“I should head back,” Jasper said reluctantly. His head started to ache, and his limbs felt heavy. Which was odd. This was the first time he’d felt any of his illness symptoms in Kraghol’s presence.
He should mention the whole sickness thing to Kraghol, see if he thought it was connected to the bond. But suddenly, Jasper felt sick of talking. He needed some time to think first.
“Yes. That would be best.” Kraghol rose. “I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused you.”
Jasper shook his head. “No. Thanks for saving my life. Say bye, Kali. We’re leaving.”
Kali rubbed against Kraghol’s hooved feet.
Kraghol leaned down once more to pat her. “Goodbye, Kali. Take good care of him for me.”
Jasper’s chest constricted at the words. After a moment, he turned and walked to the cave entrance.
Kraghol followed him. “Perhaps I should escort you to the forest’s edge.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s not even dark yet. And like I said, I’ve been walking this forest since I was a boy. I can handle myself.” He paused. “Goodbye, Kraghol.”
“Goodbye, Jasper.”
Jasper and Kali set out. Jasper glanced back to look at Kraghol. The krampus’s shoulders drooped. He watched Jasper, his face drawn and his head lowered. Sadness and loneliness radiated from him.
Jasper turned away and kept walking. He had a lot to think over.
Because despite what Kraghol thought, Jasper hadn’t given up on the two of them. Not yet anyway. Just because Kragholthought something was best, did not mean Jasper agreed. He wanted to come to his own conclusion.
Kraghol had dumped a lot of information on him. Jasper needed to process. He’d go home and sleep on it. Or maybe just lie in bed, staring at the dark ceiling, and ponder it all. Maybe he’d take a day or two. Then he’d decide for himself if he would keep his distance from the sad krampus or not.
He wouldn’t merely disregard Kraghol’s opinions, of course. But Jasper might challenge them. However, at the end of the day, if Kraghol really wanted him gone, Jasper would respect that.
Kraghol kept saying that they did not belong together. He referred to himself as a hideous creature of darkness. He’d called Jasper light and beauty and sunshine. Jasper huffed. He needed to understand what the fuck Kraghol was talking about.
Furthermore, Kraghol was certain that Jasper’s feelings and desires only existed because of the bond. Perhaps that was true. Mates and all that stuff always perplexed Jasper. But he knew his feelings. And he knew he did not like to ignore his feelings no matter where they came from.
He always went with his heart over his head. Even when it landed him in trouble.
He had a feeling that even after a night’s reflection, he’d still go with his heart in this instance. And his heart yearned for the sad krampus who lived in the cave all alone in the forest.
Hopefully pursuing him wouldn’t land Jasper in trouble.
Chapter
Eighteen
The krampus stared at the stars that twinkled above in the clear night sky. He sighed, and his warm breath fogged the air.
It’s for the best that Jasper and I fought. It will ensure that he stays away until the bond fades.
Still, it did not sit right with Kraghol. He did not wish for Jasper to be angry or hurt by him. He wished they’d said goodbye on better terms, perhaps with a soft kiss and a lingering touch.
He walked through the snow. The forest lay still and silent around him, except for a single owl hooting. He paused by the edge of the pond. The starlight reflected off the frozen surface. It had been only a few months ago when he’d pulled Jasper from its depths.
He’d touched him then, and he’d touched the man today. And today they’d kissed and made love. Those brief moments meant more to Kraghol than he could ever express. He doubted he’d ever be touched or kissed like that again.
And now I will never see Jasper again.
He’d not expected today. He’d not expected Jasper to seek him out again, nor give him a gift. He stroked the red ribbon that had been wrapped around the box of truffles.
He wished they could have had more moments together. But that would have been foolish. Jasper did not belong with him, no matter how much Kraghol wished it.
