A hidden tower. A trapped servant. An evil enchantress. Sound familiar? In a bygone world of steam and airships, Alek builds singing automatons for the villainous Lady Elise, hoping that one day he can buy his freedom. Everything changes when a healer's apprentice happens upon the tower. With Felix's help, Alek learns of a whole new world beyond the boundaries of his tower. If they're lucky, he can escape the Lady's grasp once and for all. But to do so, they'll need allies, ingenuity, and a lot of courage. Read on for a tale rife with adventure, magic, and unexpected love, set against the backdrop of a familiar fairy tale. WINNER of LGBTQ/OnceUpon LGBT Fairytale Retelling Contest! https://www.wattpad.com/353142574-contests-contest-3-once-upon-a-time-results

Her presence was accentuated by the sharpness of her elongated nails and the elegance of her pointed chin, which contributed to her exquisitely defined jawline. With every step she took, her ears twitched as if attuned to the secrets whispered by the surrounding wilderness, while her nimble fingers gracefully brushed aside any obstructing vegetation that dared to cross her path. And as she fluttered her enchanting eyelashes, Calvin couldn't help but be drawn to the mesmerizing juxtaposition before him-a single eye possessed a clarity of light blue, while its counterpart exuded an enigmatic mist of ethereal purple, a sight that held a spellbinding mystery all its own. The pixies' delicate movements came to a sudden halt, their bodies dropping gracefully to the forest floor. Heads bowed, they paid homage to the figure that had captured their attention. The music that had filled the air moments ago ceased, leaving only the soft sound of liquid dripping from the glistening foliage. It was the pixie queen who had arrived.