War of Hearts

06 - Cael Angelo Fire

The gusts of wind tousled her long hair until it was matted and dulled. She looked like a wild maiden then, whose spirit was untethered and her soul untamed.

She’d always loved the wind, for it came to her so boldly, like a moth towards a flame. The arctic cold that often came with it fired up all her senses into a state of alertness which reminisced her of the music of the wind before the storm. How bizarre the wind was, how quick it can change from the dryness of a desert to the moisture of a cyclone. How it alternated between soft breezes finer than silk, smoother than water to gales that sang through the trees, sending loose leaves dancing and fluttering; it was hypnotic and beautiful. In the summer time the wind was cooling, allowing the warmth to gently enter each muscle and bone while her skin felt at ease with the world. Today it was almost stationary and she found herself in joyful anticipation, absorbing the bright colors of the new foliage and buds, taking a moment to observe a dragonfly pass by, enchanting her with its electric blue color, flitting on the aquamarine water.

The voices had called Ever to the river. She was getting ready for the welcome ceremony of the royal families when she had heard a feminine voice cry out, calling her name. She’d followed it down here, almost entranced, with no hesitation

The river lay across the land with seductive curves like a sleeping cobra, beautiful in the morning light, cool and innocuous. Innocent, yet hiding such dangers.

“Help me, Ever,” The voice had called, “You’re my only savior! Ever Angel, free me!”

Ever was an Angel with warrior blood that flowed in her veins. She was infallible to most like a true royal angel. But the voice made her weak, passing through her very bones and muscles, binding her soul onto it like a malignant puppeteer.

The cruel female voice cried loudly, "Ever, Ever, help me. Undo what you did to me. Help me, help me, Ever Angel!" Those words kept repeating inside her. 

Her head throbbed painfully, like someone had pierced her skull with a knife. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed the pain to go away. The rest of the world became detached, all she could concentrate on was the agony rooted deep in her head. 

She could barely hear the other voices chattering around her, joining the feminine voice in a nefarious symphony. All she felt, all she knew was the agony of that moment. 

"Jump!" Suddenly, she heard her own voice shouting at her. Yet her mouth hadn’t moved, "Jump into the river." 

When she opened her eyes, she witnessed the blue river turning black and her body abandoning her mind, following another. She walked towards the water and was about to jump into it but something; someone caught her from her behind, dragging her back to safety. 

"Holy stars, I thought I was too late,” He huffed in her ear, holding her tightly, his strong arms and burning hands gripping her waist. 

Ever was panting like she’d run a marathon, and she was trying too hard to catch her own breath to see who it was that’s holding her. Her vision was filled with dark spots, and the river slowly turned back to its natural, blue color.

"Are you alright?" He asked still holding her in his arms. 

She pulled herself away from him, breaking from her stupor, and turned to see who her savior was.

He reminded her of a volcano, minutes away from erupting. He was a Fire child, judging from the red sparks illuminated his eyes and the area around his palms. She could feel the warmth of his fiery strong hands as if they had been imprinted on her. 

"Who are you?" She asked, examining him. 

His features were sharp, with a jaw and cheekbones that could cut glass. A pair of blazing eyes regarded her, gracefully placed on the top of an aquiline nose, with arched eyebrows framing them. His dark, ebony black hair was brushed back from his forehead, yet some mischievous locks had escaped, falling artfully around his eyes.