La Muerte muttered under her breath as she continued to brush her hair, though frankly she wouldn't care if she went looking a mess, it was Itzlacol she would have to go out with, after all. But alas, she was not going to leave her father in ridicule just because she did not like Itzlacol and was against the idea of going out with someone when she was still married. There would never be any possibility for any kind of divorce with Xibalba, both on his stubbornness and the Ancient Rules stating that once a marriage had been consummated it would never be broken.
Still, she tired her best not to leave any of her 'provocative parts' open for Itzlacol. She didn't like using black much, but for this occasion she picked a formal, high-collared midnight black dress with empire waist skirt whose edge was adorned with silver and golden shiny beads, as well as white rhinestone crystals in the end of her sleeves. Her baby bump was starting to show, so she and her seamstresses adjust the area around the dress's waist. For this occasion, she removed her mother's medal, she did not want Itzlacol to see such a precious thing for her.
After a few finishing touches of lipstick and putting on a silver diamond necklace with a pair of matching earrings, La Muerte examined herself in the mirror. This was so much unlike her, but she would not give Itzlacol an opening. She wanted to let him know she was only doing this because her father asked her to, she had no interest in him at all. La Muerte stroked her baby bump tenderly.
"Ay bebé…" she sighed sadly. "Get ready for tonight, it's not going to be pleasant…"
There was a knock on her door. "Your highness, Lord Itzlacol has arrived."
Wonderful. "I'm coming."
She opened the door, putting on a mask of formality as she walked down the hall and towards the throne room, where she found Itzlacol waiting for her, dressed in his best formal clothing, bearing that insufferable smile of his which drove her mad for no reason at all. Still, she tried not to look irritated as she approached her 'suitor', curtsying politely.
"Evening, Milord."
"My dear, I think that by now we could stop being so formal with one another." Itzlacol smiled, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "You may call me Itzlacol." He held out his hand for her to take. "Shall we go, La Muerte?"
La Muerte sighed and took his hand. "Let's go, Itzlacol." She felt uncomfortable in referring to him by name. Itzlacol led La Muerte down the grandiose and colorful foyer and out into the entrance courtyard, where a golden carriage, maybe the most beautiful she had ever seen, was waiting for them. Four white beautifully stocked horses would pull the carriage but La Muerte managed to see a bit of whip marks on their flanks, which gave her an insight on how Itzlacol treated his animals, which made her dislike him even further.
She had to give him credit, though, he acted like a true gentleman, helping her climb into the carriage, then going inside himself and taking a sear next to her. A bit too close for her liking. The coachman closed the door and climbed unto the driver's seat, giving the horses a mild touch with the tip of the whip, motioning them to advance.
La Muerte subtly tried to shift away from Itzlacol when he tried to wrap an arm around her shoulders.
"So, where are we going?" she couldn't help but ask, though knowing Itzlacol she knew the answer.
"Oh, it's a very nice place in France. One of my acquaintances recommended it for romantic occasions."
She had a feeling of what place he was talking about. "Oh, really?"
"Indeed, it is." Itzlacol took a look at the attire his 'date' was wearing. "I must say, black suits you surprisingly well."
"Gracias."
"Though I can't quite understand, why the sudden change in style, dear La Muerte?"
"Well… I thought maybe I should vary my style a bit."
Itzlacol was disappointed that the type of dress she was using prevented him from seeing her breasts and curves, but he dissimulated his disappointment. "I do hope you will enjoy our time together as much as I will."
La Muerte shivered in discomfort. "I guess so."
Kelpies were interesting creatures.
Being classified as aquatic equine faeries, they were under Epona's jurisdiction. Very few gods knew of this, however, and often thought Kelpies were simply creatures that swan around the Scottish lakes and rivers looking for prey. Epona's Kelpies' were surprisingly gentle, though, they were of the type who simply liked to give people the fright of their lives, unlike their more aggressive and malevolent cousins from Scandinavia, the Bäckahäst.
The reason Epona's horses were so well-bred, good-proportioned and endurable was that most of them were of Kelpie descent, back when some Kelpie stallions mated with her finest mares, which resulted in thoroughbred foals, much better than any horse ever owned by a god. Medianoche was a clear example, his grandfather had been a Kelpie, and he was one of the finest stallions Epona had ever produced.
Xibalba had only seen a few of this creatures during his earlier encounters with Epona, but right now the Kelpies were the least of his problems and interest. Juarez watched in surprise as his master continued to clean out the dirty straw in Medianoche's stall-a task which he usually left to the lizard- with the straw fork, muttering curses about Itzlacol, even going as far as to make small batches of straw and then stabbing them repeatedly imagining they were Itzlacol's head. Even Medianoche was bit surprised at his owner's behavior, and watched with raised ears amusingly.
