This story would not get out of my head. I needed to see Dream in love. This started as a one-shot and became something so much more. Expect a lot of deep pain and a lot of profound love, an unfailing pair for the angst to come.
This story is completed (woo!), and I update it every other Monday.
There are bits of inspiration from Labyrinth and Sailor Moon, and the storyline fully diverges from the Netflix series around chapter 4/5.
Sneak Peak of what's to come:
"Selfish," He repeated darkly, the word lethally dripping off his sinful lips. His large palm compressed the small of her back, constricting her until she felt his blooming desire, his hot breath fanning her skin.
"Yes," She exhaled, her heart hammering, blood racing, heat falling.
"Even if possessing you is what I want to be selfish about?" His dangerous words were like a salacious caress, coaxing the unbridled storm in her veins to unfurl.
Her voice was so small. "Yes."
His striking eyes stared into her.
"I am not any man. I am unlike anyone you have ever met. You should be frightened of me."
Temptation flared wildly within her, her arousal pooling like melting wax kissing a violent flame. The electricity was tangible in the air as she boldly whispered, "Should I be?"
"Yes," His sultry tone was rich like dark velvet. "Are you?"
"No."
And now, we begin.
Eons Ago
It was a glorious night where all the greatest entities of the universe would come together in a magnificent junction of power. It was a night when the oldest, most supreme beings reunited with their kin and danced the evening away in blissful celebration. Today was the equinox of existence, and lavish revelry was to commence.
It was the Golden Millennium, a titular time when the universe balances itself for the eons to come. It is said that on this day, all beings would understand peace, harmony, and reality would find the perfect union between light and dark. It is why the omnipotent would take physical form during this time and unite for a single evening. No blood was to be shed. No quarrels were to be had. It was an evening of life and death, all existing at once. It was the pinnacle of prosperity.
On a sealed plane of the cosmos, the universes spectacularly created a single location for only tonight. After, this location would vanish into the ether, and reality would resume as usual. The plane drifted between realms, surrounded by sparkling stars peaking out from the endless darkness, beckoning for the night to begin.
The grand castle where tonight's ball would take place had spiraling towers made of aged ivory granite, traversing up until the sky in sharp contrast with the blackness of space behind it. There were several peaks in the castle, bursting into the air, where the ancient stone glistened with an ethereal glow. There were archways with elaborate molding carved with the most intricate of details, paying homage to the craftsmanship of the greatest architects. Along the walls were verdant twisting vines where tiny glowing blossoms glittered throughout its web. The entrance to the castle was a grandiose door, vibrant against the sleek ivory granite of the castle. The door was golden and radiant, embalmed with the ancient sigil of the Golden Millennium.
There was a long stone walkway to the front doors of the castle, lined with thin glistening pools of water and bursts of magenta, gold, and cerulean flowers on the edges.
Behind the castle was the richest garden of glowing orchids, swaying in unison.
The King of Dreams stood before this mythical palace created by time and space, wondering if he should even go greet those inside. He really, really didn't want to.
Morpheus was well aware that it was a requirement to go, and truthfully, he abhorred every moment in which he'd had to be in the presence of his brothers, sisters, and possibly his parents(if they even showed up). It seemed like a true waste of time and mental energy to be patient with those who simply did not deserve it. He knew of all the beings who would attend tonight, and each one spent their slumbers in The Dreaming. He was confident that there was not a single entity within the party that would provide any sort of amusement.
It would take much more for the old immortal to be excited about something than music and dancing.
He cast a glance at the beautifully glowing flowers lining the walkway, making note of something similar he'd like to create when he returned to his realm. There was a faint aroma of bergamot and amber drifting through the still air, soothing his contesting mind.
The King of Dreams was never fearful but rather reluctant. While he had to, unfortunately, interact with his siblings, there were other beings of reality attending the Millennium ball as well. Angels and Archangels of various dimensions of existence, who always were rather rude. The Faes who believed their powers surpassed all those who they interacted with, when in fact, they were very minuscule. Gods of every faction, Norse, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian, had arrived. All of these attendees were those he'd rather never speak to. It was a night where the greatest powers of the universe would merge, and to Morpheus' distaste… a night of mingling.
He did not do small talk.
He did not enjoy small talk.
The Endless were the most powerful attendees of the evening, and Morpheus dreaded all the interactions he'd be forced into. Should he misspeak, would he be erased from all areas of the Cosmos? Would he piss off another ancient being whose conversation he'd dare not entertain? It was a night of posturing without the bite. It was rather cumbersome.
Attendance tonight seemed like a childish task for The Endless, but nonetheless, Morpheus stood outside the grand castle with dread in his wake.
"Oh, don't be such a brooding bore, big brother. The cease-fire for the night is to be taken seriously," A melodic voice drawled from behind where Morpheus stood.
Dream was silent, unwilling to participate in a battle of wits with his younger sibling Desire. The leather-clad figure moved in front of Morpheus' line of vision, tilting their head to the side and yellow eyes flashing. The black corset ran down the length of their body, leading into a skin-tight skirt and bright ruby heels.
"That means you have to be on your best behavior as well," Dream spoke, his voice level.
Desire licked their red-stained lips, brows raising slightly. "That doesn't mean I can't have a little fun with those attending. After all, it is a night of temptation."
"You don't say," Morpheus whispered, his vision glued to the enormous front doors of the palace. He was not very tempted to say the least.
Desire cocked their head, a small smirk tugging at the edge of their mouth. "So serious and stern. Mommy and Daddy aren't going to be here tonight, so you'll just have to find someone else to coddle you."
Morpheus said nothing.
"Desire, perhaps you shouldn't start the night with taunting," A new, serene voice chimed in. Morpheus internally sighed with relief as Death placed a smooth hand on his shoulder, now both facing Desire and the towering hall behind them.
Desire's lips pouted in a mocking expression. "Boo Hoo. Boo You. I think there are many more delectable things inside, wouldn't you say?"
The golden eyes glanced at Death's timeless attire of black on black. Black sparkling gown, tulle sleeves, hair wild yet tame. Morpheus had on elegant ebony robes with stars embedded into the cuffs. Simple. Uneventful.
"Why don't you go find out for us?" Death retorted, swooping her hand down to now interlock with Morpheus' arm. Desire grinned widely, silently agreeing, before pivoting on their heel and moving up the stairs to the front doors of the palace.
