“I…” Kraghol paused. “Maybe. They look so special hanging in windows. It surprises me that they are made from something so simple.”

  Jasper picked up the end of the garland. He ran his fingers over the pine leaves. “A lot of decorations can be made with stuff you find in the forest. Often you just put it together, add ribbon and other bits and pieces to spruce it up a little.”

  “I see.” He met Jasper’s gaze. “Thank you for all of this. You’ve made my dank little cave shine so brightly.”

  Jasper’s rich brown eyes softened. “I’m glad you liked the picnic.” He took his hand. “And I plan to share many more things with you.”

  But before Kraghol could ponder what those things could be, Jasper kissed him. Their mouths moved gently together. Then Jasper sucked on his lower lip. Kraghol slid a hand to the back of Jasper’s neck, holding tight, worried this beautiful man would slip away.

  Jasper’s tongue pushed into his mouth. Their tongues entwined and danced. Although, obviously, Kraghol held back most of his extremely long tongue. He wrapped his hands around Jasper’s waist.

  Jasper moved forward, straddling Kraghol’s lap as they continued kissing. Reaching between them, Jasper undid the buttons of his own coat. Kraghol pushed the clothing from Jasper’s shoulders, and it fell onto the picnic blanket.

  Breaking the kiss, Jasper tugged off his shirt. Kraghol ran his hands over Jasper’s chest. Then Jasper took his mouth in another kiss. Kraghol rose, lifting Jasper in his arms. A startled noise escaped Jasper, but it was lost in the kiss as Kraghol carried him to the bed and laid him down.

  Jasper stared up at him, chest rising and falling as he breathed heavily. His cock tented his trousers. Kraghol reached down and undid them. With a growl, he tugged them and Jasper’s undergarments down his legs, leaving the human naked on the pile of furs.

  Kraghol drank in the sight of him, eyes hungrily roaming Jasper’s toned body. And for a second, he froze. He could only stare in amazement at this gorgeous man before him.

  “There’s oil in the basket,” Jasper said, breaking the trance Kraghol was in.

  “What?”

  Jasper pointed at the basket. “Oil.”

  Kraghol walked to the basket. A small vial lay inside. He reached in and picked it up. He looked back as Jasper. “You’d want to…” Kraghol gestured between them. “With me?”

  Jasper grinned. “Obviously.”

  Kraghol came back over. “I’m not small.” He untied the fabric and let it drop, revealing his erect and very large prick.

  Jasper licked his lips and spread his legs. “I am well aware.” Then he reached for Kraghol and pulled him down.

  Kraghol lay on top of Jasper, careful not to rest his entire weight on him. The kisses grew heated, their tongues and mouths duelling. Jasper gripped Kraghol’s shoulders.

  Breaking the kiss, Jasper took the oil from Kraghol’s hands and uncorked the bottle. He poured oil on his fingers, reaching down his body. Kraghol gripped Jasper’s thighs, pressing them back.

  Jasper gasped as he slid two fingers inside himself. Kraghol growled low in his throat. His cock throbbed at the sight of Jasper’s fingers stretching and preparing himself to take Kraghol’s cock.

  “I want you,” Jasper whispered as he added a third finger. “I want your dick inside me.” He gasped. “But I think I’ve got to really stretch first.”

  Kraghol’s fingers on Jasper’s thighs tightened as he greedily watched Jasper add another finger. His throat dried. He couldn’t look away from the erotic sight. His cock throbbed as he imagined sinking inside that hole.

  Jasper tugged his fingers free and reached for Kraghol’s large dick. He squeezed, and Kraghol groaned. Kraghol shuffled forward, positioning himself between Jasper’s spread thighs.

  Jasper guided Kraghol’s dick towards his entrance. The tip pressed against the puckered ring of muscle.

  “Fuck me,” Jasper begged, releasing his grip around Kraghol’s cock. He gripped Kraghol’s forearms. “Fuck me, please.”

  Slowly, trying to be so careful so he didn’t harm Jasper, Kraghol pressed forward. The pronounced head slid inside Jasper.

  They both groaned.

  “Just give me a second.” Jasper panted. “One second.”

  Kraghol swallowed, keeping himself completely still.

  After a moment, Jasper inhaled. “Now keep going. Please,” Jasper begged, voice tight.

