Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
“You must go home.” Speaking the words made Kraghol feel like he was choking on gravel. He didn’t want Jasper to leave. But he should. It was for the best.
Although, with his almost mate in his space, it was hard for Kraghol to remember the reasons why. Truthfully, Kraghol just wanted to sit by Jasper, listen to his voice, and find out more about him and his life.
As it was, he’d file away every scrap of information he’d already learnt about Jasper and think of this interaction when he was alone in his cave for years to come. But he couldn’t let Jasper know that.
And Jasper was not afraid of him. He’d not shown even a smidgen of fear. Only curiosity. And wasn’t that a wonder. Kraghol could not wrap his head around it.
Still, this was wrong! It was one thing to follow Jasper and protect him from harm in the forest, which he’d clearly needed, since he’d just collapsed. But it was another thing entirely to spend time together.
They came from two different worlds. They did not belong together. Light and darkness could not coexist.
“Can’t I stay just a little while longer?” Jasper asked.
Kraghol hesitated. He wanted to say yes. His heart yearned with the need to keep Jasper close.
In years past, krampuses would sometimes capture those they found roaming the city on Krampus Night. They’d put them in cages and cart them around, sometimes even taking them into the forest for days before releasing them.
The practice had fallen away. But for a brief second, Kraghol wished he could keep Jasper imprisoned in his home for the rest of his life.
“No.” Kraghol shook his head. “You have to leave. It is almost dark. It is dangerous after dark in the forest.”
Jasper laughed.
Kraghol paused. Suddenly he remembered hearing that laughter months ago when he’d first seen Jasper and his brother together. The sound reminded him of sunshine. He longed to bask in it.
“It is not that dangerous,” Jasper said. “One of my brothers lives in the forest. In a cave with his werewolf mate.”
Kraghol actually knew this already. He’d seen the werewolf and human talking and casting some spell the other day. Briar, the human, had mentioned the name Jasper. Kraghol had wondered if it was the person. Now he knew for sure.
In fact, the spell had been cast on Jasper and some of his other siblings. Kraghol didn’t know much about spells and he had no idea what the purpose of that spell was. But from what he heard, it was meant to help Jasper and the others.
“Werewolves are strong,” Kraghol said. “They are fighters. Your brother’s mate would protect him.”
Jasper tilted his head. He smiled, and it was like a spear to Kraghol’s heart. “And wouldn’t you protect me?”
The words sucked the air from Kraghol’s lungs. The yes tingled on his lips, wanting to burst forth. He wanted to go to his knees before Jasper and pledge himself to protecting the human until he drew his very last breath.
But that could never be. They could never be. He could not be Jasper’s guardian. Just as he could not be his mate.
“I will escort you to the forest’s edge,” Kraghol said. “I will protect you and keep you safe until then.”
Jasper didn’t speak for a second. “Fine.” He stood.
Kali hopped down and walked towards Kraghol, gazing up at him with her big, confused eyes. Kraghol’s fingers twitched. He wished to lean down and pat Kali. But Jasper already watched him with such inquisitive eyes. He might work out that the two already knew each other.
I am sorry, little fox. He said the words in his head, since he could not apologise aloud.
She bumped her head against him. Kraghol swallowed, hating himself.
“You can pat her, you know. She won’t bite. I promise.” Jasper glanced between them.
Kraghol hesitated. Giving in, he leaned down to stroke her soft fur. She rubbed against his hand, making little squeaks. She had brought him so much joy the months they’d spent together. He hoped she brought Jasper joy now and they were happy together.
Kraghol wanted to cradle her in his arms like he once had. He’d missed the fox so much. But that would arouse too much suspicion.
“I’ve never seen her take to anyone like she has with you,” Jasper said.
Kraghol cleared his throat and reluctantly stood. Not knowing what to say, he walked to the cave entrance. “Come. Let’s go.”
Jasper and Kali followed.
“Huh,” Jasper said as they walked from the cave.
