A Tale Before Two Alphas Series

Walking into the Never Never was life-changing.

The moment I opened my eyes, holding on to Hades’s hand, everything from the very air I breathed had some sort of magic that made my life before seem dull and hazy the moment we stepped through.

Not that I particularly wanted to remember in the first place.

Gone was the giant bed with millions of pillows I would kick off every night.

The ugly clashing tones of different hues of gold on every little item. Even the smell of the foul-smelling freesias that permeated every bit of my room was gone, as well as the stifling hot hearth that was a constant.

As if being taken here was an awakening of sorts and this was my true home.

Only, I was highly disoriented. It was my room, almost an exact replica of it. However, it also wasn’t mine. As if summoned forth from my mind; or perhaps summoned from the deal we had made.

It was somehow perfect and I knew it was my room.

Everything was too much to process as my eyes darted around, the room spinning despite what I managed to take in.

This room had a woody smell, everything perfectly lacquered from the side tables to the gigantic soft bed.

Faerie lights seemed to be suspended in the air, and a door to what I only assumed was some sort of area to bathe or relieve oneself.

Despite the gloom, everything felt warm and rosy, where my room had looked warm, it was ice cold.

My vision grew dark—perhaps everything was too much for a mortal like me to process just as the stories I had read told. Though I certainly hadn’t been prepared. At least that’s what I suspected as my eyes opened and I was suddenly under blankets that felt as soft as butter.

Their color was a solid liquid deep blue that I had never seen matched in softness, with a shimmering twilight blanket that had a purple hue at times.

I had also never seen such deep colors and rich tones in my lifetime despite having some of the finest clothes, silks, and colors at home. Like the volume of color was so much more than it ever could be back home.

There wasn’t much else in the room other than a wardrobe, a window, a vanity and changing screen, a fireplace, two chairs, a white-skinned rug in front of them, and a bookshelf that was nearly as long as the bed.

The wood was the same material on all of the furniture, just as detailed in its swirled carving and deep rich brown tones of every shade. The walls, oddly enough, were empty, and complementary white marble swirled black and white on the ground. Every inch of the room was devoid of art, plants, or any other decorations save for some dead bugs, cracks, and cobwebs.

It made the room feel incomplete.

After looking around and cautiously sliding out of bed, I noted I was no longer in my own clothing. Instead, I wore almost the same soft buttery material on my flesh though it was lighter and airy in a startling silver that reminded me of a spider’s web, though it shimmered and glistened like jewelry.

Indecent. Vulgar. Erotic. Outrageous.

Words anyone else might say.

But…I didn’t despise it.

I knew I was supposed to be repulsed the longer I looked down at myself, to want to cover myself instinctively. That everything about this realm should cow me. This place was so unlike anything I had ever known. So raw, wild, and untamed.

Yet instead, some darker part of me seemed to relish every moment of it.

I felt the breeze on my bare skin for the first time in my life. It made me feel free.

It was certainly more comfortable than the itchy brown trousers I had worn to sneak out, or any other garment I had worn in my entire life. No longer confining, itchy, too warm, or reminding me of my bonds.

These clothes made me feel like I truly belonged in the world. Not hidden beneath shells and layers of clothing.

Instead, it was as if I was truly a part of the world as I was meant to be.

I ran my fingers over the top of the long wardrobe—it was carved with a little iron latch one almost might miss near the bottom, hiding a thin drawer. The pattern on the wood was so detailed and beautiful that it was hard to describe or even take in as I felt every bump. As if the wood was alive and moved, telling its story slowly through the wood the longer I looked at it. Though it could have been an optical illusion due to its many colors and the way it was carved, catching the light.

It couldn’t have possibly been man-made. The wood would have splintered in places if someone had dared try carving it with such intricacy. That much I was certain of, and I knew if I looked closely at the other furniture, the same would be true as well.

“You’ve awakened.” The quiet words and unfamiliar voice made me jump, turning to face the door. There stood—what I could only describe as a one-foot-tall head covered in four giant eyeballs. After a moment to look him over, I realized there was indeed a body attached that seemed way too small for its head in a queer sort of way.

It—as I couldn’t even begin to decide its gender—was tapping its foot in an outfit that seemed to be patchwork, hanging off of its small frame shadowed by its head. It was hard to tell if its skin was gray or green with its large black and startling periwinkle eyes that seemed to illuminate its features. Even its short-cropped snow-white hair or fur (for I wasn’t quite sure what it truly was) was almost entirely forgotten with its gaze. It also appeared on the backs of its ears, which looked similar to a feline or a bat.

I stared at it for a good long moment before realizing it wasn’t moving, waiting as I pointed to myself, words unable to fall from my lips.

