4. Candy

“ K nock ’em dead, Candy,” Gloom says, shoving me through the entrance of the party. It’s in the same space where we have our Love New Year, but instead of hearts and confetti, everything is pink Christmas.

The entrance is lined with pink Christmas trees dusted in fake snow; massive glittering snowflakes hang from the ceiling along with pink garland zig-zagging over the rafters.

“Wow,” I say out loud, not able to contain myself.

“I know, right? I’m not going to lie, I’m really crushing this Head Cupid gig,” Love, interim-Head Cupid, inspiration, and role model says next to me.

We’re both on the shorter side, so we’re eye to eye when I face her. Don’t act like an idiot, not in front of the cupid I admire most.

“It’s really stunning. You’ve done so much to bring all the beings of the veil together,” I say.

Love smiles and links her arm with mine, like we’re best friends. I gladly accept. No offense to Gloom—someone can have two best friends.

“You know, I never really thought about how romantic the holiday season is. I’ve always been so focused on getting my quotas for the year and celebrating at the Love New Year. But it truly is a season of being thankful and giving to those you love.”

“Oh, I don’t have anyone to share the holidays with,” I say, and Love pats my arm with her beautifully manicured hand.

“The party has just started. Who knows where the magic of Christmas will lead you.” Love bounces on her feet a little. “Oh, have you met Doom?”

I tilt my head as she leads me to an unfamiliar reaper. He’s handsome enough, but doesn’t hold a candle to Mortem or Krampus. I plaster a smile on my face and remember the plan I made with Ladybird.

Make Mortem and Krampus jealous.

“You two have fun getting to know each other,” Love says before flurrying off and greeting reapers, cupids, and other beings invited to the party.

“Hi,” I say shyly and Doom nods, looking around the room. “Are you waiting for someone too?”

“Sorry, was I that obvious?”

“No, it’s just that I am, too. My friend Ladybird said I should play coy and make them jealous.”

Doom’s dark eyebrows crease. “Gloom told me to do the same thing.”

I take a relieving breath, there was no way I could use someone to make Krampus and Mortem jealous, but if it’s beneficial to the both of us?

“How do you feel about a mutually beneficial flirtation for the night?” I ask him.

“You mean we act like we’re together to make the people we really want jealous?”

“Yes, deal is off as soon as one of us decides the game is over.”

He looks around the room, his gaze stopping on the new cupid Maple.

“All right.” He holds out his hand and we shake on it. “Should we dance?”

“Sounds perfect,” I reply as instrumental holiday music hums through the space.

The dance floor is covered in fake snow as more trickles down from the ceiling. It’s romantic, even if Doom’s hand in mine feels like nothing.

What if they don’t show up?

What if they’re not even interested?

Doom and I sway to the music. With each turn we make, I look around, searching for a set of impressive horns or eyes so dark I think I could get lost in them forever.

My breath hitches as I see Mortem steps into view. He came. He’s wearing a sharp inky black suit, his dark gaze searching the dance floor until he sees me. He pauses, and I swear his Adam’s apple bobs.

As quickly as the moment happens, it fades away when he notices Doom’s hand in mine.

Doom must realize I’m no longer moving because he stops and follows my gaze.

“Candy?” he sighs my name.

“Yes,” I say, not looking away from Mortem.

“Is my scary, mean-ass boss the man you were trying to make jealous?” I swear I can see his pulse beating in his neck.

“Oh… um, yeah. Mortem.”

“Deal’s off. Let’s hope I’m not decommissioned in the middle of the night.” He groans, his hands falling off me like I’m contagious.

I turn back to where Mortem stands, his power hypnotizing as he makes his way toward me. Cupids and reapers alike make a path for him, not daring to get in his way.

Okay, remember what Ladybird said, don’t make this easy on them. They left you in limbo for months. Don’t just forgive them because they’re handsome or trying. Make them work for it.

I keep chanting it in my head, but the faster he approaches, the more brain cells I lose.

I forgot how tall he is. How dark his eyes and hair are and how magic nearly crackles in his presence.

When he finally reaches me, I have to crane my neck to look up at him.

“Funny seeing you here, little cupid,” he says. He’s not touching me, but I clearly have his full attention.

You need to have a backbone with these types of men, I remind myself.

“Oh, were you hoping to not see me for another six months?”

Mortem arches an eyebrow at me, and I can’t tell if he likes this newfound fire or not.

“I deserve that.”

I blink at him rapidly before nodding. “Yes, you do.”

“Are you with…Doom now?” he asks, his voice lethal; it excites me far more than it should.

Maybe Ladybird was right about a little jealousy.

“Would you blame me?”

His jaw ticks, and he simply shakes his head. I have to hold back a smile. Okay, he’s not unaffected, he’s happy to see me?

I place a hand on my hip and glare at him for a moment.

“Why? Why did you kiss me that night and run off? You’re the Head Reaper, you can travel all the realms, you could have sent a message.”

“Can we talk somewhere private?” he asks.

I swallow and steel my spine. Do not give in to his charms. Not yet, anyway.

Instead, I nod and turn on my heel, hoping he greatly appreciates how my ass looks in this tight dress. Without a word leave the hall and head outside, and I take a seat on an empty bench.

Mortem follows me dutifully, unbuttons his jacket and adjusts his pants before sitting down. I don’t have to break my neck to look at him now, but unfortunately for my resolve, he’s even prettier in the moonlight.

He’s obviously slightly uncomfortable as he looks around us, making sure no one is eavesdropping.

He clears his throat, adjusting on the bench multiple times.

Do I make the Head Reaper nervous?

