Touch of Flame

The nose bleeding again? He thought he had recovered from it. So his symptoms were never from the experiment, which was why he survived. He was just sick from being away from the sea.

He walked in the rain, holding the cloth to his nose. It got wet from the rain and left a trail of red drops on the ground as he made his way to the river. He needed to get back to the sea.

Ares swam to the sea where he had met Aletta. It wasn\'t a good time for all this trouble but he had to deal with it. He tried the strange whistling thing, thinking that it could perhaps be a way of communicating as well. Would it work?

The rain kept pouring, but his nosebleed had stopped. He waited, wondering if she would come even if she heard him. She had told me she didn\'t want trouble and he couldn\'t wait forever.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard the splash of water. A slender figure appeared from the water and from the orange hair, he knew it was her before she walked closer. She stepped on land as a smile curved her lips.

"Isn\'t it too soon to meet again?" She had a hypnotic voice.

"I had too many questions that only you can answer."

She put her arms behind her back. "Go on."

"I was told I will die because I have stayed away from the sea," he began.

She tilted her head. "Yes...? Well, it depends on how long you have stayed away, which shortens your lifespan."

"By how much? How long do I have left to live?"

"I could possibly not know but once you start experiencing weakness in your lungs and heart, then you have achieved your goal."

Achieved his goal? She thought he did this on purpose to live shorter.

"How do these weaknesses manifest?"

"Heavy breath, heavy chest, including more or less pain. Tiredness. Less strength and speed and slower healing."

Chest pain and heavy breath, especially at night. He thought that had been because of the experiment.

"I am half human."

"It doesn\'t matter. If you can shift, then your lungs are that of a Marozak."

"Is there no other way?"

"If the magic in your blood can\'t help you, then what could?"

He sighed.

"I guess no mating with the dragon then. Just make sure to erase her mind." She added.

"Why?"

"For her own safety, if you care. We are not supposed to make our existence known. There are those who keep order and you would not want to break the rules. You should visit the main islands to learn everything. I was worried about your mating choice, anyway."

"Why?"

"You think your children would be safe among dragons? They are known to eradicate danger, and magic is a big threat to them. Just ask your woman what they used to do with witches."

"I know," he said. Nazneen had just told him this morning but he never thought of having any children with her. That day he only said he would mate with her because it felt like the right answer to protect her.

"Good. Then you know your children having any abilities of the sort that we have would be deemed as a threat."

Of course. Having people around that could hypnotize wasn\'t the safest thing.

"Well, you don\'t have to worry now." He said.

She tilted her to the other side, giving him a sad smile. "Will you stay on land?" She asked.

"What will I do in the sea even if I win more time?"

"What will you do on land being sick?"

"I have things to do."

She nodded. "Is it more important than your life?"

He smiled. She didn\'t know the kind of life he had lived. A pirate did not live for the future. Life was supposed to be merry, adventurous, and short, and death was part of the adventure. He\'d never had a problem with it before until Ravina ignited a small fire in him to wish for a future.

How stupid of him.

"I see what you have chosen. If you change your mind, let me know. I will show you the world below," she smiled and began to walk back into the water.

"Wait!"

She stopped and turned around.

"The witches... is there a way I can fight one?"

"I advise you not to do that. They are the masters of magic."

"What if I have to?"

"Then you will have to use your mind rather than your strength." She said walking backward into the sea. Then she waved at him before turning around and taking a dive in.

Ares remained in the rain, as the drops thinned and then stopped. Even the sea fell silent. No more cries.

He did not mind death but it was supposed to come unexpectedly. He never thought he would count down days. What a way to ruin the fun and make it predictable. He sighed and went back.

***

Nazneen was testing the new clothes she bought with the money Ares gave her. She wanted to look good for the coronation and received help from the maids while Ares left to see Malachi.

He returned completely soaked from the rain, the cold making his skin even paler. She felt bad for forcing him to eat a terrible breakfast when he needed food to recover.

While the maids helped make her hair, he left briefly to change and returned wearing dry clothes. He cast her a glance and she stood up from her seat to show him how she prepared herself. "What do you think?"

Ares looked at her for a long moment. "Beautiful, just not right."

She frowned. "What is wrong?"

"Do you have something else?" He asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Nazneen motioned for the maids to show him what she bought one by one. He gave a shake of his head as they showed him different tops and then paused to look closer at one.

"This one." He said, picking something more traditional as if he understood their culture. The top was of rich gold, with beautifully embroidered patterns on the chest.

"Better," he said when she changed. She wasn\'t sure what he was going for. "But we are not done. Let\'s change the jewelry."

He picked less jewelry but bigger pieces, also of the traditional kind. They were heavy; the necklace covering her neck and down to her shoulders, with ancient carvings. The earrings were golden feathers. He made her wear only one piece around her upper arm and a smaller one on her other arm around the wrist.

He didn\'t forget the hair. "Let\'s put it back and away from her face," he said.

The maids parted her hair and pinned back the upper section then it was done.

This hairstyle was also new to her. She often wore her hair down. The maids followed his instructions and then it was done.

Nazneen looked at herself in the mirror. The colors and jewelry were still very much her yet she looked different. She looked powerful in a silent way, the pieces of jewelry speaking for themselves and making her look mature. Grounded. Someone in touch with her roots. Someone you could ask for advice. Someone wise. But she also looked like a woman. The kind that reminded you of strong mothers and warm homes, and earth.

How could this be her?

"Do you like it?" He asked, standing behind her.

"Yes," she breathed. "I look... womanly."

He chuckled. "You are."

The clothes gave her a certain energy, like an armor. She felt powerful.

"Are you ready then?"

She nodded.