by Shuler, Tara
“Did he put them on himself?” Aztos demanded.
“He was unconscious, Aztos,” Beth answered. “I put a towel over… stuff. I didn’t see anything.”
“And why is he in our bed?”
“Because the other bed was soaked. I tried sponging him off with ice water before the bath, but it wasn’t working. The whole mattress is wet.”
“I see. And you were lying on his half-naked body because…”
“I fell asleep, Aztos. I was sitting here watching him to make sure he didn’t have a fever-induced seizure again, and I guess I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to. I was going to sleep in the chair.”
He watched her body language intently, and apparently, he was satisfied with her answers.
“My assignment ended early,” Aztos commented. “I am home for a while.”
“Really? That’s great!” Beth gasped, putting her arms around his neck. “I’ve missed you.”
“Have you? I figured you would not have time to think of me with your angel to care for and all.”
“I always think about you,” she whispered into his ear, and he shivered.
Beth curled her fingers into his hair and pushed herself onto her tiptoes so she could smell the bend of his neck where it met his shoulder. There was something so inviting in the way that spot smelled, and she’d grown to love it. Her lips brushed gently against this spot, and she felt Aztos tighten his grip around her waist.
“Elizabeth, we are not alone,” he reminded her.
She sighed, and pulled away from him.
“Oh. Right,” she muttered.
“Should I move him so we can get some sleep?” Aztos asked.
“We can’t move him,” Beth argued. “I’ve already lugged him all over the house. There’s no telling what kind of damage I did. I think he had broken ribs, and I don’t know if my mother was able to repair them.”
“Well, where are we going to sleep?” Aztos wanted to know.
“You can sleep on the sofa, and I’ll sleep on the love seat.”
“I have another assignment tomorrow,” Aztos complained. “I might not be home tomorrow night. I’d like to sleep beside you.”
“Maybe we could both fit on the couch?” Beth suggested. “Might be a tight fit…”
“I suppose that might be acceptable…” he agreed.
“Get some blankets out of the closet in the hallway, and meet me in the living room,” Beth said, smiling happily.
Aztos went to the closet, and Beth slipped back into their bedroom to check on Malachai. He was still sleeping, and she touched his forehead to check his temperature. It felt normal, so she smiled. She took one of the pillows from the bed, and went to meet Aztos.
“I hope you don’t mind sharing a pillow,” Beth said.
Aztos had already spread the blankets out over the couch.
“Not at all,” he answered. “I will be right back.”
Aztos disappeared, and seconds later he reappeared wearing nothing but boxer shorts.
“I hope this attire is suitable,” he joked.
“Oh, shoot, I should change,” Beth said, looking down at her blood stained clothes.
“Done,” Aztos said.
Beth looked down, and she was wearing her favorite pajamas. She pouted at Aztos, and he grinned.
“They are your favorite, are they not?” he asked with a wink.
“Aztos…”
“Sorry, I was just kidding. There. Is that better?”
She looked down, and she was wearing only panties and a bra.
“Much better, thanks.”
Aztos lied down on the sofa, and he held the blanket open while Beth slipped in beside him. She felt his arms close around her, and she snuggled against his chest. There, warm and safe in his arms, she almost forgot about Malachai as he laid suffering in their bedroom.
“I could get used to this,” Beth told Aztos.
“I do not believe I would hate it,” he replied.
Beth smirked. Maybe he was really starting to like her, after all. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, though. Too many times, she’d done that, and she’d been disappointed. Still, lying there in his arms, it was hard not to feel hopeful. As she relaxed and listened to the rhythmic thumping of his heart, she drifted to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
“Elizabeth?” Aztos whispered. “Are you awake?”
Beth blinked, her eyes trying to adjust to the brightness of the morning light. She squinted up at Aztos, who was peering down at her.
“I’m awake,” she said. “What’s up?”
“I have to go. I just wanted to say goodbye.”
“Really? You hardly ever say goodbye.”
“A situation I thought I should remedy,” he remarked.
“Oh. How long will you be gone?”
“I am hoping to return tonight, but it may be tomorrow before I am finished.”
“I’ll miss you,” Beth told him, reaching her arms up to hug his neck.
“I believe I just may miss you, too,” he admitted.
He planted a soft kiss on her forehead, and blinked from sight.
“Wow,” Beth said to herself. “Maybe sleeping on the couch was a great idea, after all!”
Beth stretched, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun on her face. She sighed contentedly, and rolled over onto her other side to go back to sleep. Then she remembered Malachai.
“Oh, no! Malachai!”
She rushed into the bedroom and found him still sleeping in the same position he’d been in when she left him the night before. She touched his forehead. He was warm, but not hot. She collected a bowl of ice water and began to blot his forehead gently with an icy cool cloth.
He stirred.
“Malachai?” she asked, pressing the cool cloth against his forehead.
He shifted restlessly and began mumbling incoherently.
“Malachai?” Beth repeated.
“No… no!” he mumbled, thrashing about. “Stop! Not her! No!”
“Malachai!” Beth shouted, gripping his shoulders and trying to wake him.
