Page 42 of Wed to Krampus

“Why not?”

He stammered. “Be-because I’ve never visited someone before. I mean, I’ve never been to a human’s house before.”

I turned to the seller and told him I would buy the bear and the block set. Krampus hurried to pay, though he didn’t look or sound very convinced about the visit.

“It will be great, you’ll see,” I assured him.

“I don’t know, Aura. I can take you there and wait for you with Snowdrop and Frost.”

“Nonsense! Mina and Joseph will love meeting you. And you’ll love meeting them. They’re my best friends ever. I don’t know what I would’ve done without Mina after... you know... I lost my house.”

He nodded. “Okay. I’ll give it a try. For you. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

I laughed and nudged him teasingly. “You’re always on your best behavior, my dear husband.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Krampus

The fact that I couldn’t say no to Aura was going to be the death of me. Well, not literally, now that I knew humans could be nice once they got to know me a little. But she was putting me in situations that required me to step way out of my comfort zone.

Following her directions, I drove us to her friend’s house.

“Mina is not expecting us, is she?” I asked.

“No, but she’ll love the surprise. It will be great, you’ll see.”

It was hard for me to be as optimistic as she was. I remained silent and found the house, then got off and helped Aura down. This time, Frost would not wait outside. He walked to the front door with us, and I tried to shoo him a few times, but Aura pulled at my sleeve, scolding me.

“Let him come with us. Mina and Joseph love animals.”

She knocked on the door, and it was all I could do to not turn on my heel and bolt. I stood behind her, painfully aware of my height. I was taller than the door! And wider too. To get into the house, I would have to fold myself somehow, or turn sideways and shuffle in. It was going to be an embarrassment, and I would make a decent impression on exactly no one.

A dark-haired woman with a round belly opened the door. At the sight of my wife, she beamed, but then she looked past Aura’s diminutive stature and saw me. Next to me, she saw Frost, who was wagging his tail like mad. Her smile dropped.

“Joseph,” she called out. “We have guests!”

Aura ignored the way her friend’s face had just blanched and jumped into her arms.

“Mina! You’re not upset I dropped by unannounced, are you? I didn’t know for sure I could come, and I wouldn’t have been able to let you know in advance, anyway. These past few days have been intense! I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too,” Mina said, embracing Aura. She didn’t look away from me, though.

A man with blond hair and blue eyes appeared behind her. He did a double take, and I got the impression he wanted to run back inside and grab something, maybe a weapon, but then he steeled himself when he saw Aura, and even forced a smile to his thin lips.

Aura reached for my hand and pulled me forward.

“This is my husband, Krampus. I really wanted you to meet him.”

The humans and I greeted each other in a reserved, polite manner.

“Come in,” Joseph said. “Mina will make...” He exchanged a glance with his wife. “Tea?”

“Yes. I’ll put the kettle on,” Mina said.

“I’ll help,” Aura offered.

And now for the part that I was dreading. Aura slipped inside, and after her, Frost, who got plenty of pets from both Mina and Joseph. They were impressed by his size, but not put off. At this point, I was convinced it was easier to exist in the world as an oversized dog than an oversized... Krampus.

---