My Heart Belongs to You
Chapter 1- 'Love' Contract
The sky was blue, and there were a few cotton white clouds on the sky, transparent under the golden and warm sun. The sunlight reflected upon the golden spires and towers of Aztlan, its warmth sharing with all living creatures its sustenance. Right now, the City of the Gods was boiling with movements as preparations for a ceremony were being held. White flowers were hanged from colorful poles in the garden and ribbons were used to adorn rows of chairs being placed over the soft grass. Servants prepared the ballroom for a grandiose party to which all gods were invited; a great hand-painted pink five-layered cake with sugar flowers was placed upon the banquet table. After all, such a special occasion had to be celebrated for the happiness of the bride; they said that a woman's wedding was the happiest day in her life; because she would join her life to the man she loved the most forever.
Or at least, that's the case for most women. Not all.
Princess La Muerte from the Land of the Remembered looked at her reflection in the mirror, examining her wedding dress and veil. Xochiquétzal had outdone herself this time; it was a fully draped strapless charmeuse fit and flare gown with soft sweetheart neckline and low hip accented with crystal beaded lace appliqué and small flowers. The train was chapel length, and the silhouette was mermaid type. Her long hair was tied into a side ponytail, with white roses adorning it.
La Muerte sighed and walked towards the boudoir, where her bouquet was; roses and ranunculus in peach, orange, pink and white, paired with green succulents. She looked beautiful, and were the circumstances different she would have been very happy. She was to be wed today, but not to the man of her dreams. Her hand had been reluctantly given but willing on her part, to one of the darkest, most feared gods in the pantheon.
Lord Xibalba.
The Last of the Ancient Lords of the Underworld.
She didn't actually know him that much, she had seen him a few times, arriving to her father's castle on his mighty black steed. She didn't interact with him very much, other than the few times she had accidentally ran into him, and she always felt a shiver run down her spine whenever she felt the red skulls he had for pupils upon her, like he was staring into her very soul. So, why was she marrying with someone she didn't love? Why did she grant her hand in marriage to this cruel god and allow herself to be at his mercy?
The answer was simple.
"Lord Xibalba, I can offer you anything else-"
"No." the dark god's reply was dry and curtly.
"I'd give you whatever you wish, but my kingdom-"
"We made a bet by the Ancient Rules, and you lost. Now you must pay."
She didn't mean to overhear what they were saying, but when she heard something about a wager-her greatest flaw was her addiction to them-that involved her beloved realm, she couldn't resist. However, judging by their tone of voice, this conversation wasn't a pleasant chat.
"Must I remind you that you gave your word that if you lost our bet, I would control the Land of the Remembered?" Xibalba spoke with his smooth tone, clutching his two-headed snake staff as he circled around King Sol like a serpent circling a mouse. "Do I need to remind you what happens to those who break the Ancient Rules?"
"I perfectly know that once a promise is made it must be kept!" King Sol did his best not to snap at his guest. "But I've ruled this kingdom ever since I can remember, it's my daughters' heritance for when I am too old, I've interacted and helped with these Remembered souls for eons-"
"Are you done with your sermon?" Xibalba hissed. "I don't have all day, I just came to tell you that since I won, I am the new ruler of the Land of the Remembered."
La Muerte gasped in shock and horror; him? The new King? She didn't want to imagine how that dark entity would rule this colorful and festive realm, how he would treat their beloved subjects. Would he be a tyrant? Would he enslave these souls? She was so worried she nearly overlooked the smirk on Xibalba's face.
"But I'm feeling benevolent today, so I've decided to give you another option." His teeth became sharp as he spoke.
There was hope in King Sol's eyes. "Another option? You mean you won't take my kingdom?"
"Don't you know it's rude to interrupt someone?" the dark lord spoke impatiently. "I will give you two options, Sol. The first, is to hand over your kingdom to me as we agreed by the Ancient Rules, or…" Xibalba licked his lips. "You can give me one of your daughters."
La Muerte's eyes widened in shock, as well as King Sol's.
"W-What are you saying?!"
"See, the Land of the Forgotten has become rather lonely these days, and I am in the need of a wife to attend my needs. Don't worry, I shall treat her fairly and I won't lay a harmful hand on her. I'm above such barbaric acts, after all, so you won't have to fear for her well-being."
Naturally, as any rational father would do, Sol clenched his fists. "No."
This actually caught Xibalba by surprise. "Excuse me?"
"I know you, Xibalba, you are one of the cruelest gods in existence. You kill in cold blood, you are brutal and vicious, and you expect me to entrust you with one of my daughters? I love them too much to hand any over to a monster such as you-!" he couldn't continue, for soon he had Xibalba's gloved claws grasping his throat, threatening to choke him.