A soft exhale escaped Morpheus' lip at Desire's departure.
"You shouldn't let them rile you so easily," Death whispered, her deep eyes searching her brother's intently. She slowly guided them in Desire's path towards the entrance of the ball.
"Did I seem riled?" Dream lowly replied, showing no hint of the unease stirring in his chest.
"No, but I do know you better than most."
"I will abide by the cease-fire for the evening."
"Great— I do not wish to work tonight." Death smiled with reassurance.
The two initiated their ascent up the stairs leading to the large double doors engraved with ancient markings of the event. The whisper of the wind whipped around them, swishing the bottoms of their dressings. There was a stillness in the air as the two Endless approached the entrance. It seemed as if all of time had stopped(which it had, to some extent), and reality was taking a new form tonight. An electric sensation was prickling through the air as if kissing their skin and ushering them into the celebration.
Gradually, the massive golden doors glided open, revealing the festivities inside.
It was... magnificent. The castle opened up to the grandest of ballrooms, spacious and complete with every luxury one could imagine. The sky above was completely open, displaying the vastness of space and the glittering white stars peeking through. Suspended in the air were golden chandeliers, dripping with crystals that glistened in the light.
The ebony marble floor was twisting with bright starlight, the contrast exquisite. The floor shifted and pulsed as if the universe's very galaxies were running beneath their very feet. The cream walls lined with gold twinkled as if they were, too, alive. At the back of the hall was a massive curved staircase with a golden railing, where the top floor disappeared behind another door.
A soft hum of violins was drifting through the air, although Morpheus could not pinpoint exactly where the music was coming from.
"The music is your own internal hymn, as there is no music playing," A voice drifted from Death and Dream's right. A large figure approached, cloaked in robes, a hood covering his face, and shackles bound to his wrist.
"And what do you hear?" Death lightly asked, her vision falling on her brother, Destiny.
"Not a single sound."
"What I would do for silence," Morpheus muttered to himself, his gaze wandering around the room and noted the various entities who occupied this hall on this very night.
Morpheus studied the crowd and identified the notorious Gods of Ancient Greece, the powerful Zeus and Hera, greeting several of those around them in the far corner of the hall. Their powerful stance was one to be noted as if they owned the room. The Norse Gods were here, too, believing that their realms were superior on the opposite side of the room. The Romans and Egyptians occupied their own space, and the tension between all the collectives was palpable in the air. They hated each other, and yet there were here to celebrate.
Again, the ceasefire was something required for the evening.
He also saw an array of the Fae, as well as the most infamous Fae— The Night King. The Lord of the Below, a realm between Hell and Earth whose only known reason was to drive its inhabitants mad. Not the Night as in his mother, but the darkness that warranted chaos. The shadows in the corner of your room. That feeling that something was chasing you when the light went out.
The Night King had golden hair, mismatched colored eyes, pointed ears, and a smile with razor-sharp teeth. He often found the Night King wandering into nightmares, bating young children to join him in a land of illusions. He has given the Night King several warnings to stay in his realm, as once he ensnared those children, it was the end. Tortured, beaten, defiled. They were as good as in hell when their hopeful eyes said yes and took the Night King's hand, walking out of the dream and into emptiness.
Along the walls of the massive room, there were two entities he had never met but knew well, as they visited The Dreaming. A beautiful, lean woman with silver hair swooping down to the end of her back. She had a sparkling crown embedded into her head with moonlight skin and bright eyes. Next to her was a man of equal beauty, his raven hair falling to his shoulders and indigo hues glowing. Both were in ivory, with gold moons and circlets shining on their foreheads. The King and Queen of the Moon Kingdom.
Death gave Morpheus a small pat on the arm, a nod to Destiny, before removing herself from the two glowering Endless. She disappeared into the crowd to mingle as Destiny took his place by Dream's side.
Morpheus' gaze darted around the room as he wondered how many people he could avoid until the night's conclusion.
"It will be a night to remember," Destiny commented by Dream's side.
"Is that a prophecy or a thought?" Dream asked, glancing up at his hooded brother.
A light chuckle emanated from the masked figure. "A night to remember for you."
"I know you jest. This night is quite… uninspiring."
"Does the truth of what will unfold startle you?"
Morpheus' brows furrowed subtly, his vision searching for clues but encountering none behind Destiny's shielded face. Morpheus chose not to reply, flicking his line of sight back to the room.
"They say The Great Power, the greatest we've seen but not known, will reveal itself."
"The Great Power," Dream replied blandly, as if in disbelief.
Rumors have existed of The Great Power. A tale told to all those who believed themselves to be God but found themselves failing compared to what it is. The Great Power was told to be the singular source of creation of reality, the cosmos, eternity, and the whole of existence. If that power were to be revealed tonight, it definitely would not be a night of no quarrels. It would be a very on night for his sister, Death. There would be bloodshed to claim that power.
Dream's tone was complete with dull curiosity, "How is it that The Great Power has existed but has not been revealed?"
Morpheus could feel Destiny smile knowingly behind his obscured face. That would be all he received from his brother. Destiny was never one to say the last page of the book as he meandered away, vanishing into the crowd.
This night truly did seem like a chore. Morpheus found himself drifting to the corner of the hall, away from the bustling horde of people. Perhaps here, no one would bother him.
Unfortunately, the evening would only continue to drag as his least favorite person started a deliberate walk toward him.
A white smile flashed, the mismatched eyes of the Night King narrowing at Morpheus. "Did you hear the news, King of Dreams?"
Morpheus had to restrain his eye roll forcefully. He gathered himself with a steadying breath. "You're going to stop stealing children in their sleep by giving them false illusions of grandeur?"
The High Fae ran his tongue along his pointed teeth, a smirk tugging his mouth upwards in what could only be seen as a look of a madman.
"I am to be betrothed," The Night King announced, his strange eyes gleaming maliciously.
"How wonderful," Morpheus couldn't mask the disdain in his voice. A server, who was a Fawn, drifted towards the two and offered glasses of champagne. While the Endless couldn't get drunk per se, it was the new feeling of the chilled glass in Dream's hand that gave him something else to focus on outside of the ruthless Fae beside him.
The Night King sneered, "You don't seem happy for me, King of Dreams. I had hoped you'd be at the wedding."
