Memories of a Traitorous Paradise

Chapter One

There weren't any people around. Just silence, and the sound of waves crashing against the icy cliffs one by
one. I sat, alone, on the wet grass at the top, legs dangling over the edge swinging freely over the rocks. The soft spray of the sea dampened the tip of my nose, and the forever-winter sky of Mizuma shimmered in the reflection of the ocean. The sun, only partly covered by clouds, shone down causing the ice and snow that could never melt to glimmer, and the cool early morning dew on the end of the tree branch pitter-pattered down onto my icy blue and black hair that blew across my face in the gentle breeze. The small tattoo on my cheek; the symbol confirming my race, consisting of a small raindrop type figure full of swirl patterns that branched off over the right side of my face glittered with the magic I'd been born with, my wings, like blue silk, folded neatly behind my back. Two night-black horns, short enough to be hidden from anyone far away from me but sharp enough to rip a hole through a mans heart with one strike pierced through my hair either side of the top of my head.
Is it still necessary to tell you what I am?
Where I am?
Who I am?
I am a young girl, part of the second biggest species in the whole of the Four Worlds; Daemons or, more specifically, water Daemons. A race made by mistake possessing powerful magic capable of sculpting pretty figures from ice to bringing down entire cities at once. I, however, live in no such place of war and injustice; I live in the small oceanic village of Mizuma, a good three hours away from the Capital City Airim, where peace and selflessness is everybody's middle name.
Now, I wouldn't exactly say I was unhappy here...
But it was no lie to say I was a thrill-seeker.
How I wanted to fly the icy road to Airim, meet new people who danced under the stars late into the night, whose magic swirled high into the air and created a new world in the sky, whose swords were clipped to their belts and bows strung on their shoulders, who rode their stallions into the forest screaming cries of loyalty and battle and-
"Arramist!"
Unfortunately that could never be the case. My mother was nice, but very strict and never let us wander further that the great willow tree, frozen in life, about half an hour away, despite the fact I was past old enough to live on my own. I was going to marry a young man here and bring up a family in safety, in peace, and in quiet. She would always talk about the magic we possessed being a curse, how using it was strictly forbidden anywhere near her, oh how ashamed she was of our father who had run away to become a soldier.
I never dared tell her I wished to follow in his footsteps.
"Arramist Blackwater, what do you think you're doing?!" Mother hustled up towards me in her long night-dress and slippers, scowling as the water seeped through to her feet. "You're getting your clothes all wet!"
"I'm sorry, mother." I sighed to myself, standing up and brushing myself off. "I was just enjoying the morning, that's all. I... I don't mind the water."
A risk.
She furrowed her brow, shaking her head and tutting under her breath. Taking my arm, she started to lead me back to our house on the cliff. "You need to be looking your best today, my darling. We've got a dazzling visitor who's most interested in you."
I gave a slight gasp, turning to look at her. "What? Another potential groom?"
She nodded, the excitement obvious in her stride. "Indeed!"
"But we only had the last one a few days ago... there can't possibly be another one... not this early, anyway. Usually it's months..."
"You think I don't know that, child?"
"True, but still... who could it be...?"
"You'll see!~"
I sighed, letting her drag me away. I hated to say I was used to this by now. The way she took me to meet a man I'd go on a date with once and probably never see again. There weren't many people in Mizuma; I wasn't lying when I said it was small, and so whenever a traveller entered the village looking for residence my mother was first to greet him. This had been going on for years now, and not one of them had stayed. As much as my mother wanted me to marry, I was incredibly greatful that she wouldn't do it at the cost of my happiness. So only if they suited my fancies would mother let them stay with us.
And they never did.
But, true to my mothers word, there was indeed a young man sitting at our table sipping a cup of what looked only to be water. He had fluffy blonde hair that fell over his left eye, the tips of each strand a shade of light blue. The visible eye sparkled when he saw me walk in, and he turned to face me, bowing his head.
Already it was clear he was a very polite gentleman. Exactly what my mother wanted in a man for me. They weren't usually like this, and deep in my mind I feared mother wouldn't let me off as easily as she usually did.
I smiled softly at him, pretending I wouldn't rather be at the cliffs again. Mother gave me a subtle nudge, nodding towards the chair next to him. I did what she said and sat down, being careful to be light on my feet and nimble. I heard the man let out a soft chuckle as he watched me, quite obviously intrigued.
I couldn't deny that he was very beautiful, more beautiful than any I'd seen before. He looked strong, and his face sparkled.
"Do you need anything, you two?" My mothers voice practically sang. "Anything at all?~" both of us shook our heads, in sync, and looked at each other again. "Mother? May I take him out?" I asked, bracing myself for her reaction.
"Oh my, of course you may!"
"Thank you..."
I stood up, slowly, and smiled at him. "Do you mind?" He chuckled again, standing up with me and holding his hand out. "Lead the way."
Of course, I took him to the cliffs and dangled my legs over the edge once again, inviting him to sit next to me. He denied, standing beside me.
"Such a lovely view, isn't it?" He said, staring out beyond the horizon line. I nodded, watching as a cargo ship slowly sailed by, probably making its way to Airim.
"I never got your name."
There had been a lot of silence.
"I apologise. My name is Vallisyn Blue." A very pretty name, as well. "May I ask of yours?"
"Arramist. Arramist Blackwater."
"Beautiful."
I looked up at him. "Why won't you sit down?" He returned my stare. "You want me to?"
"I never said that."
He chuckled, his softened tone faulting. "You act very different from when you are with your mother, Arramist." I bit my lip slightly, going silent. He chuckled again, spreading out his wings and jumping off the cliff. I gasped, eyes widening as he fell to the rocks. "What the..."
Just as his head was about to get smashed in, he brought his wings together in a huge gust of wind and propelled himself into the air, spinning round as he went. With his body he brought droplets of the ocean and sprayed them into the air, creating a small water spiral around his soaking wet body.
I found it hard not to stare at his chest through his dampened shirt.
He chuckled, noticing my stare and flew back down to me, balancing on a small ledge on the cliff just below me. "Do you enjoy flying, Arramist?"
I nodded slowly, as he held out his hand to me. Nervously, I reached out and grabbed it, and without a seconds warning he pulled me back into the air with him. At first I wanted to scream, having suddenly been forced over the edge of a cliff, but soon I gained my balance and found the ability to spread out the wings I'd hardly ever used.
My frightened expression turned to absolute glee as I let Vallisyn guide me over the ocean.