"Careful with your words, Sol." Xibalba hissed, his teeth turned into pointed triangles, his skull pupils rotated forward. "You just said so yourself, I can be very cruel if you provoke me."
"I'd rather die than hand over any of my daughters to you." The old King choked when Xibalba's grip tightened around his throat.
"If you insist…"
"NO!"
La Muerte could stand it no longer, and she ran into the meeting room, but stopping once Xibalba turned his attention to her, his skull pupils still rotated. Once she managed to overcome her shock and fear, the young Goddess calmed down and thought about what she would say next. She knew what would happen; either her father would lose his crown to Xibalba, or that dark god took either her or her little sister as his bride. She couldn't allow this monster to do any of that, she had to do something.
"I will do it." La Muerte spoke gently. "I offer myself as your bride, Lord Xibalba."
"La Muerte, no!" Sol cried out desperately. "You don't know what he is capable of!"
Xibalba was examining La Muerte's body with his eyes like a critic examining a piece of art. Finally he said. "Are you certain?"
She closed her eyes. "If you will not do any harm to my realm nor family, I shall be your wife."
The dark god thought for a moment, staring at La Muerte's curves with lust-filled eyes, and grinned with sharp teeth. "Very well, my dear."
La Muerte shivered at the memory, his eyes peering at her body and maybe even her soul; she was starting to regret this decision, but it was too late to back away. If this meant that her father and little sister would be safe from Xibalba's clutches, then she'd gladly endure his cruelty until he grew tired of her, or she died from heartbreak, whatever happened first.
There was a knock at the door. "Milady, we are ready to begin with the ceremony."
Sighing with resignation, La Muerte picked up her bouquet and headed to the door, making her way down the hall towards the main courtyard, where she would join her life to him. It would be the end of her world, and the beginning of their world; she had always been a strong woman, that's what everyone said, but now she wasn't sure that she would endure being Xibalba's wife. There was a reason he had never married, no woman in her sane judgment would ever think of pairing up with him.
The gods had already taken their seats in the chairs, wearing their best clothing for the occasion, her father and younger sister among the front rows; Aimé was weeping of anguish in far for her older sister's wellbeing, while Sol cursed himself for not being able to protect his daughter from this. Quetzalcóatl and Xibalba were at the altar, watching solemnly as La Muerte walked down the carpet laid on the grass for her; Xibalba was already impatient for his bride to come to his side. She didn't even look at him as she came to a stop right next to him, her veil covering her face.
Quetzalcóatl started with the speech he had recited so many times to happy couples. "Dear brethren, we are gathered here to join this God and this Goddess in matrimony…"
La Muerte didn't hear the rest of his words, she was too concerned by the fact that being too close to Xibalba gave her chills; she was dreading their wedding night, wondering if he would force her to be with him. Her father had only agreed to the marriage if Xibalba gave his word that he'd never force La Muerte to do something she didn't want to do, but she wasn't sure if the dark god would fulfill on his end of the deal. It was a while before the vows had to be made.
"La Muerte, do you accept Xibalba as your legitimate husband, to love and care for him for the rest of eternity?"
A tear ran down her face as she replied with a dry throat. "I do." For my father and my people.
Quetzalcóatl turned to Xibalba. "And Xibalba, do you accept La Muerte as your legitimate wife, to protect her and love her till death does you apart?"
"I do." Xibalba replied curtly, his hands behind his back, still as cold as an ice floe.
Then there was the ring exchange. La Muerte contained the urged to tremble in fear when the dark god took her hand-strangely gentle-and slid a simple golden band in her finger; she did the same, though she didn't dare remove his glove, fearing he'd get angry. Quetzalcóatl finally put an end to the ceremony with a grave voice. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
La Muerte didn't say anything to protest, but she did glimpse her father turning his head away in anguish for what was to come. Aimé was weeping openly now, her face hidden in her hands. Thankfully, it was a quick kiss, but it was neither romantic nor heart-warming; the feeling of his tar lips on her own was not a pleasant one, but she remained quiet.
Xibalba wanted to leave after the ceremony was over, he was never the type to enjoy parties that much, but she asked him to let her say goodbye to her family. Though reluctant at first, he decided to comply this once, since she would probably not see them again.
"Take care of yourself, big sis." Aimé sobbed, embracing her older sister, clutching the bouquet of flowers her sister had given her.
"I'll be fine, Amy." La Muerte soothed her with a hug. "I'll try to write as soon as possible."
