Touch of Flame

Malachi sat on the swing as it swayed lightly, and Ravina lay on his lap, with her body curled on the swing. He stroked her hair as they enjoyed the silent morning sun and breeze.

After a while, she stirred. "Malachi."

"Yes."

"I still need to ask... warn you. I am not the ideal wi ... breedmate."

She seemed to be still stuck on that.

She turned on her back to look up at him. "I don't know if I can... if..."

"What do you think I expect of you?" He asked.

She blinked. "What... do you expect?" She asked nervously.

"There's nothing I expect you to do that you already don't."

"What do I even do?" She wondered, with a frown.

Clueless woman, but he wasn't surprised.

"You wait for me to come home, and when I do, you meet me at the hall or come to my room if I don't come to you. You care for me and stay by my side when I am sick or hurting. You ask if I have eaten, or you just make me food. You even scold me, you know?"

She seemed to think about what he said. "I never thought about it." She admitted.

"Well, that is how naturally you do it," he said, his fingers caressing the shape of her face.

"That is... not much," she argued, fumbling with the hem of her dress.

"I don't know what is expected in your world but, all I want is to come home to you, to be embraced by your warmth..." he stopped because that was when her eyes changed.

Malachi smiled, grabbing her jaw gently. "You are warm, Ice Princess. Your coolness is a perfect match for my heat, it's like a balm on my flames."

"Well... flames make ice melt."

He smiled. "Is that what is happening?"

Her cheeks flushed. "I was just pointing out a fact."

He chuckled. Expressing affection was still not her thing, but he would see this as a step.

"Alright professor."

Suddenly, she sat up. "Don't say all the right things. This is not a game I can play or win." She said, flustered.

"Oh, so it's a game now, is it?" he teased. "I didn't realize we were keeping score." He said, placing his arm around her and pulling her back onto his lap, and holding her bridal style. "And you seem to be losing, princess."

He knew she hated losing, and he liked teasing her.

"I don't remember agreeing to play, King Malachi."

"Ah, but playing is half the fun," he said, nuzzling her neck. "And I promise I won't always say the right things."

"I doubt that." Nudging him away with her shoulder.

"Have some faith in me," he said. "Besides, sometimes saying the wrong things can be more fun."

Ravina didn't argue with that, as she couldn't keep her focus anymore. His hot mouth on her neck was too distracting. He placed soft kisses along her jaw, and she turned her head, her fingers finding their way into his hair, and their lips met in a kiss that started soft and slow.

His hands were as deliberate and firm in stroking her body as his tongue was in stroking her mouth. This heat had been bothering her for too long, and she wasn't sure how long she could withstand it. There was a growing urgency building inside of her--a need for more.

She wasn't sure if Malachi sensed it, but he broke the kiss. "I should take you back," he said, his voice thick with restraint.

Right. They had left without informing anyone and she knew he was still struggling with her scent.

"We should, before they worry." She said.

The cool breeze as he flew back with her was just what she needed after the heated moment, and once they arrived, he drew her once more into his arms and kissed her before flying away.

How cruel to leave her in this heat after cooling down.

She made her way back inside the mansion, navigating through the halls to find Corinna. It took her a while to navigate through Ares's large estate. God! The man owned the island. No one would find the other here. She even hoped to just come across a maid or servant but there was none.

"Eprhaim?" She called hesitantly, hoping his dragon's hearing would save her from this misery.

She continued walking for a little while longer before he appeared in front of her. "Are you lost?" He smiled.

She breathed in relief. "Yes."

"Allow me to escort you," he said, leading the way.

Ravina followed him, keeping a distance so as not to disturb them both with scents.

"Will you be staying here the whole day?" She asked.

"I will be around, but I will leave you and Corinna to enjoy the day together." He said.

"I was thinking perhaps we could all spend some time together tonight. I told Malachi to come back."

"I have no objection." He replied.

Ravina heard a gunshot from outside as they neared the backyard. When she stepped outside, she found Corinna and Ares practicing shooting. She observed her sister, watching how fast and smoothly she reloaded her pistol and then shot the target easily, right in the middle of the forehead. Twice in the exact same spot. Her aim was perfect.

Ares didn't seem to try much, and was just keeping her company. "You are better than your sister," he pointed out, a bit loudly, making her aware that he knew they were there.

Ravina just shook her head as the breeze carried Ephraim's scent in her direction. She wondered how Corinna would feel about all of this.

Ares turned around, and Corinna looked over her shoulder at them. "Here you are," she smiled.

Ares walked up to them and looked at Ephraim. They exchanged a brief before Ephraim spoke, "we shall leave the two of you alone." He said.

Ravina gave him a nod. Then he exchanged looks with Corinna, and both of them walked away.

Ravina watched them as they disappeared into the mansion. "Are they close?" She asked, when Corinna came to her.

"I think so," Corinna said thoughtfully, as if she wasn't sure about their relationship as well. "I hope so. It would be nice if he had a friend." She sounded a bit sad as she said so. "He has no other family, and it seems Ares doesn't either."

Ravina nodded.

"So, what do you think of him?" Corinna asked, curiously.

"About Ares?" Ravina teased.

"No! Ephraim."

"He seems to genuinely care for you," Ravina replied.

Corinna smiled. "I know he does."

Ravina tilted her head. "And he listens to you..."

"Yes?" Corinna wondered where she was going with it.

Ravina remembered the exchanged looks at the breakfast table. Ravina took both of her sister's hands in hers. "You can tell me anything. I can handle it."

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