It’s different when feelings are involved, and I wasn’t particularly prepared for how transcendent this would all feel.
Tonight.
I’m going to tell them both how I feel tonight. I’m fully dressed in my black suit. Krampus went to the North Pole to find some attire, and I’m praying the elves don’t dress him in something absolutely horrific. Chances are I could wish all I want, but those elves are going to put him in something tacky.
Candy, however, I expect to look stunning in something she purchased from my realm.
“Come in,” she says softly, and I crack the door open.
She’s applying shimmering glitter to her cheekbones, and she looks ravishing.
Candy stands, doing a quick twirl in her dress that flares out around her hips, and shimmers in the light.
“What do you think?”
“Stunning, like a true princess.”
Her cheeks turn that darker shade of pink I’ve become obsessed with.
“Come. We’ll meet Krampus there. I’m sure that little elf friend of yours has him in some tragic gold monstrosity.”
She laughs and holds out her hand to mine. I kiss her knuckles and portal us to the space for the event.
Morticia and Candy outdid themselves. Black tents are placed alongside the river, slow tickles of rain splashing the sides. Black and gold balloons fill the space, while gold sparkling streamers are attached to the ceiling. There are black high tops filled with sparkling wine towers and a massive buffet. On the other side, there is a dance floor.
It’s tasteful, a true reaper event if I’ve ever seen one, and it’s littered with all different beings from the veil.
A sense of pride fills me.
“You did a wonderful job.”
“It was your idea,” Candy says shyly.
“It was, even though the bastard didn’t lift a finger,” a voice I would know anywhere says, Morticia approaches us, a drink already in hand.
“Thank you for your hard work, Morticia.”
“It wasn’t as excruciating as I thought it would be,” my assistant says. “Oh, don’t look now. It’s the annoying little one.”
Suddenly, Love, the interim Head Cupid, and Death, one of my most successful reapers, are in front of us.
Death looks like he would rather die than be here right now, but he nods respectfully.
“Oh, Mortem, this party is fantastic. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I don’t. It’s all thanks to Morticia and Candy.”
Love claps her hands together. “Well, none of this would have happened without Morticia,” Love says easily. “Or that sweet old Santa Claus.”
I tilt my head and Candy looks just as confused as me.
“What?” Love says, acting like we’re stupid. “I couldn’t let a true love match slip through my fingers. Do you think it’s a coincidence that you and Krampus came to the Christmas party in Cupidale? Or that Ladybird forced you to go to the event? Shesh, a cupid’s work is never done,” she says, grabbing Death’s hand and dragging him away.
I’m worried Candy will feel played, but instead, she’s smiling and shaking her head.
“This is why she’s my idol,” Candy says dreamily. “Dance with me?”
“Always.”