"I hate to disappoint."
"She is quite beautiful, you know, my bride-to-be."
Morpheus was reluctant to respond, taking a small sip of the bubbly in his hand.
"The most beautiful bride in existence," The Night King bragged on.
"Does she have a heart of stone as well?" Morpheus couldn't hold his tongue hard enough to stop the bite in his tone. Who else could deal with this creature? Who would ever come to love his boundless cruelty?
A small shrug came from the Fae. "There will be an adjustment period, but I am sure she will come to love the Below as I do."
There is the catch. The bride-to-be doesn't know how awful her future husband is or what he did. He almost felt pity for whoever walked into the Night King's bed.
"The sounds of screaming children are such a delight to grow accustomed to," Morpheus mocked, his fingers tightening on his glass. His hatred needed to be reeled in. He had agreed to a cease-fire today. He could not let the anger within him well up to the surface. The rage of The Endless bubbled beneath his pale skin, itching to snap.
"Ah, here she is," The Night King mused, gulping down his entire glass in a single swoop and aggressively slamming his glass on a nearby server's tray.
Morpheus' gaze shifted to the curved staircase at the back of the hall, focusing on one woman standing at the top. All eyes in the room immediately repositioned to her form, her presence ensnaring everyone's attention. For a moment, Morpheus thought he was observing the heart of a glowing star.
She had flowing chestnut locks running the length of her back with perfect spirals cascading behind. She had a lean frame, dressed in a pearl gown with elaborate gold adornments around the bodice. She had cream-colored skin, and bright as the stone walls beside her and illuminated under the chandelier's glow. Rosy cheeks, brilliant sapphire eyes, lips pink and soft. She was a woman people dreamed of, as she was too exquisite to behold in real life.
There was a strange sense of apprehension on her face as if she were initially clueless about the number of individuals in the space before her. Her uncertain eyes scanned the room and locked on the two royals with the crescent moon adorned on their forehead.
A low growl came from the Night King next to him before he hastily pushed through the crowd to the bottom of the stairwell.
Morpheus witnessed the woman audibly gasp as she saw the Night King make himself known, swallowing down a lump in her throat. Within seconds, as if on cue, an expressionless mask clicked into place on the woman. Unhurriedly, she descended the staircase.
It was then that a very, very bizarre actualization dawned upon Morpheus. The thought struck him like a tidal wave, compelling his entire body to freeze instantly.
He… did not know her.
That was impossible.
It was inconceivable for any of the Endless not to know someone, as they knew everyone. How could someone with great importance and at this ball, be someone he had never seen before? How was this even possible?
Did she… not dream?
It was the only explanation. Morpheus grew immensely curious. How could someone not dream?
A peculiar sense of dread twisted into Morpheus' stomach when her delicate hand fell into the gloved hand of the Night King at the bottom of the stairs. Her face was complete with poise, concealing any true emotions outside of the small smile she gave to those around her.
The Night King viscously grabbed her waist, towing her close and whispering something in her ear. Her chest rose and fell, her composed mask faintly slipping before she closed her eyes tightly to catch it. When the Night King shifted away, she was the perfect picture of tranquility.
The Fae removed his hand from her waist and guided her toward the center of the room as the true orchestra progression began. The sounds of the instruments whisked through the air, prompting the start of the first waltz.
Morpheus took another drink.
"Stunning, isn't she?" Death returned to his side.
"Do you know her?" Morpheus asked, his focus never wavering from her guarded face as the dance commenced. The woman's white dress swished around her as if leaving starlight in its wake as she settled into position, and the Night King roughly snatched her waist. Other entities had joined in as well, dancing alongside the betrothed couple.
"Alena, Princess of the Moon Kingdom, Serenitas."
She was the Moon Princess. A strange sensation ascended in Morpheus' chest, lodging in his throat.
"I… do not know her. She has never entered my realm before," The Dream Lord admitted. "Don't you find that… strange?"
Death frowned deeply, shaking her head. "That doesn't seem right, does it? Everyone dreams."
"Everyone dreams," He confirmed. "But why not her?"
The Night King roughly grabbed her again by the waist, her face displaying nothing out of the ordinary as he leaned in close and smelled her. It was vile, an attempt to claim her. He could practically hear the growl from the Night King as he almost ravished her publicly.
And in that moment, where the Fae was distracted in his task, the Princess' eyes fluttered to encounter that of the Dream Lord in the crowd.
The air vacated his lungs the moment their gazes connected. Her stare was penetrating, intense, binding, and unwavering. Her bright eyes were trying to communicate something he didn't understand, focused so intently on him. It was as if time stopped as he linked with her on a cosmic level, an unknown phenomenon trickling around his neck. Her regard held so many words that was entirely unspoken. What did she want to say?
It was a split second of looking into those deep pools of sapphire eyes, that he saw the answer to his own question.
"Dream," Death interrupted, noticing the staring exchange.
The eye contact broke, and the Night King swirled her again.
The Dream Lord inhaled deeply, distraught, and finally understood why. Why has he never had her in The Dreaming? Why was she a new face? After thousands of years of living, the answer just popped into his mind.
"She's hopeless," Morpheus breathed finally. "She's never had hope in her life. She's never had the capacity to dream."
She's a prisoner of her own mind.
Death frowned instantly as if knowing Morpheus' words as her own. "Perhaps meeting the King of Dreams will give her purpose— a reason to dream… A reason to have hope. Maybe that's why you're here tonight."
Dream's visage rippled cold, hardening like ice. The Night King would only give her more of a reason to hide, to lock herself away… that man was a true monster beyond any capacity of love or reasoning or kindness. If this Princess was the only person in all of eternity who could not dream, it was his purpose as one of the Endless to ensure she could.
The dance eventually concluded, and a light round of applause sounded throughout the room.
The Princess bowed her head to the High Fae, showing no sign of discomfort before she excused herself toward her parents. Her father, The Moon King, had a stone-cold expression, unmoving. Her mother, the Queen, seemed to let more of her sadness peak through the stoic facade she attempted to hold.
Her mother's hand fell to her daughter's shoulder, brushing back a ringlet from her smooth neck in a soothing gesture.