  Kraghol slid inside Jasper steadily. His eyes fluttered shut as tight heat engulfed him.

  “Kraghol!” Jasper cried. “Oh. Fuck! Keep going!”

  Breathing heavily, Kraghol gazed into Jasper’s flushed face. He kept pressing forward, inch by inch until he completely filled Jasper. Gasping, Jasper reached up and grabbed one of Kraghol’s horns.

  Kraghol pulled back slightly.

  “Sorry. Should I not have?” Jasper released his hold.

  “No.” He grabbed Jasper’s hand and tugged it back towards his horn. “I was just surprised.”

  Jasper gave a half-smile. “I like to hold on to something whilst being fucked.”

  Kraghol huffed.

  “Speaking of which. Please fuck me.”

  Hands tight on Jasper’s thighs, Kraghol slowly withdrew until just the head remained inside.

  Jasper bit his lower lip. Kraghol thrust forward. He began a slow rhythm, in and out of Jasper’s body. Kraghol relished the feel of sliding in and out, in and out. He growled low in his throat.

  Jasper cried out with every thrust.

  He angled his hips, ensuring he nailed that magic nub inside Jasper. Jasper keened. One of Jasper’s hands clutched Kraghol’s horn, and the other gripped his hip. His body undulated as Kraghol fucked him.

  Kraghol leaned forward and kissed those soft, plump lips. Jasper slid his tongue into Kraghol’s mouth. Their tongues danced as their bodies moved together.

  The kiss broke, and Kraghol stared down at Jasper. He had never known such glorious pleasure as this. He was fucking his half-mate. He wished he could claim Jasper as his full mate. He wished they could have years and years ahead of them. But that was not to be.

  So instead he would just have to savour these blissful moments. He wanted to remember how Jasper looked right this moment, lying amongst the furs, his face, throat, and chest flushed with desire, his lips wet from kisses, and Kraghol’s cock driving into his body.

  He stroked a furred hand down Jasper’s chest. Jasper shivered. His hard cock lay on his stomach. Pre-cum dribbled from the tip. Kraghol wrapped his hand around Jasper’s cock, stroking it in time with his thrusts.

  “Yes!” Jasper cried out. “Fuck! Yes!” He hooked a foot around Kraghol’s thigh.

  Jasper’s channel squeezed tight around Kraghol’s cock. Kraghol groaned.

  Jasper released Kraghol’s hip and grabbed hold of the other horn. Now he gripped both Kraghol’s horns whilst Kraghol fucked him.

  “More! Faster! Harder! Please, Kraghol!”

  Kraghol complied. He shoved harder into Jasper. His balls tingled, his orgasm fast approaching.

  Jasper whimpered. “I’m close. Kraghol. I’m close.” He squeezed his eyes shut.

  Then he shouted. He threw his head back, body arching as cum spilled from his cock, splattering against his stomach, chest, and throat.

  Kraghol leaned forward. His tongue extended. He lapped at Jasper’s spend as he fucked Jasper’s tight, convulsing hole.

  “Come inside me!” Jasper cried out. “I want to feel you spill your seed deep inside my body.”

  His words drove Kraghol over the edge. Red-hot pleasure burned through him. With a howl, he thrust deep inside Jasper, holding still as he spent.

  He breathed heavily, slowly coming down from the peak of his pleasure.

  As Jasper murmured contentedly, one of his hands roamed Kraghol’s back. The other stroked Kraghol’s tail.

  Which was a little odd. No one had ever stroked his tail before. But Kraghol didn’t mind. Actually, he kind of liked it.

  He nuzzled Jasper’s throat. He inhaled and could smell the scent of their arousal and spend.

  Kraghol closed his eyes, trying to remember exactly how he felt in this moment. He tried to remember what it was like to be caressed with so much affection. After all, soon he’d have nothing but the memories of Jasper’s touch.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Three

  Sitting on his bed, Jasper folded the red paper into a star. He attached some thread to it so it could be hung. Then he placed it into a box with the other stars he had made from different-coloured paper.

  He’d take them to the forest tomorrow and hang them around Kraghol’s cave. Jasper had no doubt that the krampus would stare at them in wide-eyed amazement.

