Kraved by Krampus (Yule Be Mine Monster)

29. Krampus

Chapter twenty-nine

Krampus

A deep sense of satisfaction fills me as I watch Clara arrange her books on the shelf of our shared study.

The leather-bound first edition of “Shadow’s Kiss: A Winter’s Tale” takes pride of place in the center. Her fingers trace the embossed runes hidden in the cover design—protective sigils woven into what appears to be decorative snowflakes to mortal eyes.

My little mate’s creative power has grown exponentially since our binding. The shadows dance around her now, as natural as breathing, while her light still burns bright enough to warm even my ancient heart.

“The reviews are incredible.” She adjusts her reading glasses, a habit she’s kept despite no longer needing them. “They’re calling it a ‘groundbreaking reimagining of holiday fiction.’”

“Because it is.” My claws gently comb through her hair as I stand behind her. “You’ve created something entirely new, precious one. A bridge between worlds.”

She leans back against my chest, and I wrap my arms around her waist. Through our bond, I feel her contentment mingled with excitement.

“The best part is the letters from the children about my other book.” She reaches for a stack of envelopes on her writing desk. “They understand the hidden messages. Look at this one: ‘Dear Ms. Goodheart, When the main character’s hot chocolate started floating, I realized I wasn’t alone. My mom found me crying in the kitchen because I finally felt understood.’”

Pride swells in my chest. Her illustrated stories are doing exactly what we’d hoped—reaching young magic users who feel isolated and afraid, showing them they’re not alone. The perfect complement to my work at the academy.

“Speaking of which...” Clara turns in my arms, her eyes sparkling. “Your newest student arrives today, doesn’t she? The one who kept accidentally freezing her school’s water fountains?”

I nod, already anticipating the girl’s arrival. “Young Alice. Her powers manifest strongest when she’s trying to help others—she was attempting to provide cold water during a heat wave.”

“A natural protector.” Her smile brightens the room. “I’ll start working on her story tomorrow. Something about a young girl who discovers she can talk to winter itself...”

My mate’s imagination is already spinning tales, her magic humming beneath her skin. The shadows in the corner of the study writhe in response to her energy, and the eternal winter beyond our windows softens with hints of spring light.

This is everything I never dared hope for—a partner who balances darkness with light, who helps me guide the next generation of magic users.

I nuzzle against her neck, breathing in the intoxicating mix of vanilla, old books, and mine . “Perhaps we should work on creating our own little troublemakers.” My hands slide lower on her hips. “I did promise to keep you full, after all.”

Clara hits me in the ribs, but I feel her pulse quicken through our bond. “You’re incorrigible. We have a new student arriving in...” She glances at the clock. “Two hours.”

“Plenty of time.” I trail kisses down her throat, grinning as she shivers. “I am a very efficient demon.”

“That’s not the romantic proposition you think it is.” But her fingers are already tracing the runes etched into my chest.

“Would you prefer flowery poetry about filling you with my seed until you’re round with our offspring?”

She snorts, pressing her forehead against my sternum. “You’re terrible. Besides, can you imagine? Little horned babies floating the books around the library?”

“Creating shadow puppets during story time.” I catch her lips in a quick kiss. “Freezing their bath water when they don’t want to get clean.”

“Setting their siblings’ homework on fire with hellfire.” She grins against my mouth.

“That was one time , precious. And Magnus deserved it.”

“He’s a building .”

“A very annoying building.” The shadows curl around us playfully as I lift her onto her writing desk. “So, about that efficient demon proposition...”

Clara wraps her legs around my waist, and the temperature in the study drops several degrees. “Two hours, you say?”

Yes, this is everything I never dared dream of—my clever little mate, our shared future, and the family we’ll build together. A perfect balance of shadow and light.

“Race you to the bedroom?” She whispers against my lips.

I gather her closer, shadows already swirling. “Why waste time walking?”

Her delighted laughter echoes through the shadows as we disappear, leaving behind only a swirl of snowflakes and the faint scent of pine.