The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas (An MM Monster Christmas #2)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

A very stared at the door through which his father had just walked out.

One big happy family.

Duke Azer, the duchess, their children, and now their in-laws, with nieces, nephews, cousins, and grandchildren.

One big happy family.

It did not include Avery.

Avery had no family.

“Will there be anything else, sir?” Daniel asked.

“Oh. No.” Avery blinked rapidly. He smiled. “Thank you, Daniel. I will be in my library.”

“Of course, sir.” Daniel bowed and left.

Avery watched the faun trot down the hallway on his hoofed feet. For a split second, Avery considered asking if Daniel would like to join him. They could have tea. Or hot chocolate, if Daniel felt festive. Daniel might like to read one of his books or sit in the armchair and keep warm by the fire.

Avery shoved that thought away.

It was not appropriate to make friends with the servants. He’d learnt that when he’d made friends with a previous butler. When his father had arrived once to see Avery taking tea in the drawing room with his butler, he’d been horrified. They were “the help.” Not friends.

His father had fired the butler and sent the poor man on his way. Afterwards, Avery had sent the butler a generous bonus and an excellent reference. Luckily, he now had a very good job as a butler in another house. Since then, Avery had not made friends with “the help.”

So now he had no friends.

Avery turned and walked to the library, closing himself in. The fire blazed and crackled, warming the room. He dropped into the armchair, running his hand over the armrest. His father’s family, including the future in-laws, would no doubt have a wonderful dinner tonight. He could almost picture them, laughing and eating together, so happy to be in one another’s company.

Swallowing, Avery stood and strode across the room. He should read a book. Reading a book always lifted his spirits. He needed a comfort read, something perfect for the holiday season. Pulling a book from the shelf, he ran his fingers over the worn pages. He’d read this book hundreds of times. He’d practically memorised it.

Avery returned to his spot before the fire. He read the title, Susie and Tommy Decorate for Christmas: A Christmas Classic. Carefully, he opened the book to the inscription on the front page.

To my dearest Avery,

This was my favourite book when I was a child. I look forward to reading it to you when you are old enough to understand the words.

Merry Christmas.

Love, Mother

Tears prickled in Avery’s eyes for a mother he couldn’t remember. This had been a gift, a Christmas gift. The only Christmas gift he’d ever received from her. Or the only gift he knew of. He didn’t remember receiving it, of course. But it was proof, proof that Avery had been loved. At least by one person in his life.

He began to read. The familiar words moved before his eyes. The images built in his mind of a family, of warmth and love at Christmastime. He imagined what would have happened if his mother had lived and if she’d been there to read this book to him as a child. He wondered if she’d read it to him when he’d been a baby when he’d slept in his dragon form.

Avery really hoped she had.

“Susie is hogging all the garland,” Tommy called out.

What would it have been like to have a sibling, not a half-sibling who didn’t know you’d ever been born? But a real sibling, one to fight and make up with and then celebrate Christmas with.

“Now, children, there is enough garland for both of you,” their mother called from the kitchen.

Avery tried to imagine his mother scolding him and an imaginary sibling. He had a picture of his mother. A small painting his father had commissioned before she’d died. His mother had had dark hair and eyes. There wasn’t much resemblance between Avery and his mother. He took after his father.

“I’m going to make a wreath to hang on the door!” Tommy yelled.

“No, I’m going to make a wreath to hang on this door!” Susie cried.

Avery smiled. He wished he could decorate his home with a sibling and parent.

Avery looked up. Of course he could decorate his home. He could put up a wreath, tree, and garlands. He could fill the library with baubles and Christmas figures. He could fit them around his books. For a moment, he almost pictured his books surrounded by mounds of glistening decorations.

A pleased rumble started in his chest.

But decorating should be shared. Avery pressed his lips together. In all the books he’d read, decorations were not enjoyed alone. Sometimes a character would decorate on their own, but then others would come and enjoy them. They’d sit around the decorations, opening presents, drinking hot drinks, and marvelling at the festive ornaments.

If he decorated, there would be no one to enjoy it but him. Avery would just sit there alone, staring at the decorations by himself.

Avery wrapped an arm around his stomach as if holding himself. He shuffled closer to the fire.

“Who wants hot cocoa?” Their father came into the room with a tray of mugs.

“Me! Me!” the children cried.

“And who wants vanilla crescent cookies?” The mother carried in a plate of still-warm cookies. “I used my secret family recipe.”

The children ran to her. Their eager hands reached for the sweet cookies.

Avery had eaten a vanilla crescent cookie today. It had been as delicious as he’d always imagined it to be. He’d been imagining it since he’d been a little dragon and he’d first read this book. He’d asked in bakeries before. They’d never had them.

Then a few days ago, as he’d thought about this book, he’d become determined. He’d gone from bakery to bakery, all over the city. He’d visited at least twenty.

And today, he’d found them at the Magic Bakery, which was run by a family of witches. It had been the perfect place to eat the cookie. The bakery tingled with magic. The smell of baked goods filled the air. Christmas decorations brightened the room.

He thought of Jack, the hearth and kitchen witch who’d given him the cookie. The man had a nice smile.

Did he bicker with his sister Lacy or the other members of their family? Did they eat their baked goods together at Christmas? Did they give one another presents and feast on Christmas Day?

Avery stared at the page, eyes unseeing. He closed the book. His limbs felt heavy. Avery put the book down on the table beside the armchair. He stared at the floor.

He didn’t feel like imagining other families celebrating Christmas right now.

It just made Avery think of each and every Christmas he’d spent alone. Despite the crackling fire, he felt cold.

Avery stood and walked towards the large wooden chests that lined a wall. He gently removed the books off them and piled them beside it. He shouldn’t do this. It was beneath him. His father had told him only wild dragons nested. But tonight Avery couldn’t help it. He needed it. He opened the chests one by one.

Various blankets of different fabrics and colours filled each wooden chest. Avery had selected and bought each one with great thought and care. He pulled the blankets out and took them to the rug in front of the fire, and he coiled and piled the blankets into a circular shape, into a nest.

Finally, he opened a small chest, separate from the others, that sat on top of the mantelpiece. A single blanket nestled inside the wood. He pulled it out, so careful of the old fabric. It had been handmade by his mother, his baby blanket with little red dragons stitched into the white cloth. He carried it to the nest and placed it down on the rug.

Then he stripped and folded his clothes. He closed his eyes and relaxed his body. He focused. He shifted. His torso thickened, his neck stretching out. Wings emerged from his back. The library grew smaller. Then he stood on all fours inside the nest.

He lay amongst the blankets. He nosed the blankets, tugging them into place with his teeth, careful not to damage the fabric. When the nest lay perfect, he curled up and snuggled amongst the blankets nest before the fire.

Finally, he lowered his head onto his baby blanket that his mother had made him, reminding himself that at least his mother had loved him all those years ago.