Page 77 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

Kraghol exhaled. “How do you feel?”

“Complete. I feel complete.” Jasper let out a shaky laugh, then launched himself forward and kissed Jasper.

We’re mated. Jasper is my mate.

Chapter

Forty-One

Kraghol hunched his shoulders, pulling the furs tight around him.

Jasper walked on one side of him, Kali on the other. As if both wanted to surround him with their support. Kali bumped and rubbed against his legs.

“Even if this doesn’t work, remember you are not alone.” Jasper squeezed Kraghol’s hand. “I’m here with you. I will stand by your side and won’t abandon you. You’re mine, and I will protect you,” he said, voice fierce.

“Thank you.” It was strange to have the small human say he’d protect Kraghol. Still, it warmed Kraghol’s chest and gave him strength as they left the forest and entered Anorra.

Kraghol held his breath as they walked down the darkened alley. His cloven hooves clopped on the cobblestones. Thick, fat snowflakes fell.

He lowered his head, as if that would hide himself. Which was ridiculous! There was no way he could hide his height or horns.

They continued. Kraghol’s gaze darted from side to side as they moved through the empty streets. They turned a corner. Up ahead, Kraghol spotted a pixie, coming towards them. Everymuscle in Kraghol’s body tensed. His heart raced. He prepared to flee back towards the forest.

But the pixie didn’t even glance Kraghol’s way as they passed. The pixie just kept walking.

Jasper exhaled, patting his hand. “Well, that went okay.”

Kraghol nodded. He stared after the pixie in shock.

Could Jasper’s plan actually be working?

After they’d finished completing the mate bond, they’d gone back to his cave. They’d draped fur from his bed over Kraghol’s shoulders and his head and tied more around his waist. He also wore the scarf from Jasper around his neck and the lower part of his face. They’d tucked away his tail.

He now resembled a pile of fur with horns and hooves.

They kept walking. They passed more individuals.

No one screamed, no one fled, and no one threw stones or spat at him. An elf even glanced straight at Kraghol’s face. Then looked away. Still nothing.

Kraghol couldn’t believe it.

“It’s like I was saying, I think everyone expects krampuses to be practically naked except for the loin-cloth,” Jasper said. “And you’re dressed completely differently now.”

That was true. When Kraghol had come into Anorra years ago, he’d dressed how he would on Krampus Night. He hadn’t had the switch or bells. But he had just worn a loin-cloth.

Jasper thought if he didn’t look like a krampus on Krampus Night, the city folk wouldn’t react so terribly. It was a strange idea, but it seemed to be working.

“Of course, I never want to hide you.” Jasper’s grip on his hand tightened. “I love you and how you look. But if dressing a certain way means you can move comfortably through Anorra, then we do that.”

“I do not mind wearing clothes,” Kraghol said. “Honestly, I just never considered it. I never chose to wear a loin-cloth. That was just all I had.”

Jasper looked at Kraghol, giving the fur ensemble a once-over. “We’ll get clothes that fit you properly and aren’t tied together with knots and thread. That’ll be more comfortable. And we should find clothes that you like and that suit you.”

“That would be nice. Although, I know nothing about types of clothes.”

“We’ll work that out together.” Jasper pursed his lips as he gazed up at Kraghol. “I think you might look quite fetching in a robe.”

“A robe? Really?” Kraghol had never pictured himself in something so elegant.