Chapter 12
Chapter
Twelve
Jasper walked in the direction of the forest. He had chosen to ignore the krampus’s advice. Actually, as soon as Kraghol had spoken the words, Jasper knew he’d dismiss them. After all, he’d been coming to the forest since he was a bloody child. He knew this place. It wasn’t that dangerous.
True, he could have possibly died twice in the forest recently. He’d almost drowned, and he’d collapsed in the snow yesterday. If Kraghol hadn’t found him, he might have frozen to death.
But those had been exceptions!
Kraghol had no idea what he was talking about. The forest was completely safe for Jasper.
Now he carried a box in his hand as he and Kali entered the forest. Snowflakes drifted down on a light breeze. He inhaled the frosty air and glanced up at the cloudy grey sky.
The muscles in his body loosened, and any aches and pains diminished. He could breathe properly here.
Also, Jasper couldn’t stop thinking of Kraghol. He’d lain awake in bed, thoughts of the krampus’s furry, muscular body running through his head. He’d thought of that deep growly voice, that tall body, that long tail, his curled horns, and his stern expression.
Last night, Jasper’s cock had filled, and he had jerked himself off. He’d done so twice. Then, again, this morning.
Jasper hadn’t fucked anyone in months. Not since the accident.
It hadn’t even crossed his mind. And he had realised with shock that he also hadn’t jerked off for months!
That was beyond odd. He’d always had a pretty strong sex drive.
But he’d been unwell, and so it hadn’t really been in his thoughts.
But then he’d met Kraghol, and the desire inside him had reawakened with explosive force.
Jasper had not gotten the sense that the krampus desired him. But truthfully, he’d found Kraghol hard to read. He had remained so guarded with Jasper.
Hopefully today, Kraghol would relax and Jasper could learn more about him. And if Jasper got the sense the krampus wanted him, he would almost definitely make a move.
Fuck. I hope he wants me.
He’d even dreamed of Kraghol the previous night. Jasper knew that Kraghol was the answer to the question that had plagued him since the accident. He still didn’t know what the fuck the question was, but he knew Kraghol was the answer.
When they’d met, he’d felt something click into place inside him. He’d felt better than he had in a long time. Once he’d left Kraghol’s company, the illness had returned. And so had the longing. Jasper needed to understand it.
Jasper could not keep his distance now.
So here he was, striding through the forest. And today he walked with determination. Normally, he meandered, no idea what or who he was searching for.
Not today. Today he walked straight to Kraghol’s cave.
And he knew the way to the cave, since it was only a stone’s throw from the pond where he’d almost drowned. Strange he’d never noticed the cave before. But the entrance was pretty well hidden behind bushes and trees. And Jasper’s attention had always been more focused on the pond and the hill.
Kali trotted ahead. She clearly knew the direction they were headed. But she was a very clever fox. Jasper could sense her excitement through the bond, as if she, too, looked forward to seeing Kraghol again.
In fact, Jasper had been pondering that. Kali had not been hesitant when meeting Kraghol. She’d been thrilled. As if it was a happy reunion. Kali had lived in the forest previously. They’d met just after Jasper’s accident, which was very close to where Kraghol lived.
Had Kali known Kraghol? Jasper knew Kraghol was keeping things from him. Was this one of them? Jasper was determined to get to the bottom of it all.
His feet slowed as he approached the place where he’d almost died. He stared up at the hill, the sharp decline with snow-covered rocks and trees that he’d banged against as he’d fallen. He stared at the pond, which had now frozen over.
What had happened that day? How had he gotten out of the water? He glanced towards Kraghol’s cave. Did the krampus know?
Kali rubbed against his legs.
“Come on. Let’s go see Kraghol.” Jasper strode towards the cave. “Hello,” he called out. “Kraghol?” He paused. Then stepped inside.
The air of the cave was only a smidgen less cold than the air outside. No embers remained in the firepit. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He glanced around at the shadows and nooks.
No Kraghol.
Sighing, he turned and gazed out over the forest. Still, he saw no sign of Kraghol. “Now what?”
Kali sat on her heels and gazed up at him.
“I suppose it’s rude to make ourselves comfortable in his cave when he isn’t here. But it is snowing.” Jasper paused. “Do you think Kraghol will mind if we wait for him inside? He seemed concerned about my well-being yesterday. Don’t you think?”
Kali, seeming to decide that it was fine for them to be in the cave, headed in.
“You’re right. He would want us to make ourselves comfortable. Also, we can start a fire. Hopefully he’ll appreciate that and won’t be upset that we invited ourselves in.”
Jasper put down his parcel and searched by the firepit. “Can’t seem to find any flint. Good thing I was taught how to make a fire without one.”
Kali hopped up onto the pile of furs as if she belonged there. She lay down, resting her head on her paws. She yawned.
“I see. You’re going to take a nap while I get to work.” He chuckled.
Kali closed her eyes. Soon the fire glowed in the pit. Jasper stood, brushing dirt from his lower legs.
He glanced at the cave entrance. How long until Kraghol returned? How long had he been gone? Jasper could wait a couple of hours at least before he should head home.
Jasper sat beside Kali on the pile of furs. He patted her. He glanced around the cave.
But what if Kraghol didn’t actually live here? The cave didn’t contain much. Just the pile of furs, some wood, and the firepit. Perhaps this was just one place he stayed. Maybe he rarely came here.
What if Jasper waited for hours and Kraghol still did not come? What if Jasper came back tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that, and still the krampus didn’t return?
His stomach clenched. He could search. But it was a big forest. He could wander it and never run into Kraghol for the rest of his life. His breathing sped up. His head throbbed, and a wave of dizziness rose inside him.
Kali opened her eyes. She placed her paws on Jasper’s chest and licked his cheek.
Jasper exhaled, wrapping his arms around her. “You’re right, Kali. No need to stress. We just got here. We have time.”
Determined to relax, Jasper lay down on the pile of furs with his fox familiar. Kali closed her eyes and slept. Jasper kept his eyes on the cave entrance, waiting for Kraghol to appear. But eventually his eyelids grew heavy.