"Oh, look at me! I'm Itzlacol and I'm very handsome and rich and popular with ladies!" Xibalba imitated Itzlacol's voice in a mocking tone, again stabbing a pile of straw in annoyance. "As if! There's more air than brain inside his redhead! I bet he can't count past twenty without his fingers!"
Medianoche snorted in agreement.
"Besides, how come they don't see his… attitude?! He's arrogant, self-conceited and machista! At least I treat women with respect, don't I?!"
"Indeed you do, My Lord…" Juarez said, thinking it wouldn't be a good idea to contradict him right now.
"So how come they like him better than me?! I know I'm no saint, but at least I show respect when it's due!"
"And don't forget you have your charms."
Xibalba jumped and let out a yelp of fright as he abruptly turned around and pointed the fork at the newcomer, finding Epona glancing at him with an amusing look. He frowned, dropping the fork to the ground. "One of these days you're going to give me a heart attack!" he snapped.
"Come on, you're not that old." Epona chuckled.
"And don't you know its rude to startle people from behind?"
"Curious, hermanito." Zipacna walked into the stable, lifting his ears amusingly. "That's exactly what you tend to do."
"It's not the same thing, I…!" damn, he had it on that one.
"Why are you so jealous of him? La Muerte doesn't like him a bit, that's noticeable."
"I still can't bear the thought of that hijo de perra near my wife! She's mine!"
Epona gave him a small slap on the cheek to snap him out of it. "Don't ever say that in front of her or you'll give her another reason to be mad!"
"What?! It's the truth! We're going to have a baby, and that aprovechado is trying to rob them both from me!"
"You gave him the opening, you know." Zipacna crossed his arms matter-of-factly. "When you drove La Muerte away."
"Would you stop rubbing that in my face?! I know I messed it up, but I'm trying to make up for it!"
"That's all what matters!" Epona continued, snapping his fingers and closing Xibalba's lips shut momentarily with magic. "Remember what I told you of Kelpies?"
"Hm?!" Xibalba wanted to ask what the Kelpies had to do with anything, but his mouth was seared shut for the time being, so he simply crossed his arms, pouting.
"Kelpies have been known to fall in love with humans, not all of those stories end happily, but there are times that they do! You know why? Because Kelpies are willing to fight for what they want, but they have their limits! La Muerte still loves you, but she's still hurt by the way you treated her, before you earn her forgiveness you have to earn her trust back first!" She snapped her fingers again, and Xibalba's lips could move again.
"Why did you have to sear my mouth?!" Xibalba snapped, rubbing his lips. "I could have listened to you!"
"And interrupt me every five seconds."
Zipacna tried his best to contain his giggles, but he couldn't help but be amused at his brother's embarrassment in the hands of Epona. Xibalba glared at him and snapped his fingers; Medianoche reacted and kicked Zipacna's rear, sending him to the ground with a loud thud and a yell of pain and surprise. Epona started to laugh, while Xibalba smirked in satisfaction.
"owowow…" Zipacna rubbed his rear, looking up at his brother offended. "Xibalba, if you wanted me to stop, you just had to ask for it!"
"Anyway, you two, since you're here, I need your help with something."
"Does it have to do with your date with La Muerte?" Epona inquired.
"Sort of." Xibalba sighed. "I mean, knowing Itzlacol he'll probably take her to an expensive place and all that stuff. How can I compete with that?"
"With what La Muerte appreciates and holds in high regard." Epona smiled mischievously. "Honesty and humbleness."
La Muerte was very surprised when the carriage finally stopped, and when she was helped climb out she found they were at the feet of the Eiffel tower. Waves of memories returned to her as Itzlacol politely led her towards the elevator of Le Champs Elysees, the door keeper recognizing her and giving her and Itzlacol a proper vow, though he apparently found strange that she was in company of another god that was not her husband. Going through the elevator doors, and upwards, they came to the lobby of the restaurant, where a waiter was waiting for them.
"Ah, Monsieur Itzlacol, we are so honored to have you as our costumer. Please follow me, your table is ready."
As they followed the waiter through the restaurant, La Muerte realized it was empty. All the other tables were perfectly set, the plates, cutlery and glasses in place as if waiting to be used, but they were empty. Finally the waiter led them to a table especially decorated with red tablecloth, roses and candles all around. Itzlacol had no expenses in planning this date, apparently. The waiter bowed and walked away.
"Where is everyone?" La Muerte finally asked, glancing around the other empty tables.
"It's just us tonight, I reserved all the restaurant." Itzlacol explained, as if proud he had enough money to reserve one of the most expensive restaurants for gods. "I thought it would be more…" he wrapped an arm around La Muerte's waist. "…romantic like this."