It was a strange creature, but I doubted it would welcome a human gawking for long. Though as hard as I tried, I couldn’t stop. I had never seen anything like it before.

The creature sighed, its words coming out like warm apple pie—seemingly sweet and reminding you of your grandmother. “Follow me.”

It began to walk out of the room before I could even acknowledge where it was going. After I registered he had left, I ran after him, hoping he hadn’t turned a corner. Thankfully, it seemed to walk slower than me; but it was already halfway down the corridor somehow.

Unfortunately, humans had a tendency to do exactly what I was doing—stop and gawk.

The floors were embedded with every jewel and sparkling color I couldn’t even comprehend. The walls were white marble with splashes of black spider veins that made it look almost like cold flesh in some instances, though to touch it was solid and cool as any stone might be. It was an odd combination that was as fascinating as it was frightening to the human eye.

After a grunt of irritation from the creature, I hastily hurried after it, following through the twists and turns of the hallway.

Each doorway seemed to have morphed into never-ending hallways, seeming to have us roaming in circles despite having someone navigating us.

The creature never hesitated, seeming to know exactly which direction to go until we came upon an open frosted glass double door. As it gestured inside and vanished in a puff of smoke, the look of irritation coming over its face briefly in a look I’m sure it thought I hadn’t seen.

The brief break in composure was so sour and ill-tempered that I couldn’t help but cover my mouth with a small chuckle.

Stepping through the doors, I stopped short, the laughter dying as quickly as the hand fell to my side. I could feel my heart jumping into my throat as his smell invaded my senses. Even though I had known who would be there, it was entirely different seeing him in his home world.

Everything about Hades was more here. Here, he belonged, as if the sky itself resonated from his presence. So beautiful it hurt.

Hades’s very presence among his world was a painful reminder of where he belonged and I didn’t.

He stood on the terrace, what I now realized had been armor on his shoulders, legs, and hands now doffed, making him look more human. What was replaced was elegant trousers and a shirt, the material looking just as unnatural as my own in a way that was hard to describe, that was buttery in texture. Eyes gazing outward before he glanced back at me.

His eyebrows lifted in surprise as he paused, taking a longer look, eyes burning into me.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, my hands itching to cover myself under his gaze, feeling suddenly exposed. No one had ever looked at me with such intensity.

It felt different than my mother’s gaze, something more that made my heart begin to pound uncomfortably.

He paused, perhaps considering if I was worth answering. “No. Has Urel explained your situation?”

I was confused for a moment before I realized he likely meant the creature that had brought me. Apparently, it had a name. Though I highly doubted Urel would have explained anything even if I had asked. This male faerie was relaxed, his face apprehensive of a conversation, fingers laced as he leaned backward against the balcony, and something in his tone reminded me of my mother.

Bossy.

“If you ordered him not to, I don’t know why you’d bother asking a rhetorical question,” My response was light, but his gaze smoldered like hot coals at my words.

Apparently, my observation had been on the mark.

“Perceptive for a human.” His words were more of a curious murmur before he gave a small, almost exhausted sigh. Everything about his body language switched to dismissive, one my mother had a lot when she gave her own speeches about life. “I am Hades, known as the keeper, king, or god of the Underworld, Elohim the maker in darkness—and many more depending on which mortal tale you may have heard of, though I have much older names as—”

I held up my hand, trying not to laugh. Clearly, he had a speech that was literally memorized. “I know the name Hades, actually. So, when you said you weren’t quite a faerie or even exactly a god since you’re here so, you mean you’re like… dead? I know you’re supposed to rule death so that’s my best guess.”

He frowned, a hand gripping the railing, as if upset. “You interrupted. I don’t appreciate being interrupted.” His tone was soft but intense in its warning, one I ignored.

Somehow, I couldn’t help myself but to respond. It was sort of comical to see him flustered. “Oh? I’m sorry, did you have a speech? Go on then,” I said with a smile, walking up to the railing to lean against it, the small breeze stirring my loose hair around my shoulders as I looked up at him with a smile.

I gave a small wave with my hand to urge him on.

With narrowed eyes, he folded his arms, staring down at me, saying nothing. The intensity of his gaze made me want to squirm. All the dangers of upsetting a faerie existed, and I was here tempting fate. Perhaps if he regretted marrying me, he would return me home.

The idea might have been appealing to other mortals, but the thought made me uncomfortable. I didn’t have much to go back to for one. I had already decided I was leaving.

“For a mortal with the short end of a deal, you are unfathomably joyful. Did you enjoy being kidnapped from Earth? Do you think this will be some sort of romantic fantasy? Is that how humans depict us now?” He took a step forward, his words careful and clipped in their tone.