“No!” Malachai gasped, and suddenly his eyes popped open, and he sat straight up in bed.
His eyes searched frantically for something, and then he spotted Beth.
“Beth!” he gasped, and he clung to her fiercely. “Oh, Beth! I thought I’d lost you!”
“What? No, I’m right here. I’ve been here all along,” Beth said, cradling him gently. “Malachai, what happened?”
“You don’t know?” he asked incredulously.
“No! You showed up half dead on my front porch,” Beth explained. “You’ve been unconscious ever since.”
“Oh, thank God you’re alright,” he whispered, still clinging to her as if he might never let go.
“Malachai!” she said loudly. “What happened?”
“They jumped me in the forest,” he wailed. “They said they would kill me if I ever even spoke to you again. They said they were going to kill you!”
“What? Who?”
“Demons! Three of them. I tried to take them out, but without my abilities, I couldn’t do much. I was so afraid they were coming after you!”
“Demons?” Beth gasped. “Are you sure? I haven’t seen or heard anyone around here.”
“I’m sure. Is Aztos here?”
“He was here, but he left for an assignment. He’s supposed to be back tonight or in the morning.”
“Was he here before I was attacked? Did he have something to do with this?”
“Are you serious? No, he wasn’t here, but he showed up right after you did. He helped you, Malachai. He saved your life!”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because I asked him to.”
“You would have me believe a demon would be willing to do the bidding of a human?”
“I’m his wife, Malachai. So, yes, he is willing to do what I ask.”
“It was awfully convenient for him to show up when he did, don’t you thi
nk?”
“He said he could feel my terror. He thought I was in danger, so he came home.”
“And you believed that?” he scoffed. “Boy, he really has you fooled, doesn’t he?”
“Malachai, he brought my mother here, and she saved your life. You should be grateful.”
“Think about it, Beth. Why would he do that? If he saved my life, it was for a reason. Maybe he’s trying to fool you.”
“Fool me into what?”
“Into thinking he’s something other than a monster!”
“Aztos is many things, but he is not a monster,” Beth growled defensively.
“Oh? Has he told you about the things he does when he’s on ‘assignments?’” Malachai asked mockingly.
“Yes! As a matter of fact, he has! He’s told me all about it. And I understand that he does those things because he has to, not because he wants to.”
“Has to,” he quoted with a scoff. “Like I had to…”
He froze for a moment, before adding, “I made the choice to not do something I knew was wrong, and it cost me everything!”
“Getting cast down from Heaven and being cast into The Pit are two completely different things, Malachai! At least you still have a chance that your soul might be saved! If Aztos disobeys, he’ll burn forever!”
“And that makes it alright? I would rather burn for a thousand eternities than do the things he does!”
“Who died and made you God?” Beth shouted.
She quickly gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Contrition washed over her like a wave thrashing against the shore.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” Beth said quickly.
“I didn’t take offense to it,” Malachai said, but he pulled away from her embrace for the first time since he woke up.
“Please, Malachai. Don’t do this. Let’s not fight.”
“Demons did this to me. They said they were going to hurt you, and I wouldn’t let them. I tried to stop them, and they did this.”
“I know, Malachai. But it wasn’t Aztos. It couldn’t have been.”
“Are you sure about that? I mean, it’s awfully convenient for him to just show up and save the day like that. Don’t you think there’s even the slightest possibility that maybe he’s trying to pull the wool over your eyes?”
“Look, you need your rest. Please. My mother said you would probably take several days to heal.”
“Your mother?”
“She’s a witch. Aztos brought her here to save you. It was her spell that healed the wound on your chest, and helped your other wounds heal faster.”
“Will you thank her for me?”
“Of course. But, will you rest now?”
“Alright,” he agreed, and he winced in pain and grabbed his side as he tried to lie down.
Beth quickly gripped him and helped him lower his weight back onto the bed. He grasped her arms and pulled her down toward him, and he looked intently into her eyes.
“He may fool you, but he won’t fool me. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“Please get some rest,” Beth implored.
He relaxed, and his eyes closed. A few moments later, his breathing shifted into a shallow, even pace, and Beth knew he was asleep.
Was he right? Beth hated herself for questioning Aztos. She wanted to believe in him. She wanted to trust him. Yet, somehow, she was afraid Malachai might be right. Did she need to worry about protecting Malachai from Aztos?
Beth found a book and settled down into the chair in the corner to watch over Malachai. Something was going on, and she was afraid to leave him alone. The day passed, and her stomach began to grumble. Soon, she was nearly doubled over with emptiness. But she was afraid to leave him. Around four in the afternoon, Malachai finally stirred. Beth was at his side in a flash.
“Malachai?”
“Hi,” he groaned. “How long was I asleep?”
“About eight hours, I think.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”
He struggled to sit up, but Beth put her hand on his chest and stopped him.
“You needed the rest. Are you hungry?”
“Yes, I’m quite hungry. And thirsty.”
“I’m starving, too. I’ll be right back with some water, and then I’ll make us something to eat.”