"Oh, it's… nice on your part." La Muerte shivered uncomfortably, but unfortunately he apparently mistook it for pleasure.
Itzlacol reached out to pull back the chair for her. "Here, have a seat."
"Thank you." La Muerte said, sitting down.
When Itzlacol sat down, a fairy waitress came to give them their menus. La Muerte tried to pretend she was reading to avoid looking at her 'date'.
"My dear, if you don't understand these dishes I can help you with the order."
"You have come here before?"
"Yes, on some other occasions."
Again, La Muerte lifted her menu to try and hide her face from view. "Under which circumstances?"
Itzlacol smiled. "It's in the past. All that matters is now, the present."
"Yeah, you're right…"
After a few more minutes of awkward silence and Itzlacol attempting to start a conversation with La Muerte, the fairy waitress returned to take the orders, but before he could speak La Muerte ordered her own food in French, impeccably and with little mistakes. He had to admit he was impressed, though annoyed she had spoken first, but pushed the feeling aside, now was not the moment. "I see I'm not the only one who's been here before… but I might be wrong." He gave his order to the waitress, in French and impeccably as well, and then she fluttered away.
"Oh, I came here with…" La Muerte wasn't sure if she should tell him.
"With?"
"Umm… with Xibalba."
Itzlacol choked on his wine and let out a few coughs, before managing to regain his composure. "Xibalba brought you here?"
"He asked me out on a date and he brought me here…" La Muerte tried to sound as indifferent as she could. "…among other things."
"Maldita sea…" Itzlacol cursed mentally, he had brought her to a place she would remember her husband. Still, he kept his cool and smiled. "Well, this time it was not him who brought you here."
"I know, that time was… different."
The fire god smirked and leaned in with a small seductive tone. "Indeed it was."
"He was just so… gentle. I never imagine he could do as something as cruel as…" she didn't want to remember it, even though Xibalba had already come to try and clear things up."
"Yes, what Xibalba did is unforgivable. Tricking you like that and leaving you like this-" Itzlacol froze when La Muerte looked at him with a small glare, and instantly knew he had screwed it up. He shivered in a bit of fear-something that had never happened with a woman-when she crossed her arms.
"What do you mean by that?" she hissed, narrowing her eyes.
"I mean, leaving you along to raise your baby… He could have at least…. Respect you in that matter."
La Muerte had the feeling he was trying to hide the fact that he was disturbed of her pregnancy and that she had already been deflowered. Still, he was doing a good job concealing it. She decided to play along for the time being.
"I guess so. I think by now he could have learned it through the other gods, and he hasn't even contacted me."
Itzlacol wasn't sure, but he thought he saw some… insecurity in her tone. "Really?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow. "Not even a letter? Nothing?"
"Nothing. Either he doesn't care, or he has sent me something and Father threw it to the fireplace without my knowledge."
He couldn't shake the feeling that she was not being completely sincere as he took a sip from his wine. "If you say so."
When the food finally arrived, La Muerte didn't forget her manners as she technically devoured her food, her baby needed lots of nourishment right now. Itzlacol ate bit by bit, trying to look as much refined as Xibalba had probably being.
"Even if he did send something I don't want to know anything else from him." La Muerte continued speaking as she ate. "But I'm still thinking he does have fatherhood rights."
Itzlacol couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So you intend to tell him about the baby? Let him be part of its life and education? After all he's done to you?"
"I'm not certain… I'm afraid he would give my child a bad influence…" she lowered her gaze, concentrating on eating her main course.
"Let's just hope the baby won't take after its father…"
An uncomfortable shiver. "Yeah."
"Poor little one…"
"I'm glad that at least Father loves his grandchild despite Xibalba being its father."
"And you…?"
La Muerte placed her fork and knife down to place her hands on her small baby bump, stroking it. She couldn't help but smile. "I love my baby, I don't care who her father is, she's my baby."
"The baby is quite lucky to have you as a mother, too bad it came at the wrong time and the wrong way-"
La Muerte's smile vanished as she glared at Itzlacol once more. "Wrong time?"
"Well, are you ready for a baby? Did you want it, or did it come as a surprise?"
"I was a surprise, but I would never dread at the thought of a baby. I've always wanted to be a mother."
"But to become a mother out of trickery?"
"Children are not to blame for their parents' mistakes."
"No, but…" Itzlacol sighed and decided to try and remind her of what Xibalba had done. "I'm sorry for whatever Xibalba did to you… It must have been horrible…"
La Muerte saw his intentions, however. "No, actually he didn't force me to do anything."
"What do you mean?" Itzlacol didn't know where this was going as he lifted his gaze from his dessert. "Xibalba didn't…?"