  After their picnic that day, Jasper had put up the garland he’d made in the cave. Kraghol had smiled as he just stood there and looked at it for several long moments.

  And because Kraghol had enjoyed the picnic so much, Jasper had decided to do it again tomorrow. And every day. After all, he wanted to show Kraghol how good they could be together.

  A knock sounded on his bedroom door. Kali lifted her head from the bed.

  “Come in,” Jasper called out.

  Grady opened the door and entered. Uzoth followed, ducking slightly so his gargoyle wings didn’t hit the door-frame. Grady stared at him as if surprised to see Jasper up.

  Which was fair. Jasper tended to sleep after wandering the forest. He usually was so fucking exhausted and always felt like absolute shit. That meant whenever any of his siblings left work and checked in on him, he usually was just resting. But today he felt energised.

  Grady looked into the box and at the square pieces of paper on the bed beside him. “You’re making stars.”

  “You sound surprised. I make Christmas decorations every year.”

  “Yeah.” Grady gave him a look. “But usually not on your own.”

  Jasper shrugged. “I just felt like making stars.” He wasn’t ready to tell Grady about Kraghol. Not yet. And if he was going to tell anyone, he’d tell Leo first.

  “Well, it’s nice to see you in the Christmas spirit. Anyway, I just wanted to bring you some tea.” Grady held out the steaming cup. “It’s peppermint and ginger.”

  “Thanks.” Jasper took it.

  Grady stared at him for another second. “It’s good to see you up.” A smile tugged at his lips. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Have a good night, you two,” Jasper said.

  “Goodnight, Jasper.” Uzoth inclined his head, and the two left. The gargoyle didn’t speak much. He was more the strong and silent type.

  Although his oldest sibling often checked in on him, he rarely asked Jasper how he was feeling. At least not recently. After all, they both knew he’d just say he was fine, regardless of how he felt.

  And then Jasper would be pissed off at Grady for being an overbearing mother hen. So Grady didn’t ask him how he felt anymore. He wished Leo would do the same.

  Jasper sipped his tea. A short while later, his second oldest sibling, Jack, stopped by.

  “I brought these cheese and onion muffins. I thought of you whilst baking them.” Jack placed the muffins on a table.

  “Thanks.”

  Jack had an affinity for nourishment. That meant his food nourished those who ate it. The fact he’d thought of Jasper whilst baking it would strengthen that impact. Jasper didn’t have any specific affinity. Some of his siblings had them. Some didn’t.

  Jack pointed at the box. “Pretty stars.”

  “Take a couple for Avery.”

  Jack smiled and grabbed a couple. “Thanks. He’ll love them.”

  “How are Avery and the little one?” Jasper asked.

  Jack’s face lit up. “Good.” Since Jack and Avery had mated, Avery had produced a dragon egg, their offspring. “The library is kept hot as balls. Avery says the little one needs it. Anyway, I should head off. I just wanted to stop in and give you the muffins. Have a good night.”

  “You too.”

  “Enjoy making your stars,” Jack said as he closed the door behind him.

  Jasper ate the muffins between folding stars. After a while, his eyes grew heavy. He looked at the box. He’d made more than enough.

  Yawning, he tucked the box beneath the bed and put away the rest of the pieces of paper. He turned the wick in the lantern down and blew out the flame. Then he lay down. Kali already slept. Jasper wrapped his arm around her.

  He wished Kraghol was with him, the two of them curled up in the bed together. Perhaps one day Jasper could suggest that Kraghol visit his home. He’d probably love the decorations and the tree. He’d definitely love the food in the bakery below.

  Jasper imagined showing him around and introducing him to his family. He had no doubt his family would welcome Kraghol. He wanted to share his world with the krampus. At some point, he should suggest it.

  A knock on his door made him realise he’d dozed off. Leo entered with a tray of medicinal tea, food, and a candle.

  “Evening.” Leo put the tray down, looking over Jasper in an assessing manner. “How has your day been?” He placed a plate of sliced ham on the floor, and Kali practically pounced on it, sharp teeth ripping it to shreds.

  Jasper sat up. “Good.” And he meant it. He hesitated, wondering if he should tell Leo about Kraghol. But he bit his tongue. Before the accident, he’d share everything with Leo. Not anymore.