I decide to make it worse by crossing my arms under my breasts and pushing them up even more, which I didn’t think was possible. It works as he glances down at my cleavage, his throat bobbing again.

Mortem scratches the back of his neck, and it’s almost like he can’t find the words. It makes me feel guilty, even though I’m still annoyed with him.

“I’m not with Doom, or anyone else,” I blurt, and his brows knit together.

“What about Krampus?”

I sigh heavily. “I didn’t hear from either one of you after that night,” I admit.

Mortem’s face falls, the most emotion I’ve seen from him so far tonight.

“Fuck, Candy. I didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do. So what do you have to say?” I demand.

Wow, I’ve gotten incredibly good at being a bad bitch in a short amount of time. Ladybird should run a bad bitch academy.

“I’ve been alone a long time, maybe not in my bed, but…”

I spring up from the bench. “If you’re here to tell me about everyone you had sex with over the last six months, I’m out. Because you know what I’ve been doing over the last six months? Pining after you and Krampus, wondering what I did wrong, why every other cupid can find love yet I seem to be unlovable. So if you’re here to tell me you moved on… well, you can… you can kiss my ass, Mortem.”

I storm off, my heels clicking against the cobblestones as tears threaten to ruin my perfect makeup.

“Wait a hot fucking second,” Mortem says, his long legs easily outpacing my heels and tight dress can.

He blocks my path, creating an imposing figure, and he firmly grabs my chin, his long fingers cradling my face as he forces me to look at him.

“There has been no one since that night. I’m just trying to explain.”

“Oh,” I reply, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“May I continue, little cupid?”

My lip must tremble slightly, and Mortem’s hand leaves my face only to take off his jacket and place it over my shoulders.

“I’m listening.” I clutch his jacket around my body. It smells like him. Like cedarwood and musk, wholly masculine. It’s actually doing wonders for calming my nerves.

“I’ve had reapers in my bed, but never in my heart. I never let myself get close to others because if I do, it gives them the ability to ruin me. That night was the first time in a very long time I felt anything. Frankly, it scared me to death,” he says with a smirk. Even I have to appreciate his good pun. “I ran away because I knew if I let you in, if I let him in, there would be no going back.”

I accept his reasoning, but I’m still a little pissed.

“A message saying you weren’t ready or your heart wasn’t open would have gone a long way.”

He frowns. “I’m not a cupid, Candy. I don’t think that way. I thought I could avoid you and forget.”

“Did you? Forget?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“But what does that mean, Mortem? I’m not going to let you blind me with your charm and stature at an event, only to leave broken-hearted, again.”

“I’m still not sure I should be here.”

He’s like a ping-pong ball, bouncing between his feelings and how he should act. Frankly, it’s exhausting.

What would Ladybird do?

I grab his suit jacket and shove it into his chest. Then I straighten my spine.

“I’m a prize. I deserve someone who is all in, so if you can’t be that, I suggest you go back to your realm. My heart is not a toy,” I say.

His face is stoic for a long moment as he glances at me while gripping his jacket tightly. I take a few steps back from him, and he doesn’t move.

It feels like my heart sinks to my ass, but I have to protect myself. I can’t go through another half-year of pining. I need to set everything straight now.

Mortem goes to open his mouth and say something as a massive snowball hits the side of his face.

My mouth parts in surprise as a giggle slips out, and I cover my mouth, even though I can’t hold back the laughter.

Mortem and I both turn to see who threw the bright pink snowball, there he is—Krampus, his horns covered in tinsel and he has a wide grin plastered on his face. His dirty blonde hair falls loose around his face as he packs another snowball.

“Should I hit him with one more, Candy darling?”

I cross my arms. “I’m mad at you too!” I shout across the field.

“Yes, but I’m all in. I’m here to win your heart,” he says, winding up the snowball, intending to hit Mortem, who moves out of the way at the last minute.

Krampus’ smile is wide as he adjusts his jacket.

The outfit is slightly hideous while also being endearing at the same time? It’s green velvet with black filigree over the design. He’s even taller than Mortem with his horns.

Mortem looks pissed as he cleans all the snow off of him while Krampus approaches.

“Couldn’t help but overhear the entirety of your conversation.”

“So then you know she’s equally as pissed at you too, goat boy.”

“First and foremost, that’s goat man to you, and second, I didn’t reach out because I had no way to and I didn’t see how this could work with the realm I live and work in. However, my circumstances have changed. I’m fully ready to commit. That’s if you’ll have me, Candy darling,” he says with a grin.

I’m sure my expression is confused. Part of me wants to grab his horns and kiss his face, the other part wants him to work for it.

Instead, I smile at both of the men.

“Actions speak louder than words, gentlemen. Merry Christmas,” I say.

I may or may not walk away with more hip swing than necessary. I don’t turn around as I re-enter the party and find Gloom, Ladybird, and Cupiō hanging out at the tables. I plop down in my seat, and all of them look at me expectantly.

“How did it go?” Gloom asks excitedly.

“I told them actions speak louder than words, wished them a Merry Christmas, and walked away.”

Gloom looks confused while Ladybird beams like a proud mother.

“Oh, Candy, you’re in for the night of your life,” she says, holding up her pink fizzy drink. I do the same.

As soon as I take a sip, the reality of my surprising badassery sinks in, and I start to panic.

Ladybird taps the top of my head.

“No panicking. I’m sure they’re outside formulating a plan to win you back. Bask in their groveling. Trust me.”

I take a deep breath. If they really want me, if they want to make up for these six months of torture, they should be willing to put in the work.

I’m not accepting anything less than complete devotion. Despite my confident words, I down the rest of my drink and look around the banquet hall, but find no sight of my guys.

What if it was all too much?