Railed by the Krampus (Valley of the Old Gods Book 3) by Dalia Davies

Author:Dalia Davies [Davies, Dalia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BSP
Published: 2022-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

Presents & Punishments

I’m not surprised it’s the Krampus who waits for me, instead of Klaus.

His dark expression isn’t a surprise either, but I don’t let that stop me as I carry the swans forward.

“Yesterday was… unpleasant.” He says, holding out his hand.

The swans in their icy sphere lift from my arms, floating toward him, but they don’t make it to his clawed fingers.

With a twist of his hand, the sphere is wrapped in an ornate silver cage. And he flings it into the tree with all the other baubles.

“We’re not pleased with you.” The Krampus watches me, slowly tapping his claws on the arm of his chair. “Why did you try to steal the hat?”

“Because I have to give it to Ester.”

He straightens, his jaw tensing, and I can’t read the expression on his face. I don’t think he’s mad….

“Geese don’t lay eggs in the winter. I had to make a deal to fulfil the sixth line on that list.”

“And you chose to go to her instead of coming here to ask us to change it.”

“Would you have done that?”

He licks his lips, watching me. “For you… there is quite a lot we would do.”

He says it lowly enough, I’m not certain I was meant to hear it.

“Stealing isn’t nice, Holly. We can’t reward you.”

My gaze trails to those birch rods.

“But knowing why… We can’t punish you either.”

“Where do we stand, then?”

His golden gaze slides from me to the tree. “There are gifts.”

I look, too, at the piles of neatly wrapped presents.

“Take one,” he says.

It feels like a trick. “Which one?”

“Whichever feels right to you.”

The closer I get to the tree, the larger it gets.

Those presents are all different sizes. Some are taller than me, others are small enough they might hold one of those pieces of coal I asked for to start this whole farce.

But it’s not meant to be a reward, so I take one of the smaller ones toward the front, and when I turn back, the Krampus smiles at me with all of his teeth.

“Open it.”

I pull the ribbon free and with one more glance at him, I lift the box lid.

Inside, nestled on a tiny velvet pillow…. A crinkly green bow attached to the flared base of a dark, metal plug.

The Krampus’ arm wraps around me as he steps behind me and bends close to kiss the spot behind my ear.

“Just imagine,” He says, his whisper tickling at my ear. “If you had chosen one of the larger ones.”

His chuckle sends a warm tremor through me.

“You’re getting off easy, little berry.” Hand on my waist, he pulls me back against him and turns me to face the throne. “On your hands and knees.”

When my hand goes to the clasp at the side of my skirt, he clucks his tongue and I feel him shake his head. “Not this time.”

He plucks the plug from my hand and sucks it like a lollipop, brow raised as he nudges me forward.

I climb up onto the throne and press my forehead to the velvety back of the seat, waiting.

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