Touch of Flame

Ravina lay in Malachi's arms, enjoying the warmth and the scent of his body. They didn't say much, as their fingers intertwined, and they touched and kissed. It felt so natural and calming.

He traced the scars on her hand with his thumb. "You were worried," he said.

"I am worried I might not handle the disappointment well this time," she admitted.

"We will not give up on your sister. I will go out again if that is what it takes," he told her.

Ravina looked up at him, remembering how badly injured he got while looking for her sister. She felt bad that others went out there looking for her while she was here. She wanted to do something too, and she didn't want to endanger anyone.

"Thank you for looking for her," she said. Because of what he did, they might find her.

"It was the least I could do," he kissed her in the hair.

"By the way, I was told magic doesn't heal old wounds," she began.

"If they are significantly old, yes."

"So then the scars on my hands won't disappear?"

He was quiet for a moment. "Not the old ones." He sounded almost apologetic, but she felt somehow relieved to hear that. She wanted to see them heal naturally and be part of the process, just like now. To see the pain she had inflicted on herself, fade with time. There was something about it that was healing to her soul as well. She couldn't quite explain it.

"I don't mind them," she assured him.

He looked at her hand in his. She still marveled at the contrast of her skin tone against his. She had always been mesmerized by the glowing bronze.

"I want to ask you something," he began.

She nodded.

"You are speaking of magic and healing. You are talking about mating," he pointed. Her heart skipped a beat. "I know you said you would mate with me once I made you my queen, but the circumstances were different back then. Now when you mention it... do you still want to mate or have you changed your mind?"

Ravina hadn't been ready for this question or conversation. She was a bit stunned.

Malachi pushed himself up on an elbow to look at her. "I don't mean to stress you. I just want to know what you think about it now. How you feel about it? What goes through your mind when you mention it."

"I..." she blinked, her mind running in a thousand directions. "I don't think I have thought about it deeply." She admitted. "I don't even think I understand fully what that entails. I have seen the ceremony, and I know some things, but I am not sure I fully comprehend."

Ravina knew that it was a union of two people, somewhat like a marriage, but even that, to her, was never fully comprehensive in the sense of committing and being a loving wife. To her, it had always been a business, and she never thought of commitment as something outside of that. This was the first time she had to think of it that way, and she wasn't sure she could see herself in that role. Was she capable of that? Being a good, loving partner?

"Blood is a symbol of the very essence of life itself. To share one's blood with another is to willingly intertwine one's life with that of their partner. Blood also represents the powerful connection within families, representing the ancestral ties that bind generations. By sharing blood with a chosen partner, individuals create a new family bond, solidifying their relationship and establishing a profound kinship that extends beyond mere companionship. Blood also means death. Sharing it implies a commitment to each other in both life and death. The willingness to forge a connection that transcends mortality. The marks left, serve as a physical reminder of that connection. That is my interpretation," he explained to her.

"That is... deep," she felt a little emotional. She never thought to have something like it in her life. Never thought it was even possible.

Malachi nodded. "Yes, it is."

"Would you want to... do it with me?" She asked, with a frown, something burning in her eyes.

"Only with you, I could. Only with you, I want." He said.

She shook her head, just having difficulty believing it. How did she become his breedmate?

"I don't think I am meant for such things."

Malachi frowned. "What things?"

"The family...bond, loving, caring..." She kept shaking her head as she spoke but he could see the tears burning in her eyes. "Think about it, about me... like that?"

There was suddenly no confidence in her eyes and he could see her battling many emotions.

He reached for her face, gently caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. "I don't need to think about it when I already see it," he told her. "One day, you will see it too."

"You only say that because I am your breedmate. Had I not been, you would think I am terrible. Too... cold."

He chuckled. "I thought you were terrible even when I knew you were my breedmate. I changed my mind, and your coldness was one of the first things I liked."

"You have bad taste," she told him.

