6. Krampus

I rush through the North Pole until I find Calanis. She’s working on baby doll dresses for children’s gifts.

“Claw! Why are you here at the North Pole and not in Cupidale winning your lady love, and possibly your semi-evil love, too?” she says, looking furious.

“Calanis, Mortem isn’t evil.”

She rolls her overly large elf eyes and pauses her sewing.

“That does not answer why best friend Claw is back at the North Pole.”

“I need a grand gesture. I need gifts to woo her.”

A wide smile takes over her face.

“Oh, Calanis knows just the thing,” she says, hopping off her stool and wrapping her hand around my pointer finger, then tugging me down a series of hallways. I have to duck multiple times so that my horns don’t scrape the ceiling.

She unlocks the room of Naughty or Nice and we enter. I’ve been here many times for my job, but I usually stick to the naughty books to figure out the best way to scare children.

“Up,” she demands as I grab her and place her on my shoulder.

She scrolls through some tomes until she picks out a massive pink ledger. I place her on the desk, and she flips through the pages.

“Cupids are always on the good list—with only a few exceptions,” Calanis says, flipping through the list until she finds Candy’s name. “Ah. Your cupid is a romantic. This is no surprise to Calanis. Look, this is her dream,” Calanis says, pointing at the words.

“How the fuck am I supposed to get that to Cupidale?” I ask her.

She pinches me hard, and then lightly slaps the same spot.

“No cursing in the Naughty or Nice room, Claw. I know just who will help us.”

“Who?”

“Mrs. Klaus,” Calanis says with a big grin, grabbing my hand and portaling us to Santa’s mansion.

The Klaus mansion is what you would expect, a winter wonderland in its own right. Calanis doesn’t even knock, she just opens the door and leads me through the massive foyer, a gigantic Christmas tree with warm white lights wrapped around it. The ornaments are red and each is decorated with an elves portrait.

“Calanis’ ornament is on the top of the tree,” she says proudly.

“Of course it is,” I reply as we reach Mrs. Klaus’ office. Calanis knocks as a friendly voice greets us.

Mrs. Klaus’ white hair is down in long waves; she’s working on small quilts, which I assume are a gift for the elves.

“Krampus, what a lovely surprise,” she says with a warm smile, and I can’t help but return it.

The North Pole is the only place that doesn’t make me feel like a monster. I suppose that’s not completely true. Mortem and Candy don’t treat me like I’m evil, either.

“Mrs. Klaus,” I say, tipping my head.

“Calanis and Claw need a favor, a Christmas Miracle, if you will,” Calanis says.

The older woman’s smile widens as she listens to Calanis’ plan and leads us outside in the snow to the stables.

Once everything is brought to Cupidale I expect Calanis to leave.

“You think Calanis is going to miss this?” she says, holding the reins as she twists her wrist, sending the doors of the banquet hall flying open, causing everyone to gasp when they look in our direction.

I take a deep breath, and my eyes connect with Candy’s. Mortem’s hands are on her hips, but they fall as he takes in the grand gesture.

“Candy, darling, your chariot awaits!” I say in a booming voice.

Her cheeks flush as all the cupids and reapers look at her in shock. Most of the cupids are swooning and the reapers look confused and practically mortified. How some of them have landed cupids of their own is beyond me. Most of them seem ridiculously emotionally stunted.

Mortem places a hand on her lower back and leads her to the exit, where her wide eyes take in everything as she glances up at me.

“What…how?” she says.

“With Calanis’ help,” Calanis interrupts. “Hello, I am Claw’s best friend. It is most lovely to meet you. Now hop in for your romantic ride. The tall, angry one can stay here, unless you wish for him to tag along,” Calanis says, and I have to hold back a laugh.

“They can both come,” Candy says.

I extend my hand and Candy takes it, stepping carefully into the massive sleigh where Calanis is holding the reins of two huge Clydesdales.

Candy, being the sweetheart that she is, acknowledges Calanis first.

“It’s lovely to meet a friend of Krampus. Thank you for this.”

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.

I’m smug about it as I get off the sleigh.

Candy pets one of the horses and kisses its nose before stepping away.

“Merry Christmas,” Calanis says then disappears along with the sleigh.

Suddenly, Candy seems a little overwhelmed as she looks between Mortem and me.

“We should get back to the party,” she says.

I glance over at Mortem, both of us confused by her nerves as we follow her back into the building.

It seems that in typical cupid fashion things have progressed into a sexual nature as the night has gone on.

“Oh, well. Right, I almost forgot it was a cupid party,” Candy says, her voice full of doubt.

I glance up above Candy.

“Mistletoe,” I say out loud, and Candy and Mortem glance up.

“Oh,” Candy says. “I don’t know?—”

I think back to everything Calanis and the cupid Love have said about groveling. I’m not sure what comes over me as I fall to my knees in the most literal example of it.

