“You want to spend the day with me?” Vlad looked at her with shock etched into his features. He knew his young wife was attracted to him, and he would accept any attention she gifted him, but this? It sounded like she enjoyed being around him, and he had to force his face not to overreact.
“Yes… You’re my husband,” she said. “For better or worse, you and I will live for eternity together, but I don’t want centuries of hate. Vampires and witches have waged war for thousands of years, and honestly, I don’t want to fight a battle that has nothing to do with me. Someone hundreds of years ago declared war, and now I have to despise vampires? I’m not even thirty yet, and the idea that I’ll inherit the coven and have to oppose you for the rest of my immortal life sounds fucking exhausting. Maybe I’m too young and too naïve. Maybe I don’t understand the truth about why the violence started, but I prefer to be married to a man I like and not one I’m expected to annihilate.”
“You are young, but you aren’t naïve.” Vlad brushed her hair back from her face as he sat in awe of her. “No one has ever spoken so many mature and sensible things in the same breath. You’re going to be an amazing coven leader, andwhat’s more, I believe you’ll make an even better wife. So, Hell forgive me if any of my men hear the angel of death saying this, but it would honor me to spend Halloween with you.”
Belladonna smiled, moving toward him so fast that he didn’t understand what she was doing until their lips collided. She kissed him, and even though it was a quick kiss, it was his favorite one they’d shared.
“Now try the coffee.” She grinned against his mouth. “If I could use magic, I would warm it up, but room temperature will have to do.”
“I don’t need it hot. I’m just glad you brought it to me, but I have one request while I drink.”
“Okay?”
“Show me your nipples. I want to see how red and swollen they are since you enjoyed me being rough.”
Belladonna blushed four shades of crimson, but she leaned back and grabbed the hem of his shirt. She slowly dragged it over her breasts, revealing the peaked and abused buds, and Vlad groaned.
“You are perfect,” he said as he lifted the coffee to his lips.
“I know,” she teased, holding the fabric just high enough for him to see her, and he took a sip as his eyes worshipped her.
“Holy shit, so is this.” He glanced at the mug before looking back at her.
“I know.”
“And you really let all my guards try this before me?” He took a big gulp, eyes never leaving her beauty.
“Don’t get used to it, husband. I’m being nice because it’s Halloween.”
“Little witch.” Vlad shook his head as he finished the coffee. “You are going to be the reason a lot of heads roll.”
“A cat?” Vlad chuckled, and Belladonna spun for him with an exaggerated flare.
“Cats keep showing up, so I figured it would be the perfect costume,” she said, adjusting the ears protruding from her curled hair. She’d attached a tail to the back of her black dress and applied cat-like makeup to her face that was both elegant and absolutely adorable. Judging by her husband’s expression, he agreed.
“I got you a costume too,” she said, enjoying how the idea made him nervous. She’d promised him a sexy outfit, but she could tell he wouldn’t believe it until he saw it.
After her unexpected morning, they’d showered, cooked breakfast, and watched movies together. Then she’d insisted they make homemade treats for the trick-or-treaters, which Vlad pretended not to like, but she saw through his act. She ate too much. He tripped on too many cats, and she even practiced some spells, showing him which ones she would normally cast on Halloween. His reaction had been odd, though. On one hand, he seemed to enjoy the way her fingers contorted with expert skill, but he also seemed too guilty to allow himself the freedom to completely relax. She didn’t want to bring it up and spoil their fun, but the entire afternoon, she wondered if he was upset that he was making a witch live in a home without magic.
“You can dress up,” he said, “but I’m good.”
“What? You don’t want to dress up like the mouse that my cat brutally kills?” She waggled her eyebrows at his scowl. “You’re going to ruin the couple's costume.”
“A mouse?” His voice was dangerously low as he stepped forward, gripping her throat as he forced her to look up at him. “I’ll make as many caramel apples as you like, but I’m nofucking mouse. Do I need to bend you over the counter and remind you of that?”
“If I’d known that was an option, I would’ve actually purchased a mouse costume,” she shot back, stepping closer to him until their chests touched. His tattooed hand around her throat filled her with an unholy desire, and she wasn’t sure if it was Halloween or this man, but her magic was champing at the bit. It threatened to explode from her skin, wards or not, and if she didn’t break their contact, she would let Vlad take whatever he desired from her.
“I just got you ears, Mr. Grumpy Cat,” she said, pushing a pair of black ears onto his head. “You and Fang can be grumps together.”
“Stop calling me a grump.” He slammed his mouth against hers, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They’d kissed more today than they had their entire relationship, and the more they touched, the stronger her magic burned. She’d entered this marriage expecting to hate him for the rest of her life, but now? Now she worried she might kill for him. Might defend him against all others. Might lo…. No, she couldn’t admit that because, as kind as he’d been, Vlad was the angel of death. He was destruction and violence and bloodshed. She was afraid a man so steeped in carnage could never love, and if she fell for him, his inability to reciprocate would destroy her.
“The ears look good on you.” She stepped away from the kiss, suddenly upset, and she could tell he noticed her change in demeanor. Their day had been perfect, and she wished this feeling could be permanent. The truth shocked her, but it was there all the same. She wanted an actual marriage with Vlad. Not just the sex. Not just the teasing. She wanted him. Every inch. Every emotion. Every day and night and moment in between. She wanted her husband to love her.
The doorbell rang, interrupting her sudden longing, andshe plastered on an enthusiastic smile. “What do you say?” She took his hand. “You ready for trick-or-treaters?”
Belladonna and the security team had constructed two safe trick-or-treating posts for the neighbors, all of whom were shocked that the mansion had opened its gates for the first time in decades. One door led to a cozy station, meant for small children or people who scared easily. It was all pumpkins and cats and fluttering fall leaves, and she wished she could access her magic so she could add a special charm to the décor. Kids and parents alike loved it and her homemade treats, vowing to return next year if this is what the house offered, and Belladonna secretly loved the idea of being here a year later.
Vlad manned the second station, and she could tell by how hard he tried not to smile that he was having a blast. His door led to the haunted house option, and the vampires were doing an excellent job of scaring the shit out of the older teens and thrill seekers. Word of the amazing old mansion spread throughout the neighborhood, and kids would leave her station only to loop back to be terrified by Vlad. Belladonna watched her husband enjoy himself with a dangerous emotion. He’d been wary of her celebrations, but as he chased a teenage boy who was screaming like he was dying—after receiving a massive number of treats—Belladonna had the urge to throw caution to the wind and admit the truth. This man who waited for her consent, who bought her everything she wanted, who defended her, teased her, humored her cats and her Halloween extravagance and her desire to invite her parents over for dinner. He was a good man beneath the terror. Or at least he was her good man.
