Halloween wasn't exactly a traditional holiday in the demon realm, but somehow, Ciara had convinced Leora to host a "Halloween Extravaganza" at her castle. Knowing Leora, I figured it would be over the top and chaotic, and I wasn't wrong.
"Tell me again why I let you drag me into this?" I asked Ciara, who was busy adjusting her costume a red devil outfit complete with a tail. Like she needed a costume for that.
"Because you love me," she replied smugly, . "And because I look absolutely stunning in this."
She wasn't wrong. I had to bite my lip to keep from outright staring. "You're incorrigible."
"And you're adorable," she shot back, leaning down to kiss my cheek.
I sighed, adjusting my own costume a witch's outfit, classic but effective. "I'm just saying, this is going to be a disaster. Leora's in charge of planning, and Lise is helping her. That's a recipe for chaos."
"Oh, come on," Ciara said, grabbing my hand as we walked toward the grand hall. "What's the worst that could happen?"
The grand hall was unrecognizable. Fake cobwebs covered the chandeliers, enchanted jack-o'-lanterns floated midair, their carved faces flickering with eerie light.
A fog machine or perhaps actual fog summoned by magic crept along the floor, giving the room an ethereal glow. And in the center of it all stood Leora, dressed as a vampire, complete with a black cape and fake fangs.
"Welcome to my haunted castle!" she announced dramatically, spreading her arms wide.
Ciara groaned. "Leora, you're already terrifying enough. Did you really need a costume?"
"Oh, hush, mini-Zephara," Leora retorted, flashing her fangs in a mock snarl. "You're just jealous you didn't think of it first."
"Not even a little," Ciara muttered, pulling me closer.
"Where's Lise?" I asked, scanning the room.
As if on cue, Lise burst in, wearing a werewolf costume complete with fur and claws. "Who's ready for the haunted obstacle course?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the hall.
I blinked. "Haunted obstacle course?"
Leora grinned. "Oh, yes. We've set up challenges all over the castle. You'll have to navigate through traps, solve riddles, and face your fears. It's going to be *spooktacular*!"
Ciara groaned again. "Please stop."
"Never."
Before I knew it, we were herded into groups. Of course, Ciara and I were paired together, along with Lise, who declared herself our "fearless leader."
"This is going to be a disaster," I whispered to Ciara as we followed Lise down a dimly lit corridor.
"Probably," she agreed, squeezing my hand. "But at least we'll face it together."
The first challenge was a maze of mirrors, each one enchanted to reflect not just our images but also our worst fears. I stopped in front of one, my heart sinking as I saw a version of myself standing alone, with no Ciara, no family, no friends.
"Hey," Ciara said softly, stepping beside me. "That's not real. I'm right here."
I turned to her, my chest tightening. "I know. But it feels so…"
She pulled me into a hug, her warmth chasing away the chill in my bones. "We're getting out of this maze together, okay?"
I nodded, gripping her hand tightly as we navigated the maze.
Meanwhile, Lise was busy admiring her reflection in one of the mirrors. "Look at that," she said, flexing her muscles. "Even my fears think I'm amazing."
"Lise!" Ciara snapped. "Focus!"
"Right, right. Focusing."
The next challenge involved a room filled with creepy dolls. Their glassy eyes followed us as we moved, and every so often, one would giggle or whisper something unintelligible.
"Nope," I said, backing up. "Absolutely not."
"Oh, come on," Ciara teased, smirking. "They're just dolls."
As if on cue, one of the dolls turned its head 180 degrees and said, "Stay with us forever."
Ciara froze. "Okay, never mind. Let's move."
Lise, of course, decided to pick up one of the dolls. "This one looks like Leora," she said, holding it up.
"Put that down before it curses you!" I hissed.
But Lise just laughed, tucking the doll under her arm. "What's the worst that could happen?"
By the time we reached the final challenge a dark room filled with bats and disembodied whispers I was ready to call it quits. Ciara, however, seemed to be having the time of her life.
"Come on, Aeliana," she said, pulling me forward. "It's just a little darkness."
"I hate this," I muttered, clinging to her arm.