"La Muerte…" King Sol took his eldest by the shoulders with a pained look. "My dear daughter, I'm so sorry that I couldn't spare you this fate."
"Do not blame yourself, father. I took this decision on my own accord."
"If he does something to you, anything, tell me and I'll storm into his realm to bring you back home no matter if I have to take an army with me."
"I'll take care, you don't have to worry."
The old god embraced his daughter, and she returned the hug with stinging eyes from tears. Xibalba was unmoved by this show of affection, and coughed impatiently. Aimé so wanted to behead him for taking her big sister away, but she knew better than to mess with an Ancient God. Knowing it was time to go, La Muerte kissed her father and sister goodbye and grabbed unto her new husband's arm, as he led her away.
The servants had his horse ready, in the gates. La Muerte had to admit, this steed looked very well-cared for, and it greeted its master with a snort. It was a beautiful sable black Friesian stallion with green swirls on legs, neck and head, very large, much more than her father's horses. She felt a shiver run down her spine when the horse set his red eyes on her. Xibalba said nothing as he gently took his wife by the waist and helped her climb unto the saddle, before climbing unto the saddle himself and taking the reins. The stable hands quickly moved out of the way as the dark god led his horse out the gates at a trotting pace; La Muerte had never ridden a horse like this before, but she dare not protest. Xibalba seemed to know what she was thinking, however, when they were a good distance away from Aztlan he pulled on the reins of the horse to make him slow down into a walk.
"Better?" he inquired softly.
La Muerte was surprised by the gentleness in his voice, but she managed to give him a small nod. "Y-Yes." She could tell that riding on such a slow pace irritated him.
Xibalba was used to galloping and cantering, but with his new, inexperienced wife sharing the saddle with him he had to be careful. Still, this didn't mean he had to like it. "You should take a nap. It'll be a long while before we get home."
Home. How she wanted to tell him that wherever he was taking her was not her home, but he was right when he assumed she'd be tired, but she dare not fall asleep with him holding her, so she stiffened and tried her best to remain awake. Xibalba, however, misunderstood her signs with fear of falling off the saddle while asleep. And gently wrapped one of his wings around her. "Don't worry, I'm not letting you fall."
His wings may be burnt and scarred, but they were also surprisingly soft, warm and comfortable at touch, and it made La Muerte feel even drowsier than before. Her eyelids were becoming heavy, and after a while she couldn't take it any longer as her exhaustion overcame her, and she fell asleep.
Xibalba glanced down from the road when he felt La Muerte's head rest against his chest, and carefully accommodated her in his wing to make her comfortable. After all, they wouldn't arrive until much later.
La Muerte started to stir awake when she felt the smell of ash itching her nose, but she managed to contain the sneeze at the last moment. She felt warm and comfortable, and she cracked her eyes open upwards to see who was holding her, before she recalled the events from a few hours' ago.
"You're awake." Xibalba spoke, watching as his wife straightened back up from his chest.
"Where are we?" La Muerte inquired with a dry throat.
"We're just arriving, my dear."
Confused, the Goddess shifts in the dark God's arms to look around, and the new surroundings were very unfamiliar. There was not a single speck of color in the realm, only scales of grey and black, and almost everything consisted of sharp edges and triangular stalactites in both the ground around them and the 'ceiling', except for a few paths of ash and snow; it was constantly snowing with both ash and silver snow, giving her chills from the cold temperatures. However, when she looked ahead, her heart nearly stopped in fright.
Xibalba's castle was not welcoming in any way. It was like a great leaning tower, shaped like two coiling serpents, with dark candles of green fire burning on top of some edges and fangs. She didn't want to imagine who could live in a place like this, and yet the answer was holding her from behind. The castle was in the middle of a lake of hot burning lava, probably as a strategical measure in case anyone tried to attack it; the only connection with it to mainland was a narrow bridge, also carved like coiling serpents. She was starting to wonder why Xibalba had such an affinity for the legless reptiles.
After a few more minutes, they stopped in the base of the castle, where the black gates stood, facing a nearby stable, probably where he kept his horse. Xibalba was the first to dismount, before once again taking his wife by the waist and helping her climb down; then he patted his horse's neck gently, to which the animal replied with a soft snort and a swish of its long floor-length tail.
La Muerte was startled when she saw a blur of green and black run towards them, but relaxed when it stopped in front of the mighty steed to take its reins and glanced up at Xibalba. It was a skeletal lizard with black bones and green body, the tip of the fins of its head reaching Xibalba's ribs.
"Take Medianoche to his stall and give him warm straw and water, he's exhausted form the journey." The dark God ordered.
