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

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

W ooden stalls stood in rows filling the town square. Giant decorated Christmas trees towered above. Avery wandered along one of the rows, gazing in awe and wonder.

Candles and magicked globes cast flickering light. Boughs of pine, wrapped in bright ribbon, framed a stall. Bright-coloured glass baubles, birds, and woodland creatures dangled from the branches.

The scent of pine mingled with the scents of candied roasted nuts, hot chocolate, fried sugar, and spiced mulled wine. A choir sang, their voices combining with the cries of excited children and the adults talking.

At a stall, they served firepunch. Avery paused to watch as a fire elemental filled a mug with mulled wine. A cube of sugar, soaked with rum, was placed above the drink on tongs. The fire elemental blew and set the cube alight. The sugar melted and dripped into the mulled wine.

Avery had been to the markets before. But he had not been for a while.

Nanny May had taken him as a child. He’d cared for her. Avery thought that maybe she had cared for him. She’d sung to him, hugged him, and talked to him in a sweet voice, which he imagined a mother might use.

And when his father realised how close they were, he’d sent her away. “She is the help. She is not your mother.”

As she’d left, he’d tried to hug her. She’d sidestepped him, a scowl on her face. Turned out she’d not actually cared for him.

His father had replaced her with Nanny Bessy, someone more comfortable with spanking and scolding than hugging and cuddling. Avery had been seven.

He’d not come to the Christmas markets for several years after that. The last time he’d come would have been years ago. His father had talked of going with his family. After some thought, Avery had decided to go on his own, since he’d loved coming to the markets as a boy. He’d walked through the rows, watching everyone else in couples, groups of friends, and families.

Then he’d seen his father. He’d stood with the duchess and their children marvelling at a Christmas tree. Unable to help himself, Avery had followed.

For more than an hour, he watched them. His father bought paper bags of roasted chestnuts for everyone. Then hot chocolate.

His father carried his son in his arms and pointed at something Avery couldn’t see. Lady Isabelle kissed their father on the cheek and offered him some chestnuts. He wrapped his arm around his daughter’s shoulders and took one of the nuts.

Avery stood there numb, his mind blank and his heart empty. His father had never touched him. Not that he’d remembered, anyway. Maybe when he’d been a baby. Maybe his father had held him when his mother died.

But maybe not.

Avery had left the Christmas markets and gone home to his empty apartments.

He had not returned to the Christmas markets until tonight, until Jack had asked him on a date.

This time will be different. This time, I am not alone. This time, I will be with Jack.

Avery walked, keeping an eye out. He couldn’t believe Jack had asked him to come. He’d said they could walk together. Avery’s heart beat rapidly against his ribs. A rumble vibrated in his chest.

He’d never been asked on a date before. He’d read about them in his books. Excitement and worry mingled in his gut, making him slightly nauseous.

What if he didn’t know what to do? What if he made a fool of himself? He didn’t know what to do on a date. What if his books misled him?

From what he’d read, there was usually talking on dates. So he’d decided to focus on that. After he’d left the bakery, he’d made a list of questions he could ask Jack on their date. Then he’d memorised his list. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he slid his fingers along the folded piece of paper. He also carried the list with him, just in case he got too nervous and forgot.

The smell of freshly baked bread lingered in the air. Up ahead, he spotted Lacy in a stall. Then he saw Jack. Several others worked in the stall, but he didn’t know their names. Avery’s hand clenched around the paper. He forced himself to release it and pull his hand free.

As he walked, he intentionally relaxed his shoulders, trying to appear at ease. A large oven stood to one side of the stall. Cakes, cookies, truffles, and pastries lined the front.

Jack looked up. He spotted Avery approaching. A broad smile split his face.

The smile loosened any remaining tension in Avery’s shoulders. His dragon purred at the sight of Jack.

“Avery,” Jack said.

“Hello, Jack.” Avery looked at the others working in the stall: Jack’s siblings and a tall broad-chested man Avery thought might not be a sibling, as he looked nothing like the others. They all stared at Avery and Jack even though two customers waited. “Hello.” Avery gave a little nod.

“Have you met everyone?” Jack gestured to the others. “This is Trent, Briar, Wulfric, and you know Lacy.”

They waved at and greeted Avery.

“I’m going to head off,” Jack said to his siblings.

Lacy made a shooing motion. “Go! Go! I don’t want to see you back here tonight.”

Jack chuckled and undid his apron, putting it aside. He grabbed a small box, opened a side door, stepped out of the stall, and joined Avery.