Prologue
Life asked Death, "Death, why do people love me, but hate you?"
Death responded, "Because you are a beautiful lie, and I am a painful truth."
Those words had stuck with Life for many years. Even after she had married Death. Even after she had given birth to his child.
Death was holding the tiny girl in his arms. Life watched as the baby slowly stopped moving, stopped breathing. "Death, stop. Let go of her." He held her tighter, and Life panicked. "Stop! You are going to kill her!" Death give the small creature a quick, tight squeeze. Then handed her over to her mother.
Life grabbed the child and cradled her in her arms. "I only wanted to hold her." Death whispered. Life's heart broke for him. They had both thought the small being wouldn't make it. Death had been so happy when he found out that they might have a child. "I created something for once." He had said.
He had been so afraid when he realized that the little girl might even not live.
That was all in the past.
"I know, but she's too young, too weak, to fight your power. Let her grow, and you will get to hold her whenever you want." Life spoke softly. She knew that her words didn't make Death feel any better. But she had tried. "Let us name her Giselle. For the meaning of this name is promise. She is a promise to give life."
Death nodded, "And a promise to bring death."
"She is both a beautiful lie and a painful truth."
Many years had gone by as the small child grew to be a beautiful, young lady. She was taught everything she needed to know about the wonders of life and death. Her father taught her the many ways one could die. Many of those ways were horrifying, and always left Giselle with nightmares, or in tears, or sometimes both. Her mother taught her about life. All types of birth. From humans to animals to plants.
Giselle continued to learn from her parents until she was banished to the Human World and all its horrors. The worst part? She never found out why…