Aztlan had boiled with movement the whole day, the gods were gathered in the courtyard, in their best clothing for the occasion. It was a big day for everyone, but most of all, for a certain couple of gods who today were joining their lives in marriage. They were both on the altar, facing each other and their eyes locking with great with adoration and love. La Muerte looked so beautiful in her wedding dress, her long dark hair was adorned with flowers. Xibalba was smiling at her, taking her much smaller hands in his large, gloved ones tenderly. He wore his usual armor and cloak, but La Muerte hadn't minded. What mattered was that from this day on, they would be together forever.
Had it been so long? Ever since they were children they had talked about this day, La Muerte would often talk about her dream wedding, and they'd often play that they got married. Only that today, it was not just a childhood game, it was real. Soon, it was time to exchange their vows.
"I, Xibalba, promise you, La Muerte, that from this day on my heart and soul will belong to you, and you alone. I shall stand by your side in the good and bad, no matter what happens, I will love you unconditionally and make you the happiest woman in the universe. You know how much I loved you ever since the first moment we met those many years ago, even though we were only children I knew I was in love. Like I promised you once during those days of innocence, I shall always be there for you, mi amor." As he spoke, he gently squeezed her hands and intertwined his fingers with hers, not wanting to let go of her gentle hands ever again.
She was so moved by his words that she could feel tears of endearment gathering in her eyes, but now was not the moment to cry. Now it was her turn. "I, La Muerte, promise you, Xibalba, that whatever obstacles we face, no matter how hard or painful, I shall stand by your side and we shall overcome the problems together. I will love you in the good and the bad, for the rest of eternity. I shall never forget when I met that lonely boy beneath the tree, who became my best friend ever since. From this day and on, I shall love you until the end of time."
The Candlemaker laughed. "By the power invested in my, by the Book of Life…" he gestured to Book, who flapped its pages happily. "…I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride! " he was cut off when Xibalba grabbed La Muerte by the waist and twirled her around, his lips meeting hers in a passionate kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss.
Everyone erupted in cheers and claps, throwing rice as the newly-married couple linked their arms together and walked down the aisle. No one noticed a pair of blue eyes peering at the couple from the darkness.
The whole reception was spend in the ballroom. La Muerte and Xibalba never separated for a minute, they danced their first nuptial dance, sliced the five-layered cake (miraculously saved after a little accident with Ponzoña and the hounds) together, and it took a lot of effort for Xibalba not to devour it as soon as he tasted it, and spent much of the reception being cudly with one another, mostly on Xibalba's part. Hours later, he carried La Muerte bridal style to his horse; Medianoche's tail was adorned with flowers and there was a small sign that read 'newly-married' hanging from his rear, attached to the harness.
"Couldn't we just have used a carriage?" La Muerte inquired, snuggling in Xibalba's embrace as she glanced at Medianoche.
"Come on, my dear, where would be the fun on it?" he whispered into her ear seductively, earning a small fit of giggles as he helped her climb unto the saddle, and then he mounted behind her, holding the reins tightly while embracing his wife at the same time. The rest of the gods were at the gates, cheering for the couple and still throwing rice and rose petals in the air.
"Shall we go home, mi corazón?" Xibalba whispered into her ear with a grin.
La Muerte blushed. "Let's go, mi vida."
Aimé watched with sorrowful hate as the whore she had to call a sister rode away on Xibalba's arms. She still could not believe it, how come Xibalba had chosen her? What had she done wrong? What did he see in La Muerte that he failed to see in her? They had known each other since childhood, but he still chose the older sister. Aimé had tried everything to win his heart, but everything had been futile. He rejected each and every one of her advances, and eventually he stopped treating her altogether. She'd never forget his harsh words.
"Forget it, Aimé. I've explained to you a thousand times, I love La Muerte and I would never betray her with her own sister. So you better forget me and find another, because I will never have anything with you."
"You will be mine, Xibalba…" Aimé hissed, hot tears of anger rolling down her cheeks. "You will be mine even if I have to taint my hands with blood."