Chapter One

           “Custard Apple…” I uttered as I saw a platter of Cherimoya. It granted my nose a sweet scent and taste of vanilla.

         “The fruit is intended for the ceremony, my lady,” he replied.

         “I reckon you offered them once to the goddess,” I stated whilst referring to his former consort, “She ate seven seeds.”

         “Indeed,” he responded, “She consumed seven seeds as an assurance of her return here in my realm.”

         “It made her bound here…” I softly uttered.

         “Not at all, little flower,” he countered, “If it made her bound here she would not be able to visit the land of the living.”

         I slowly nodded in his statement. “However, she failed to come back…” I barely whispered.

         “This day and age, I would be offering them to you,” he replied.

         “If I accept it, I solely hope there would be no other goddess you would offer them as well,” I stated and he let out quite a smirk.

         “Worry on no account, little flower,” he confidently replied, “I only intend on having you feed on them. I am unlike my brother, who would take lovers whenever he pleased.”

         He was referring to Arwald. I chuckled at his reply. I said, “You all have the same blood. Their existence was similar to your being. I could not grasp the reason why a god like you wanted to have one when you could have all.”

         Lothaire came close to me whilst he held my chin up to his face. His scent wafted through my nose. He clenched his jaw and let out a sigh. I met his soulful stare as he spoke, “I claim to be different, for I would have all if I had the one I wanted.”

         I gulped at that point in time. Adrenaline rushed through my veins. “Tell me…” I tried to say whilst I stuttered, “How far would you go for the one you wanted?”

         He grinned as he reached for my wrist and kissed the back of my hand with all of his gentleness. “I am certain you meant how far I would go to keep you, my lady,” he said.

•⚘⚔⚘ •

Solum

Abode of the Gods

Palace

•LOTHAIRE•

         Albeit I was occupied by my responsibility of testifying souls at the Valley of Judgement, I went outside my demesne. I left my chariot at the Palace Grounds of Solum for the messengers of the gods arrived at the gates of my realm and told me I was being summoned by my brother.

         I was certain it was neither about the mortals nor about my denizens, for I had not heard any conflicts beforehand. I paced through the golden-floored hall of the heavenly fortress and there were no Solumian gods present in the Council Chamber. It was quite strange my brother bid for my appearance at this point in time.

         “Arwald,” I greeted as I met my eldest brother in the Great Hall—the god of all the gods, "I received your word from Vaughan."

         "I indeed called for you," he answered as he crossed his arms on his chest and we sauntered, “There is a thing you ought to know.”

         "What is it?" I asked as I wandered my eyes on his stronghold. The abode was filled with ivory and various jewels.

         “I had a discourse with the Weavers of Life,” he continued and I gazed at his direction. “I have seen you heavy-hearted and despondent as you reside alone in your dominion.”

         “What are you trying to imply?” I asked as I patiently waited for his reply. Profound silence filled the dwelling and I keenly observed his demeanor.

         “You should see this,” he continued as I followed him, “the Weavers have told me about her…” said Arwald.

           “Who is she?” I asked in return.

           “She was the one destined for you,” he answered whilst he raised his hand on the fountain with a basin made of marble and gold.

           I looked into it. A sudden beam of light can be seen from the waters. Then, it faded to form as an image of an individual with coffee-colored eyes—soulful and unsettlingly deep. It was filled with mystery and knowledge. They resembled the warmth of the sun and the rich dark soils fertile with life.

           And she had an alluring smile, the upturn of the corners of her mouth, without baring the teeth. It was solely enthralling. I keenly observed her demeanor. As she walked towards the sward, she noticed a dead amethyst starling lying on the ground. Keenly, she tried to observe the surroundings and took the bird in her hands. With all her breath, she blew on the creature and within seconds it came back to life.

           Words were not enough to describe her and I simply went back to my senses. “I reckon I am not prepared to ask for the hands of another maiden," I told my brother, “Her age is far from mine.”

           “It is simply similar to what you have done to Gulya, Lothaire,” Arwald answered, “You patiently waited and you have to do it once again.”

           I did not utter a word. Indeed, I have waited for Gulya. Then and there, I expected the goddess to love and agree to be my queen just like how I accepted and established my existence for my demesne.

           Yet, for centuries, it did not work. She left my dominion. This day and age, I have to do it once more to another maiden. Albeit it will not guarantee that the damsel will love me in return, I have to wait for the second time. I will ask for the same thing once more—hoping. I do believe the Weavers have their reasons.