"Don't worry," she said, her voice low and soothing. "I'll protect you."
"And who's going to protect you?" I shot back.
She grinned. "That's what the flames are for."
When we finally emerged from the haunted obstacle course, covered in cobwebs and slightly traumatized, Leora and Zephara were waiting for us, looking entirely too amused.
"How was it?" Leora asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Terrible," I replied, glaring at her.
"Spectacular," Ciara said at the same time, earning a laugh from Leora.
"Well, you survived," Zephara said, smirking. "Barely."
The night ended with everyone gathered around a massive bonfire outside the castle. Leora handed out roasted marshmallows, and Lise regaled us with exaggerated tales of her bravery during the obstacle course.
"I was incredible," she said, gesturing wildly. "You should've seen me take down that swarm of bats!"
"You screamed and ran," I pointed out.
"Details," she replied, waving me off.
Ciara wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. "Admit it," she said softly. "You had fun."
I sighed, leaning into her. "Okay, maybe a little."
"Happy Halloween, Aeliana," she murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.
"Happy Halloween," I replied, smiling.
As the bonfire crackled and the smell of roasted marshmallows filled the air, I leaned into Ciara's warmth, letting the chaos of the evening settle into a comfortable hum.
Around us, the others were still buzzing with energy particularly Lise, who seemed to have taken on the role of "unofficial storyteller," much to everyone's amusement.
"So there I was," Lise said, standing dramatically by the fire, a marshmallow speared on a stick. "Surrounded by bats, their razor-sharp teeth glinting in the darkness. I had no choice but to fight my way out!"
"You screamed, tripped over a root, and fell face-first into the dirt," I corrected, earning a chorus of laughter from the group.
Lise gave me an exaggerated glare, her marshmallow catching fire as she waved the stick around. "Aeliana, do you have to ruin all my heroic tales?!"
"Someone has to keep you grounded," I replied with a smirk.
"Mini-Zephara," Lise grumbled, nodding toward Ciara. "Your fiancée is mean."
"Trust me, I know," Ciara said, chuckling as she kissed my temple. "But I happen to like her that way."
"Of course you do," Lise muttered, finally noticing her marshmallow had turned into a blackened crisp. "Oh, come on!"
Leora, who had been quietly enjoying her own perfect marshmallow, decided to chime in. "Lise, for someone who claims to be an unparalleled warrior, you're really bad at roasting marshmallows."
"Roasting marshmallows and slaying enemies are two very different skill sets!" Lise retorted.
Leora raised an eyebrow. "Clearly."
The playful bickering continued as I snuggled closer to Ciara, enjoying the warmth of her embrace.
It was a rare moment of peace, surrounded by friends and family, with the night sky above us and the distant sounds of the demon realm providing a strange yet comforting backdrop.
"I could get used to this," Ciara murmured, her voice low enough for only me to hear.
"Me too," I admitted, threading my fingers through hers.
The night began to wind down as people started to drift off, some heading back to the castle while others lingered by the fire. Leora eventually stood, stretching dramatically. "Well, that was an eventful Halloween. I'd call it a success."
"If by success you mean chaos," I said, earning a grin from her.
"Chaos is part of the charm," she replied before turning to Lise. "And speaking of chaos, you're cleaning up the obstacle course tomorrow."
Lise groaned loudly, causing everyone to laugh again.
Eventually, Ciara and I decided to head back inside. As we walked through the castle halls, the eerie decorations seemed less frightening now, more charming in their own way.
"Tonight was… nice," I said, glancing up at her.
"Nice? That's all?" she teased, giving me a playful nudge.
"Okay, fine," I said, rolling my eyes. "It was fun."
"Good," she said, her smile softening. "Because I plan on making every Halloween with you just as memorable."
"Don't make promises you can't keep," I joked, but my heart swelled at her words.
As we reached our room, I turned to her, wrapping my arms around her neck. "Thank you for tonight," I said softly.
"For what?" she asked, tilting her head.
"For making me laugh. For making me feel safe. For being you."
Her expression melted into something tender, and she leaned down to kiss me, her lips warm and sweet against mine.
"Always," she whispered, her forehead resting against mine.