Touch of Flame

"Malachi! What are you doing?"

He was carrying her and she was already so embarrassed. At least she should have the decency not to act out of control in a public place. And her scent...oh! Could everyone smell her?

"What happened?" Nako was worried as she met them in the hall. Ravina just looked away, wishing to disappear.

"Nothing. She is just a little dizzy."

"I will bring water." Ravina could hear the sound of her footsteps fading and Malachi proceeded to carry her to her room.

"Don't worry. Your scent is normal now," he assured.

Was it? Because her body still felt... funny. Sensitive. Tingling. She could still feel his touch everywhere. From what she had read, the pleasure was intense but she didn't think it would be so intense she would lose control over her limbs.

Malachi placed her carefully on the bed and sat beside her. Nako was quick to come with water. Malachi took it from her and gave her a nod to leave. He placed the cup on the nightstand before looking at her.

Heat crawled to her face. Why was she like this?

"Are you embarrassed?"

"I am not," she hurried to say getting up to sit.

He smiled amused, handing her the cup of cold water. She took it from him to cool down her burning body. She gulped down all of it while he went to open a window as if knowing how she felt.

She scoffed. He knew of course. This was unfair but then she remembered his thick manhood rubbing against her hip and she choked on her water. She began to cough and Malachi came to her aid as she almost teared up. He patted her gently on the back.

"Drink slowly," he told her.

Cough. "I am fine," she wiped the water from her mouth and put the cup away. She was not fine. That would in no way fit into her body or any woman's body.

"I... will take a nap," she said not knowing what to do with herself.

"That is a good idea," he said getting into bed with her. She moved away to make some place for him. "Let me hold you."

Oh... That was one way to make her die of heat. Looking at his body was an invitation enough and she crawled into his arms. He pulled her tight against him and his solid body against hers intensified the tingling. "Do you know that you are warm?" He asked.

"I am?" No one ever described her as warm.

"Yes. Warm and soft."

"Is that... a compliment?"

He chuckled. "It is and also just the truth."

She smiled. "You are warm too. And comforting."

He tensed for a moment. Did she say something wrong? She looked up at him. "I am?" He asked surprised.

"Yes," she put her forehead back against his chest. His scent surrounds her. "And you smell like coffee."

He chuckled. "I didn't know."

She felt intoxicated again. "You smell like coffee, and freshly baked bread."

His hand caressed along the curve of her body. "Since when?"

"I don't remember exactly, but I thought you would smell like that since before we came here."

He was silent for a moment. "You must have a good instinct."

Both bothered and calmed by his strokes, she slowly fell asleep.

The sun was setting when she woke up and the sound of chattering voices pulled her out of bed. She made her way to the parlor and found Malachi seated with Joel and the witch who sold her the mirror.

He was here.

"Here she is.." Malachi said motioning for her to sit with them. She kept her eyes on the witch as she went to sit down.

Malachi looked at her to go on and ask the questions she had. "Why did you sell me the mirror?"

He smiled an unsettling smile. "That is what I do. I sell my services."

She nodded. "And what I see in the mirror.... what is it?"

"What you wish you to see but don't want to see."

She was tired of these answers so she tried to be more specific. "I am looking for my sister. I saw her in the mirror but it didn't tell me where she is exactly."

"Then perhaps fate or your sister doesn't wish to be found by you."

"Why would she not?"

He looked over at Malachi as if that would be the answer but she was confused. "You and your sister are on opposing sides."

"What do you mean?"

"In this war... "

She frowned. "I doubt it."

"You are with dragons," he reminded.

"Can you help me find her or not?" She asked.

"Hmm... I have already given you a mirror. You will just have to use it to find clues. What the mirror shows you and what it shows me are different. Some see with their minds and others with their hearts."

"I see."

"Patience," he told her as if sensing her frustration. "If we are done here, I shall go back."

He stood up and Ravina was confused. Did he just sell her a mirror with no ulterior motives?

"You approached me on purpose," she blurted.

"Oh, I did." He admitted. "It is easy to spot humans among dragons."

"Do you sell a mirror just to anyone?"

"No. You see... my kind are called tricky but we only see the world in a different light. Some like shiny things and we like anything out of the ordinary."

He knew what she was.

"Have a good evening," he gave her a nod and left.

"I don't trust him," Malachi said.

"I shouldn't either but... he is strange," Joel spoke, his eyes swirling with many thoughts.

He was very strange. While she was thoughtful both Malachi and Joel watched the door as if waiting for someone and a moment later, Nazneen appeared.

"Where is Ares?!"

Joel and Malachi gave each other a certain look that Nazneen notices. "Oh, I see. You really want to do this."

"Nazneen..." Joel began.

"Don't even try! Bring Ares to me! I knew not to trust you."

"I did nothing to him."

"Oh! So was it the witch? He decided to keep Ares and let you go?"

Joel frowned. "No."

"Then what it is?!"

"If you let me speak, perhaps I will tell you. Ares left."

​ She frowned. "Where?"

Joel sighed. "I don't know. He found out something that didn't please him and he left."

Frustrated she ran her fingers through her hair. Ravina was confused.

"What did he find out?"

"Something about his parents."

"I shouldn't have let him go." She said pacing.

"I am sure he just needs some time alone. He will be back." Malachi told her.