War of Hearts

12 ~ Azera

The crown was decorated with red roses and blue roses. Alexander smelled the amazing scent of the flower crown and smiled lightly. Cedric was watching him. They were both standing in a corner of the Capital's harbor where there is no one else other than them.

Alexander walked closer to Cedric, his gaze fixed on Cedric's coffee brown eyes. Cedric began to breathe fast, he felt something good is coming but he wasn't ready to accept it.

"Thank you for the flower crown. It's beautiful," Alexander said slowly, as if he was trying to impress Cedric with his good pronunciation.

"Thank you, my lord."

"You're not married. Am I right?" Alexander asked.

Cedric looked at Alexander and replied, "No, my lord."

"Then do you have a lover?"

Cedric remained silent for that question.

"I'm sorry about hurting you last time by destroying your plant, I was so ...."

Cedric cut him off. "It's all right, my lord."

Alexander took a deep sigh. "I wanted to tell you something, something really important."

"What is it, my lord?"

"I think," he paused and took another step toward Cedric; there were only few inch gaps between them. "I think I like you."

Cedric looked at Alexander as if he was the best thing in his life but Alexander didn't saw that in his face. Cedric had dragons and butterflies dancing inside his stomach. Cedric has never felt in love but when he first met Alexander in the royal gardens he felt something toward Alexander even though he gave pain to him. But he never expected the royal Angel to have the same feelings toward him. But this very moment changed every possible thing he has imagined his life would be like. He laughed at the thought of his family's reaction when they get to know that he's in love with a man.

"Can I kiss you?" Alexander asked, interrupting Cedric's thoughts.

Cedric slowly nodded.

Alexander placed his hands on Cedric's waist and pulled Cedric closer to him. Alexander looked into Cedric's eyes before placing his lips on him. They too spoke love so Alexander placed his burning lips on Cedric's innocent lips. Alexander felt as if he's drowning in the Darranoi, his heart filled with love. Cedric felt as if he's reading the best part of a Julian Roosevelt romantic novel. They felt amazing. This is the first kissing experience of both Alexander and Cedric and it became unforgettable of both of them.

* * *

The Destiny ship was fashioned from ancient oak, with masts that stood as tall. Instead of its once green foliage it was adorned by sails of white to dove grey. To see the rich timbers, strong browns close to black, brought a peace inside, perhaps akin to that given by a meadow. Yet for the next few days the fragrance would not be of wild flowers but of the open sea, ever changing, ever constant, ever in motion beneath the clouds who sail above.

Ever was lying on the deck, looking at the bright blue sky. Cael too lay next to her and stared at Ever. Ever noticed Cael but she was silent. They are almost in the sea borders of Azera but during the whole time in the ship she didn't speak with anyone, all she did was staring at the sky.

"What's worrying you?" Cael asked.

Ever turned her head to face Cael. "What if we fail to bring the flowers of the life tree?"

Cael stretched his hand and pulled Ever closer to him. "We will, Ev."

Ever smiled lightly. "Ev?" She asked, smiling.

"My Ev," he corrected and kissed Ever's forehead.

"We are in Azera." Richard Orogon broke their romance.

Ever and Cael stood up to take a glimpse of the island. Azera looked as ridiculously beautiful as every Angelic island, the colors almost too intense to be true. There was the dazzling blue of the ocean, the immaculate white beaches, the rich, elemental green of the pine trees and rain forests.

Ever and Cael gave warm hugs to Richard and got out of the ship with nothing but themselves. As Ever placed one foot out from the wooden ship, and next foot out, her feet decided to plant itself into the sand. Her eyes felt like it didn't know how to blink at that moment as she was awestruck by what her eyes witnessed. In front of her was a place filled with unending green trees, as if the whole island was made out of green itself. Shimmering blue waters that sparkled in the presence of the sunlight encircled the island. Greenery spread out all around the island, with patches of different colored flowers that grew among bushes. In a distant, was a majestic waterfall that looked like a sheet of blue velour swishing down. The water thundered down into the pool like a gigantic waterspout.

Ever remembered her first time in Azera. It was an unofficial visit.

The early morning sunlight, soft and diffuse, gives way to the first strong rays of the day, the ones that bring true warmth. Little Ever was walking in the Capital's forest with a basket of roses. She took slow steps, enjoying the beauty of the enchanting forest. She heard the nature whispering to her in ways she can't explain. She saw the trees and flowers dancing to the music of the wind. She sighed the warmth of the forest.

Suddenly, the birds flew away to the sky. Rabbits ran away into the far away end of the forest. She looked around and a huge shadow fell on her. She looked up. It had the face of an extra-large Eagle, its beak was pointed sharply like weapon used in war. It stretched its huge wings covering half of the forest with the darkness of its shadow. It stepped toward Ever but Ever stayed still. As it came closer to her, she noticed its horse like body and strong legs.

"Ev! Ev!," Julian shouted, he was so much away from her.

"Ev, don't move. I will come," he said and began to run toward her.

It lowered its head toward Ever. The basket which Ever was holding fell on to the ground. Ever raised her hand, her palm facing the animal. It touched its forehead on her palm. She felt his heartbeat. She felt as if she was connected to the horse like and eagle like unusual animal. She has heard of it. She remembered Jonathan Roosevelt's lessons on this animal; it's the symbol of Angelic.

"Aruda," she named it.

Aruda lowered itself on to the ground so she could climb up on to it.

"Julian, come on," she called Julian.

She climbed on to Aruda with Julian. Julian had his arms wrapped around Ever. Ever stretched her hands for the wind to pass through her. Aruda flew up into the sky. Julian's nerves danced inside him in fear. Ever shouted in joy.

"Julian, we are flying!"

"Ev, I don't like this." He tightened his arms across Ever.

"Julian, believe me, nothing's going to happen." She kissed his cheek. Fire shocks went through him destroying the fear in him. He too stretched his hands; he felt the wind dancing through him. His hands touched Ever's stretched hands, he put his fingers in-between hers' and shouted loudly. Ever laughed and shouted along with him.

"Ev," he whispered to her ears. "You are the best thing that has happened to my life."

"I know, Julian."

She stroked the head of Aruda, Aruda felt love and protection. Aruda flew faster, both Julian and Ever shouted at their maximum volume.

"Where are we flying to?" Julian asked.

"I don't know but I'm sure it's going to surprise."

After a long ride in the air, Aruda landed in Azera.

"Where are we?" Julian asked.

Ever got down from Aruda. "Azera," she murmured.

Since then Aruda served Ever. Whenever Ever is sad, it too felt the sorrow. When Ever is happy, it felt the happiness and when she's in danger, he too felt it. He's capable of finding Ever no matter where she is. They are connected to each other as if they were made for each other.