Page 34 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
CHAPTER 18
“You sure I can’t get you anything?” Lachlan knelt on the floor, patting Kit, his cat familiar, who lay curled on a cushion beneath a table. “How about some more camomile-and-orange tea? That’s a good remedy to lift one’s spirits. Or some sugar cookies? Cas decorated some that look like Christmas trees today.”
Jack continued to sweep the bakery floor. Sugar cookies to show love and affection and spread joy and cheer. Jack didn’t feel like that right now. “No, thanks. Maybe later.”
Lachlan’s gaze remained on Jack. “I think I’ll make a nut loaf today.” Nut loaf to ground and fill, good for providing stability and strength.
“That might be nice,” Jack said. He didn’t feel like eating a nut loaf, but he didn’t want to keep rejecting his brother’s offer to care for him.
Lachlan smiled and moved to the shelves, selecting the ingredients.
That was the thing about being part of a family of hearth and kitchen witches. When someone needed looking after, everyone baked, cooked, and made ridiculous amounts of tea for theindividual. Didn’t matter if they were sick, tired, worn out, grieving, or heartbroken. There was a tea, cake, or soup to help.
Cas had taken one look at Jack last night and quickly brewed a lemon balm tea with lots of honey to help soothe his soul.
His siblings had asked what happened. He’d said he didn’t want to talk about it. They hadn’t pressed, not yet anyway. Jack appreciated that. But then everyone had started baking, cooking, and brewing. They’d offered him potato and squash soup, ginger cookies, an onion loaf, date tarts, and chocolate brownies.
Keeping his head down, Jack focused on sweeping. He concentrated on cleansing the space of any negativity, whilst also trying to cleanse his own mind of confusing thoughts.
He couldn’t bake today. His energy was wrong, and it would taint his cooking. He didn’t want to put that energy out into the world. His siblings understood.
Jack kept thinking over what had happened the previous night. He’d felt so out of his comfort zone, so coarse, so uncouth, so inadequate.
The ridiculous thing was that he’d had one of the best nights of his life at the Christmas markets with Avery.
But then yesterday…sitting in Avery’s apartments, he’d felt as if his very presence sullied the space. He’d felt like he smeared pig shit onto the immaculate floor with each and every step of his worn boots. And then he’d broken the vase. A vase he couldn’t afford to replace.
The problem was that Jack really liked Avery, at least when they weren’t in Avery’s home. But what possible future could they have if Jack felt so inferior?
They didn’t belong together. Plain and simple. They came from different classes. Jack was poor. Avery was rich. Jack lived in Hovel Quarter. Avery lived in the hoity-toity part of town. Not to mention Avery was a living, breathing dragon and Jack was just a witch. They were just too different.
Where would they live if they ended up together? Jack didn’t belong in Avery’s home, and Avery certainly didn’t belong in Jack’s. Even the idea of Jack showing Avery the tiny room he shared with Lachlan made his skin prickle with shame and humiliation.
It didn’t help that Jack felt guilty as fuck too. He’d been a right arse, running out on Avery like that. But he’d felt so wretched.
Now he couldn’t forget the hurt in Avery’s voice. Jack squeezed his eyes shut, taking a deep breath. But it was unavoidable. They got along well, but they couldn’t be together. Best to end it now before either of them got too attached.
“Not a lot of customers today. Too much snow, I think.” Lacy came around the back. She glanced at Jack. “I’m putting the kettle on. I’m making peppermint tea.” Lacy pulled out cups, not even asking Jack if he wanted one.
Peppermint was good for calming and refreshing the soul and cleansing it of pain.
The back door opened.
“Cauldrons and clusterfucks! It’s really snowing out there.” Grady brushed the snow from his coat. “If it keeps up, the Christmas markets might close.” He placed several crates by the back door and heaved a sigh.
Jack then closed the door and turned. Grady paused, looking at Jack. “I’ll make you some rosemary and green tea.” He clapped Jack on the shoulder. Rosemary had excellent purification qualities.
“I’m already making him peppermint.” Lacy plucked leaves from the plant that grew by the window and placed them in a pot.
“Add some ginger.” Grady started to unpack the crates.
Lacy reached for the jar of dried and ground ginger root.
Warmth filled Jack’s chest, his family’s love and care soothing some of the hurt.
Their house and bakery might be run-down, the wallpaper faded and browned, and some window frames and shelves definitely needed repairs, but love filled this space. He didn’t need a fancy home with exotic flowers and fresh summer berry tarts to be happy.
Of course, he didn’t feel happy right now.
