Page 42 of Cuddly Demon

Waves crash against the shore as the moon casts a silver glow over everything. It's peaceful here, away from the chaos of New York.

Azazel and I stride along the beach in silence for a few minutes, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore providing a soothing balm to my soul.

"Tell me about Hell," I say, hoping it'll calm my nerves.

He pauses for a moment before continuing. "For years, humans have been told lies about what Hell is really like. They think it's a dark and dismal place, full of fire and brimstone, but that couldn't be further from the truth."

"Isn't there fire?"

"Of course." He smiles and takes in a deep breath of salty air. "But the truth is that Hell is beautiful. There are lush gardens full of exotic fire flowers, sparkling lava rivers filled with fish, and majestic ruby mountains with breathtaking views. The night sky is filled with orange stars that twinkle like sparkling embers in the night sky."

Azazel talks about how there are different realms within Hell—some more peaceful than others—each offering its own unique experiences for those brave enough to explore them. He speaks of the wonderful creatures that inhabit this realm—from demons to dragons—all living together harmoniously in one grand kingdom.

"But what really sets Hell apart from the rest," Azazel says with a twinkle in his eye, "are its inhabitants—the humans who have been sent here to wait for their next lives to begin amongst us demons. These humans," he continues, gesturing towards me with one hand, "often bring with them a unique perspective, a freshness of thought and an openness to learning that many of us demons lack. They're the ones who help us to evolve and grow, and it's through their eyes that we can see the beauty in Hell."

"So you see," Azazel says with a wink, "Hell really isn't so bad after all."

I can almost feel myself being transported there; my heart races with excitement at all of its possibilities. "That's way different from what I learned in Sunday school."

Azazel laughs. "You can say that again. Hell is a place of beauty, love, and acceptance. It's a place where you can be your true self without fear of judgment or persecution. It's a place to explore and discover new things about yourself and the world around you. And it's a place where you can find peace knowing that no matter what goes on in your life, you'll always have somewhere safe to go."

"Tell me about the weddings in Hell."

"The celebration of two souls joining together is taken very seriously in Hell. From the decorations to the fire-roasted food to the music, everything is carefully chosen and crafted to ensure that it reflects the commitment between the couple. They're a sight to behold—full of vibrant colors and magical music that fills the air. The partners stand before the souls, their love for each other radiating from them like a beacon in the night."

"My, oh my."

"When they exchange vows, it's as if time stands still and all of Heaven is watching."

This makes me snort. "Wait. Heaven watches the weddings in hell?"

"Uhhhh, duh. Heaven and Hell are connected in ways that humans can't even begin to understand. The love between two souls is a beautiful thing and it's something that transcends time and space."

I picture weddings in Hell. I can't explain why, but something like excitement bubbles up inside me.

Closing my eyes, I imagine myself taking Onyx's hand in my own, standing before the souls of Hell and declaring our love for each other. I can feel the heat of the flames around us, smell the fragrant smoke from the fire-roasted food and hear the music that fills every corner of this cheerful place. Our wedding guests enjoy dishes specially prepared by some of Hell's finest chefs. The tables are decorated with exotic fire blooms that flicker like stars in the night sky while sparkling lava rivers run through them.

The flames that light up our altar are vibrant—reds, oranges, yellows, blues—each one more beautiful than the last. The enchanting music fills me with an overwhelming sense of joy and happiness that I never knew was possible.

As I picture us kissing for the first time as husbands, I'm enveloped in a feeling of eternal bliss like no other.

"I wonder if my parents would attend," I grimace, kicking a pebble into the ocean.

"Are they supportive of gay marriage?"

"It's more the demon thing they wouldn't be on board with," I lament. "Super close-minded."

"Maybe they'll surprise you. Sometimes people surprise us in the best ways possible."

Azazel gives me a reassuring smile, and I feel a little bit better. Maybe things won't be as bad as I had initially thought.

I turn to Azazel. "Do you ever swim here at night?"

"All the time."

We strip down and dive into the cool, salty water of the Mediterranean Sea. The moonlight casts a beautiful glow across the waves, and the energy of the sea surrounds us as we swim.

We run into all sorts of sea creatures in the moonlit aquamarine water—from electric-blue jellyfish to rainbow-colored starfish.