When Stars Collide

Chapter 2- Looking like a flower - Maia

After Karidas gave me an earful about my duty as a goddess and a thousand other things I was not interested in hearing, I went back to the royal palace and stopped by the angel arena. 

It was the training rooms for the angel guard, but I knew Der would be there. When I enter, I sit on one of the seats and Der was there, his bronze skin glowing like copper and it resembled those generals in the mortal world who boasted their power with their body and their strength. 

Where Magelion was more sentimental and more of an intellectual, Der was more straightforward and I liked that about him. I was so used to having everything sugarcoated, so hearing Der be honest with me on how he saw the heavens and the mortal world was something I looked forward to. He’s currently sparring with Tristan, the patron angel and right hand of my mother. Tristan would’ve been my mother’s lover if he had been more direct with his feelings for my mom, but he had always been loyal and silent for his feelings for her. 

As the two sparred, I clapped happily, cheering Der on and he smiled when he saw me. Except that Tristan took that as his opening and Der fell down. Tristan nodded and walked up to me.

“Your majesty. I didn’t expect you to join us,”

“I didn’t either, but I’m in need of a distraction and also to ask some questions.” I said and he leans to whisper to me.

“How is Alaia?”

“She’s not doing well, Tristan. I’m afraid we’ll lose her.”

“You’re strong like her. I’m sure she’ll get better from this,” he strode off, clapping Der on the shoulder.

“Practice for the left opening. You’re weakest there,” he left and Der stuck his tongue out at him. “Goddess, Tristan is such a bore sometimes,” he said, smiling at me.

“I think you did well,” I compliment him and he stood up a little taller, as if basking in my attention. But my attention wasn’t worth basking for. It was just a compliment.

“Did you want to go to the Cheltian festival with me?” he asks me and my heart squeezed painfully. No, Der. Please, no… why now? Why after Magelion asked me out?

“Oh, Der…” I trailed off and I looked at the arena around us, desperate for a distraction and I grabbed a sword nearby, raising it in the air. 

“How about we practice that left opening instead?”

“You could get hurt,”

“Well, I’m not a delicate flower.”

“But you dress like one,” Der smirks and I narrowed my eyes at him. I thrust my sword against his and our swords clashed as we walked around in a circle. I striked and he deflected my blow easily. 

I huff and try again, weaving my way as he walked back and our swords clashed, my blows becoming more elegant as we kept sparring and I saw Tristan looking from above. He nodded in approval and when I saw the blade heading for me, I deflected it just in time as Der panted heavily.

“You’re pretty good,” 

“Learn from the best,” I told him and when he noticed, it was too late. The dust storm I made with my feet stunted him and when I rammed the helm of the sword at him, he tripped and fell as I pointed my sword at him proudly.

“And you shall never fail.” He looks at me, bewildered and when he pulls me down, I crashed on top of him, my skirts now dusty. If Tristan caught us here, I’d get in trouble with him and I was done with all the lecturing. I stare deep into Der’s eyes and shivered, the brown of his eyes so dark they were almost midnight.