“Does Love live in this building?” I ask and Morticia snorts.
“Your annoying temporary leader lives with the rest of the peasants, I’m afraid. I’m sure their accommodations in Cupidale are a fairer standard of living.”
“Why?”
“Mostly because Mortem and Death don’t get along. He likes living with his lower-ranked friends. If they wanted to, they could easily live in this building.”
“They don’t get along?” I swallow, wondering if that means Love won’t want anything to do with me.
The idea of my cupid idol hating me is unfathomable.
“I think sometimes when people are too similar, they can butt heads more often than not. Plus, Mortem isn’t who he was all those centuries ago.”
The elevator opens, and she points for me to get out.
“I’ll let you know if I need more help for the event. I think I might not hate it if we did this again sometime,” she says as I get off the elevator and the doors shut.
I have absolutely hit the lottery with strong female friends, and I couldn’t be more grateful. When I spin around and look at Mortem’s apartment, it’s plain, and mainly in black and white.
Everything in the space has a purpose. There is nothing out of place and nothing where it doesn’t belong. I hate to say it, but I absolutely loathe it, not that I’d ever admit that to Mortem.
All the thoughts of how much I hate this apartment die off as the elevator opens and Krampus and Mortem are laughing. Both of them have their heads thrown back, full-blown smiles on their faces. It’s one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
Mortem has to get himself under control, and I’m awestruck by how happy he seems.
“Krampus was just telling me how he handled the reapers who didn’t show up to work the other night.”
“Oh?” I ask, feeling like I’m out of the loop.
“You’re going to have to show me your beast form so I can really picture it,” Mortem says.
“His beast form is beautiful,” I say, with my hands on my hips.
Mortem’s joyous expression leaves his face. “You showed her your true form?” he asks, questioning Krampus.
“Oh, he did more than show me,” I say, and maybe I’m irritated because I’m left out of the joke, or maybe I don’t want Krampus to be self-conscious about his form.
I expect a bad reaction, but instead, Mortem approaches me with a heavy-lidded gaze.
“You love taming monsters, don’t you, princess?”
I swallow and glance over at Krampus, who clearly isn’t coming to my rescue. He’s totally into whatever this is.
“Tell me, did you fuck him? Did you fuck the beast that made a reaper piss his pants?”
I clear my throat and glance at Krampus. “No, but I wanted to.”
“We’ll have to work you up to that. Starting tonight.”
Krampus stands beside Mortem, wrapping a hand around his waist, and I track the motion. Something low in my belly, tingling at the small sign of intimacy. This is what I wanted so badly. It’s right in front of me, and all I have to do is take it.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Well, you want to fit him inside you in his true form. You should be able to take us both at the same time.”
I lick my lips.
