Chapter 1

Alastrina floated gracefully through the colorful sky, enjoying her ride down from the clouds. Suddenly, her petite body was caught in a gust of wind pulling her from her path and immediately sending her into a free fall. A haze began to develop over her crystal blue eyes and her vision went blurry. She tucked her head into her chest, and held her knees in tight as she fell, desperately hoping she would be safe as she landed.

She hit the surface like a meteor, but she wasn't burning. She was instantaneously submerged in water; it was a feeling she had never felt before. Her platinum white hair mimicked the waves as they flowed through her beautiful locks. They had no water in the clouds; there was no need for it. Unknown sensations ran through her body as the foreign liquid grazed across her soft, pale skin. Gravity had seemed to stop as her body was encased by the frightful water. She let out all the breath she had left in her, small bubbles escaped her nose. She closed her eyes as she started to sink deeper into her watery nightmare.

She pictured what she couldn't see and all she saw was white and gray. Those were the only colors she had ever known. Nonetheless, her world was magical; the lack of color made it that way. White, along with shades of gray, made up the hills and the trees. Most of the angels looked like her: white hair, white wings, white skin, and contrasting blue eyes. They believed that the eyes were the true window to the soul, and that's why they were so beautiful. She had always loved her home. She knew of worlds like Earth, but she never imagined leaving the Elysium Fields. The only other place more stunning was Olympus, and she had only been there once. The Gods had offered her family a place to live in regards to her father, Tolomeo, being one of the strongest warriors in the battle of Thermopylae.

He had matched her with Eudoro, one of the most stunning men in the Elysium Fields. She knew she was lucky to have been paired with a man of his standing, but she had never known him. Her father sent her to Earth to find the perfect gift to show Eudoro what a good match she would be. She didn't know what she was looking for, but she was convinced it had to be the most amazing thing she'd ever seen.

Her thoughts went completely blank and the back of her eyelids turned solid white. She could no longer feel or hear anything happening around her.

Centuries seemed to pass as she felt her body beginning to dry starting at her head. She was slowly being pulled out of the water. The warm, dry sand rubbed against her bare skin. Struggling to open her eyes, she blinked repeatedly until she could she a blur of light.

A color she had never seen before appeared over her. The woman standing there was still blurry, but Alastrina could faintly make out the black shade that enveloped her hair and angelic wings. She opened her eyes wider.

The girl smiled as she took Alastrina's hand and gracefully pulled her to her feet. The mystical young woman took her other hand and they stood, eye to eye.

"Melania," one corner of her mouth curved up creating a cunning smile.

"My name is Alastrina."

Melania was gorgeous, like something of Olympus. Her lips were dark like her hair and her wings. She believed that Melania must be an angel of Earth, there only to protect visitors.

"What happened?" Alastrina asked, "I was told the descent to Earth would be nothing less than perfect."

"We will worry about that in due time," Melania started, "but for now, do you know where you will be staying?"

She hadn't even thought to ask her father this question. Somewhere to sleep had never been a problem before this moment. In Elysium Fields, she had her bed. The rules weren't very strict though; they barely slept as it was. They didn't actually need it, it was something of choice; different families had different customs.

"I'm not sure what you mean," she replied.

Melania smiled, and with their hands still entangled, she frolicked into the trees while Alastrina went readily behind her. She still wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she knew this was better than being alone. She was never alone before; it was practically impossible in her world, although she didn't mind it that way. Eventually Melania led her to a wide, hollow tree that could have fit a whole family of Caledonian boars.

The tree seemed even bigger once she was inside; the walls were stretched into a giant circle surrounding them. Melania led her to seat that grew directly out of the tree itself. She felt the cold dirt creep up between her toes.

"You must be tired. This place isn't much, but at least you are safe with me," she smiled again, her teeth white and gleaming through her full lips.

Alastrina was never one to be too straight-forward, but she was so curious as to why Melania's wings were black. It was dark outside, which could be the reason. The night sky was nothing new to her, though. Unlike Olympus, Elysium Fields shared the patterns of days and nights with the rest of the universe.

"Why do you look so different than me?"

Melania never let the grin leave her face. "Sweet Alastrina, you are so striking."

She was stunned. How could someone so beautiful say that about her? She knew from her world that she was nothing special. She also knew this could just be a ruse to avoid her question. That was okay, though, if she didn't want to talk about it.

"Thank you," she said, "you're much more gorgeous than me, though."

Melania rolled her eyes, but still managed to look enchanting, "Would you like some dinner?"

She hadn't noticed her stomach rumbling until now, "Yes, please."

She sat in her chair and watched as Melania moved delicately into the hall. She didn't have any time to think before Melania returned with a handful of blackberries.

"Eat these and then I will show you where we sleep."

"We?" Alastrina wondered if there were other angels visiting Earth along with her.