"Yes, My Lord." The lizard replied in a raspy voice, before leading the horse away.
La Muerte stared towards the lizard with wide eyes, until she heard Xibalba's voice. "Shall we go inside?"
Reluctantly taking his arm once more, La Muerte nodded subtly and allowed him to lead her inside, the gates opening to let their lord and master inside, before closing behind them. The halls of the castle were even scarier than the exterior, with walls of dark obsidian with a greenish hue due to the candles of green fire that illuminated them reflecting on them. There were few decorations, large vases with withered flowers or black carpets with trimmed purple snakes hanging from the wall, but not even those made this place a bit more pleasant.
"Follow me." Xibalba's baritone voice echoing in the halls made it even more scary. "I'll show you to your room."
"M-My room?" La Muerte blinked. "For myself?"
"I don't think you'll be comfortable sleeping with me just yet." Xibalba replied simply, not looking at her. "Besides, I gave my word to your father that I wouldn't force you to do anything you didn't want to."
She felt relieved that he did keep his word on that matter. She said nothing else as she followed him down the hall, up various rows of stairs, until they were upon two great oak doors. Xibalba turned one of the knobs and opened the door, glancing back at La Muerte and motioning her to take a look inside. She walked inside, and took a look at her new, rather unwilling residence. It was a beautiful in its own, dark and twisted way. The walls were, like those of the hall, made of stainless obsidian, but the fire on the candles was normal-colored. There was a boudoir at a side of the room, with a mirror and a small vase of dark red roses, miraculously not withered. A large king-sized bed with dark sheets and pillows was on the other side, with two bedside tables at both sides. There was a wardrobe, at the side of the room, where her things had already been accommodated by the servitude long before their arrival. At the end, were three great windows that overlooked into the lava lake around the castle, and a few kilometers further into the realm.
"I hope you will find it comfortable." Xibalba spoke gently. "If you need anything, you can call for me or my servants, okay?"
La Muerte nodded without saying a word.
"Very well." With those last words, he closed the door behind him and slowly walked down the hall, leaving his wife to settle in.
As soon as she was alone, La Muerte couldn't take it any longer, and she broke down in tears, falling on top of the bed and burying her face into the pillows. They were surprisingly comfortable, but it didn't offer her any comfort. This whole realm had a depressing air that made her want to cry; there was no color, no happiness, no hope, only sorrow and despair. Up to now Xibalba had treated her well, coldly but well, but she didn't know in how much time he'd show her his true colors. His cruelty.
In other words, she was afraid.
She'd miss her father dearly. Her baby sister. Her subjects and her realm. She doubted Xibalba would let her return there ever, she was a prisoner in her own golden cage. Well, black cage, there was not a speck of golden down here.
La Muerte didn't know how much time passed, maybe hours, or minutes, but after a while she heard knocking on the door; she feared Xibalba had come to consummate their union, but the footsteps were light.
"Excuse me, My Lady?"
Quickly wiping her tears away, La Muerte turned around and saw a lizard like the one from the stable walking into her room. He was giving her a sympathetic look when he noted she had been weeping.
"What is it?" she asked gently. She may be unhappy here, but it didn't mean she had to take it out on these creatures that were not to blame for serving such a cruel god.
"Lord Xibalba expects you for dinner."
She knew it. Now that she thought of it, she hadn't eaten anything since the wedding, and he knew it; he was taken advantage of it. She would not give him the pleasure.
"What is your name, amiguito?" La Muerte inquired.
"Emilio, My Lady." The lizard replied.
"Please, Emilio, tell your master I'm not hungry." She told the lizard kindly, though she didn't have the heart to offer him a smile.
"He said you'd probably said that." Emilio gulped. "And he asked me to tell you that if you were not in the Dining Hall in twenty minutes... Well, you'd have to, um… Have dinner with the servitude…" he cowered instinctively, just in case the Goddess threw something at him. "…undressed."
That made her temper flare out internally. Seriously?! Who did he think he was?! He may be her husband, but he didn't have the right to do this to her! She wanted to tear something apart, and judging by Emilio's reaction, he was used to being thrashed around. However, she was above discharging her anger on innocent spirits.
Sighing with resignation, La Muerte managed to smile at Emilio kindly as she reached down to pat his head in a friendly manner. "Tell your master I will join him shortly."
Emilio was surprised at the kindness and friendliness she treated him with, but nevertheless he nodded and walked out of her room. La Muerte huffed in dismay, blowing a few hairs away from her face, and then walked towards the wardrobe.
Now, to find something appropriate to wear.