It was then that her father glared at his daughter and then smiled as the Night King approached the family. As soon as the Fae made headway towards the three, the Princess immediately dashed away into the crowd without a word, as if she couldn't bare to be near him again. The Moon King's piercing eyes followed her as she disappeared into the mass before again warmly turning to his future son-in-law.
As if on cue, Death gave a small smile and a pat on Dream's back. "Go find her."
Dream nodded, understanding that things happen for a reason. He could almost hear Destiny mocking him for the way Fate aligns itself.
Dream wandered through the labyrinth of the temporary castle in an attempt to find the Princess. He immediately noticed that she had exited the ballroom and must've been somewhere else within the area. He intended to locate her quickly, but she was nowhere to be seen.
His pace was urgent but still not fast enough to draw suspicion.
Before he realized it, the sky opened up to him as he left the building through French doors, his eyes taking in the fullness of the magnificent grounds that were crafted for this night alone.
The greenery of the garden around him sparkled to life, the flowers glowing with the mystical magic of the realms. Morpheus bent down to touch one of the ivory flowers, noticing how beautifully it shimmered under the starlight.
The pads of his fingers lightly grazed the smoothness of the petal, only for something unique to happen. The sparkles within the flower lifted into the air, leaving the flower itself dull and dying. The blinking lights then formed to move… they began to guide.
Morpheus followed the lights as they started to show him a lengthy path through the gardens, one that he would not have taken on his own. Suddenly, the lights stopped before a hedge, and the vines gradually ripped apart. The barrier cleared to reveal a single, hidden pathway, and the lights continued forward again.
The King of Dreams followed suit, having a knowing feeling as to where they were leading.
When he heard the hiccups and the sound of gentle crying, he knew for sure.
On the other side of the hedge was the single person he was looking for, and he could not help but have overwhelming pity for her collapsed form. He detected her chest heaving, the lean muscles and thin bones in her back twitching as she lay on the floor. Her head was in her arms, her touseled curls creating a curtain over her face and obscuring it from view.
He stood in silence as he watched. She was destroyed.
"Please go away," A trembling voice whispered. "I don't want to talk."
"You're crying," Morpheus stated, noticing the hedge behind him had closed and the twinkling lights had vanished. They were now enclosed in a private space, alone.
The girl did not reply, but her back shook with the rapid inhalation of air as she gasped for her breath.
"You're hurt," Morpheus revised, taking a step forward.
The woman's hand gripped the grass beneath her, her knuckles growing white with the tightness of her skin. She did not reply for a moment before her hands pushed her up to sit.
Morpheus tried as best as he could to reel in what he was feeling, but something unknown within him was about to fracture. The Princess' eyes were red, in sharp contrast to her bright blue hues, which seemed to become a deeper cerulean in her sadness. Her face was streaked wet, the trails glittering upon her reddened cheeks as if she had wept for centuries. And yet, even in her overwhelming sorrow, Morpheus thought she was the most beautiful being he had ever laid his eyes upon.
"I'm dying if that's what you mean," She spat cruelly. "I'd like to die alone, thank you very much."
Morpheus came closer to the ground, kneeling a few feet away from her. His voice was gentle as he asked, "Why do you think you are dying?"
Her lip quivered, yet a fire brimmed behind her words. "I've been dying since the day I was born."
Hopeless. Completely hopeless.
She was broken. Was she ever… complete?
The Moon Princess sniffled, rashly wiping away tears that kept flooding from her sad eyes with the palm of her hand.
Morpheus couldn't help but sense her despair winding into his stomach and planting seeds. Her endless eternal pain reached into his chest, coaxing his icy heart with a kiss of heat.
"Your impending marriage?"
He saw the conflict ripple across her face as clearly as if he were reading a descriptive book. Her nose scrunched scarcely as her eyes lifted to meet his. And in those eyes, he saw all the sadness in the universe. While her betrothal was likely not her own choice, it seemed the suffering was more profound, spurred by years of despair. He observed years of relentless pain compounded in the depths of her gaze.
A sharp dagger pierced through his chest, chipping away even more at his frigid heart. He began to understand why she was hopeless.
"I'm Morpheus," The Dream Lord introduced. "One of The Endless."
Her still-watery hues locked onto his, and strangely, a hint of starlight peeked behind them. "I'm Alena."
No title representing her prestige... just a woman.
Her breathing stalled, and her hand came to rub her collarbone in a self-soothing way. She shook her head as if speaking to herself and in disbelief at what she was going through.
Morpheus' words cut through her silence, "You do not have to go through with it if you do not want to."
Alena's expression tightened. "I don't have a choice, Morpheus." The way his name rolled off her tongue sent an ache through his heart. No choice… no hope, not even a shred.
The woman fully sat up now, her legs hidden beneath the swell of her dress fabric around her. She brushed her hair behind her ear, revealing the smooth planes of her neck. Her arms came up, and wrapped them around herself protectively. "I would burn my skin off if it removed the memory of his touch."
Morpheus couldn't help but huff out a diminutive laugh. "I'd do much more to remove him from my life if I could."
Slowly, his body lowered from a kneeling position to sit on the ground near her. He noticed her focus lock onto the ground where he sat before flickering back up to his face. It was as if the slight gesture indicated that she accepted his company.
A ghost of a grin tugged at her pink lips. "He's awful, isn't he?"
"He causes my realm a great deal of pain," Morpheus agreed, his voice low and measured.
"I do not wish to marry him," Alena remarked, her fingers rubbing her arms soothingly. "My parents cannot wait to remove my set of chains to bind me to someone else."
The Dream Lord cocked his head, regarding her intently. "Have you always felt chained?"
Alena huffed a facade of a smile, which swiftly morphed into a withering frown.
"How obnoxious is it to say yes?" Alena responded softly, "I've never even left the Moon Kingdom before tonight. You'd think a Princess would have limitless potential."
"But you haven't," Morpheus confirmed. The woman nodded only once before letting her hands fall into her lap and gripping the fabric of her skirt.
This new bit of information was rather shocking to Morpheus, but it made sense. Princess Alena had never left her Kingdom before. No wonder she was miserable. To be a woman full of the possibility to make changes to her world, but shackled and unable to do so. Then, to be sold like cattle to the cruelest man of her realm. Even the demons in hell could dream, yet she could not. What terrors lie behind her eyes? How could he fix it?
A breath escaped her lips. "Which realm are you from?"
