Page 51 of Kraved By Krampus

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 powersinstinctively 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.

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