Touch of Flame

Aaron spent the last three days looking after his brother after Ravina, waiting for them both to get better. While his brother’s recovery was expected to take a while, he didn’t expect Ravina to get sick. She had been suffering from a high fever and was often haunted by nightmares disturbing her sleep and other kinds of hallucinations. No one knew exactly what was going on with her.

It was not the wounds. They ruled out an infection. It was something else and they were beginning to grow worried for her as well.

He arrived at her room just when Nako was leaving. “Is she awake?”

“No.”

“Not better?”

She shook her head with a saddened expression. Aaron walked in and went to sit beside her. She was pale and her hair and neck damp with sweat. He had hoped she would be better soon and go to Malachi although he didn’t wake up even once. Dragons could get into a deep slumber when healing from severe wounds. They almost became dead and then they woke up as beasts at the end of their healing process. But what was happening to Ravina? Malachi would not be happy about this once he woke up.

“Is she better?” Saul stood at the entrance.

“No.”

“I have asked Serk to abduct a human physician,” Saul said.

Aaron frowned. “Is that a good idea?”

“Well, do you want her to die?” He asked then shrugged. “I don’t mind. I just know someone will.”

Aaron remained quiet knowing very well Saul would mind no matter how much he hated Ravina. He had seen with his own eyes that the woman had stayed by Malachi when she could have run to save herself. He could no longer say that she was only helping Malachi to protect herself when she had risked her safety staying with him. She had no obligation to stay and this proved to Saul that she didn’t have to be a dragon to care for Malachi.

Saul could be harsh but if Aaron knew one thing, it was that he and Malachi had been inseparable for a long time. They had a strong bond and things took a bad turn but they both cared for each other deep down.

“How are things going for you?” Aaron asked.

Saul sighed as he stepped further in. “I thought of leaving things for a while,” he said shocking him.

Saul was not the one to stay calm. That was Malachi’s thing. They balanced each other. It was good to see his brother take a step back and calm down a bit.

“I think Malachi will want to deal with this himself once he wakes up,” he said looking at Ravina.

Well, now Aaron wished Saul would take care of it since he was the calm one suddenly. Malachi would not wake up in a good state and if Ravina was still sick, things could get out of hand.

“You do understand that Malachi might make things worse,” Aaron warned.

“I know, but we are here to talk some sense into him until he calms down.” There was something in his eyes as he spoke, something he wanted to say but wasn’t.

“What is it, Saul?” Aaron asked.

A muscle clenched in his jaw then slowly he lifted his gaze, his eyes burning. “Truth is… I don’t know what I should do.” He admitted for the first time and Aaron was surprised he admitted to him of all his brothers. “I am so angry, I am afraid.”

Aaron stood up, feeling bad for his brother. “You don’t have to do anything alone.” He assured him knowing anger could blind someone. “You are right. Let’s all calm down to make sensible decisions and wait for Malachi to wake up. It will show that we know he will. Let them wait in fear and he might know something we don’t.”

Saul nodded, slowly walking back to the door. “Let me know when the physician arrives and what he says,” he told him and then left.

His mother came later to stay with Ravina. Aaron could see that she has had sleepless nights going from Malachi and Ravina and refusing to leave their side.

“Mah, Malachi is fine. He will be better.”

“Will he?” She asked then shook her head. “Your brother will always be in danger and you too.”

“We are all in danger. We live in war, Mah. It is the normal now.”

“It shouldn’t be,” she said as she patted Ravina’s head with a wet cloth. She was having a nightmare again, thrashing her head and mumbling things. “This poor girl,” his mother frowned. “If only one of them could get better, it would help the other.”

Yes, and all of them.

Later, the human physician was brought to look at her condition. He couldn’t explain why she had a fever either.

“It is spiritual suffering. It is in her mind and soul,” Chanan explained as simple as that. Or not so simple.

“What are we supposed to do?” Aaron wondered.

“Talk to her.”

“But she is sleeping,” Aaron said.

“I am sure she can hear you sometimes.”

“What should I tell her?”

“That is for you to think about,” he smiled mysteriously.

This man never told him things straight but Aaron knew better than to ignore his words completely so he did as told.

The next time she spoke, he tried to understand what she was saying but he could comprehend nothing.

“Ravina.” He stroked her hair to stop her head from moving around. “You have to wake up now. At least for your sister.”

“Cor-Corin…nah.”

“Yes. Corinna is alive and you will meet her one day. Besides, I found Darcy. He was scared and very aggressive. He needs you. And… Malachi needs you.”

A tear fell down her temple.

“Ma-ma…”

Her mother? Aaron frowned.

“Pa-pah..”

“I know, but you are not alone anymore. We will take care of you,” Aaron assured her.

Georgia came to visit later and as she spoke she somehow triggered Ravina to wake up. “Corinna,” she grabbed Georgia’s arm who sat beside her. She looked hopeful for a moment but then she realized it wasn’t her sister. She looked around confused.

Georgia gently took her hands and helped her sit up. She was tender as a sister and Ravina looked comfortable with her. “Oh, dear. I am glad you are awake. Let’s get you something to eat and drink first.”

Ravina looked around, eyes wide and frightened. “Malachi?”

Aaron felt he had to lie for a while. “He is fine.”

“Darcy.”

“Darcy is fine too.”

She seemed to look for other things to worry about as well when Georgia put a hand on her shoulder. She smiled gently, “Everyone is safe. We have been most worried about you.”

“I am fine. I just had a scratch.”

She seemed unaware. “Well, that was five days ago.”

Ravina frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You have been sick for five days.”

“fi-five days?” Her eyes widened. “I just… had a… dream and..”

And then woke up? It surely was a long dream. A nightmare to be clear.

Georgia smiled. “You are back now. That is all that matters.”