"I am the King of The Dreaming."
And with that, her eyes widened. Her pink lips parted, and with those single words, the tiniest glimmer of happiness shimmered through her sadness. "You're… Dream?"
"Yes."
She glanced down at her hands, lightly touching her fingertips as if unsure what to say next. She glanced back up at him, opening her mouth to say something, but words failed her. Morpheus has never seen such a bewitching mouth.
Alena's jaw tightened before she admitted, "I've never dreamed before."
That overwhelming sorrow was there again, snuffing out any bit of light.
"I know," Morpheus answered. "I'd like to help you dream."
It wasn't hope that passed through her expression this time, but almost… desperation. "Really?"
The King of Dreams nodded, and before he could choose his words wisely, he said, "I think someone like you would have the most wonderful dreams."
Alena's breath hitched at his statement, her brows pinching together in disbelief. "Why do you say that?"
"Because someone who has seen only shackles has the capacity to dream entire universes if given the chance," Morpheus spoke, a smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. He couldn't help but want to give her hope.
"Do you think I can? After all this time?"
His heart was beating like a bird in a cage, fluttering faster and faster. As he watched the beginning etches of hope cascade into her wide eyes, he found his breath unintentionally quickening.
This is what Destiny had in mind. This is why he was here, sitting under the night sky with a lonesome princess. He was going to give her the hope she had lost. A night to remember.
There was a discernable electricity that pulsed through his fingertips, causing him to pitch forward ever so slightly.
His declaration was honest. "Yes."
It was then that a full, gorgeous smile fanned across Alena's face. It was a smile that stretched throughout her complexion, provoking happy crinkles to deplete by the corners of her eyes. It was a smile that recognized that someone finally understood her.
Her smile was like bright moonlight, glistening in the darkest of nights.
Abruptly, water welled up in her vision as she lightly laughed, "Goodness, I swear I'm not this much of a crier." Her wrists came to tap away the shimmering buds of water that leaked.
Morpheus couldn't stop the corner of his lip from quirking upwards. "Relief tends to do that."
"I suppose so." She eyed him with amusement, "So what are you, like 1000 years old?"
"Older than that," The immortal said simply. He almost forgot how young she was.
"I'm certain you've seen much more tragic things than a lonely Princess crying about her impending marriage to the evil king," She snickered fully at her own situation.
If only she knew she was the only person he's ever met that hadn't dreamed before. It was, in fact, quite tragic to the Endless. What would he do to keep that smile on her face? To give laughter to someone who hasn't experienced joy in so long. It was making him feel light, drunk even. He would give her the wildest, most fanciful dreams, flooding her heart and mind with all the years of wasted time.
Alena tilted her head, examining his face. "Do they do this witless ball often?"
"Tonight is a special night. It's the day when reality is supposed to balance itself. Light and dark, good and evil."
"Do you believe in that?"
"I believe in many things, as well as the powers of the universe righting itself." Dream noted smoothly, "However, to have all the universe's creations in one place, gorging themselves on drinks and dancing, does not seem like we are correcting anything at all."
"A rebel then," Alena remarked with levity.
"A realist."
"Dream the Realist. An oxymoron if there ever were."
Before they knew it, both of them had laughter bubbling up and wracking through their lungs at the absurdity of it all. The two gave their fullest smiles, and Alena's eyes unusually sparkled, glowing from within. Her hand reached out in front of her, palm up and waiting.
With full openness, she asked, "Tell me about your favorite dreams."
Morpheus' cold heart startled, her comment jarring. No one… no one has ever asked what The Dream Lord dreamed of. What he imagined. What he created. His chest unfailingly heated again.
Dream could've sworn she gleamed under her pearl skin when he took her hand, giving it a small squeeze. "How much time do we have?"
Hours could've gone by, and time did not seem to matter. The two were frozen together, spinning tales of dashing adventures, feats of magic, and immense beauty. While the Princess was not sleeping(and therefore not dreaming yet), she spoke to wild stories that her mind concocted after listening to a few of Morpheus' creations. The first step.
Dream and Alena moved to sit next to one another, propped up by the hedge behind them.
The full belly laughs were… endless.
"Do you really think that a Horse would be happy if it lost its snout?" The Princess' hand covered her mouth as happy tears pricked her eyes. "It would look so lost. How would you lead it?"
"Perhaps it'd never know what life was like with a snout," Dream murmured, his eyes looking up to the twinkling stars above. With her, her imagination unlocked, it was like a breath of fresh air. He glanced over to her crinkled face, her hand on her forehead, shaking it slightly from the remnants of the idea.
"Do you think its neigh would come out more like a naaaahhh?"
Morpheus nearly snorted at the words coming out of the Princess' mouth. When was the last time he was so light? "I'd hope the horse could, at minimum, keep its dignity with a neigh. Anything is possible."
The curiousness of her unleashed mind would be something that would inspire him for centuries.
"Gosh, I can't remember the last time I laughed like this," Alena admitted lowly, turning to face the Dream Lord. "Thank you for reminding me that I have laughter in my lungs."
Her head leaned back against the hedge, the smile lines by her eyes deepening before she continued, "If you could give me laughter, I know you can give me dreams… but what do you want in return?"
Morpheus simply shook his head. "Nothing."
Her gaze searched his, the redness from earlier gone. It was the most abnormal thing, but her sapphire hues now contained thin streaks of light. Morpheus thought it was extraordinarily beautiful, watching the subtle hints of light dance in the oceans of her eyes.
She regarded him for a second before her hands suddenly reached down and touched the long fingers of the Endless. She gently clasped her delicate hands around his, lifting their intertwined fingers to her chest.
If anyone could make an immortal go speechless, it would be this Princess. He looked towards their hands, resting dangerously close to the swell of her breasts, to level with her full lips, and back to her glittering eyes.
He inhaled deeply, knowing every ounce of control he's ever had would be tested.
"Please, what can I give you to repay you," She pleaded, gripping his fingers tighter.
"You haven't even dreamed yet. You owe me nothing."
Alena shook her head, her brown curls framing her face. Her free hand came up and hesitantly grazed the sharp jaw before her. Her light touch caused Morpheus' lids to close for a moment. Her fingers slowly traced over his cheek, the pads of her fingers inciting fires to blaze along his skin. The trail of fire she left went into his chest. His eyes flashed open, meeting her gaze.
