Touch of Flame

Malachi had never heard a sweeter sound, had never heard his name be called in such a manner that caressed him so intimately and caused his body to tighten and ache.

“You are back…” she murmured as she stirred again, throwing one hand above her head and the other fell on her waist. She kept her eyes closed but seemed a little disturbed. She turned her head, trying to find a comfortable position. Still uncomfortable, she turned and curled up like a cat looking for comfort.

“Ah… no,” she mumbled shifting again. She was disturbed. She said a few more things he couldn’t understand but he caught the part where she said she didn’t want to wake up. She held onto her pillow tightly and he looked at her butchered hands.

He hated to see them, just like he hated the empty look in her eyes. It made his soul shiver.

“Malachi!” His sister’s voice echoed in his mind. “I can’t do this anymore. I feel like a piece of my soul dies every day. It is better I die this way.” She had told him.

Tears burned his eyes at the memory. A piece of her soul? He had asked himself many times what he could have done, to help her live and recover. Why he hadn’t tried harder? What did he do wrong?

As he was lost in his sorrow he was surprised by the Ravina’s sudden shift. What was she doing? She was turning and then to his surprise she lay on his lap, curling herself up. He stiffened, holding his hands up and away from her.

What….

He looked down at her, so small where she lay. She looked so vulnerable. Was she aware of what she was doing? He would guess not, but clearly, she found comfort from sleeping on someone’s lap.

Or not entirely. She still stirred, as if looking for something. Malachi slowly allowed his hands to fall but stopped right above her body. He wondered if he should stroke her. Would she allow him? Or would he ruin this and make her run away?

Hesitantly, he touched her hair, dragging his palm down ever so gently. She didn’t flinch, so he continued being careful not to touch her skin. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination but he felt her relax a little. Her breathing came slower, the heat of it tickling his thigh.

And then he couldn’t help himself. He stroked down her arm as well, like Georgia had done. Her skin was so soft and tender, unlike the dragon females. He had to stop himself from allowing his mind to wonder other places and instead focused on the moment. He listened to her heartbeat and her soft breath. He let his fingers run through her hair and they untangled so easily.

Oh God, he bit his lower lip. He should stop yet he brought her hair to his nose and inhaled her. Even on her non-fertile days, she always carried a subtle scent of fertility.

Malachi allowed her hair to slip away from his fingers. He stayed with her until she fell into a deep slumber and then slowly placed her back in bed. He dimmed the lights and left her, but her scent followed him. It was rubbed all over his trousers and hands. Even if it wasn’t, her scent had taken its own place in his mind. She imprisoned his senses.

Leaving the house, he took a flight over the mountains and then found himself outside Aaron’s home. He knocked on the door and then invited himself in. His brother peeked from the kitchen door. He looked surprised to see him alone.

Aaron stepped outside to the hall with a frown. “What happened?”

“Nothing. Have you had dinner?”

“Shall we go out and eat? Perhaps drink too?” He suggested.

“Sounds like a good idea.”

They went to a toulah, a place to sit, eat and drink ordered meals and drinks. Some of them were quieter and others had music and performances. They went to the calmer one and sat down at the table.

The waitress came to take their orders with a smile. “Long time no see. Is our food not delicious enough for you?” She asked them.

Aaron looked up at her. “We found a better place,” he teased her.

She gave him a scolding look and he just smiled. “What would you like to have?” She asked ready to write it down.

“I’ll have the usual,” he said and she seemed to remember as she wrote it down. Then she turned to him.

“I will have whatever is his usual.”

She chuckled. “Alright.”

“And something strong to rinse it down with,” he added.

Aaron gave him a warning look. “You have someone at home,” he reminded under his breath before turning to the waitress. “He will just have wine,” he told her.

She looked back at him hesitantly. “Alright. I’ll have wine.”

She nodded. “Anything else?”

“What else do you have?” Aaron asked.

“Dessert? Something so sweet I assure you, you will lick your fingers.”

Aaron chuckled while Malachi suddenly remembered Ravina licking her fingers. His body went rigid.

“Can you pack it?” Malachi asked her without a second thought.

“Of course. Do you want me to pack it nicely?”

“Something romantic,” Aaron added.

“Alright.” She nodded.

Romantic?

When she left, he looked at his brother.

“It seems like human females also like sweets,” Aaron said.

Yes.

“So… what happened?” He asked him.

“What do you mean?” Malachi replied.

Aaron shrugged. “You rarely come to me, and I thought you came to fight.”

Malachi sighed. “I know what you are trying to do with Ravina.”

“What am I trying?”

“You are trying to trigger me.”

“Is it working?” He smirked, then changed his statement. “Well, it is working.”

“Don’t be happy about it,” he muttered.

Aaron leaned back in his chair with an amused smile. “I will try. Just remember that she is human. You can’t be as physical with her, although I think she keeps up very well. How was it to be bitten?”