I snort-laugh a little and put a hand over my face. Me, Candy, unremarkable cupid, in charge of these two men? It’s laughable, but also exactly what I wanted.
“I think I’d like that very much,” I say.
“All right, let’s get you comfortable and then I’ll show you my home.”
Mortem looks a little on edge about going to a different realm, but if he’s truly against it, he says nothing. We walk up the two flights of stairs to my apartment.
“I don’t spend a lot of time here,” I whisper as I open the door to my rather bare home.
Neither of them complains or judges as they both take a seat at the end of my bed.
“I’ll just go put something comfy on and we can go.” Krampus tilts his head, pointing to a red and white striped package.
“Someone sent you a gift?” Krampus asks.
Both of the men look irritated as I approach the gift and look at the tag.
To Candy,
Merry Christmas. Open this with Mortem and Krampus. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do (which means very little is off the table). Live your sluttiest cupid life tonight.
Love, Gloom
I laugh and shake my head. “It’s a gift from Gloom. I’ll bring it with us.”
Krampus scratches the base of his horns. “Is this Gloom also vying for your affections? I can fight. Does he know that?”
Mortem sighs. “No, he’s just a mischievous reaper that Candy, against all odds, finds endearing.”
I place my hands on my hips, Mortem’s jacket no longer hiding my modesty.
“Gloom is my best friend. Mischievous, yes. But he was there when you two weren’t, so I will not let you talk poorly about him. Is that understood?” I ask.
I swear a flush takes over Mortem’s cheeks, but he nods.
“Understood. I apologize. In my defense, I don’t like any reapers on a personal level, if that helps,” Mortem says.
It makes me smirk.
“What about Krampus?” I ask.
“He isn’t a reaper,” Mortem replies, and I smile.
“All right, you two just sit tight.” I point at them as I grab a pajama set and slip into the bathroom.
I stare at myself in the mirror and lock eyes with my reflection.
“You’re a badass cupid. You’re full of feminine rage and inspiration. Those two gigantic men outside want to worship you. They want this as bad as you do, don’t live in fear, Candy.”
There’s a knock on the door, and I jump.
“Candy, darling, are you okay in there?” Krampus asks.
“Yeah. Fine, I’ll be right out,” I shout back.
I point at my reflection one more time, just doubling down on my little inspirational moment.
As I change into my pajamas, I wonder if I should have chosen something sexier. It’s a simple pink pair of pajamas with pieces of candy printed all over them. Cupio got them for me last year for Valentine’s Day.