"I cannot give you much," Alena began to speak. "And it might be wild to admit, but if this is the equinox of balance, then what I'm about to say will make sense." The Princess swallowed as if searching for the right words as her thumb continuously stroked Dream's face tenderly.
"If I'm to have my life in shackles, I want my heart to be free. I want my heart with the man who creates dreams."
Morpheus' eyes widened slightly, her fingertips scorching his skin and the sensation journeying to his belly. How could she do this to him? How could her confession draw this emotion from a soul who has experienced so much that feelings had become numb? He actively suppressed all his feelings due to his responsibility to reality, and somehow his emotional guard was unhinged at this moment.
How could this girl… leave him wordless. It took him a second to reply.
"You want to give me your heart?" Morpheus said, his voice low and soft. Their faces neared in proximity,
"If you'll have it, yes."
The Princess unclasped their fingers and pressed Morpheus' open palm over her exposed skin above her breast, right above her heart. He could feel it beating so fast, so powerfully beneath her soft, warm body. A heart bursting with an unlived life that would soon be snuffed out by the Night King.
"Give me a night I will remember until I die," Alena whispered, her rose-scented breath ghosting over his lips. Her eyes explored his, begging him to give her one more reason to find hope.
He knew he had no choice in the matter. His body acted instinctually as he crashed his lips against The Moon Princess.
Her lips were soft and full, instantly molding against his as if they were two pieces of a puzzle, finally uniting together. He kissed her with such tenderness as not to break her, but his entire physical form was igniting with a rapid ache, storming down his limbs and pooling by his groin.
As Dream pressed his mouth against that of the Princess, the stars in the sky began to shimmer in a way they never had before. It was as if time, space, reality, and existence aligned in this very moment and were exploding because of it. It was as if the universe needed this moment to balance the scales.
Morpheus had never experienced such a surge of emotion within his body. A heated sensation rippled throughout his chest as his kiss forced Alena to breathe in tiny gasps.
Her hands came up to wrap around his neck, drawing him closer with delicious desire. Morpheus' hands constricted tightly around her waist, the heat of her body burning through the fabric of her bodice. A sensual moan escaped Alena's mouth as she kissed back the Dream Lord with everything she had. She had such a lusciousness to her mouth as her lips slid across his, charming his flames. He needed more of her.
Desperately.
His tongue prodded her mouth open with deft care, and she gladly invited him in. Her tongue was initially hesitant but eventually relaxed as he coaxed the sweetness from her. He devoured every inch of her tantalizing mouth, inhaling her scent and basking in her lip's gentle brush against his. Was there such a thing as love at first sight for The King of Dreams?
Morpheus would believe anything was possible as he cradled her head in his hands before running down the expanse of her creamy flesh. His tongue trailed the length of the thin columns in her neck, swirling and sucking on the fragile skin that shortly blossomed a subtle hint of red. When his lips detected her faint, beautiful pulse right behind her flute-like collarbone, he kissed it. The passion was seething within him, unlike with any other lovers he's taken in the past. It was almost unbearable.
He needed to consume her whole— he needed to give her something she'd remember forever. He needed to claim her heart as his.
She moaned as she tilted her head back to give him more room, his tongue gliding down to kiss above the top of her breasts. His fingers hooked inside the straps of her dress before gently removing them from her shoulders. His other hand worked masterfully behind her, removing the ties of her corset and yanking the strings apart.
Gradually but surely, the top of Alena's dress came undone while Morpheus kissed her chest, jaw, and neck. He showered her with kisses, making up for all the lost time and all the time they would never have. He intertwined his long fingers into her now wildly flowing hair around her shoulders. He inhaled her sweet scent, drenched in arousal and need. His mouth planted needy kisses from her collarbone to her jaw before capturing her lips with his.
Two souls beginning to merge. Two hearts, beating as one. The universe hummed in the unity of the two, but one soul did not.
While Morpheus and Alena molded into one another, mismatched eyes leered at them from afar with rage pulsing within.
Alena twisted her hands into his wild raven hair, tugging him closer, needing his warm skin on hers. The top of her dress fell away as her breasts became exposed to the sudden coldness. Her pink nipples peaked as she shivered. Morpheus took a moment to draw back, breath heaving deeply.
"You are magnificent," He murmured, his darkened eyes scanning the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she respired with anticipation. The faint blush that surfaced across her complexion was probably the most radiant thing he's ever seen in all his years of life.
Slowly, he worked off the top strings of his robes and let them fall to the wayside, leaving his bare chest shining in the light of the overhead stars.
Alena equally devoured him, her mouth immediately contacting the planes of his chest. Her mouth was like molten lava on his body and stirred every bit of power within him. He felt her breathe life into him that he's never experienced before.
Her delicious mouth, her rosy cheeks, the blush spreading across her body, all while kissing him… pleasing him… he almost couldn't take it. He flipped her onto her back, touching the grass beneath her. And he just looked.
Her chestnut curls were sprawled around her, and her exquisite eyes stared up into his soul. How could he give her up? How could he let that monster destroy the light that was this woman?
He'd never let him take her. The possessiveness that overcame him had to be the universe's way to stake his claim, to show balance. They were meant to be together.
"Morpheus," Alena breathed, and their bodies collided. It was a call to action.
He pressed against her, ravishing her with kisses and licks until her breaths became moans. Her hands traveled up his neck, and his hands traversed down her body. His fingers felt the round curve of her waist, to the light indentation of her soft hips. He swiftly pushed the final piece of her dress off of her, leaving only her in only her underwear.
As quickly as he could, he undid his slacks and discarded them. His hardness pulsed through his undergarment as he noticed her gradually cover herself with her arms.
"Don't," He ordered calmly, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. "You do not need to hide from me."
Her glassy gaze was all he needed to slam his lips back down to capture her mouth, pressing the full size of his body against hers. Only thin pieces of clothing separated them, and he knew he needed to be within her. He needed to feel her heat around him, and the desire to fill her was overwhelming.
Alena whimpered against his unapologetic kiss, his fingers simultaneously pinching her nipples beneath him. She arched into his touch as his tongue detached from her mouth to meet one of her breasts.