She shook her head. "He tricked me, but he did not force me too… Well…"
"You accepted it? He's good at this if he managed to fool you.."
La Muerte stabbed her cake in a small fit of indignation. Was he implying she was a fool? Itzlacol nearly jumped at the action, and almost immediately apologized monotonously. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry." La Muerte said through grit teeth, looking away.
"You seem to have much appetite. You've already finished dessert. Is the baby giving you cravings?"
"Certain cravings."
"That can be solved. If there's anything else you would like, or what does the baby want?"
"Usually I like sweet things, but for now I'd settle with something spicy."
"Something spicy will be…" snapping his fingers, he made the fairy waitress come closer, and ordered her their spiciest dish in French with an authoritarian voice, the fairy felt a bit intimidated. When she left, he turned his attention to La Muerte once more. "Interesting cravings… The baby will likely be fond of sweet and spicy food."
"I think so…" La Muerte placed her hands on her abdomen once again. "She may have her father's sweet tooth."
Itzlacol placed his wine glass down again. "I'm sorry… she?" he inquired.
"Oh, I have the feeling the baby's going to be a girl. I've always wanted a niña, actually."
"A little La Muerte, if she will take after you… " Itzlacol rolled his eyes. "Though I think it's important that the firstborn is a male, just to be assured."
"A girl can be as capable."
"But she isn't as strong and brave as a boy is."
La Muerte frowned. "She can be if you raise her to be so."
"Yes. I must admit, you are the living proof, dear La Muerte."
"Why don't I feel complimented?" the goddess thought, wiping her lips with the red napkin.
"Anyway, I bet you will be a wonderful mother… For this baby and other future children, if there will be others, I mean."
"Others?"
"Other babies. Or if you just want one…"
"Oh, no, I mean… I love children, but in my current situation I can't think of it…" she started to eat the dish the fairy waitress had just brought, a spicy one.
"Of course. And now that we're on it, how do you intend to divorce from Xibalba? Since you're pregnant with…" he hissed the next words. "…his child."
La Muerte took notice of his tone darkening. "I don't know. It's impossible as far as I know."
"But you do want to divorce. If you wish it so badly everything is possible."
"Ancient Rules can't be broken nor altered."
Itzlacol waved a dismissive hand. "If you really want something you sell your soul to the devil or cross some rules to get that thing…" he eyed La Muerte possessively, but failed to keep it subtle, making her shiver in discomfort.
"Excuse me?!" She had enough. She slammed her glass on the table, spilling some of the contents on the mantle.
"I'm sorry if I have no other way to say it, bit you must do everything possible to get what you want… Even you must have something that you want the most in this entire world. I don't know what it is, but I'm certain you would cross your own principles to achieve it. With a little of ambition…" the gears in his head started to turn. "…Everything is possible." There was one way La Muerte could be taken from Xibalba's clutches. There were two ways to break a marriage, either through divorcing, or widowing…
It took La Muerte every once of self-control not to throw the wine of her cup into Itzlacol's smug face. "Excuse me, but I do not agree. You don't have to be dishonest to obtain something you want. I'm not willing to hurt anyone to achieve my goals."
Itzlacol chuckled. "Maybe not… unless it is something… or someone that you love… or simply want to possess."
La Muerte grew pale. She didn't like where this conversation was going, she had to get out of here somehow, but she doubted he would let her leave just like that… she had to think of something. Itzlacol noticed her state. "La Muerte, are you okay? You look paler than usual…"
"I…" maybe her pregnancy could be of advantage right now. "I don't feel well…" she took her hand to her forehead, pretending to be having a headache.
"We can go back if you want."
"It would…" she stood up, and pretended to faint, allowing her body to fall over and having Itzlacol catch her.
"La Muerte!"
La Muerte woke up a few hours later, and found herself back in her room, her candles unlit. Apparently her 'façade' had turned out not to be as fake as she intended it to be. At least Itzlacol was gone. Sighing, La Muerte sat up in bed and lit her candles with a wave of her hand; just then a familiar smell caught her attention. Turning to her bedside table, she found a blue rose with a note just next to the vase where she had the previous ones Xibalba had given her. Had he been here?! How had he entered?! When?! Of course, he was Xibalba, he had his 'methods'.
Curious about the note, she picked it along with the blue rose and unfolded it to read its content.
I hope it didn't go as bad as I thought.
La Muerte couldn't help but giggle. Really, Xibalba and his sense of humor. She lay back down on bed, again leaving the room half-dark with a wave of her hand, holding the blue rose close to her chest, its smell lulling her to sleep in a few minutes.
She didn't see a shadow glancing at her tenderly from the window, then flaring out his wings and flying away under the cloak of the night.
