Page 44 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

Jasper sat up. “Good.” And he meant it. He hesitated, wondering if he should tell Leo about Kraghol. But he bit his tongue. Before the accident, he’d share everything with Leo. Not anymore.

And even though things were moving in a positive direction with Kraghol, it was all so uncertain. He wanted this relationship to work. But currently Kraghol thought they had no future.

He didn’t want Leo worrying and fretting about this new relationship. Which he would do, especially when he found out his illness was probably linked to the partial mate bond.

No. It’s better to wait and see how it progresses first.

He took the elothea seed tea and sipped. He grimaced at the bitter taste. “How about you, how was your day?”

Leo smiled. “Percy and I worked at the Christmas markets.”

From there, Leo went on and on, grinning and gushing about Percy. Clearly his twin was besotted. Jasper smiled, hoping it would last.

It definitely was the right decision to wait to tell Leo about him and Kraghol. His brother was happy right now with Percy. Leo should focus on that and not Jasper’s precarious relationship.

The next day, Jasper wrapped the string around a bit of the rock wall in Kraghol’s cave. “So what do you think?” He released the string, and the red star rotated. Thankfully it didn’t fall.

“It looks beautiful.” Kraghol stood by him. “Thank you for bringing these here. They really brighten up my cave.”

Jasper had also left the red picnic blanket on the cave floor. He noticed that it appeared free of dirt and other debris. As if Kraghol had taken it out to give it a shake.

“My pleasure.” Jasper picked up the box of stars and held them out to Kraghol. “Now it’s your turn.”

“Me?”

Jasper gestured to the cave. “Lots of places to put stars.”

Cave walls weren’t the easiest place to hang them. They could easily fall, especially if a gust of wind blew through. But there were some spots one could tie or place a star.

Kraghol reached into the box and took one out. He found a spot to hang it, tying the thread tightly.

“It looks perfect, Kraghol.”

Kraghol smiled, lips tugging on his fangs. Jasper placed the box on the ground, and they continued decorating.

“I was thinking, after lunch, we could make more garlands.” Jasper took another star from the box. “We could go for a walk and collect greenery from the forest. I brought some thread, dried orange slices, and ribbon. Then we can put it all together. What do you think?”

“That sounds wonderful. You have brought Christmas to my cave.” Kraghol hung up a gold star. “Do you and your family decorate a lot for Christmas?”

“We do. My parents instilled the love of Christmas in us.” Jasper paused. “Even after they died, we tried to keep at least some of the Christmas traditions alive.”

Kraghol frowned. “Your parents died? Both of them?”

He nodded. “When I was ten. A carriage accident. I wasn’t there. But it was a tough time. We got through it together, me and my siblings.”

“I am so sorry, Jasper.” Kraghol placed a hand on his shoulder.

Jasper swallowed and tried to smile. “And what about your family?”

Kraghol dropped his hand. “Both my parents are alive. But I am not close with them. In fact, they often took off, leaving me and my sister with my grandmother, my mother’s mother. She’s the one who raised us. My mother and father did not have much interest in being parents to me and my sister.”

“Shit. That’s horrible! Well, I’m glad you had your sister and grandmother.”

Kraghol gave a slow nod. “My grandmother took the responsibility of raising us very seriously.”

There was something off in the way Kraghol spoke. Like his tone was too measured and too careful.

“My older sister looks out for me. But…” Kraghol shrugged. “I do not think it is like with your siblings. We are not very close.”