Of dead and winter

Prologue

Hades met Elsa on a dark winter evening when she was nineteen, just a week shy of her twentieth birthday.

The rain lashed out harshly in the wind, mirroring Elsa's inner turmoil. The young princess needed to escape for a few hours—from her sister's cries, from the constant knocking at her door, from her own overwhelming emotions. Her powers had been growing stronger, and with that growth came a terrifying lack of control. The memory of hurting Anna all those years ago haunted her every step. She couldn't allow anyone else to suffer because of her. With the crown set to be placed on her head in a year, she couldn't imagine the disaster that would ensue. Becoming Queen seemed like a nightmare, not a destiny.

Her room had frozen solid, mirroring her frozen heart. Desperation and grief drove her into the storm, slipping quietly from her window and into the forest behind the castle. She knew where she was headed. There was an old tale of a stairway to the Underworld hidden behind a waterfall in a deep pond on the cliffs. The water was said to be as clear as glass. The thought of seeing her parents, even if it was just a fairytale, kept her moving forward.

Reaching the pond, she hesitated at the shoreline. To her surprise, the water froze beneath her feet. Heart pounding, she stepped forward. The ice extended up the waterfall, and as she touched the frozen surface, a door handle materialized. She opened the newly formed door and stepped inside.

Darkness greeted her first, but the oppressive heat of the cave was oddly comforting. A small flicker of flame illuminated the walls, revealing a staircase spiraling down into the depths. Elsa felt a mixture of nausea and excitement as she descended. The further she went, the more the heat grew, making her feel whole and strangely in control.

At the bottom, she found herself before a grand castle, larger than any she'd ever seen, its black walls sparkling with a hint of blue. It was breathtaking in a way she couldn't describe.

No one seemed to be around as she walked around the side of the castle towards a balcony. Grass grew under her feet, and young trees bore apples of gold. She reached out to touch one, but a menacing growl stopped her. Turning, she saw skeleton guards with armor and swords approaching. "Don't come near me!" she cried, ice flying from her hands and freezing them to the ground. The noise alerted more guards, and she found herself running, her winter magic trailing behind her.

Bursting through an open door, she stumbled into what appeared to be a throne room. A large throne of jewels and gold stood before her, but the room was empty. She could still hear the clanking of armor. Picking a random hallway, she ran, scrambling through a doorway and into a small chamber. She screamed as strong arms wrapped around her waist, a hand covering her mouth to silence her.

"Well, a fair maiden has wandered into my grasp. Must be my lucky day," a voice whispered in her ear, sending a chill down her spine. She struggled, but his hold was firm.

"Calm yourself. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have already," the voice reassured her. The hand left her mouth, and she was turned to face her captor. A young man with pale skin, black hair tipped with blue flames, and deep sea-green eyes stood before her. His black crown flecked with gold sat atop his head. He was breathtakingly handsome, easily the most beautiful person she'd ever seen. His arms crossed, an eyebrow raised in amusement.

"Tell me your name, and only then will I decide your fate."

"Elsa. Elsa of Arendelle, Lord Hades," she replied, the name rolling off her lips in a way that pleased the god.

"Princess Elsa, I presume?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"You want something. No one comes here without a reason. Let me guess, you wish to see your parents? Free them from me?" His hand cupped her cheek, and she shivered at his touch.

"I wish to join them," she said, causing him to retract his hand immediately. He stared at her coldly, though it was clear his gaze wouldn't affect her. Many had ended their lives to reach his world, but never had someone with that intention dared to meet him face to face.

"No, I'm afraid your time is not yet, Princess Elsa."

Her head bowed, and a tear struck the floor. Hades lifted her chin with a finger. "Dying is not favorable, Princess, especially not for someone as beautiful as you." Her heart pounded, and her breath hitched. He was entranced by her, the frost running up and down her being only adding to his interest.

"Your abilities are admirable."

"No, they're dangerous. I can't control them." She hugged herself, wanting to disappear. "Coming here was a mistake. I apologize for the inconvenience I've caused."

As she turned to leave, Hades grabbed her wrist, pulling her back. Both her arms were pinned to her side, and she looked up at him, trying to squirm away. His eyes were hard, and she couldn't tell if he was angry or something more.

Tightening his grip, he leaned down to her ear. "I didn't dismiss you." His growl made her shake. Pleased with her reaction, he loosened his hold. "Now, control is something that can be taught."

"You would teach me?" Her voice was small. His hands moved up her arms to her cheeks, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"For a price. Make a deal with me."

"The price?"

"Your hand in marriage." He grinned, holding out his hand and snapping his fingers. A golden contract appeared. "Read it carefully and sign on the dotted line."

"You'll teach me control? I'll be your equal?" she whispered. Marrying someone she just met seemed crazy, but refusing a god was unthinkable. Especially one of the big three. So she swallowed her pride and read over the contract. With hesitation, she signed on the dotted line. He grinned, pulling her close.

"And now, I kiss the bride."

He waited for her consent, and when she nodded nervously, he kissed her. Shyly, she accepted, and he smiled. Whether it was evil or not, she couldn't tell. She only hoped that if this ended in death, she would be with her parents. But as the kiss sealed the deal, she felt a new power surge through her. It wasn't evil, just fulfilling—a kind of confidence.

She was no longer just Elsa of Arendelle. She was now the Queen of the Underworld.