by Shuler, Tara
“Anyway, I am exhausted. Maybe we should get some sleep?” Aztos suggested.
“It’s pretty early,” Beth commented.
“You take the bed,” Aztos offered, ignoring her. “I’ll sleep here in the chair.”
“That’s hardly fair,” Beth said.
“This whole arrangement is hardly fair,” Aztos reminded her. “You got the short end of the stick, so you take the bed.”
“Hmm. I guess you’re right. Okay, I’ll take the bed.”
Beth stood up and walked over to the bed. She peeled back the covers and sat down on the edge of the bed. She smiled as she noticed Aztos pulling the other chair closer to him to use as a footrest. He looked almost innocent, and it was certainly chivalrous to offer her the bed and to not expect their wedding to be consummated.
“By the way…” Beth added.
“Yes?” Aztos asked, turning his eyes her way.
“I was only kidding about you being right. I don’t think I got the short end of the stick.”
Beth snuggled down under the covers, totally missing the satisfied smile that spread across Aztos’ face.
Chapter Four
The next morning, Beth was awakened by Aztos gently rousing her. His hand touched her shoulder, and he whispered into her ear.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said.
Beth yawned and stretched. It took a moment before she realized where she was, and then she remembered she was now a married woman.
“Well, good morning, husband,” she said with a yawn.
“Are you ready to get back to Earth and see our house?” Aztos asked.
“Yes, definitely,” Beth agreed. “Not to knock this house, because it’s beautiful… but, I kind of miss electricity and running water.”
“As do I,” Aztos said truthfully.
“Can I go see my parents?” Beth asked.
“Certainly. Do you want to go there first?”
“Yes, I’d prefer it.”
“Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“What… like this?” Beth gasped, looking down at her tank top and sweatpants.
“Why not?”
“I don’t know about demons, but we humans prefer to look a little more civilized when we see other humans.”
Aztos frowned.
“You look beautiful,” he told her honestly. “I don’t see what is wrong with the way you look now.”
“Isn’t there something else I could wear?” Beth asked.
“You could always wear your wedding dress,” he mocked.
“I guess this is fine,” Beth muttered.
Aztos grinned slyly, and he placed his hand on Beth’s shoulder. Seconds later, they were standing on the porch of her parents’ house. Beth noticed Aztos was dressed in a handsome blue sweater and khaki pants, and she glared at him. Looking down, she saw that she, too, was wearing new clothes. She wore a red cable knit sweater, blue jeans, and black suede boots.
“I trust the clothing is suitable?” Aztos asked, trying to suppress laughter.
“You knew you were going to do this all along,” Beth commented with mock irritation.
“Did I?” Aztos asking, feigning shock and stupidity.
Beth narrowed her eyes at him and sighed. Aztos shot her a sly grin, and then rang the doorbell. Inside, Beth could hear anxious voices, and feet shuffled to answer the door. It flew open, and Beth’s father, with her mother standing close behind, stood with his mouth agape.
“Beth?” he asked, his face looking haggard and unshaven.
“Daddy!” Beth shrieked, throwing herself into his arms.
“Oh, sweetheart! Thank God you’re home!” Tom gushed, squeezing his daughter tightly.
“Beth, darling!” Sharon shouted. “I’m so glad you’re safe! Come here, baby!”
She reached out for her daughter, but she was met with a cold aloofness. Beth stared at her, unsure what to do or say. Her mother grabbed her, squeezing her tightly, despite the cold shoulder Beth presented her.
“Mom, we have to talk… now,” Beth demanded.
It was then that her parents both turned their attention toward Aztos. Clearly, Sharon had already told Tom about her bargain. Tom glared at Aztos as though he wanted to rip him apart, and Sharon eyed him with disgust.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hall, I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Aztos said politely, bowing with respect and extending his hand.
“I’m afraid I can’t say the same,” Tom snarled, recoiling from the hand that Aztos offered.
