Page 84 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

Wide-eyed, Kraghol took the gift from Jasper.

“It’s from Grady,” Jasper said.

Kraghol’s fingers fumbled with the wrapping. The paper dropped to the floor, and he held up a woven band.

“It’s a protection charm. You wear it around your wrist,” Grady explained. “Everyone in the family has one.”

“Thank you so much, Grady.” Kraghol stroked the band.

Jasper could understand Kraghol’s surprise. His family had only been told about Kraghol coming to their family Christmas gathering either the previous night or that morning. So there hadn’t been much time to get Kraghol presents.

But of course, the Berry family had rallied. They would not allow a guest to go without Christmas presents on Christmas Day! So far Kraghol had received cookies, cakes, and various other baked goods. He’d also received a rough sketch of a pair of gloves and ankle warmers from Briar. It came with a promise that Briar and Wulfric would crochet the items and that they would match his scarf.

“Here, let me put this on for you.” Jasper took the protection charm and wrapped it around Kraghol’s wrist, tying it in place. “It looks good.”

“Everyone is so generous. Before yesterday, I had never received a Christmas present. Now I have received so many.” Kraghol touched the band. “I feel bad that I have nothing to give in return,” he said, so softly only Jasper could hear.

“It’s fine. Next year you can get the others gifts too.”

At the slight furrowing of Kraghol’s brows, Jasper added, “I’ll help you.”

Kraghol exhaled. “Thank you, Jasper.”

Today, Kraghol wore a fur around his shoulders and another wrapped around his waist. He’d had one over his head earlier, but it had been a bit cumbersome and kept falling. So Jasper had encouraged him to take it off. Naturally, his family didn’t blink twice. And of course, Kraghol proudly wore the scarf Jasper had made him.

“Now that the presents are done, let’s sing!” Cas clapped his hands together. “We need Christmas carols.”

Everyone applauded and cheered. They started with a rather boisterous, children’s song.

Bells are ringing, bells are ringing.

Snow is falling, snow is falling.

Michael, Ordelia and Tony’s son, yelled the words and jumped around. His younger sister, Ruthie, jumped and yelled too, following Michael’s lead.

Jasper took Kraghol’s hand. Kraghol watched everyone singing. No doubt he’d never heard the lyrics before.

Kids are sleighing, kids are sleighing.

As they continued singing, Kraghol began to softly sing along. Jasper grinned at him. Then Jasper heard it, the most beautiful singing voice he’d ever heard. He turned his head.

Of course.

It was Trent’s siren, Malachi.He had an arm wrapped around Trent’s shoulders. He sang, his voice pure and melodious. It stole the air from Jasper’s lungs. Somehow his voice could transform this simple children’s song into something ethereal. His tentacles waved in the air, in time with his singing.

In fact, most of his family stared at Malachi as he sang. It seemed his singing had the same effect on all of them.

They sang several different songs. Eventually Kraghol would join in with each song, singing softly once he’d learnt the words. He kept glancing around, a smile on his face, as if he couldn’t believe he was a part of all this.

“I think we need a hot chocolate and cookie break,” Jack cried out after a while.

Jack as well as a few others headed out to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Jasper and the others who remained cleaned up some of the wrapping paper.

Michael, followed by Ruthie, Ordelia, and Tony, approached Kraghol.

“You have horns, a tail, and hooves.” Michael pointed. “You’re just like me, Daddy, and Ruthie.”

Jasper smiled. No doubt Kraghol had not expected those in his family to find physical similarities between themselves andhim. But now that Jasper thought about it, fauns did look similar to krampuses.