"You and me, of course."

Although her thoughts were wondering about more company, she wasn't disappointed that no one else would be there. Something about Melania that made her feel safe.

She took herself from her thoughts and finished her berries. In no time, her hand was back in Melania's. She followed her up a few steps, straight to a small room with enough space for one mattress. A single window let in a single ray of moonlight to see their way into the room.

Alastrina lay down on the bed. She curled up into a ball and pulled the thin sheet over her body. Melania kissed her on the forehead and said she would come to bed soon. Moments later, she disappeared down the hall.

Trying to relax, Alastrina closed her eyes and tried to think of home. She missed her bed and her room. The fact that she wasn't tired wasn't helping her situation, but after a few minutes, everything went black.

When Alastrina woke up, she was staring into a pair of deep green eyes.

"Morning, angel," Melania said. "Do you want some breakfast?"

"Yes, thank you." She wasn't hungry, but Alastrina still didn't really know how to handle things. Her soft eyes gazed over the room, trying to find serenity, but all she saw was the tree surrounding her and dirt beneath her. Breakfast was a good way to pass the time while she thought about what she needed to do.

Melania handed her blackberries just like she did the night before, but this time she had added a few handpicked cashews. Alastrina had never eaten nuts, as they rarely had them available in the Elysium Fields. Nonetheless, she forced them down. Once she finished her breakfast, she left the tree to find Melania sitting by a small fire outside.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I have been working on a surprise for you," Melania answered, "Come with me."

With one hand, she grabbed a small pot she had been boiling off the fire then took Alastrina's hand with the other. She led her back to the water's edge. They walked along the sand for awhile until it turned to rocks. A stream broke off from the ocean and connected to a lake. Melania started to wade into the lake and Alastrina tugged her arm back toward the shore.

The last time she was in the water, she was terrified and completely stunned. She had a desperate look in her eyes as she stood and stared at Melania.

"Come on, this will be fun," Melania told her with that charming grin that never left her face.

Hesitantly, she dipped her toes into the water. She let her new friend pull her into the shallows. Melania put her hand behind Alastrina's neck and slowly let her head down into the water. She dipped her just far enough to get her hair wet. When she pulled her back up, she stood behind her and started to pour the hot pot of liquid through her hair.

Alastrina wasn't sure what Melania was doing, but the warm sensation covering her head was too good to say anything.  It was almost calming. She felt Melania's fingers running through her smooth, wet hair. Once the pot was empty, the water beaded off the ends of her hair, splashing into the lake.

"Doesn't that feel amazing?"

"Yes," Alastrina could barely talk. She felt more relaxed than she had since she got to Earth. While she had been there, she hadn't even smiled since she landed in the water. She had faked a grin or two when Melania was being kind, but she hadn't actually let a real smile escape her lips until now.

"You look much more beautiful when you smile," Melania said as she moved around to look at Alastrina's new dark streaks in her hair.

Alastrina smiled even bigger. She didn't know what it was about her, but Melania took her breath away. Maybe it was because she was so good to her, or maybe that was just the effect she had on people. Once she pulled herself from her thoughts, she realized she had been staring at Melania for the last few minutes.

Melania was looking right back at her, not breaking eye contact. Alastrina froze as Melania waded closer to her. She could feel her heart pounding and a warm feeling started to rise within her. She stayed motionless as Melania leaned in and placed an affectionate hand on her cheek. Her hand was cool against Alastrina's warm face. Her eyes closed and she started to lean in. Alastrina's breathing was heavy and before she could speak, Melania's lips were pressed against hers. Feelings she couldn't understand came rushing to the surface.

She had never kissed anyone before then, but it felt exactly the way she thought it would. It was passionate. She didn't know what her feelings for Melania meant, but she couldn't imagine that there was any way to express them other than this. She softly returned the kiss and held that moment for a few seconds before breaking their seal.

"What did you have in the pot?" She asked softly.

"Your lips are soft," Melania never really answered her questions when she asked.

"Seriously," Alastrina felt nervous, "What was that? Water?"

"You really don't know what water is do you?" Melania laughed, "It was sage."

She took Alastrina's hand, which was quite warm, and took her back to the tree. She walked her down the hall. Alastrina felt Melania's hands graze over her shoulders and gently turn her to face the wall; there was a mirror hanging in front of her.

For the first time, she saw what Melania had done. Her white hair was now intertwined with dark lowlights left by the sage. It would normally be surprising to see, but after seeing nothing but Melania's black hair for the last 24 hours, it was weird to see white on her own head.

"Now you fit in with me," she giggled.

Alastrina smiled again.

Reviews

[Fire Mage Andrea]

I really liked this. It kept my interest and it's nice to have two female characters kissing rather than a male and female for a change.
The story flows quite nicely too.
Looking forward to seeing some more chapters if you're putting any up!