I stare at the table where Candy is sitting, and I slowly approach, aware of eyes following my movement as I do.
Gloom, another reaper from my realm, is smiling wide, giving me a thumbs up while a tall female cupid I vaguely remember meeting glares at me. Cupio, the former Head Cupid, tilts his chin at me in acknowledgement.
“Mortem,” he greets.
“Cupio.” I glance back at Candy and hold out my hand. “Candy, I was hoping you would join me on the dance floor.”
Candy’s large pink eyes meet mine, and I watch as her throat bobs. She looks over at the tall female cupid, who nods at her.
“Okay,” she says, putting her small hand in mine.
Reapers and cupids alike part the dance floor as I take her to the center of the ridiculously decorated room.
She’s far shorter than me but can hold on to one of my shoulders as her other hand rests against my chest.
The music is a slow holiday melody I don’t recognize.
“Everyone is looking at us,” Candy says under her breath, and I lean down slightly, pressing my face against hers.
“Good. I wouldn’t want anyone getting the idea that you’re available to dance with anyone else.”
I’m not sure if I expect her to hit me over the possessive remark, but she surprises me by resting her cheek on my chest as we sway to the music. I keep my hands respectfully on her hips.
“Don’t be kind and sweet if you’re just going to leave again,” Candy says, looking down at the floor that’s covered in pink snow.
“I’m no good at this, Candy. But I want to be for you.”
She inhales deeply, like those are the words she’s been waiting to hear.
“I want to be someone different for you, but I’m not sure I’m capable.”
Her hand runs along my chest, her nails painted with pink Christmas trees for the occasion.
“All I wanted was for you to stay, Mortem. I don’t want you to change who you are,” Candy says, and I pull back to look down at her.
I push a piece of pink hair away from her face and I try to see myself from her eyes. I’m not sure why she would want someone like me, and maybe it’s selfish to want her to be mine. I haven’t felt this pull ever, and she needs to hear that.
“My assistant blackmailed me into coming tonight because I’ve been sulking all over Purgatory for the last six months. I’ve regretted not reaching out this whole time. I’m going to work on it. Krampus and I, we’re going to prove it to you with actions and words.”
Her pretty pink brows furrow. “Wait, where is Krampus?”
Suddenly, the doors to the front of the banquet hall open and my mouth drops as I take in the sight before me.
Irush through the North Pole until I find Calanis. She’s working on baby doll dresses for children’s gifts.
“Claw! Why are you here at the North Pole and not in Cupidale winning your lady love, and possibly your semi-evil love, too?” she says, looking furious.
“Calanis, Mortem isn’t evil.”
She rolls her overly large elf eyes and pauses her sewing.
“That does not answer why best friend Claw is back at the North Pole.”
“I need a grand gesture. I need gifts to woo her.”
A wide smile takes over her face.
“Oh, Calanis knows just the thing,” she says, hopping off her stool and wrapping her hand around my pointer finger, then tugging me down a series of hallways. I have to duck multiple times so that my horns don’t scrape the ceiling.
