Chapter 40
Chapter
Forty
“Imean, maybe Malachi would be open to returning to how things were between us. We could go back to just being friends,” Trent said. “Don’t you think?”
Leo’s jaw tensed. But otherwise, his face didn’t move. “I don’t think that will work,” he said, voice calm and measured. Although, he clearly didn’t like the idea.
Trent looked back at Kelby. “But I miss him,” he said quietly.
He wanted Malachi and whatever Malachi would give him. He’d take that and be grateful. He might be being pathetic. But what else was he meant to do? He didn’t want to lose his entire relationship with Malachi.
Leo sighed. “I know. But he doesn’t return your feelings. It’s best you move on.”
But Trent didn’t want to move on. “Did you ask him about Kelby?”
“Yes. He said she can stay with you.”
Trent frowned. Why would Malachi just let Trent keep her? It didn’t make sense. Maybe he felt guilty for hurting Trent.
“I’ll need to get a terrarium for her. And work out how to feed her. Malachi said that she ate the insects in the emporium. But there aren’t as many insects here.” Trent met Kelby’s beady gaze.
“I’ll speak to Malachi about it.” Leo took a seat across from him.
Trent hesitated. “Maybe I should go and ask him about it myself. And I could get the elothea seeds as well. I can still do that.” Trent met Leo’s gaze. “You really don’t need to do it for me.”
Leo once again kept his face blank. “I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“I just want to see him.” Trent’s eyes stung. “I don’t want him to be gone from my life forever!”
Leo sighed. The chair creaked as he leaned forward, placing a hand on Trent’s arm. “I know. But I really think it’s best if you focus on moving on from him. Otherwise, you’ll just keep getting hurt.”
Trent didn’t say anything. He wanted to protest that he was already hurting. And the idea of never seeing Malachi again made him feel like he would shatter into a million pieces.
A while later, Leo left to give Jasper his elothea seed tea, leaving Trent.
Trent stroked Kelby. “Everyone seems to think I’ll get over this. But I don’t want to. I love him, and I don’t want to stop loving him.” He swallowed the knot that rose in his throat. “It’s only a day, and I miss him so much. How will I get through my whole life never seeing him again?”
Somehow it was easier to say this to Kelby than his siblings. They all gave him the same advice, just try to move on.
Honestly, he wanted someone to tell him he should hold on to hope. That maybe Malachi would change his mind and fall in love with him.
But no one did.
After Grady finished working at the Christmas markets, he came in and brought Trent slices of a hearty bread with a caramelised onion jam. And of course, he made Trent tea.
“You doing okay?” Grady asked.
“I’m fine,” Trent said.
“You can take a few days off. We can cover for you.”
“I can work!” Trent protested.
“We can manage without you for a few days,” Grady said, voice firm.
And that hurt. Trent knew he was the weakest witch in the family. But to hear they could manage without him still stung. And after everything he was already going through, he couldn’t take the insult. “I know I’m not the best witch. But I can work! I can still help!”
Grady frowned. “What are you talking about, Trent?”
“I know my magic isn’t strong. I know I have no affinity. Or a familiar. I know I’m less useful. Compared to everyone else, I’m a shit hearth and kitchen witch. I’m not even a decent baker. But I can still—”
“What?” Grady held up a hand. “What the fuck are you going on about, Trent?”
Trent snapped his mouth shut.
Grady leaned towards him. “What do you mean, less useful? Do you really think that?”
Trent hesitated. “Well, yes.” Wasn’t it obvious?
“Because you aren’t a strong witch?”
Trent nodded.
Grady frowned. “I know you aren’t as magically gifted as some of the others. But ever since you were old enough to work, you’ve always been an asset in the bakery.
“You’re responsible and a hard worker. You go out of your way to support others without being asked.
You never complain, even when you should.
You cover everyone’s shifts without a second thought.
And you don’t take enough time off, even when I tell you to.
” Grady paused. “I can always rely on you.”
“Really?” Trent fidgeted with his fingers.
“Of course. I value and love you,” Grady said. “We all do. And the reason I want you to take some time off is because we’re all worried about you. We care for you and want to support you, like you always do for everyone else.”
Trent couldn’t speak. Grady’s words were like a warm blanket of love being draped over him.
“Also, I think Kelby might be interested in being your familiar,” Grady said.
“What?”
“I mean, she followed you and won’t leave your side.” Grady nodded towards her. “She seems keen for the job.”
Trent stared down at Kelby. She stared back. Did she really want to be his familiar? And could he make her his familiar? After all, she was Malachi’s.
He cleared his throat. “I would still like to work. I could use the distraction.”
“All right,” Grady relented. “But only if you want to.” He clapped Trent on the shoulder. “And don’t ever doubt your worth. You are important to us.”
Trent’s throat tightened. He was grateful he had a family who cared for him.
Then he remembered that Malachi had no one caring for him. Even his frog was with Trent.
“I worry about Malachi.”
Grady’s brows lowered. “He isn’t your concern.”
“It’s just, he’s all alone. He just wanted a friend. And now he is alone again. And it really isn’t his fault,” Trent pressed, wanting to convince Grady. “Like I said, he was always honest with me. I was the one who changed things.”
Grady sighed. “You have a big fucking heart, Trent. Maybe too big. You make it very hard to be angry with people on your behalf.”
“I don’t want you to be angry with him! I just wish…” Trent trailed off.
He just wished Malachi loved him.