As he suckled on her breast ever so slowly, his hand traveled south. His fingers looped into her waistband, and quickly discarded the garment. Soon enough, his own followed suit until they were bare. His hands voyaged lower to run through the slick folds of the Princess. She was dripping with want, soaked all the way through. He almost couldn't believe how ready she was, how badly she needed this moment with him as much as he needed it with her.
She was going to give him everything she could. He would greedily take it. It was unlike him to be so… forward, so… abrupt, but there was a connection deep within him that pulled him to her. He knew from the moment he saw her that she would end up beneath him. He knew from the moment she asked him to tell her his dreams that would he would become undone. He knew from the moment she gave him her heart, that he would never let it go.
His fingers gently prodded her folds apart, and her thighs trembled with his touch.
At every moment, his seafoam eyes locked with hers. He studied her expression, memorizing the way she melted as he started to touch her most intimate parts with his fingers. He caressed her with deliberate, tantalizing strokes before he unhurriedly dipped the tip of his finger into her warmth.
Morpheus could not repress the sigh that escaped his lips as her burning heat enclosed his single digit.
His cock throbbed with anticipation, needing to fill her and connect with her on the most profound, cosmic level.
This was meant to be. This was destiny. This was… how it was always meant to be. Her small body was in his hands, quivering at his touch as he plunged his finger within her. He was meant to create universes with her by his side. He wanted his seed warm within her, blooming.
Alena gasped for air as he kept a ruthless rhythm with his finger before adding another. She shook beautifully in his arms, and it caused a spiraling warmth to creep up into his abdomen. Her flushed cheeks and her shaking breath only tempted him more.
"Tell me you want this," Morpheus whispered to her, seeing starlight faintly cascade beneath her skin. The uniqueness of her glow was unlike anything he'd ever witnessed. Her body was illuminating with the same soft streaks of light as her eyes.
She exhaled greatly, her hand coming to cup his cheek and bringing his mouth to hers. Her scent of sweet roses infiltrated him, and she rasped against his lips, "I only want you."
It was all he needed to position himself above her, lining himself up at her entrance. He stared into her eyes, wanting to watch every second as he deeply pushed into her. He could've sworn he saw a supernova begin to explode within her, her expression open and wanting.
Morpheus slipped inside, ensuring he wasn't hurting her, but goodness, the warmth, and tightness of her core was almost too much to bear. She felt incredible. Her wetness made it slick for him to drive in further until he filled her completely. He never stopped staring at her face, and she never stopped looking back at him.
His forehead rested against hers as he began to move within her, holding on for life as he tumbled into the abyss of ecstasy. He could stay here within her forever if he could. He had never felt such endless pleasure before.
But moreso, that indescribable heat expanded within his chest, like an invisible string was working its way into him and tying them together. The more he pumped into her, the more he knew he could never leave her. Her love kissed his veins, leaving permanent marks.
A deep groan escaped his throat, and her breathy moans grew louder. She took him so perfectly, so completely like she was made just for him. His hands came around her behind and squeezed her bottom, lifting her hips so he could sink in deeper. Her expression vividly reflected pure satisfaction when he hit a bit of tension all the way within her, so he pressed the tip of his length against it again. He thrust to hit that exact spot over and over.
His Princess. His Lover. His.
He sensed his undoing rapidly approaching, and hers as well. Her moans rocked her eyes into the back of her head, her mouth parting in unadulterated enjoyment. Morpheus grabbed her jaw, forcing her to look into his eyes as he ravished her mouth in with his tongue. His pace was wicked, their hips meeting each time.
Morpheus knew she was close to her end as she gasped against his mouth with her rough exhales. The coils of heat built up within him, ready to unravel. Morpheus, too, knew that her tightness, her warmth, the way he filled her so thoroughly, and how she took him all the way was something he would crave for the rest of his waking days.
Their hearts were pounding in rhythm with one another as they both came unbound. Their eyes locked, their bodies rippling with an orgasm that shook the universe down to its very beginning. The gratification seared their veins, imprinting a mark that would stay forever. They were life, and they were everything. He watched her as she exploded like a star, unfurling beneath him in waves of pleasure.
Morpheus powerfully thrust into her, spilling his seed seated deeply inside her as he claimed her as his.
The silence of the night only had the final gasps for airs of the two lovers, still coming down from the intensity of their joining.
Slowly, his hand came to cup her face lovingly, knowing very well he put stars into her eyes. His mouth came to kiss her forehead, lightly speckled with perspiration. She was actually shining from within, and it was so very beautiful. Her smile was radiating.
He was still seated inside her, unwilling to separate from her.
His thumb stroked her blushing cheek as he admitted aloud, "You've undone me."
With full understanding, a small smile lifted her lips. He knew she felt the same.
Alena and Morpheus spent as long as they could in their blissful universe surrounded by the hedges. They pointed out stars in the sky, their naked bodies pressing against one another and covered by Morpheus' robes.
She leaned against the smooth expanse of his chest as she whispered, "Can you freeze time?"
He gazed down at her, fingers twirling into the curls of her hair as he replied, "I've never wanted my Father's gift until now." He placed a gentle kiss on the line of her hair, softly stroking it.
Silence played between them as they settled into their new reality, replaying the memory of the joining over and over.
Morpheus remembered how mesmerized he was when the Princess walked down those stairs. How curious he was that she was a face unknown. How strange it was to find who had never visited The Dreaming.
He remembered how hopeless she was, but little did he realize that he, too, needed that light. She gave him laughter, a reason to smile. She gave him her heart, and with that, they would create the most intricate stories together. He was ready to see what eternity would look like with her.
He would do everything he could to bring Alena to him.
"Will you come to me tonight, in my dreams?" Alena asked softly, breaking the silence and gazing up at her lover.
A warm smile spread across his lips knowingly. "Every night, I will come to you in your dreams."
When the night ended and the Golden Millennium came to a close, the great deities of this universe began to depart.
Princess Alena and The King of Dreams returned back to the party at some point that night. No one truly had noticed their hours of absence as the jovial party continued throughout the evening. As they returned, only one Fae King knew where his future wife had been.
And the Fae knew, as all members of chaos do, exactly how to deal revenge to those who deserve it.
Alena had reunited with her family, trying her best to keep her composure after the world-bending experience she just had with Dream. Luckily, the glow within her eyes and skin had faded, allowing her to return to her normal coloring. The Moon King was displeased with her extended leave, glaring at his daughter with a tight jaw.
