Jasper took a sip from his own mug. “Try it. It’s good.”
Kraghol licked his lips. He lifted his mug and sipped. His eyes widened. “Is this a witch’s brew?”
Jasper laughed. “We just call it hot chocolate.”
“Well, it is delicious.” Kraghol took another sip. And another. And then he drained the mug. Jasper refilled it.
They ate and drank. Kraghol marvelled and praised the different foods.
“What do you usually eat?” Jasper asked between bites of a caramel tart.
Kraghol’s brows lowered. “I hunt and gather in the forest. In summer, food is plentiful. There are berries and fruits to pick. Fish, birds, and animals are easy to hunt.
“It is harder in winter. There is less to hunt, catch, and gather. But there are usually roots I can dig up.” He made a face. “But they are tough and not tasty. I lose weight in winter. I am rather scrawny now in comparison.”
“Really?” Jasper raised his eyebrows. His gaze raked over Kraghol’s very muscular torso and arms. Jasper couldn’t wait to see him in summer.
But if Kraghol ate so poorly in winter, no wonder this picnic seemed like a magical feast.
“Often, I just eat the food I hunt or catch fresh. But I will sometimes cook it over a fire.” Kraghol cleared his throat. “My fare is rather unappetising compared to what you can create. But survival is our focus.”
“Life as a hunter and gatherer sounds hard. Why do krampuses not live in cities or villages?” Jasper asked.
“That is not our way. Krampuses are tough. We dwell in the forests and live off the land.”
“But you live alone, right? Could you live with other krampuses? Like in a little krampus village or in a series of caves?” Jasper asked. “That would make life easier.”
“Some krampuses do live in small family or community groups.”
“But not you?”
“No. I prefer to live alone.” Kraghol frowned. “Sometimes my sister visits. But rarely. Only when she has reason to worry about me.”
“Why would she worry about you?” He sipped his hot chocolate.
Kraghol shrugged. “If she thinks I am behaving strangely, she might come by. Or if I avoid too many krampus gatherings.”Still frowning, he glanced at the cave entrance. “But she never comes by during the day. Ever. Only at night. Krampuses are nocturnal. So you will never see her.”
“I didn’t know krampuses were nocturnal.”
Kraghol hesitated. “I have adapted my schedule somewhat.”
“For me?” Jasper asked. He couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips.
Kraghol nodded. “But you do not live alone, correct? You live with family.”
Jasper noticed the shift in conversation. But he let it slide, even though he did want to learn more about Kraghol and krampuses in general.
“Yep. I live in an apartment above the bakery where I work. There used to be ten of us living in five rooms. Now there are just five siblings living there. But some of my siblings’ partners live with us. So it is still pretty crowded.”
Jasper refilled his and Kraghol’s mugs. “I used to share a room with my twin brother, Leo. But we each have our own room now, which is nice.”
Kraghol nodded. “I saw him with you when you fell into the pond. His name is Leo?”
“Yeah. He worries about me constantly at the moment.” Jasper paused. “Because I’ve been a bit unwell since the accident.”
Kraghol’s gaze flicked over him. “You have been unwell?”
Jasper nodded. “Since the accident. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. I assume the sickness must have to do with the bond. It feels connected to me.” He grabbed a Christmas-tree-shaped cookie. “So the sickness will probably go away when the bond dissolves. Does that sound right to you?”
