Parvani, a young woman, says goodbye to her mother and descends the cold steps down into a cave. She shivers with fear but reminds herself that this is her choice. She is greeted by three women who hail her as their new queen. She is guided by boat to a shoreline where Hades (a female) pulls her up and offers her fruit, sealing her bind to the Netherworld. Exploring the Netherworld's castle over the next few days, Parvani finds that shadow maids serve her the food of her people whenever she desires it, providing her every comfort as soon as she thinks of it. Hades comes to her bedsides the first night but leaves when Parvani flinches at her touch, saying she won't touch the unwilling. Parvani makes a desperate request of Hades - to bring her people's corrupt and warring ruler, Hajan, to the Netherworld. Her best friend was killed by one of Hajan's soldiers and she wants Hajan to pay for his tyranny. But Hades staunchly refuses; the man will die when it's his time. Parvani comes to love her and Hades' lovemaking, two worlds merging in the bed. Hades begins showing Parvani the wonders of the Netherworld. At the gate of dreams, Parvani asks Hades to give Hajan bad dreams to render him unstable. They start with small annoyances and progress to delusions of foreign invaders and usurping family members. Hajan is tortured by these dreams, finally cracking and killing one of his sons. When this happens, the Furies descend on him and take him to his death. Parvani feels wicked, but when she is allowed to visit her home she finds the new ruler has restored order and peace to her people.