Page 35 of The Orc Who Hated Christmas

Graal shook his head. “I didn’t see anyone downstairs.”

Cas frowned. Then with a flap of his wings, he flew down to the bakery door and opened it. Graal leaned over the rails. A second later, Cas appeared, carrying a note. He flew up.

Cas grabbed Graal’s hand and led him inside. “Come on.”

Graal closed the door behind them.

“He’s gone to Avery’s to deliver scones Ordelia made for him.” Cas stared down at the note.

Cas had told him Jack had recently started seeing a dragon named Avery. Graal didn’t know a lot of the details, but he was pretty sure it had ended. Jack had looked so dejected and miserable. Cas and the other siblings had rallied, providing Jack with an absurd number of baked goods and tea.

“Jack has gone out in this snow?” Lachlan sat before the fire. Kit, his cat familiar, lay curled up on his lap whilst Lachlan stroked him.

“I hope he’ll be all right.” Briar sat on another chair, book open on his lap. His pigeon familiar perched on the back of the chair, preening Briar’s hair. Briar glanced at the window. And beside Briar sat Wulfric.

Cas had told Graal all about him. Briar had been in the forest, apparently caring for an injured dog. Turned out the dog was a werewolf. And also Briar’s mate. Wulfric wrappedhis arm around Briar and squeezed him in a comforting gesture.

Cas bit his lip, staring at the note. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. Hopefully, the snow will let up soon.” He stepped towards the window. A blur of white moved beyond. “Maybe we should ask Grady.” Cas flew to the door of Grady’s room.

He knocked.

“One second,” came Grady’s voice.

Several moments later, the door opened.

“What is it?” Grady asked. Behind him stood Uzoth.

“Jack has gone to Avery’s to give him scones.” Cas held out the note.

Grady took it. His brows furrowed as he read.

“Should we do anything?” Lachlan called out.

After a second, Grady shook his head. “He should be all right. He should be able to get there, at least. He can stay until the snow stops. And even if they’ve ended things, Avery doesn’t seem like the sort of twat who would force Jack out into this snow.” He grimaced. “And it isn’t like we can do anything other than wait and see. We don’t know where Avery lives.”

Cas wrung his hands.

Grady lifted his gaze. He stared at his brothers, who all bore concerned expressions. “Jack isn’t an idiot. He will get cold, but he should be fine.” He handed the note to Cas. “I wouldn’t worry.”

The tension in the room dropped immediately at Grady’s words.

“You’re right.” Cas smiled. “Jack can handle some snow.”

Grady nodded. He gave a tight smile and closed the door.

Cas turned and faced Graal. He smiled, reaching for Graal’s hand. “Well, the bakery is shut, and there are no Christmas markets tonight.”

Graal glanced at the others, but they weren’t paying Graal and Cas any attention.

Cas tugged Graal’s hand towards his bedroom, placing the note onto a cabinet he passed. “Lacy is staying with Orim.” He closed the door once they’d entered. “Which means we have the whole night to ourselves.” Cas’s eyes sparkled. “Whatever will we do?”

Cas’s slender hand reached for the bulge in Graal’s trousers and squeezed. Graal groaned as Cas massaged him through the fabric.

“I’m sure we can think of something,” Graal said huskily.

Then he reached out and began to strip Cas of his clothes.

CHAPTER 22