“What are you doing here?” Sharon growled.
“I have come to meet my in-laws,” Aztos responded, putting his hand down uncomfortably.
“Then it’s already done?” Sharon asked.
“Yes, Mother,” Beth said contemptuously. “Don’t worry. I went through with it so you could keep your precious powers.”
“Why don’t you come inside so we can talk?” Sharon invited.
“Fine,” Beth muttered, stepping across the threshold.
Tom attempted to close the door in Aztos’ face, and Aztos made no move to stop him. Beth, however, turned and pushed the door back open.
“Daddy, like it or not, he is my husband, now,” Beth said.
Gritting his teeth, Tom held the door open and allowed Aztos to enter the house. He couldn’t hide his irritation, however.
The four of them made their way into the living room. Tom sat in his recliner, and Sharon sat at the opposite side of the room, on the sofa. Beth and Aztos took a seat on the love seat between them.
“Beth, I’m really sorry…” Sharon started to say.
“Mother, stop,” Beth snapped. “I don’t want to hear an apology from you. I know you’re not sorry. You got what you wanted.”
“I am sorry, though,” Sharon pleaded. “I was wrong, and I regret what I did.”
“Whatever,” Beth snarled with scorn.
“You,” Sharon said, turning her attention to Aztos. “What’s your name?”
“My name is Aztos, son of Azmond.”
“Do you have a last name?” Sharon asked.
“We do not really use them,” he admitted.
“So what will my daughter be called?” Sharon demanded.
“Elizabeth?” Aztos asked, clearly confused.
“No, I mean… what will her last name be?” Sharon clarified.
Aztos’ face was awash with confusion.
“Here on Earth, when two people marry, the woman usually takes the last name of her husband,” Beth explained, seeing the befuddled look on his face.
“Oh, that is right,” Aztos said. “I had forgotten all about that custom.”
“As much as you read? You really forgot something like that?” Beth asked quietly.
“I just forgot,” he admitted with a shrug.
“Well, you two certainly seem to have gotten to know each other well in the last twenty-four hours,” Tom muttered.
“She is my wife. It is my duty to do so, is it not?” Aztos asked.
“Duty? You marry a woman you just met, and you talk about duty?” Sharon shouted.
“You’re the one who bargained your daughter away like she was nothing!” Tom snapped at Sharon.
“I told you why I did it!” Sharon yelled back at Tom. “You know what my parents are like!”
“As if that’s an excuse to do that to your own daughter?” Tom screamed. “Your parents never did anything like that to you!”
“I told you, I tried to stop it! I did everything I could to keep it from happening!” Sharon shrieked.
“Stop it!” Beth interjected. “Don’t argue! I’m fine! It’s fine!”
Tom and Sharon both closed their mouths and sulked. It was plain to see that they had stopped arguing temporarily for their daughter’s sake, but the matter was far from over.
“You’re married to a demon,” Tom reminded her. “I hardly call that fine.”
“Look,” Beth said. “I didn’t come here to argue with you. I came to let you kn
ow I was okay, and to let Mom know she didn’t have to worry about losing her powers or anything. I married him. You got what you wanted, Mother.”
“This isn’t what I wanted,” Sharon objected.
“It’s exactly what you wanted,” Beth countered. “You got your powers, and you got rid of me.”
“Got rid of you?” Sharon gasped. “Why would you say a thing like that? I never wanted to…”
“Just stop it, Mother,” Beth snarled. “I’ve read your journal. I know you never wanted to be pregnant at all.”
Sharon’s face fell. Her mouth hung open, and her eyes were wide and fearful.
“Beth, I wrote that stuff nearly twenty years ago,” Sharon tried to explain. “I was young, and I…”
“Stop!” Beth shouted. “Aztos, let’s get out of here. I’m so done with this.”
Beth grabbed Aztos’ hand and pulled him up from the love seat. She stormed toward the door, dragging Aztos along with her.
“Beth, wait!” Tom shouted.