Dream couldn't say goodbye in person to the Princess, but he would see her again soon… very soon. His gaze instantly locked with hers across the room, communicating all that he could. Morpheus' small, small smile was all he could give to continue playing his part well. A rosiness lit up her complexion at the subtle but intentional gesture.
He imprinted her radiant face in his memory.
She was the woman who fastened an invisible string affixed to his heart. Who opened the door to his imagination in ways he never thought. Who made him feel pleasure rippling throughout him with an intensity that could build worlds. She was the perfect puzzle piece to bring Dream back to appreciating and loving life.
For once, he was exhilarated to see what tomorrow would bring. The lonely, numb Dream of the Endless became alive again.
Dream was smitten.
Giving a small nod to the Princess, he turned around to make his exit back to The Dreaming.
Hours passed, and Princess Alena had never made it to his realm. Dream sat on his throne, waiting until his love would reunite with him. His fingers tapped against the arms of his chair, waiting… waiting.
It seemed like time was drawing on in a way it had never before. He knew she would come to him with every fiber of his immortal being. She had to — they were meant for each other. Their souls were intertwined, and their bodies were one.
Even if he couldn't stop her repulsive marriage, he could always capture her when she slept and give her a lifetime of happiness in her dreams. A balance to counter the horrors of her waking day until he could figure out how to break her free from the Night King. She was to be his, and he'd help her escape into his own arms for eternity.
He inhaled impatiently, wondering when he'd sense her awaken in The Dreaming.
When Death's footsteps sounded in his hall, a sickening sensation descended into his stomach.
He's never seen Death sad before, but when her bottom lip began to tremble, he knew something was wrong. He rose from his throne to focus on his sister's wavering visage.
"Tell me," he quietly ordered, intensity laced his words. He saw her face full of something he's never seen before, and it startled him. She couldn't answer immediately.
Death watched him carefully, her hands gripping one another tightly as she spoke, "Tonight, I passed both the King and Queen of the Moon."
A tremor ran through the ground below.
"What."
"A great, dark evil attacked the Moon Kingdom. A being of total chaos. I do not know how it was summoned, nor was it supposed to be. I was not supposed to pass them today, but something changed. Something no one had anticipated."
The room quaked beneath their feet as shadows of darkness curled around the bottom of the throne.
Wetness pricked on the edges of The Dream Lord's eyes, his insides scraping raw. What was happening?
Death's lips formed a thin line as she continued, "This evil was cast by a great wielder of disorder, and it summoned a Chaos Demon. The Chaos Demon destroyed and killed everyone ruthlessly. The Kingdom perished, and the people are no more."
Silence dripped through the hall of Dream. A Chaos Demon was the ultimate darkness that shredded worlds within a blink of an eye. It demolished civilizations and entire realms without cause. It was also impossible to eradicate, making it an unstoppable force. It was taboo to hail such a creature, and the power required to do so was colossal.
He could hear his old heart thump wildly, the blood rushing to his ears and making it difficult to listen. Did he dare speak the words?
"What of Alena?"
He had to know. She was his, and not even Death could claim her.
Death was thoughtful with her words regarding the rage beginning to simmer off her younger brother. "A light appeared, brighter than anything we have ever seen. I believe this light was The Great Power, although we don't know where it came from. It destroyed the darkness and stopped the Chaos Demon from spreading through the galaxy, and with it, took Alena. I'm so sorry, I could not find her to pass her. She was gone, taken by the light."
She was gone.
She was gone.
She was gone.
The silence was met with the shaking of the glass room. The rustle of the windows became more apparent as they rattled.
"She was not there?" His voice was close to a whisper. Anger brimming, curling, freezing his warm heart.
"Everyone else on the Moon I had passed. She is the only one I could not find. I'm so sorry, Dream."
His expression grew rigid, and his vision prickled with wetness. His jaw locked, and his breathing was deep as he tried to enforce his emotional shields.
One would never know that Morpheus was truly enraged. Dream normally suppressed all emotions that constantly rippled through him, and yet at this moment, his stoic composure betrayed him in his eyes.
"I will see you around, brother," Death whispered, knowing that he needed time alone to grieve.
As soon as her presence was gone, he couldn't take it anymore. His anger exploded outwards, causing the windows of the glass throne room to shatter as his insides began to shred and devour himself.
The coldness dispersed swiftly into his soul where warmth had been moments ago. Profound agony ripped into him as his teeth gritted and more glass shattered upwards from the floor. The castle trembled with his rage.
How could someone summon something as powerful as a Chaos Demon? Who solicited it? Where was Alena now? Was she taken to another realm? Death made it pretty clear that she was dead, but could he accept that? Where was her soul?
How could something so good, when he hasn't felt anything in centuries, rise up and be snatched away?
Does Destiny know? He had to have. He knew there had to be a cosmic bond between him and the Princess beyond simply love or sex. He knew The Great Power would appear that night, only to save the universe but take her life with it.
How cruel.
A single drop of wetness slid down his pale cheek, the pads of his fingers lightly tapping it away. Why even create The Endless to have feelings?
They only caused him such pain. He couldn't be this emotional… he couldn't allow himself to feel desire, despair, destruction, or even the inevitability of death.
He was Dream. He was Endless. He was simply here for a task to reality, not to feel things.
Morpheus thought of her beautiful face one last time before taking the memories of tonight and slowly locking them away. One by one, he took the stars in her eyes and placed them into a box. He took the memory of her heart and stashed it in the deepest recess of his mind.
And finally, her smile and laughter… Dream's fingers touched his lips one more time before letting the thought disappear. Sealed away.
The King of Dreams inhaled gradually, letting the splintered room reconstruct itself, and the tremors ceased. The pieces of glass lifted one by one, falling back into place along the walls and floors.
Lucienne, at this point, entered as Morpheus, once more, sat down on his throne. Silence.
"Sir, are you ready for today's agenda?"
His cold eyes watched her, the emptiness filling his soul and the darkness webbing over his heart.
"Yes," he lowly agreed. Time goes on. His job, his service to reality, was Endless.
And there you have it. The reason why Dream is known to be ruthless to so many. The anger behind his eyes is from years of compounded pain.
Next chapter... well, it's worth the read ;)