           "I already lost Gulya before,” I stated in a despairing voice, “There is a possibility I might lose her too.”

           "Not at all, brother. You need to have faith in yourself. She is quite different from Gulya," he responded, “You know we cannot make your former consort come back.”

           I nodded in concord. Certainly, no one can bring her back to my realm. I do not even have any idea where she dwells. I released a deep sigh and said, "I deeply hope."

           "However, there is something you need to know. I do not want you to handle your domain unaccompanied and I have seen something in her. The maiden may not be the goddess of spring but she will be the true goddess of the underworld,” Arwald uttered whilst I stared blankly at him, “She will be quite a challenge to you.”  

           “Surrendering is not in my vocabulary, brother,” I replied. 

           “There are consequences…" he said. 

           "What is it?" I asked with coldness in my tone. The image of the maiden slowly faded.

           "She is a mortal. A fragile and friable being but nonetheless precious and priceless. You need to take good care of her, brother," he replied.

           A mortal maiden. As I thought, this would certainly be a challenge for those who set foot in the land of the living are quite complex beings.

           "You do not have to worry. I will take good care of her," I replied as I do not bid to lose a queen again. I should not fail at this point in time.

           “Indeed,” Arwald stated.

           "May I know her name?" I asked my brother. The image of the damsel’s face gradually instills in my memory. I would not be able to find her in the mortal realm if I did not know her distinctive designation.

           "Her name is Phaelin," he answered, “Phaelin Dominicus.”

⚘⚔⚘

•PHAELIN•

           The picturesque sunset outside my window did not fail to amaze my being. I kept an unrelenting stare on it. Long shadows are thrown on the ground.  It has a warm orange hue, mingling with the drifting clouds.

           I adored it at each moment. I cherished the night sky and the stars as well. There are times I would climb on the rooftop to lay down and gaze at the crescent moon shining like a silvery claw and I would identify the different constellations feeding my eyes. I was constantly struck by the symmetry and stillness.

           I'd had dreams about a gentleman named Lothaire since I was sixteen years of age. He preferred to appear in dark and sinister wardrobes, yet he had an odd politeness about with him. His voice was constantly deep, and I like listening to his stories of an underworld kingdom—his demesne.

           "You were a king?" I asked him once.

           "Indeed, I am,” he answered.

           “Why are you not wearing a crown?” I asked again with such foolishness. He gave a smile filled with hope that it crinkled his eyes.

           “It would be hard for you to understand…” he simply replied.

            “Alright. If you are not occupied, would I be allowed to visit your palace? You could see I yearn to be a noblewoman. If you do not like wearing your crown, I could wear them for you,” I uttered in a serious tone.

           "No," he said and lowered his head. I felt disappointed on his reply as it was not what I expected. My eyebrows met. I stared at him intently.

           “No,” he continued, “I do not want you to be a royalty and resemble a mere individual here in the land of the mortals. You are not worthy of the sheer distinction. You do not deserve a mere tiara.”

           “Why?” I questioned.

           "You deserve all the wealth in the world. You deserve a realm—an empire. You deserve to be my queen," he answered.

           Every time I would dream about him, a black feline would always come out from under my bed. It was a mystery because I would wake up in the morning and it would go out the window.

            I admit, sometimes I do wish he was true and not simply a mere thing I created in my head. However, reality would always strike my being that he might solely be a product of my fiction fantasies—from the novels I have read.

TWO AUTUMNS AFTER

            "Phaelin…” Belle called, “The day of your birth will occur next week!”

           She sat on the side of my bed, her head slightly tilted, staring at me. She was undoubtedly referring to our plan and what it would be. This thoughtful but quite belligerent individual has been my companion since I was seven.  And belligerent literally means she would not back down from a fight—always courageous and fearless. An excellent defender she is. The only thing I did not adore about her was her lack of sympathy. Reason would rule her at each moment. However, I could understand why Belle was a rational individual.

           “What do you want as present?” she asked as I closed my notebook. I was already finished on what I was doing.

           I gave her a simple smile. "You have always knew my desire,” I simply answered and placed the notebook at the table beside my bed. I wanted to visit Great Gillim and see its wonders.

           “Those books really influenced your whole life, I suppose,” she said and exaggeratedly pointed at the bookshelf on the right of my bedroom. As I remembered Lothaire again, I chuckled bitterly at the notion. "Phaelin?" she asked. I returned Belle's gaze.

           “What is it?” I uttered in response.

           She went near where I sat, “You are really eager to visit Great Gillim?” she asked, as if she could make it happen.