Beth slammed the front door behind her and turned to Aztos with tears spilling from her eyes.
“Take me home,” she wailed, and Aztos complied.
In the blink of an eye, they were standing on the front porch of a modest home. It was a charming Cape Cod painted in a delicate cream color, with rich burgundy shutters and a matching door.
“This is our home?” Beth asked.
“Do you not like it?” Aztos wondered. “I could get something bigger if you would prefer.”
“No! This is perfect.”
“I thought it would be to your liking,” he mused.
“Let’s go inside!” Beth suggested, putting her hand on the doorknob.
“Wait,” Aztos stopped her. “I believe it is an Earth tradition for the husband to carry his wife over the threshold, is it not?”
“Yes, I suppose it is,” Beth agreed with a giggle.
Aztos opened the door, and then he swept Beth into his arms and stepped inside. Beth laughed in amusement, but as he lowered her gently to the floor, his face paused just inches away from hers. A very slight gasp escaped her lips, and she hoped for a moment he would kiss her. He cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“Let me show you around,” he said, closing the front door behind him.
Aztos took her on a tour of their new home. It was a stark contrast to Azmond’s bleak palace in New Abaddon. The woods were pale and bright, and the furnishings were cheerful. Upstairs were a few empty rooms – rooms which Aztos said could be guest rooms or hobby rooms – whatever Beth wished. On the main floor, there was the master bedroom and one guest room, a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, and an office.
“I hope you like it,” Aztos told her.
“I really do,” Beth gushed. “I have to admit, it’s not what I expected. I figured you’d want something darker.”
“I chose this place with you in mind,” he informed her. “I did not choose it because it was what I wanted, but rather because I thought it would be what you would want.”
Beth couldn’t believe it, but she was starting to really warm up to Aztos. Ever since the wedding, he had been a real gentleman. He was being kind, gentle, and selfless. Not only was it surprising that a demon would be this way, but it was startling that Aztos himself could be so different from the man she’d met the day before.
Still, it was hard to forget that man. He had twisted her arm and spoken to hear very harshly, and Catherine had told her terrible things about him. Beth didn’t think she would ever be able to get past those memories – even if she managed to put aside the fact that her husband was a demon.
Then again, perhaps the darkness inside Aztos was nothing more than a product of his treatment at the hands of his father. If Azmond had really treated him the way Catherine had said, maybe being away from Azmond would help.
“I’m starving,” Beth said, changing the subject.
“I have had the kitchen fully stocked,” Aztos told her. “If you cannot find what you want, I can have it brought in.”
“Are you going to eat?” she asked him.
“I will have whatever you have,” he said agreeably.
Beth looked around the kitchen. She had always enjoyed cooking, and she expected that one day she would love cooking for her husband. She had no idea what kind of food Aztos was used to eating, nor what his preferences were. That was something traditional couples had the luxury of doing – getting to know each other before the wedding.
“Do you like fish?” Beth asked.
“I am open to trying anything,” he answered honestly.
“Alright, then I’ll make one of my favorite meals.”
Fortunately, Beth had everything she needed. She diced mangoes, jalapenos, and mild red onions finely and placed them in a bowl. She finely minced some cilantro, and added that to the mixture. Then she squeezed fresh lime juice over the whole thing, finally seasoning it with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. She put a lid on the bowl, and then placed the mango salsa in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld together while she prepared the rest of the meal.
She heated some olive oil in a sauté pan, and placed a grill pan on the stove to heat up. When the olive oil was hot, she added some finely minced shallots and garlic, and threw in several handfuls of fresh baby spinach leaves.
She took two beautiful fresh mahi-mahi filets from their package and seasoned them well on both sides with salt and pepper and a dash of smoked paprika. She brushed the grill pan with olive oil, and laid the fish filets on it. They sizzled delightfully, and a rich, smoky smell wafted through the kitchen.