Kraghol glanced back. “What?”
“Over there is where my accident happened.” Jasper pointed to the pond. “You’re cave is really close by.” He looked between the cave and the pond. “Actually, you can practically see the hill where I fell and the pond where I almost drowned from your cave entrance.”
Kraghol kept walking. He knew all that. He’d been in his cave sleeping with Kali when he’d heard the twins bickering. He’d come to the cave entrance. The little fox had trotted out. Kraghol had followed. He’d watched Jasper and his brother. Then he’d seen Jasper fall into the pond.
That was when he’d saved his life and created the partial mate bond.
“You get into a lot of trouble in the forest. Falling, drowning, collapsing.” Kraghol kept his gaze ahead. “Perhaps it would be better for you to stay in the city. It is safer there.”
Jasper did not respond. For several minutes, they walked in silence. Darkness continued to fall.
“Have you always lived in this forest?” Jasper asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you like the forest? Is it pleasant to live here?”
“It is fine.” Kraghol wished Jasper would stop asking about him. He wished he’d talk about himself instead.
“How old are you?”
“I have lived thirty-one Krampus Nights.”
“Is that how krampuses count age, by Krampus Nights?”
“Yes.” Then, because Kraghol couldn’t help himself, he asked, “How old are you?”
Jasper’s smile was blinding. “Twenty-four. I have a twin brother. Unsurprisingly, he is also twenty-four.” Jasper laughed.
Kraghol could float away on the sound of that laughter.
“Actually, I’m one of ten siblings. We’re all hearth and kitchen witches. Did I say that already?”
Kraghol had not known Jasper was a witch until today. He did not know much about witches. But then again, he knew very little about anyone who was not a krampus. But he’d heard a few stories about witches.
He glanced at Jasper. He didn’t look like the witches he’d heard about. They were usually old, hunched-over humans, covered in warts and living in huts.
“And when you add in all our partners and familiars, that’s lots more chaos in the mix. So it is pretty hectic at home and in the bakery.” Jasper laughed again. He glanced down at Kali. “Isn’t that right?”
She gazed up, glancing between them.
“Do you have a partner?” The words left Kraghol’s lips before he could stop them. Because what if Jasper did have a partner? What if Kraghol had partially mated him when Jasper’s heart belonged to another? That would make the whole situation so much worse.
But Jasper shook his head. “No partner. I just have my familiar, Kali.”
“Your familiar?” Kraghol had not known that.
Kali padded along between them, leaving a trail of tiny footprints in the snow.
“She was with me when I woke after I almost drowned in that pond back there. She’s been by my side ever since. And she is the best familiar ever!”
They approached the city. Kraghol’s stomach muscles tightened. He didn’t want Jasper and Kali to leave. He didn’t want to say goodbye. But that was a foolish thought.
Jasper had not been afraid of him. That had been more than he had expected or hoped for. But that did not mean Jasper would accept Kraghol. And even if he did, so what? They did not belong together.
Kraghol paused amongst the trees. “This is the closest I will go.”
Jasper faced him. “You never enter the city?”
“Only on Krampus Night.” He stared into Jasper’s face, trying to memorise his features. He’d never been this close to Jasper, at least not when he was conscious. “Goodbye, Jasper. Goodbye, Kali. Do not return to the forest. It is dangerous, and you are ill-equipped to survive here.”
Jasper raised his eyebrows. “Thank you for your advice, Kraghol. And thank you for saving me.”
Kraghol nodded. Then he turned. He was about to walk away when Kali dashed forward. Swallowing, he reached down and stroked her fur.
Just one more time. “Goodbye, little fox. I will miss you so much. Thank you for everything,” he whispered, so low that Jasper couldn’t hear. “Take good care of him for me.”
Then he straightened. He glanced back at Jasper, who watched him. Throat tight, Kraghol strode forward into the trees, leaving his almost mate behind, determined not to look back again.