because the last time Lachlan had said “I love you” to Kit was just before Kit had shifted into his human form.

Then everything had gone terribly wrong.

And even though that problem had been resolved now, Lachlan couldn’t shake the fear that saying the words again would unleash something terrible and ruin everything just like last time.

It was silly. But words had power. As a witch, Lachlan knew that.

So he kept holding the words back, as if “I love you” had become a curse.

Before saying them to Kit, he’d never said the words to anyone who wasn’t a family member. Then he’d said them to Kit, and it had unleashed a world of pain. And saying “I love you” to a human was so much bigger than saying it to a cat.

After shifting, Kit had said “I love you” to Lachlan. Then Kit had said the words again when everything had been a messbetween them. He’d not said them since, as if Kit feared the power of the words too.

That night, Kit and Lachlan lay in bed. Sweat cooled on their skin. Their breathing and heartbeats slowly returned to normal. They kissed, hands running over smooth skin.

Kit pulled away and reached for the cloth they kept by the bed and cleaned them up.

“I’m so excited for Christmas tomorrow. Are you?” Kit asked.

“I am.” Lachlan stroked his hand over Kit’s naked hip. “We’ll eat until we can’t eat any more, drink hot chocolate and mulled wine, sing Christmas carols, and do presents after lunch.”

“I can’t wait to give you my Christmas present.” Kit propped himself up. “Can I give you one now?”

Lachlan laughed. “Technically we exchange presents tomorrow.”

Kit’s body sagged slightly. Patience was not Kit’s strength, as either a cat or a human.

“But I suppose we could do one each now.” Lachlan had bought Kit several presents, including two sets of robes and a hat. Kit had been looking longingly at his and commented on how they should dress similarly, since they were a witch and familiar.

But Lachlan wanted to give Kit something else now. In fact, it might be nice to give it to him when it was just the two of them away from the family.

Kit immediately perked up. He scrambled from the bed and opened the drawer that belonged to him. Kit grabbed a small rectangular present wrapped in brown paper and clutched it to his chest. He sat on the bed facing Lachlan, eyes wide. His tail swished excitedly behind him.

“I have so many presents for you. Grady gave me a lot of money! I didn’t know what to do with it all, so I bought you presents.” Kit paused. “And presents for your family too.”

Chuckling, Lachlan rose and went to one of his drawers. Kit was still getting used to being paid a wage. At first, he’d been very confused when Grady gave it to him. “Why do I need it? I have a home. Lachlan gives me food. I don’t need money.”

Lachlan was glad he’d found some use for his earnings. He took out a rectangular package wrapped in brown paper, similar to Kit’s, and joined Kit on the bed.

“Here!” Kit thrust his present at Lachlan. His cat ears twitched, a smile stretching across his face.

Lachlan took the present, curious what his familiar had picked out for him. He unwrapped the gift. Kit clasped his hands, bouncing on the bed.

“Oh, Kit.” Lachlan tugged away the brown paper, revealing a small, framed painting of Lachlan and Kit together. They stood at the Christmas markets in front of the family stall and a Christmas tree. Lachlan held Kit in his cat form in his arms. “It’s lovely.” He ran his fingers over the frame.

“You like it?” Kit leaned forward. “I got it from the man who paints portraits at the Christmas markets. I wanted a painting of us together. I thought you would like it. Do you like it?”

“I love it.” Lachlan kissed Kit and pulled him into a hug. “I love it so much. It’s the perfect gift.”

Kit’s smile widened.

“And it also explains something too.”

“What?” Kit tilted his head.