Kraved by Krampus (Yule Be Mine Monster)

24. Krampus

Chapter twenty-four

Krampus

A surge of wild magic pulls me from my brooding, crackling through the winter air like lightning. The power signature is unmistakable—Clara. My mate.

No. Not my mate. She made that clear enough.

But the magic... it’s raw, untamed. Grimoire magic. The most powerful and dangerous kind. Without training, she could tear reality apart, or worse.

Damn my wounded pride. I should have been there. My feet are moving before I can stop myself, reality bending as I shift through shadows toward Winterhaven.

I materialize in an alley near Frost’s Antiques, my hooves clattering against cobblestones. The air thrums with her power, making my horns resonate. Sweet winter gods, she’s finally awakened.

As I round the corner and see the town square ahead, the scene before me stops my breath.

Clara stands in the center, her golden hair whipping in a wind that seems to emanate from her very being. The children from my academy surround her, their small arms wrapped around her waist and legs. Magic sparkles in the air around them like diamond dust, and her eyes... Damn . Her eyes glow with raw power.

My little mate has come into her magic at last.

Pride and desire war with the lingering ache of her rejection. The children’s presence reminds me painfully of how she denied knowing me, yet here she stands, protecting them as fiercely as I would. As I should have been doing, had I not let my wounded pride drive me away.

One of the youngest, Emma, spots me first. Her face lights up with recognition, but before she can call out, I press a finger to my lips. She nods, solemn and knowing in that way magical children often are, but keeps her small arms wrapped around Clara’s leg.

Clara’s magic reaches out, unconsciously seeking mine in the shadows. The connection between us flares to life, making my horns gleam despite my attempts to remain hidden. The children’s magic responds too, creating a harmonious chord that rings through the square like distant bells.

I should step forward. I should claim my place at her side. But the memory of her words “I don’t know him” holds me back. Even as every fiber of my being strains toward her, even as her newly awakened magic calls to mine, I remain in the shadows.

What right do I have to her now, when I abandoned her in her moment of need?

The thought freezes me in place as I watch her comfort my charges, our charges, with a gentleness that makes my chest ache. She’s everything I dreamed of in a mate—fierce and protective, yet tender with those who need it most.

Clara’s head snaps toward my hiding spot, her magic reaching out like tendrils of warmth against my shadows. Those glowing eyes find mine unerringly in the shadows. Our eyes lock, and the world seems to pause. The connection between us pulses.

“Krampus.” My name falls from her lips like a prayer. “I can feel you.”

The children part like a small sea as I step forward, my cloak writhing with shadows. Emma’s tiny hand slips into mine, grounding me.

Clara’s eyes widen, and I see the moment understanding crashes over her. Her knees buckle. I move without thinking, catching her before she can fall.

“My stories.” Her voice breaks. “All this time... they were spells. Victoria knew. She—” Her fingers dig into my arms. “She had me writing light magic, pure holiday cheer, pushing out all the darkness. I was hurting you. I was hurting all of you.”

The truth of it stings, but her anguish cuts deeper. “You didn’t know.”

“But I felt it. Every time I wrote, something felt... wrong. Empty. Victoria said it was just impostor syndrome, but...” A tear slides down her cheek. “I was helping her wage a war against the shadows, against you, and I didn’t even know it.”

My hands cup her face, thumbs brushing away tears. “Listen to me, little mate. You were a weapon they tried to use against us, yes. But you fought it, even when you didn’t understand what you were fighting.”

She trembles beneath my touch, her magic flickering like a candle in the wind. The children press closer, their own powers instinctively reaching out to steady hers. My chest swells with pride at their protective nature.

“Your stories never fully conformed to what they wanted.” I trace the ink stains on her fingers. “Every time they pushed for pure light, you found ways to weave in shadows. Those mysterious strangers in your holiday tales? The ancient magic in your winter nights? That was your true power fighting through.”

“But I still—”

I press my forehead to hers, my horns carefully angled away. “No. You protected these children just now without hesitation. That’s who you truly are.”

Clara’s breath catches. Her fingers find mine where they rest against her cheek. “I thought I was just writing stories. But they were more, weren’t they? They were...” Her eyes widen. “Grimoires.”

“Yes. Each book a spell, each word magic.” My thumb traces her bottom lip. “But you fought their influence. Every dark moment you snuck past their censors weakened their hold on winter magic.”

Her magic surges again, and this time I feel her consciously direct it. The air fills with shimmering words, fragments of her stories dancing around us like snow.

“I can see it now.” Wonder fills her voice. “The magic in the words. It’s always been there, hasn’t it? Even when Victoria tried to...” Her jaw tightens. “She wanted me to write pure light magic to bind the winter court.”

I nod, pride and pain mingling in my chest. “But you didn’t. Your magic, your true nature, kept fighting back. Light and shadow, joy and sorrow—winter holds both. You simply hadn’t learned to see the whole yet.”

“And now?” Her fingers trace the runes etched into my armor.

“Now you’re awakening to your true power.” My voice roughens as her magic twines with mine. “The grimoire magic within you was always meant to bridge both worlds. Victoria tried to suppress half of what you are, but she couldn’t change your essence. You were never meant to be contained.”

I catch her hand as she reaches for me, pressing my lips to her ink-stained fingers. “You’ve always had the power to write both light and shadow. To see the beauty in both.”

“Because I’m yours.” The words slip out like a revelation. “Your mate.”

Her words strike deep, healing something broken inside me. But before I can respond, frost creeps across the cobblestones. The temperature plummets.

No. Not now.

Victoria’s silver-white form materializes at the edge of the square, her pristine suit now replaced by gleaming armor that radiates pure light, her perfectly coiffed silver hair now a crown of crystalline spikes. But she’s not alone.

A dozen Light Court warriors flank her, their crystalline weapons catching the wan sunlight. Dread seeps through my veins when I spot the markings carved into their weapons—enchantments designed expressly to trap and nullify winter’s power.

The children huddle closer. Emma’s small hand tightens in mine as Clara’s magic flares defensively.

“Step away from the children.” Victoria’s melodic voice carries an edge of steel. “We’re here to free them from this monster’s influence.”

Clara’s power surges, wild and protective. But she’s untrained, and the Light Court are ancient warriors. My muscles coil as I push her behind me.

“You brought an army against children?” Clara’s voice shakes with fury. “And you dare call him the monster?”

Victoria’s face contorts, revealing something ancient and cold beneath. “Oh, my dear. You have no idea what true monsters are.” She raises her hand, ice-white magic gathering at her fingertips. “But you’re about to learn.”

The Light Court warriors move in perfect synchronization, their weapons forming a circle of deadly light around us. I bare my teeth, shadows swirling around me as my demon form fully emerges.

I can’t fight them all and protect the children too.

Then Clara’s hand finds mine, and her magic, raw and untamed, crashes into my own like a tidal wave.