Aztos watched Beth curiously. He had never seen anyone cooking before. Then again, he had never been interested in watching such things. Somehow, everything Beth did interested him. The way she spoke, the way she moved – she was enchanting. He’d never expected a human could be so enthralling.
Beth stirred the spinach as it wilted, adding a pinch of salt and tasting it. She added another pinch of salt, and then removed it from the heat. Using a fish turner, she carefully turned the mahi-mahi filets at an angle to develop a lovely crosshatch pattern of black grill marks. After a few moments, she gently flipped the fish onto the other side to finish cooking it.
Beth took two white plates out of the cabinet and placed them on the counter. Once the fish was thoroughly cooked, she carefully spooned some of the sautéed spinach into the center of each of plate. Then she laid a fish filet on top of each mound of spinach. She squeezed fresh lime juice over each filet. She took the mango salsa from the refrigerator and spooned some over the top of each piece of fish, and then she took the plates to the table. Aztos had already placed two wine glasses on the table, and he filled them with what appeared to be champagne.
“You do know it’s illegal to drink before the age of twenty-one, here, right?” Beth asked. “Not that I really care that much. I’m just saying.”
“It is only sparkling cider,” Aztos clarified.
“Oh. I’ve never tried that before,” Beth commented, taking a sip.
“Is it to your liking?”
“Yeah, it’s not bad. Pretty nice, actually.”
“This looks interesting,” Aztos said, sitting down and eyeing his plate.
“It’s one of my favorite meals,” Beth said. “I usually serve it with rice or potatoes, but I wasn’t really in the mood for carbs today.”
Aztos took a bite, and Beth watched him chew. She waited impatiently for him to comment.
“Well?” she finally asked.
“It is very enjoyable,” he told her honestly.
Beth smiled. She was pleased with herself. Not only was the first meal she cooked for her husband not a disaster, but he actually seemed to enjoy it. She took a bite, and closed her eyes. She always enjoyed the temperature contrast of the warm fish with the cold salsa, and the combination of the sweetness of the mangoes with the tangy bite of the lime juice and the sharp bite of the spicy jalapeno peppers.
“You cer
tain seem to enjoy this,” Aztos remarked.
“Oh, yes,” Beth sighed contentedly. “There is something so Heavenly about the combination of flavors in this dish.”
“Heavenly,” Aztos scoffed. “That is hardly a word I would use to describe something pleasant.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Beth said quickly. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I am not offended. I just find it disturbing that you use that word in such a way.”
“A lot of people do that here. Humans use it to describe something really wonderful.”
“Do you think Heaven is wonderful?” Aztos asked, his voice laced with scorn.
“I never thought much about it, honestly. Like I said before, I never really believed in Heaven or Hell or anything like that. Why do you hate Heaven so much? I mean, besides the obvious, of course.”
“He cast Lucifer down in a fit of rage. He never gave him a chance to repent. He just tossed aside one of His children like an old dishrag, yet billions of humans hail Him as a savior. Frankly, it disgusts me.”
“So what did Lucifer do, anyway?”
“Nothing that would warrant such treatment. He felt Lucifer was upstaging him, apparently, because Lucifer wanted a throne for himself. After all, he was His favorite angel. He was the most beautiful. But He became jealous and thought the other angels loved Lucifer more than they loved Him, so he cast Lucifer down out of spite.”
“Do you really think that’s true? Could there be more to the story?”
“I have no reason to doubt my Master,” Aztos snapped.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” Beth said gently. “It’s just that there are always two sides to every story.”
“Not this one,” Aztos growled with certainty.
They ate for a moment in silence. The only sounds were the clink of forks against ceramic plates, and the occasional gulp of someone drinking the sparkling cider. Beth had a sinking feeling in her stomach. She was worried she’d offended Aztos. She hadn’t meant to. She was only trying to have a polite conversation with him.
“Are you sure I haven’t offended you?” Beth asked after several moments of quiet reflection. “I didn’t mean to.”
