Page 37 of Courting the Krampus
Adelbert continues, “The fated bond causes forced proximity, but it still gives you the choice of getting to know your partner. According to the lore I found, this is a rare occurrence, only to appear about once every thousand years, depending on if the fates deem it necessary.”
“Ah, Bertie, you saying we’re special?” Jasper jokes, but I sense the tension lying underneath the casual comment as his fingers flex slightly against my waist.
“That’s precisely what I’m saying, Jasper,” Adelbert says sternly. “Can I continue, or does anyone else have a joke to make?” By the way he’s tugging at his hair, Adelbert is extremely stressed about sharing his findings with us, but there’s no need to be short with someone who uses humor as a coping mechanism.
I’m about to give him a piece of my mind, but Cole’s hand tightens on mine and he gives a subtle shake of his head, clearly reading my intention.
I study Cole’s profile as he focuses on the screen. His neck has the most beautiful holly tattoo and tonight I want to give it a lot of attention. Maybe trace the leaves with my tongue and swirl it around the berries. I want to count each piercing in those pointed ears with my teeth, nibble around them, until Cole is quivering underneath me, begging me to fuck him.
Cole snaps me out of my daydreams when he cocks his head as if to hear Adelbert better. “If you make physical contact with your partner, the bond will grow stronger. I believe theurgeto be close to your partner becomes intense and perhaps even uncomfortable, so please proceed with caution.”
Is this why we can’t keep our hands off each other? Because once we touch we keep wanting to touch more and more?Makes sense, because I literally can’t go five minutes without wanting to be with one of them. But it also begs the question if it’s just the bond pushing us together or if they like me enough towantto be with me.
Adelbert answers my silent question when he explains, “If youchoose topursue the relationship, grow genuine feelings for each other, and make a consciouschoiceto be together, then the fated bond becomes a mate bond.”
Behind me, Jasper whispers, “A mate bond.” It’s so soft, I don’t think I was meant to hear it.
I know I must be missing the gravity of what this means because both males’ hands grow clammy in mine, and their chests rise and fall much more rapidly than they normally do. Cole looks pale, but the smallest hint of a smile tugs at his mouth. Can’t be all bad, then.
Everett, a dhampir, speaks next, explaining more about his bond with Sadie—who is looking more and more flushed by the minute. “This is just to say that some of my moreprimalurges come out with Sadie. I don’t know what that would be like for each of your species. Just thought it would be good to be made aware of it.”
Primal? Color me intrigued.
Over my shoulder, I study Jasper’s face, his ever-present grin that tips his lips up, and the laugh lines around his eyes. His lighthearted chuckle usually sits right below the surface, ready to be released, but he’s quiet now as he listens to what the males are saying.
What would a primal Jasper look like? Would he go full krampus on me?The thought has a shudder of desire racing down my spine and my nipples forming into hard points.
Sensing the conference call is coming to an end, I concentrate on Adelbert’s final remarks, Florence sitting demurely next to him. “To summarize: you’ve got a fated bond with forced proximity, it can intensify with touch, it can dissolve over time, or it can strengthen into a mate bond if you choose it to be so.”
One by one, people say their goodbyes and Adelbert ends the call. I lean forward to turn the device off and we’re plunged into a thick silence.
I shift on Jasper’s lap so I can see both of them. Cole’s eyes are glassy and Jasper’s bottom lip quivers, their gazes flitting between each other and me.
“You’re my mates,” Jasper states reverently. “I’m in. All in.”
“Me too,” Cole chokes out, voice thick with emotion.
My heart beats wildly at the emotional proclamation, and I feel awful for having missed exactly what this means. Not wanting to take away from the moment, but needing to be honest, I say hesitantly, “Um, you guys are going to have to explain what ‘mates’ means. I’m guessing it’s not just close friends.”
Jasper snorts, the emotional moment broken, and shakes with laughter. He bands an arm around my waist and pulls me flush to him.
Cole cups my face and traces his thumb along my cheekbone, one hand gripping Jasper’s. “It means you’re ours and we’re yours. We were made for each other and the fates brought us together in a very rare, miraculous way.”
I don’t know whose fist it is, but one squeezes tightly around my heart, a feeling of belonging seeping into my very bones. Heart flutters, stomach flutters, they’re all there as Cole’s words shatter the last walls that I have erected around my heart. I lean into their truth, letting their meaning sink into the deepest part of my being.
Everything about us has been different, magical. I’ve never felt anything like it before, not even imagined having this kind of connection with anyone, let alone two people. It’s not something you turn your back on and walk away from.
This connection is real. Raw. True.
Not yet knowing I’m ready to commit to them, Jasper adds, “But it also means you have a choice. If you don’t want to be with us then the bond will eventually go away and you can leave.” His voice turns almost pleading. “Please just take a moment to consider before deciding.”
I narrow my eyes, keeping my face as passive as I can while my heart rampages in my chest. “So you’re both in?” I ask. “With each other?”
“Yes.” The answer is immediate, confident, unanimous.
“And with me?” I ask to confirm, ready to let go of the last thread holding me back from fully diving into this relationship.
Cole swallows hard, his face etched with earnestness. “If you want us or not, our feelings don’t change. We want you.”