“Candy, darling, I don’t need to kiss the lips on your mouth, not if you’re not ready,” I say as her cheeks heat. “Mortem, be a dear and make sure our cupid doesn’t fall over.”

He doesn’t hesitate, standing behind Candy, pushing her hair to one shoulder.

“Would here be a good place to kiss you, little cupid?” he says, dragging his fingertip along her exposed collarbone.

Her perfect pink flesh pebbles with excitement as Mortem leans forward and kisses her skin. She rests her head on his shoulder as she glances down at me with heavy-lidded eyes.

I grip her sparkly dress at the hem, sliding it ever so slowly, my knuckles dragging against her calves.

“What do you think, Candy, darling?” I ask, shifting the dress up inch by inch. “Should I push your dress up past your hips and lavish your cunt? It seems like the most glorious use of a mistletoe,” I tell her.

She licks her full lips and nods before grabbing one of my horns. But as I go to push the dress over her sexy, full hips, the fabric doesn’t give.

“How attached are you to this dress?” I ask.

“I’ll acquire you new dresses,” Mortem says, his eyes dark as he fondles Candy from behind. His eyes, however, are glancing down hungrily at me on my knees.

“It can go,” Candy pants out, and I smile.

I hold her dress with one hand and hold out my other as it transforms into claw-like talons. Candy gasps, but she doesn’t look afraid as I hook my one claw under her dress, dragging the blunt side against her smooth flesh. The dress rips with a heady sound of promise.

“No panties? Did you know you wouldn’t be needing them tonight, sweet Candy?” I ask, kissing her thigh, loving the way she’s slightly shaking against the touch. Mortem holds her steady, his arm braced under her full breasts. “Did you know when I saw you again I’d be on my knees, begging for forgiveness?”

I drag my claw gently against her thigh and she shivers. I smile before dragging the blunt side over her clit and pulling away, admiring the shine of her wetness that sparkles from the lighting in the venue.

Mortem and Candy watch as I transform my tongue, long and forked, slipping it out of my mouth to clean her essence off my claw.

Candy’s lips part as I shift my hand back, maintaining a firm grip on her thighs. My monstrous tongue swipes her cunt from entrance to clit, and I savor every inch. She tastes sweet—no surprise there. I knew she would. Like a forbidden delicacy that I don’t deserve but am going to devour anyway.

Her small hands grip my horns as my tongue licks her clean. Candy grinds on Mortem, and he shocks me by placing his hand over hers on my horn, pushing me closer to her sweet pussy.

“Is he a good kisser, little cupid?” Mortem asks, roughly moving me by my horns.

My cock is stiff in my pants, and all I want to do is stroke myself while I inhale every drop of cum Candy gives me. But I haven’t earned it. Part of the fun is waiting.

I’m Krampus. Punishment is my love language.

The thought only makes me harder. How long will Candy want me to earn her forgiveness? How long will she ignore my weeping cock until I’ve earned her touch?

It makes me work harder, the two sides of my tongue flicking against her clit.

Mortem is kissing her neck, whispering things in her ear that I, unfortunately, can’t hear. My knees are aching on the cold, hard floor, and I lose myself in all the sensations.

I couldn’t care less about anyone at this party witnessing my subservience. In fact, I bask in it.

I’d spend every moment on my knees for Candy, whatever it takes to prove that I’m all in, that I belong to her now. I suppose part of me has belonged to her since we met, but I couldn’t give her everything. Now that there’s nothing holding me back, I plan on giving her everything I have.

I grab Mortem by the back of the thigh, his body then pushing Candy’s further against my face.

Her thighs are trembling.

“Good girl. Are you going to make a mess of his face? Show everyone here who he belongs to?” Mortem makes Candy and me moan in unison, and I slide two fingers deep inside of her.

I increase my pace and curl my fingers, reaching that soft spot that I know will have her finishing quickly.

Her pussy grips my fingers as Candy shouts, a gush of fluid hitting my mouth and trailing down my chin. I don’t stop for a second, and neither one of them releases my horns, keeping me in place.

I drink her sweet taste down even as she soaks my face and suit in her cum.

Only when she’s a trembling mess does she push me away by the horns. I sit there on my heels, glancing up at her perfect face—and Mortem’s too.

I grin wickedly, and Candy uses the back of her hand to cool her flushed face.

“Um. Perhaps we should take this back to my place?” Candy sugguests, trying to pinch her dress together for modesty.

“As long as you feel I’ve earned it,” I say, not wiping my face.

Mortem removes his suit jacket and places it over Candy. With their size difference, it hits her mid-thigh. Her dress is hanging on by a few threads, so I transform my claw and cut the rest off so she can walk better.

“My place isn’t far,” Candy says.

I just stay on my knees, smiling up at her. She’s perfect, a goddess in her own right, and maybe she hasn’t forgiven me completely, but this is something.

This is the start of a new life, and I couldn’t be more eager to find out what happens next.