  And even though things were moving in a positive direction with Kraghol, it was all so uncertain. He wanted this relationship to work. But currently Kraghol thought they had no future.

  He didn’t want Leo worrying and fretting about this new relationship. Which he would do, especially when he found out his illness was probably linked to the partial mate bond.

  No. It’s better to wait and see how it progresses first.

  He took the elothea seed tea and sipped. He grimaced at the bitter taste. “How about you, how was your day?”

  Leo smiled. “Percy and I worked at the Christmas markets.”

  From there, Leo went on and on, grinning and gushing about Percy. Clearly his twin was besotted. Jasper smiled, hoping it would last.

  It definitely was the right decision to wait to tell Leo about him and Kraghol. His brother was happy right now with Percy. Leo should focus on that and not Jasper’s precarious relationship.

  The next day, Jasper wrapped the string around a bit of the rock wall in Kraghol’s cave. “So what do you think?” He released the string, and the red star rotated. Thankfully it didn’t fall.

  “It looks beautiful.” Kraghol stood by him. “Thank you for bringing these here. They really brighten up my cave.”

  Jasper had also left the red picnic blanket on the cave floor. He noticed that it appeared free of dirt and other debris. As if Kraghol had taken it out to give it a shake.

  “My pleasure.” Jasper picked up the box of stars and held them out to Kraghol. “Now it’s your turn.”

  “Me?”

  Jasper gestured to the cave. “Lots of places to put stars.”

  Cave walls weren’t the easiest place to hang them. They could easily fall, especially if a gust of wind blew through. But there were some spots one could tie or place a star.

  Kraghol reached into the box and took one out. He found a spot to hang it, tying the thread tightly.

  “It looks perfect, Kraghol.”

  Kraghol smiled, lips tugging on his fangs. Jasper placed the box on the ground, and they continued decorating.

  “I was thinking, after lunch, we could make more garlands.” Jasper took another star from the box. “We could go for a walk and collect greenery from the forest. I brought some thread, dried orange slices, and ribbon. Then we can put it all together. What do you think?”

  “That sounds wonderful. You have brought Christmas to my cave.” Kraghol hung up a gold star. “Do you and your family decorate a lot for Christmas?”

  “We do. My parents instilled the love of Christmas in us.” Jasper paused. “Even after they died, we tried to keep at least some of the Christmas traditions alive.”

  Kraghol frowned. “Your parents died? Both of them?”

  He nodded. “When I was ten. A carriage accident. I wasn’t there. But it was a tough time. We got through it together, me and my siblings.”

  “I am so sorry, Jasper.” Kraghol placed a hand on his shoulder.

  Jasper swallowed and tried to smile. “And what about your family?”

  Kraghol dropped his hand. “Both my parents are alive. But I am not close with them. In fact, they often took off, leaving me and my sister with my grandmother, my mother’s mother. She’s the one who raised us. My mother and father did not have much interest in being parents to me and my sister.”

  “Shit. That’s horrible! Well, I’m glad you had your sister and grandmother.”

  Kraghol gave a slow nod. “My grandmother took the responsibility of raising us very seriously.”

  There was something off in the way Kraghol spoke. Like his tone was too measured and too careful.

  “My older sister looks out for me. But…” Kraghol shrugged. “I do not think it is like with your siblings. We are not very close.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Kraghol shrugged again. “It is okay. She cares for me.”

  “What about friends?” Jasper asked.

  “No. No friends.” Kraghol took a star and hung it, not meeting Jasper’s gaze.

  Jasper’s heart spasmed. How lonely must Kraghol be in this cave, without any friends or family he was close to? Jasper reached out and took his hand. “Well, you have me now. I’m your friend.”

  “Yes.” Kraghol squeezed his hand. “And I am very glad you are here.”

  Jasper smiled. “Now do you want to see what I brought for us to eat today?”

  Kraghol’s grey eyes lit up. “Yes.”

  “Then come.” And Jasper tugged him towards the picnic blanket and basket, determined to show Kraghol that he could be the friend and companion Kraghol had never had.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Four

  Kraghol stroked his hand down Jasper’s side, awed that he was allowed to touch him like this. They lay buried amongst the furs. Jasper breathed heavily, his eyes closed in sleep and his arm wrapped around Kraghol’s waist.