Touch of Flame

Easy innocent self? Her face heated up. She knew she was easy, she needed no one telling her that. Melting at the simplest offered warmth. Yes, it was pathetic. She knew she was bad at this, so she tried not to even be in a position where any such thing would occur.

Ravina folded her arms over her chest and looked at him with a bored expression. “Have you nothing better to do than pester an easy, innocent newborn human female?” She asked him.

He grinned maliciously. “Don’t worry. At least you are his breedmate otherwise,” he looked her up and down. “Someone like you would not be able to satisfy him. Maybe he will realize that in time when the curiosity of the fragile female human body wears off and he gets a little taste breedmate. Holding back is no fun after all. It is in our nature to be feral.”

She nodded slowly. “So I am an easy, innocent, fragile human female?” She waited for a reply.

“Don’t be offended,” he shrugged pretending to be friendly all of a sudden.

“I am not. I just don’t understand why a big bad beastly dragon is so threatened by such a woman?”

He smirked. “Have a good day,” he said walking past her.

Ravina was left standing there now even more confused than she was. What morning was this? She kept walking, now again enjoying the pain her leg caused. She needed it to distract her for a moment but it wasn’t enough.

She knew she shouldn’t listen to Saul. He was enjoying this. He clearly didn’t want her with Malachi but was he necessarily lying? She was a fragile human compared to them. She was easy and… how did he know Malachi told her that? Was it really their line?

Her leg screamed in raw pain, yet she continued toward the uncrowded place near the woods.

She sat near a tree. She bent her knee to look at her ankle. It was hot and throbbing, red and bruised. Just like her this morning in that order. With a sigh, she gave up and leaned back against the tree. She could feel the pain sending waves up her leg.

Closing her eyes, she tried not to think of anything for a moment but the feeling of being pathetic suddenly crept into her chest so strongly that she didn’t even know when tears filled her eyes. And then she just cried. And then felt even more useless for crying.

Oh, God. She would pay back that bastard. He knew nothing of being a woman. Of the dangers that came by simply being one. He could not fathom the risks she took being here. The courage it took her to step foot into this place. Bastard! Bastard! He could never do such a thing himself. She had mainly done it for her sister but now her sister wasn’t even with a clan and she could not be found. Great.

Angry with herself for shedding a tear, she wiped them away fast and then took deep breaths to calm down. She closed her eyes, thinking of her sister. Corinna. Where was she? God, if she could only find her sister. If she could only see her face and hug her once. Make sure that she was truly alright and safe. Could she believe in the fortune-teller?

“Ravina?”

She opened her eyes and found Aaron nearing on his horse. She looked up at him squinting her eyes. “What are you doing alone here?”

“Resting.”

Swiftly he hopped off his horse. “Where is Malachi? Should you be walking yet?”

“I am fine,” she assured, her ankle screaming otherwise.

Aaron crouched, a frown settling between his brows as he looked at her closely. “You have been crying. What happened?”

She shook her head, “nothing.”

He raised a brow. “I thought we could talk to each other,” he said.

“I just… feel lost,” she admitted.

“Oh well,” he sat down crossing his legs. “Where is Chanan to show us the way?”

She shook her head with a smile.

“Don’t underestimate him. The man is frightening. He can see through you.”

She nodded. “He has experience.”

Aaron turned his head and she followed his gaze. She found him looking at a woman, walking by far away.

“Who is that?” She asked.

“Kara.”

“You like her?”

He shrugged. “My brothers fight for her.”

“Is there something special about her?”

“She is apparently hard to get.”

Oh…

Ravina watched the tall woman walk elegantly down to the shop nearby, holding a basket in one hand.

“But… what about you? You didn’t answer my question.” She said.

“It does not matter.”

“You should try,” he told him. “Maybe your brothers are not her kind. Maybe she is mature and is looking for something similar.”

He looked at her with a smile. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

He nodded with a smile. “I shall try then. Perhaps tonight at the mating ceremony.”

“Mating ceremony?”

“Yes. I am sure Malachi will take you there. A cousin of ours is getting mated and married. It would be good for you to see how it is done.”

“Are both things done at the same time?”

“Yes.”

“How do you mate?” She asked and then thought maybe she shouldn’t. “Does everyone watch?”

He chuckled. “Well, yes. It is not breeding. That is different. You do that after mating in private.”

Then what was the mating?

“You will see how it goes. Dress nicely. I am sure Nako and Mara will find something suitable. Think of yourself as being queen when getting dressed,” he winked.

“While walking like a crippled.”

He chuckled. “That only means Malachi will stay glued to your side.”

“Is that even a good idea?” She wondered.

“We will see what Malachi decides.” He shrugged. “Now let me take you back on the horse, so you don’t hurt yourself more.”

Aaron helped her on his horse and rode back with her home. Malachi was just leaving the house when he saw them.

Oh no…

He stepped down the stairs, and she turned to climb down fast. He was quick to reach up, grab her waist and carry her down. He placed her on the ground, still holding her waist, giving her support. “You really want to permanently injure your leg?” He asked with a low serious tone.

Then he looked closely at her eyes with a frown. “Did you cry?”

“No.”

He looked over at Aaron and she pleadingly looked over at him to not say anything.

Aaron pretended to be clueless. “My breakfast is getting cold.” He said turning his horse, he rode away.

Malachi looked at her again, his face hardening. Then he picked her up as if in hurry and went back inside with her.

“Nako!” He called in his loud stern voice startling her. His mood was making her wary.

Nako came hurrying. “Bring ice,” he said as he sat her on the sofa. Nako ran away as soon as she came.

Malachi was on one knee in front of her. He placed a hand on each side of her body where she sat and looked up into her eyes. “Listen, princess, if you need to punish someone, punish me. Don’t do this to yourself.”

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