{Alvaro?}
{…}
{Alvaro?}
{…}
{Alvaro? Are you there? Please. Answer me.}
{…}
{Yes, Huehue. I am here.}
{Good. I was worried.}
{What are you doing?}
{I’m leaving the banquet.}
{Why? You haven’t gained any information about the Commandante’s plans.}
{That does not matter to me right now. It is not what is important.}
{How can you say that?}
{Did you not hear what Lavina said?}
{Yes. Yes I did.}
{I need to get to you before anything happens to you and Milagros.}
{Milagros is safe. I left her in the care of Sister Romina.}
{But what of you?}
{I am not important at this point. I want that evil man gone.}
{At what cost? I may be a god, but that doesn’t mean I can be everywhere at once. I need you to be safe. I need you to be all right. I’m headed over there.}
{No. Huehue, you stay where you are. Get the job done. You will help a lot more people if you do. You will be able to bring down the tyrant that has taken many lives, needlessly.}
{You said that you cannot control me. So leave me be. My choice. My decision. I want to be by you. I want to keep you safe. You matter. You matter to me.}
{Huehue, it is too late.}
{No it’s not.}
{It is. Please. Watch over Milagros…if you can…I won’t…be able}
I struggle to breathe. My vision is darkening. I don’t know how much longer…
{At least I know the truth about my bride…and how things came about…thank you, Huehue…}
{You don’t make sense. Just let me concentrate. And I will be with you soon.}
{Adios, hermosa Huehue. Gracias…por todo…}
{Alvaro!}
...
*****
Something warm brushes along my lips. It is tender. Kind. A sense of love and passion fills my heart. My eye flutters open. Huehue’s face fills my vision. She is crying.
“Huehue? What are you doing here? I told you…to go.”
She sobs and sobs as she cradles me in her arms.
“Why…? Am I still alive?”
I look down at the wounds left by my attacker. They are slowly healing. My clothes remain torn and bloodstained nonetheless.
“Huehue? Your lips are bleeding.”
“Yes, my dear Alvaro. I shared some of my blood with you.”
“Why would you do such a thing?”
“To heal you and keep you from death’s door. Away from Mictlan. It’s not your time.”
“But I’m not worthy of a god’s blood.”
“Yes, you are. You have been so kind, so helpful, and so…loving. You deserve so much more than I can give. But I was selfish. I did not want you to leave my side…not just yet. If you were to die, I would never see you again. The doors to Mictlan have been locked away from me. I am a god. I live forever. I don’t know how I would survive after you were gone. It would drive me mad with grief.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to. Just stay. With me.”
I wrap my arms around her. Part of me feels guilty. Am I betraying my wife? Or is my wife responsible for this? Or is God? Or our Lady of Guadalupe even?
“Where are my attackers?”
“They are gone, but I can trace them back to their base. By the sounds of their galloping steeds, most likely headed back to the Presidio."
“We need to make sure Milagros is safe at the sanctuary.”
“I’m sorry, Alvaro.” A familiar voice and occupant enter my room.
“Sister Romina?”
“Elena guides Sister Romina by the hand.”
“Where is Milagros?"
“The Commandante has her.”
“Dios mio, no!”
His men entered the sanctuary. A few of the rebels were there with me. They were slain. I fought the best I could. Milagros was kidnapped along with many of the children at the orphanage. Those that belonged to the indigenous people. They dragged them back to the presidio by horse. I could not stop them. I was powerless..holy ground as you know.” Romina took a stumble.
“Romina! You’re wounded.”
“Elena called for Dr. Sepúlveda. Do not worry about me.”
“We can’t leave you alone.”
“Do not worry, Alvaro. I will stay here with her.”
“Rocio?” The doorway to my room, broken and shattered from the fight that ensued has allowed many a guest through.
“Yes. Go save little Milagros.”
“Huehue. I am sorry to hold you back, but I need to confront the tyrant myself.”
“I understand, Alvaro.”
“Do you have enough strength to get us there?” Even now, I worry about the strain the fight is putting on her body.
“Just…enough. But we will be just outside of the gates.”
“That will be fine.”
I grab onto Huehue’s shoulder. Smoke clouds my vision. I feel a bit nauseous but we appear a bit beyond the presidio gates.
“To arms, men!"
I hear the Commandante cry out, ordering the soldiers to rush out and overtake us.
“Al ataque, mis valientes!”
“Huehue? You can’t see!” Without my link to the mirror, I can’t connect with her.
“I have you by my side. Right now, I can take on the whole army.”
“Huehue…”
“Yes, Alvaro.”
“I love you.”
….