I looked away from him, blushing. Granted, I did personally romanticize faeries and magic, but it was not how they were written about. I knew better; who didn’t know better? Faeries were dangerous creatures that snatched children, sometimes changing them out with faerie children, returning people home insane and/or displaced by hundreds of years—and those were the nice stories.

However, the rare nicer tales were thrown in there as well.

“No, I just—” The words came out mumbled, and before I knew it, my chin was being firmly turned, lifting my gaze to meet his.

Hades’s touch was a gentle warm pressure that sent a jolt through me, his skin rough and smooth at the same time. The smell of burning ice and belladonna curled through my nose in a way that wasn’t unpleasant, though it likely should be.

“All faeries, even those who don’t own territory or can hardly be called one of us, are incredibly dangerous to your kind. My kingdom likely houses the worst of them all. So, it is best if you do not anger the one that leads them. You’re number one hundred and sixteen—that’s one hundred and fifteen humans that came before you.” He let go of my chin, as if I soiled his hands. “You’re just another number as far as my wives go.”

My heart hammered in my throat, and the hair on the back of my neck prickled as he let go of my chin, the satisfaction reaching his eyes and his words sunk in.

One hundred and sixteen.

That was a lot of humans. Did his other brides make him angry and get sent away? Did he just kill them? Was any of that worse than being dumped back home?

I wasn’t entirely sure.

Whatever the case, the warning was clear. Obey me. Unfortunately for him, I grew up with my mother. Obeying within reason was something I had gotten very good at.

“You agreed to be my bride. I won’t frighten you further, but this is difficult to explain to a mortal in the first place—yet necessary. I find you creatures to be less violent toward me when I am frank. So please pay attention.”

I stayed silent, and he seemed to take that as permission to continue.

“When what you humans call the Never Never or Overworld was created, I made a deal that was devised by me yet also constructed by the Fates. In return for what I asked, I have to take a bride once every five hundred years. There must be a soul to sit upon the queen’s throne tied in marriage.”

I knew what question he expected me to ask when he finally paused. He wanted me to ask why he needed a wife.

Instead, I just wanted to know more about this place. I didn’t really care about his motives or why I was here since I meant so little to him.

I also didn’t really care to know my role in it since it was clearly a position he knew how to manage so well.

One hundred and fifteen times certainly made me feel pointless in trying to learn or best any of the others to be a forever bride, if that was the goal.

The message was very clear.

“You must have gotten the short end of a deal,” I replied honestly, my words soft as I looked up at him through my lashes. “Being married I mean. You don’t seem like you want me here.”

Hades was silent for several heartbeats as if weighing his options on responses. “I find taking a wife to be a tedious affair,” he admitted with a small sniff. “Though necessary.”

“You dislike humans? Or is it women you dislike?”

His eyes narrowed at my words. “Careful.” I tried not to grin, somehow knowing discussing his sexuality might bother this particular faerie. “You humans live such short lives it’s hardly what one would call a marriage when you can’t connect with them before they perish.”

I glanced off the balcony, a warm smile lighting my face at the beautiful scene around us. “I don’t think another thirty years or so here will truly be that bad. You make it sound like a prison.”

It was beautiful of course in a queer sort of way. Colors, and areas devoid of color that made little sense, a beach filled with pillars of what looked to be colorful rock and caverns of the same behind it that mazed onward into misty woods with no foliage that had a strange bluish hue as far as the eye could see. It was the end of the day; the sun lighting up everything with its beautiful rays as it set.

“Your time will be greatly reduced.”

“I beg your pardon?” The words came out in a croak as my throat was suddenly dry with fear. Greatly reduced?

The colors of the sunset had begun to fade. Darkness and gray seeping back into the world as if Hades himself had summoned them.

Things worked differently here, especially time. Hades was the keeper of death no matter what story you read. No matter what name he used. I wasn’t happy with my life before, but I wasn’t quite ready to die.

How great was…greatly?

“No human has lasted more than a year in my realm. For some, it’s a few short days.” He saw my features were frozen in place and didn’t hesitate to continue. His tone was bored, yet somehow, I felt like he was enjoying this.

“I find most of you dislike my company after this news, if not you’ll dislike me within the coming days. You will be required to sit and join me in court daily for an hour of your time after breakfast on the queen’s throne. You agreed to this marriage and that is part of the arrangement until you can no longer rise from the chair with your own strength. Otherwise, you are free to do anything you desire within reason. I will not disrupt you with my presence otherwise.”

A year or less…

Days perhaps…

I felt my knees buckle as he seemed to dissipate into smoke next to me. My head spun. I felt like my world was collapsing.

What had I done?