"Hmm..." he leaned in and kissed her. "I think my taste is impeccable," he said kissing her again, savoring the softness and warmth of her mouth.

The subtle scent of her skin, a mixture of her natural aroma and the faint traces of the soap she used, reached his nostrils, drawing him in even more. He could hear the quiet rustle of the sheets as they shifted their bodies closer together, adjusting her beneath him where he wanted her.

As he deepened the kiss, Ravina's hands found their way to the back of his neck, her fingers entwining in his hair. The taste of her was both familiar and intoxicating, a sweetness that he couldn't get enough of. The sensation of her tongue tentatively exploring his own sent a thrill down his spine, igniting a hunger within him that only she could satisfy.

Before he could get lost in the heat, a faint sound from downstairs caught his attention. He hesitated for a moment, trying to focus on the distant noise. It was Ares's voice,

Reluctantly, Malachi pulled away from Ravina, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Ravina's cheeks were flushed, her eyes filled with desire and confusion at his sudden withdrawal.

"Malachi?" she asked, her voice breathless. "What's wrong?"

He turned to her slowly, his own desire still evident in his gaze. "Ares is here. It sounds like he has good news," he explained, his voice husky with lingering desire.

Ravina shot upward. "Corinna!"

After that, she wasn't sure what happened or how she suddenly left the room, and rushed downstairs, not even knowing where she could find Ares. Somehow she had managed to find him with Malachi's assistance.

He was drenched, pale, and sickly but all she could ask was, "Where is Corinna?"

Her heart was pounding so hard, she thought she would faint. She could hear nothing because of it. Even Ares's voice was distant.

"She is safe," was the first thing he assured her. "And she is waiting for you in my home."

Ravina couldn't believe it. She found her sister. She tried to remind herself to breathe. "Take me to her. Take me!" She turned to Malachi for some help.

"Wear something. It is raining outside." Ares told her.

"I don't care. Let's just go!" She insisted.

Knowing that she really didn't care, they didn't try to argue with her. Nazneen flew away with Ares first, to show them the way and Ravina rode on Malachi's back. She clung tightly to him as they soared through the stormy skies. Her heart raced with each beat of his powerful wings, and the anticipation of reuniting with her long-lost sister sent shivers down her spine. As they approached Ares's island home, she barely noticed the biting wind or the pelting rain, her focus entirely on the imminent reunion.

When they landed, Malachi transformed back into his humanoid form and Ares showed them the way into his mansion. Every step felt like an eternity, her heart pounding in her chest, threatening to burst from the intense mix of emotions.

Corinna! Sweet sister Corinna, kept chanting internally. But she also prayed this wouldn't be a dream she would wake up from.

As they came closer to the living room, Ravina's heartbeat reached a lethal rate, and her sight sharpened, immediately searching the room as soon as they entered. But she didn't have to search long before she found her.

There, her sister, her all, was curled up and wrapped in a blanket in the corner of a sofa. Her gaze lifted and their eyes met. Ravina's breath caught in her throat. She was unable to move or speak, and the tears quietly streamed down her cold and wet face.

Corinna stared at her for a moment, equally stunned. Slowly she rose from her seat, the blanket gliding off her shoulders but she didn't take a step forward. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of disbelief, relief, and a touch of fear as if she worried that this moment could be ripped away from her at any second.

The room seemed to hold its breath, everyone watching the two sisters locked in a silent, emotional exchange.

In that moment, Ravina found the strength to move. She crossed the room, her legs trembling, but her determination unwavering. As she reached Corinna, she hesitated, her hand hovering just inches from her sister's face, as if she needed to make sure she was real before she could touch her.

Corinna, in turn, reached out and gently took Ravina's hand, pulling it towards her and pressing it against her cheek. A small, tentative smile formed on her lips, her tears streaming down her face, mirroring Ravina's own.

"Ravina," Corinna whispered, her voice breaking with emotion.

Ravina couldn't hold back any longer, her voice choked with tears as she spoke. "Corinna... it is you."

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