Calanis blushes. “It’s an elf’s job. Spreading Christmas cheer isn’t easy, but it must be done.”
I sit on the left, grabbing the blanket that Mrs. Klaus herself made for me. My heart swells as I look at the pattern of horns, arrows, and tombstones. Calanis needs to stop telling everyone my damn business, but I know she won’t.
Candy sits next to me, and Mortem on the other side. I toss the handmade quilt across all of our laps.
Candy touches my thigh, and it feels like my whole body is on fire. “How? How did you know?”
“Santa knows everything,” I say with a smile, and Candy’s expression returns to the one from all those months ago…hopeful.
“Hold on tight,” Calanis says as the sleigh suddenly lurches, but we aren’t in Cupidale anymore, no. We’re in the snow-covered streets of Austria. Christmas lights sparkle around us as the horses gallop and the cupid next to me gasps in surprise.
“This is amazing,” Candy whispers.
“You’re amazing.” I take a risk and kiss her temple.
She all but melts against my touch. When I look over at Mortem, he seems to have a mix of jealousy, wonder, and confusion written on his face.
The horses clomp through the snow as large snowflakes fall from the sky, and the reflection of the lights brightens Candy’s face.
Suddenly, confusion takes over her face as she looks at me.
“Wait, shouldn’t this be your busiest time of year?” she asks.
Calanis laughs, and I grab Candy’s hand under the blanket.
“I’m retired now. I can go anywhere, live anywhere. My schedule, my job, is no longer a conflict.”
“Is that the only reason you came back?” she says, trying to take her hand away.
Damn, I fucked up so badly with this cupid.
I let go of her hand and her breath hitches in worry as I cup her face with both palms.
“No, it’s just the kick in the ass I needed to go after what I really want.”
Candy sighs, wrapping her fingers around my wrists as she tugs my hands away.
“How do you two know this? How do you know you want me? You don’t even know me.”
“You’re right, we don’t know you,” Mortem says and Candy’s face falls. “But we want to. You can’t deny this connection. You’re a cupid, you know how deep infatuation can go and what that leads to. Krampus and I will do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to prove that we’re all in.”
“Calanis understands now,” Calanis says, making Candy smirk.
“Do you think I should forgive them, Calanis?” Candy says, as my supposed elf friend smiles at her.
“Calanis thinks yes, but Calanis also thinks they should work harder.”
“Calanis,” I scold in irritation, and she shrugs.
“Well, I must be getting you back to Cupidale. Calanis has many Christmas gifts to make for the children.”
The sleigh lurches again, and we’re back in front of the banquet hall.
“Thank you, Calanis,” Candy says, touching the elf’s shoulder.
Mortem gets out of the sleigh first, holding out a hand and helping Candy down.
“What, no gentlemanly gesture for me?” I complain to Mortem, who sighs and then holds out his hand.