           "I was being unserious," I simply answered whilst she smirked, although deep inside my being I wanted to say I do.

            "All right," she murmured as she stood up and walked to my bedroom door. "I have to leave now, Phaelin; I have things to do; if you ever change your mind and wish to visit Great Gillim, tell my being whenever."          

           I lay down and gazed at the resin artwork on my wall. I preserved a rose that I found through my window. I believed the black cat had acquired it from someone's garden and brought it here.

•⚘⚔⚘ •

Underworld Realm

Lothaire's Demesne

Palace

•LOTHAIRE•

           I preside at the darkest parts of life where isolation truly brings grief—underneath the realm of the living where all I can hear is anything else but voices of those who call my name. How ironic that the god of the underworld feels loneliness when I—the king of the dead—should have been used to it. I admit, the abyss was never like this when I once had a queen sitting beside my throne. It was delightful and pleasant. Roaming around the palace was never forlorn.

           I deeply sighed at the thought.

           I stared at the polished marble floor as questions ran through my head. I wonder if Phaelin—my betrothed—will refuse to be here like Gulya. I hope that she will not. However, if she will, all I want is her happiness.

           My mind recalled the conversation I had with my brother.

           "Arwald, if the time comes and she does not want to stay with me, I will not force her. I do not want to darken any light again. I do not want her sacrificing anything simply to sit beside my throne. I will return her to the land of the living if all else fails," I told him, seriously with my arms crossed on my chest.

           "Give her sufficient period to cope,” Arwald said frankly, “and if her being did not even soften a little bit…”

           “I know,” I interrupted what he was about to say, “I will let her go.”

           I was not being a defeatist. Embracing the truth will make it innocuous and uncomplicated. The only thing I can do is to hope and give my all. The underworld realm offers a lot for her. The mortals conceived my realm wrong—saying it was filled with blood and fire in scriptures and scrolls. It was somewhat displeasing.

           "Azael," I called my servant and my voice echoed on the palace’s walls. He came shortly.

           "Yes, sire?" He bowed and greeted me.

           "I want you to prepare my queen's bedroom. Decorate it with ornaments and flower arrangements that you can find in the land of the living," I said and he nodded.

           “If you do not mind, your majesty. I would like to confirm that your betrothed is a mortal?” he asked.

           I replied, “Yes.”

           Delight filled his face. “I bet the anticipated queen is full of grace, compassion, and curiosity. She is fortunate to be your better half, your highness. Would you care to say her name?” Azael asked.

           I smiled and answered, “Phaelin…”

           His face filled with delight and hope. He nodded as if he agreed with her name. My servant bowed and disappeared. A memory ran through my mind.

           "Lothaire," she said quietly, and I met her gaze. "I never knew your last name."

            She implied that even though I may have been a mere fiction made up in her mind, I ought to have a distinction—mortals call it surname. However, Solumian gods do not have it. It is the reason why I gave my second distinction to her, “Cassius.”

            “Lothaire Cassius,” she repeated and the way she uttered my name sounded light in darkness.

• ⚘⚔⚘ •

•PHAELIN•

           I was standing in a familiar field of narcissus, too beautiful, too calm.

           "Little flower...." A voice called from afar. My eyes searched for it. I was aware that it was from someone I knew. A figure appeared in front of me and I took little steps to get close to it.

           "Lothaire?” I asked. He was not moving. He gave me a simple smile, but I knew his eyes were not in bliss. When I was already a few inches in front of him, I touched his cheek.

           “Is this true? You are here?” I asked once again. I looked deeply into his gray-blue eyes.

           “Believe,” he simply replied and reached out his hand to gently touch mine. His warmth felt like a safe haven—it seeped into my being. It felt like belonging next to him.

           “Where are we?” I questioned in anguish.

           He answered, “I am doing preparations, little flower." The hum of his voice got deeper edges around his words—it felt like he was in despair and longing for something. It sounded like it was made of gravel. It was slow and quiet and I could feel the heaviness.

           “What are you preparing for?” I inquired patiently, looking for answers.

           “You will know at the right time,” he responded. I felt my soul being pulled and my body ached on adrenaline.

            I opened my eyes and sat up gasping for air.

          "Are you alright?" Belled questioned, her voice panicked as she took the glass of water from my bedside table and handed it as her brows met.           

            “He appeared in my dream,” I answered, panting.

           Her expression was filled with perplexity. “Who? " she inquired, and I recall not telling her. Before I could respond, a black feline emerged from behind my bed. It locked its gaze on me before leaping out the window. Belle's eyes widened.