Page 30 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas

Graal blinked. But he knew this would all disappear soon. Cas was still getting over his ex-lover. He was just with Graal as a distraction. Cas had been honest with him from the start.

And of course, if Cas actually wanted someone to have arelationship with, it wouldn’t be with a half-breed monster like him.

Still, he couldn’t regret this fling. He’d had something he’d never had before. He’d experienced affection and happiness in a way he’d never known. And once Cas had left his life, Graal would cherish the memory of their time together for the rest of his sad life.

“Graal, are you all right?”

CHAPTER 18

Cas frowned at Graal.

“I’m fine.” Graal took a sip of his tea.

“Are you sure?”

Graal nodded but didn’t meet Cas’s gaze.

“Is the tea too sweet?” Cas took a step towards him.

Something definitely was off with Graal. It seemed to have happened within a split second. One moment, they’d been chatting comfortably about witchcraft and affinities, the next, Graal had withdrawn.

Had Cas said or done something? Was it because of his affinity?

“I’m sorry if the tea is too sweet. Like I said, I’m about spreading happiness and cheer. But I know some see that as frivolous and shallow.” Cas swallowed as his own words echoed Xavi’s from when they’d broken up. “I can make you a new cup of tea, something like Jack or Grady would make.”

He hadn’t thought Graal thought him shallow or frivolous. But he hadn’t realised Xavi had either. Not until Xavi had been breaking Cas’s heart.

“No.” Graal shook his head, taking another sip. “The tea is lovely. Perfect. The sweetness is balanced by the lemon and chamomile.”

Cas let out a breath. So what was wrong, then?

“But what is moon water?” Graal asked, seemingly having shaken off the dark mood.

Had Cas just imagined the shift? “We put water in a jar and leave it out so it can be charged by the moon.”

There were other steps involved—choosing a phase of the moon and whispering intentions—but he wanted to keep his explanations simple. He didn’t want to overwhelm Graal with information.

“Your parents taught you a lot.”

Cas nodded but kept an eye on Graal. He finished packing up the bakery. Before he left, he went to the altar. Cas placed his hands together, over his heart, and bowed his head. “My hearth, my home, my heart. Thank you for today.”

Then he blew out the black beeswax candle. He cleaned around the altar and got out a new incense stick, ready for Lachlan in the morning. Then they left the bakery.

“Thank you for showing me all that,” Graal said softly. The low mood seemed completely gone. “And thank you for explaining your witchcraft to me.”

“It was nice having you with me.” Cas linked his arm with Graal. “So should we go to your place?” Snowflakes fell from the sky.

“Are you sure?” Graal scratched at his beard. “My place isn’t that nice.”

“I want to see where you live,” Cas said. “I suppose we could go upstairs to my apartment. But I think Lachlan, Briar, and the twins will probably all be home.”

Lacy wouldn’t be there yet, so his room would be free. But she’d come back at some point, and Cas wanted to havemore time in private with Graal than just a few hours. In fact, he kind of hoped Graal would invite him to stay the night. Then they could fuck for hours and hours.

Cas hoped he’d be unable to walk tomorrow. Luckily, he could fly.

“But if you don’t want me to come over, that’s fine too. I know I kind of invited myself.” And Cas didn’t want to force his presence on Graal.

Graal shrugged. “It’s fine. Just don’t expect too much.”