Page 7 of Nice

"Yes, she is, Master. She is completely yours." His voice is soft and low, if not just a touch patronizing.

A snarl lights up my brain. "Back. The fuck. Up."

He raises his hands again before slinking back to the opening. "I understand Master, but even you know this is wrong."

I shake my head, the voice screaming on one end, and my humanity screaming at the other. It's enough to start a small ache in my skull. Before me, my fae lies there, her body shaking, her brows furrowed. Slowly, I back away, my eyes never leaving her body. "

“Restrain her." My voice is soft and hoarse. Nothing like my normal timber. I need to get out of here. Even if it's just for a breath of air.

I turn, leaving Fredrick to his task. He won't touch her inappropriately. That I know for certain. I trust him with everything I own, even my life. Now, I’ve just got to convince my beast that she's safe with him. I feel him in there, rattling his chains and roaring his displeasure. If he had any say, I'd go back in there and impale my morsel on my aching cock. She's there to appease my needs and nothing else. The fact that I'm walking away fills both of us with great displeasure.

It only takes a few moments to reach my front door. I heave it open and step outside, letting the stinging cold bite at my skin. The small slices of pain ground me and help me clear my mind. What the hell was I thinking? There's no way I can lose control like that again. Not with her. The further I separate myself, the easier I can breathe. My beast has slumped back down to lick his wounds, but I know he'll be back. I've got to fortify myself.

With a firm nod, I start the trek out to North Pole Proper. I didn't think the time would come to see Ein Hexenmeister, but it seems like it's becoming more necessary the further this goes. I owe it to Caitlin to be at my best, even if that means seeing the old coot. I wrap my arms about me, trying to ignore the peppering of snow hitting my body like bullets. I'll consider this my penance for letting myself go that far with her.

After what feels like hours, the town gate comes into view. The moment I cross over into the city, the snow stops, and the air is warm and heavy, easing the ache in my bones. Underneath my feet, snow still crunches, a testament to the magic of the place. Bright lights twinkle about in every hue, painting a cheery diorama. It's nauseating. From their festive shops, males and females call out their wares, their voices tinkling in the night. Even the sound of the voices ring out like sleigh bells in a crisp, cold night. The moment I enter, the joyful, raucous merriment stops for a moment. The air stills in the pregnant pause. Every time. Every damn time.

Elves and denizens of NPP scurry away from me, their eyes tilted down to the ground. Adults grab their children and hide them behind colorful clothing. I look down at my own ensemble of pure black and sigh. Even my clothes are different.

Shaking my head, I use every inch of willpower not to snarl and scare the children, even in good fun. But it would serve them right. They ostracize me like I'm the boogieman. What they fail to realize is, I have no beef with them. Ever.

It's the naughty women that catch my eye. Sneering, I look at the good women of NPP with their concealing clothes and prim attitudes. None of them entice me in the smallest bit. Yeah. No one here will ever need to fear my more carnal attentions.

I traverse the winding streets, the smells of gingerbread and hot cocoa lift on the breeze, filling my nose with its cloying scent. Pausing for a moment, I look down the darkened alley to my right and smile. The Mistletoe Lodge flashes out in the cul-de-sac a ways down, the familiar blink of red and white calms my nerves.

At least my old haunt is still here. Perhaps I need to visit the Yule Tithings section before I go back and destroy my human. My balls tighten as I think about her, naked on my table. At this rate, I'll be blue balling even before really starting anything. Gritting my teeth, I turn from the beckoning light and continue onto my destination.

The air grows a touch chillier as I near Ein Hexenmeister. By this point, I must be at the very edge of NPP. Many people don't come this way. It's evident by the lack of festive cheer thrown up on nearly every other surface. The slight hint of snow crunches under my feet, and involuntarily, I shiver. Whispers of Ein Hexenmeister filled my family house, and if the stories were to be believed, the houses before that. If there truly were a boogieman in NPP, Ein Hexenmeister would be it. But, at this point, I fear I have no other options.

My humanity has never wavered like this before. In my centuries as Krampus, I've never lost control. Hell, it's the one thing I pride myself on. Closing my eyes, I reach down within me, trying to connect back with the beast.

Anger, pain, and loneliness swirl up, almost like releasing a valve on a balloon. For a moment, I'm unable to see, think, or feel anything except the pain ravaging through me. It steals my breath for a moment. Leaning down, I drop my head between my knees, anything to catch my breath. I knew there were issues, but damn.

"You don't look so hot, my friend. Can I interest you in a hot beverage?"

My lips curl up as I prepare to blast this interloper with my ire. I lift my gaze, stopping short as my vision is assaulted by the garish fabrics in front of me. Reds, greens, whites, and blues crisscross in a dizzying pattern. My brain tries to make sense of it, find some sort of pattern, but it's failing hopelessly. Traveling further up, I eye the paunchy figure, making my way up to a jovial face. If I didn't know better, my first thought would be Kringle, but not only is he dead, the face is a night and day difference from Father Christmas. The twinkle in his eye and quick smile is the same, but that's the only thing. Still, my heart clenches for a moment at the sight.

"No thank you. I'm actually heading somewhere."

He looks around, a chuckle bouncing his belly up and down. Again, a shaft of pain hits my heart, leaving me breathless.

"To be this far from town, I can only assume you're here to see Ein Hexenmeister."

The knowing look in his eyes makes my stomach turn a bit. His gaze is one that knows too much. One that can see through anything. I put my head back down, intimated by that gaze. My gut churns as I look at the snow.

Goosebumps explode over my skin. Pausing for a moment, I catch my breath and rise to my full height. I stand about a good foot above the man. He looks me up and down, sizing me up before his mouth breaks into a wide grin.

"You must be Asmodeus! Wow. You've grown into such a fine, young man."

I squint at the stranger, that churning getting stronger. "How do you know me."

"Well, I delivered you, of course. I never forget an aura." He keeps smiling at me, his eyes twinkling.

"Excuse me?"

"That's right! Marcus Dreher. But many just know me as Ein Hexenmeister. Do I presume correctly? You traverse this way to meet me?"

My mind spins as I take in this man in front of me. I have no memory or knowledge of this man. Father never even mentioned him specifically, just Ein Henxenmeister in general. Does he show up at all births? Or just those of monsters? I eye his outstretched hand pointing in the direction of his cottage. This certainly seems to be the right place.