Touch of Flame

Ravina felt her heart drop to her stomach as if it was falling down a hill when Malachi rose from the ground. It was exhilarating. She didn\'t know what this would feel like. Would she be afraid? Would she be able to hold on? What would the world below look like? There were so many questions to be explored.

Malachi\'s wings looked even larger as they spread and flexed, lifting them further from the ground. She held the fins tightly, staring ahead at the sky, imagining flying into the sunrise.

A gust of morning wind blew her hair back as they flew closer to the sky. She shivered at the cold, but it didn\'t bother her. It was refreshing as if the wind blew away her worries.

So this was what he meant by leaving the world below behind them? She was truly up in the sky and she didn\'t look down yet. First, she wanted to absorb what was above.

The weather was colder, but the sun\'s rays were warm against her skin. She was met by soft shades of orange and yellow rays and felt closer to the beautiful canvas above. The clouds accompanied her soon, and just as she thought of how they felt, Malachi, flew her through one of them.

Her mouth fell open in awe. She wanted to do that again. This felt like a dream.

As if sensing her comfort, Malachi flew faster, taking her on a roller coaster, and she rediscovered the child in her. The one she had left behind, suppressed, or forced herself to grow out of fast in this unsafe world. She enjoyed the wind in her hair, the clouds that she couldn\'t feel on her skin, and the view of the morning sky and the sun. She was utterly fascinated, but even more so when she looked down.

Green, brown, and gray mountains passed by, small houses, trees, green fields, and rivers. The lands were beautiful from above. A sight to admire. It brought tears to her eyes. The ability to fly must be a blessing in and of itself--a way to witness these beautiful lands and taste heaven for a moment.

Malachi took her on a long ride until she satisfied her curiosity and then flew them back home. As they descended, she took notice of Nazneen and Ares with some children near the river.

Back in the world below, she thought willfully, and they had guests. Ravina just wanted to urge Malachi to turn back and fly away with her again. She wasn\'t ready for the world yet but she would probably never be.

Both Nazneen and Ares looked their way when Malachi landed. Nazneen was surrounded by the children where she sat on a rock near the river. Ares sat a distance away, on a bench behind the house.

Malachi helped Ravina climb down with his wing before shifting to his human form. He turned to her and asked, "Was it alright?"

"I enjoyed it very much," she admitted with a smile.

He returned her smile before turning to their guests. Nazneen was back to chattering with the children, some of whom braided her hair. Ravina was yet again mesmerized by her beauty. A man could only be so beautiful, but a woman\'s beauty felt limitless.

Ares had also returned his attention to Nazneen. He was watching her with the children from the distance.

Ravina followed Malachi\'s steps as he approached them. Nazneen stood up from her seat as they neared, and Ravina could see Ares deciding to join them from the corner of her eye.

"I hope you slept well in the guest house," Malachi spoke.

Ravina was good with expressions. She could see the subtle distaste behind her polite smile and even the hint of hostility in her bewitching eyes. "I did. It was better than sleeping in a cold cave."

Women could be very good at concealing messages in their words. After all, women fought with words rather than fists, so they developed that skill.

"Did you get any breakfast?" Ravina asked.

Nazneen shifted her focus. "We did, and we enjoyed it. Thank you."

She was a little nicer to her.

Ares came to stand beside Nazneen, and their eyes met for a brief moment. Ravina held her breath and decided she would have to talk to him to get rid of this discomfort. This whole act of pretending to be strangers was worse than anything else.

"Queen Araminta came by and welcomed us as well," she added. "She also invited us to the Kuan festival tonight."

Kuan festival?

Malachi nodded. "I am sure it will be a good opportunity for you to show your breedmate our culture."

She smiled. "I intend to." She naturally put her arm through his.

"When is the tournament?" Ares asked.

"I will arrange for it to be in two days for the ones who want to compete for the throne." Malachi replied.

"And you want us to stay here for two days?" He asked.

Nazneen gave him a gentle push with her shoulder. "I am sure King Malachi will allow us to explore his lands." But Ares didn\'t seem interested in it.

Malachi chuckled. "I am sure you won\'t be bored. There is a lot to discover here." He told him. "And it is a good way of finding out anyone who might be planning to take Nazneen\'s position as a ruler."

Ares nodded thoughtfully.

"Perhaps we should lend you some clothes too," Malachi suggested. "You stick out too much."

There was a little teasing in his tone. Ravina couldn\'t imagine Ares walking around barechested. Not when she was so used to seeing him fully clothed.

Ares smirked while having that knowing look in his eyes. Ravina remembered his burned arm and shoulder from when he tried to save her. That wouldn\'t be something he would want to display. It had probably not even healed properly yet. Burns took a very long time to heal, and they could look hideous and be very painful.

He also had other scars on his body, although they looked faint in comparison to the burn. He would carry that burn for many years to come.

"I think you would look good in it," Nazneen told him. They exchanged a look, and then Nazneen turned to Malachi. "Perhaps you could lend us some money," she said, surprising the rest of them.

Ares certainly didn\'t take this well. His usually unreadable expression was now slightly annoyed. Well, his woman was asking another man for money.

"Excuse us," he said, taking her hand ,he led her away. She followed him, still perplexed and unsure of what she had done.

Malachi chuckled as he watched them walk away. "That is one way to hurt a man\'s pride." He shook his head. "He has a lot to deal with."

It couldn\'t be that bad when she looked like that.

Then, as if remembering her discomfort, he turned to her with a serious expression. His eyes studied her. "Do you want to talk to him?"