Touch of Flame

Malachi sat at the edge of a cliff staring ahead at the mountains. His head was filled with thoughts and his heart was uneasy. He wanted to clear his mind but that one touch of her fingertips behind his ear kept coming back to him. He didn’t know how to interpret that gesture.

Besides the gesture, his own actions and the decision in the back of his mind bothered him. His nightmares about terrorizing were back, his subconscious already putting the pieces together.

“Malachi!”

Turning his head he found priest Chanan approaching him. “You are liking this cliff too?” He asked.

“I didn’t know you liked this cliff,” Malachi said.

“Not me. Your breedmate.”

“You seem very interested in her.”

He chuckled. “Have you not noticed I am interested in anyone who might need help? It is my job and now your worry called to me.”

“I am not worried,” he lied.

“This cliff, calls to the sad souls. That is why I built my temple nearby. Why don’t you come with me, so I can help you like old times.”

Malachi sighed, not wanting to be rude. He stood up and followed the priest to his temple. Chanan had to force them up the stairs but with his recent workout on the field, this was alright.

At the temple, Chanan sat him down to do their regular “relaxing” exercise. The leave the world behind, set your mind free, and focus on your senses exercise.

Malachi sat with his bent and crossed on the floor and his arms resting on his knees. He closed his eyes.

There was a quietness and peace up in the mountains that always worked and if anyone listened to eat they would feel the calmness within. Malachi was able to find it for a moment but what was the point? He would go down, go back to the world soon. This heaven would only last for this long.

“Now, unburden yourself,” Chanan told him.

He meant for him to speak. To let it all out and then leave it for the mountain to carry. Malachi was quiet for a long moment, not knowing where to start. He opened his eyes, “I don’t know what to do.” He began.

The priest opened his eyes as well and gazed into his. “After everything, It felt good to blame the humans. I found somewhere to place my anger and guilt. My nightmares of killing and being the villain turned around. Now I was the victim or I wanted to be. I don’t know which one is worse. Either way, I feel like I am wrong.”

Chanan only nodded.

“If they are not the villains then… I am. How will that work out? How will I… live with a human after destroying her people? How? And…” He was so distraught he couldn’t form sentences. “Even my nightmares are back. And what about my anger? What about Amal? Should I just forget her? That is what it feels like to accept my breedmate. It feels like betrayal.”

Chanan tilted his head and looked at him with sympathy. “I am sure she feels the same way about accepting you.”

“That is why. It won’t work. It will be another nightmare and I am already part of hers.”

“Indeed.” Chanan nodded.

What did he mean? He was not helping.

“Are you saying it won’t work then?”

“If you put the effort it might work or it might not, but if you put no effort then it certainly won’t work.”

“You know where effort took me last time,” Malachi reminded.

Chanan watched him for a long moment. “I know Malachi, but you said yourself, fighting for what is right is difficult. That is why most people don’t. And if something is difficult you have to fail a few times before you succeed. It does not mean you were wrong.”

Malachi was still distraught.

“As for your breedmate, she might seem impossible but remember she is only a deprived soul, lost and looking for a home. Do you know what a home means, Malachi?”

Home was familiar. Warm, safe and secure. She would not find her home in him.

“If anyone can change things, it is you, King Malachi.”

Change things? Malachi returned home with more thoughts than he left with. Since she came, his home smelled different. Her scent lingered everywhere. The house was mostly dark with only a few candles burning. As he heard her limping to the hall, he just ignored her and decided to go upstairs to his room.

As he climbed the first step, she called him. “Malachi.”

His hold on the handrail tightened and he took a deep breath before turning to her. She stood near the wall, still wearing that laced pink top on her slender shoulders. How he had resisted leaning down and adorning them with kisses instead this morning.

“You are back late,” she said.

She sounded like a wife. Did she notice? He just looked at her.

“Did you have dinner?” She asked.

“I am not hungry,” he said and was about to proceed.

“Wait!”

He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “What is it?”

She limped forward, her eyes searching for his in the darkness. “Is something wrong?”

He spun around and found her eyes. “What would be wrong?” He asked except for everything was wrong. “Except that you are still walking on your injured leg. Do you perhaps enjoy my care?”

Her eyes widened slightly.

Malachi descended the few stairs he had climbed and she held panicked a little when he walked over to her. “I did not go upstairs.” She hurried to say then blinked surprised when he only offered his arm.

She gazed at him with the inquiring look again before putting her arm through his and allowing him to guide her back to her room.

Malachi took notice of the way it was decorated, matching her personality in a sense. Once he sat her down on her bed, she looked up at him. He almost grabbed her chin, bent down, and ravished her mouth.

She was not completely unaware. She noticed when his eyes changed and her heartbeat picked up. She pulled back into the bed as if that would help. It only made him want to grab her ankle and pull her back, then pin her body down between his thighs and her wrists above her head.

Turning away, he grabbed the blankets instead. “Sleep,” he said and she turned and put her head down on the pillow. He could feel her watching him curiously as he covered her up.

“You treat me like a child,” she whispered.

“Then stop behaving like one, or you will earn a goodnight kiss too.”