“No, I don’t want you waiting on me. I’ll get it,” he stopped her, trying to get to his feet.
“Malachai, stop,” Beth demanded, pushing him gently back down. “You were nearly killed. You can’t get up, yet.”
“Don’t be silly, I’m fine,” he said, trying once more to stand, but crying out in pain.
“Stop it!” Beth shouted. “Please, just stay here and recover. Let me take care of you.”
“I should be taking care of you,” he muttered.
“What?” Beth asked.
“Nothing,” he mumbled.
“Just promise me you’ll stay here,” Beth pleaded. “I’m going to bring you some water.”
“Fine.”
Beth went to the kitchen and quickly returned with a glass of cold water. She handed it to him, and he struggled to sit up enough to drink it. She put her hand behind his back and helped him sit up, and she steadied the glass in his trembling hand. He drank it quickly. Beth took the pillows and pushed them behind him, propping him up.
“Do you want to watch television or read a book or anything while I make us something to eat?” Beth asked.
“No, I’ll be fine,” he insisted.
“Alright, but here’s the remote if you change your mind,” Beth said, taking the remote control from the nightstand and placing it on the bed beside him. “Do you want anything specific to eat?”
“Anything is fine,” he told her.
“I’ll be in the kitchen. It’s right across the hall. Just call me if you need anything,” Beth said.
He nodded.
Beth scrambled around to make some food as quickly as she could. She heated a can of chicken soup and made them turkey sandwiches. Normally, she’d have made something homemade for someone so ill, but she just wanted to get back to him. She was still worried something might happen to him.
She loaded a tray with food for Malachai, including the soup, the sandwich, an apple, and a glass of orange juice.
“It’s nothing special,” she told him, carrying the tray into the room and placing it over his lap. “I just wanted to get you something quickly. I know you must be terribly hungry.”
“No, it looks great,” Malachai insisted.
“I would imagine anything would look great, right now,” Beth joked.
Malachai picked up the spoon and tried to dip it into the bowl of soup, but his hand was so weak and shaky, he dropped it. The spoon clattered into the ceramic bowl and splashed hot soup onto his chest.
“I’m sorry!” he said quickly.
Beth grabbed the napkin from the tray and wiped the soup away from his chest. Then sat beside him and picked up the spoon, carefully lifting a bite of steaming hot soup from the bowl. She blew on it until it was cooled, and then carefully lifted it to his lips.
“Here,” she whispered.
Sheepishly, he took the offered food.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized again. “You shouldn’t have to be doing this. It’s not your responsibility.”
“Nonsense, Malachai,” Beth argued. “I guess I’m your only friend. That makes it my responsibility.”
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
“Malachai, I would do anything for you,” Beth told him gently.
He smiled weakly, and Beth continued to feed him, though her own stomach pinched terribly. Her stomach gurgled and grumbled, and she continued to ignore it.
“You should eat,” Malachai said. “I can hear your stomach rumbling.”
“I’m fine,” Beth insisted. “I’ve eaten several times since you have.”
He grabbed her wrist as she lowered the spoon to the soup bowl. He looked into her eyes intensely.
“I’ve had enough for now,” he said. “Please eat.”
“Ow, Malachai, that hurts,” Beth grumbled.
He released her quickly and his face was tight with remorse.
“I’m sorry. I guess I don’t know my own strength,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay. It wasn’t that bad. It only hurt a little,” Beth lied.
“Please go eat your food,” Malachai begged. “I’ve really had enough for now.”
“You’ve hardly had anything, Malachai,” she argued. “You’ve only eaten half your soup, and you haven’t…”
“Stop,” he interrupted. “I will eat more once you’ve eaten something.”
Beth picked up half his sandwich, which she’d cut into two neat triangles, and she shoved a huge bite into her mouth.
“There, I ate,” she mumbled defiantly, her mouth stuffed full of sandwich.
Malachai chuckled, which made him cough.
“You are quite entertaining,” he told her.
She smiled at him and swallowed the food.
“It’s good to see you laugh,” Beth admitted.
Suddenly, the moment became intense. The atmosphere in the room shifted, and the air was thick and hot. Malachai’s breathing became rapid, and his lips parted slightly. He leaned toward Beth, and she quickly jumped off the bed and backed up, shaking her head to clear it.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
Malachai’s eyes filled with rage, and his hand slipped under the tray of food and hurled it at the wall. Beth gasped, and backed further away. Malachai closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath, and when he opened them, their normal hazel had turned blood red. His lip twitched, and he bared his teeth slightly.
“Malachai! What’s wrong with you?” Beth gasped.
“What… am I not good enough for you?” he spat. “A demon is fine, but a fallen angel is a monster, right?”
Malachai, whose body now seemed perfectly healed and energized, slowly stood up from the bed and started moving toward Beth. In response, she slowly backed away from him. His eyes were narrow and menacing, and he panted like an animal through snarling, bared teeth.
Beth bumped into the dresser, and she put her hands on it to steady herself, leaning back as Malachai’s body pressed against hers and he leaned closer.