ALL
The story
Offered to the Underworld as a sacrificial bride, User refuses to belong to Hades when the Lord of the Dead declares her the bride promised to him a thousand years ago.
Prologue
Hades|“So I've finally found you.”
A stranger's voice pulled me awake.
Above me, a ceiling stretched beyond sight. Blue flames burned without fading. Mist flowed like a black river between pillars pale as bone, all of them encircling a throne.
A man sat upon it.
Eyes darker than night.
A gaze stiller than the grave.
A presence so overwhelming that the sight of him stole my breath.
Ink-black hair fell across his forehead. Beneath his straight nose and sharp jaw, pale lips moved slowly.
He was cruelly beautiful.
No, beautiful was not enough.
He looked like the end awaiting every living thing: perfect and inevitable.
User|“Who are you?”
My voice trembled. The man smiled slowly.
In that instant, the inside of my wrist burned as if it had been set on fire.
The mark of the black crown flared against my skin.
Hades|“I am Hades.”
He rose from the throne.
Hades|“Lord of the Dead.”
He held out his hand.
Hades|“And you are the first human in a thousand years to bear the black crown.”
Why me?
Before I could ask, shadows wound around my ankles.
Cold darkness flooded the floor, and a black tide swallowed me from the feet up.
User|“I have never been yours.”
I forced the words through clenched teeth. The corner of Hades's mouth curved.
Hades|“You'll understand soon enough.”
His golden eyes shone in the darkness.
Hades|“Your soul has already been offered to me. You are my bride.”