Touch of Flame

In the dimly lit room, Ephraim, Malachi, Nazneen, and Ares sat in an uneasy silence. The air was heavy with tension as the two men, meeting for the first time, seemed to size each other up. Ephraim was not fond of Malachi, but tried his best to hide his true feelings. After all, it was a night for celebration - Darcy and Ravina had finally reunited.

"She has finally stopped crying," Malachi heard Nazneen tell Ares with sympathy in her voice.

Everyone had been affected by the heart-wrenching sobs, and Malachi had worried that Ravina might collapse from the emotional strain. He wanted to be there for her, but he knew he had to give the sisters their moment.

Ephraim remained calm, seated in the same spot, but Malachi noticed his alertness when he quickly rose and left the room upon hearing Corinna\'s call. As he left, Malachi felt the weight of Ephraim\'s disliking, despite not having done anything to show it other than remain quiet. If Ephraim didn\'t like him, it was likely Corinna didn\'t either. It shouldn\'t be a surprise, considering they were dragonslayers.

Ares, sensing Malachi\'s thoughts, offered a knowing look and a nod as if to say, "Relax." When Ephraim returned, he offered them dinner, but both men declined simultaneously.

Ares raised a brow. "Then I think wine should do," he said, attempting to ease the tension.

Both men remained stiff.

"It is a reunion, not a funeral," Ares shook his head, gesturing for a servant to bring wine.

The rain continued to pour outside, and the wind whipped through the trees.

The servant returned with the wine and filled each cup. "Alright," Ares said, lifting his cup, "let\'s raise a toast to the reunion of two sisters."

Malachi and Ephraim picked up their cups, and they clinked them together in agreement.

As they drank, the men gradually relaxed, finding solace in knowing the sisters were now soundly sleeping, and eventually, they had to go to sleep as well. Ares showed them each to their separate rooms. Malachi looked around the room he was given. Humans decorated differently, and Ares seemed to go with light colors, whites, light grey, beige, silver, and crystals.

He turned back to Ares, who still stood at the door, watching him curiously. "You are worried," he pointed out.

"Shouldn\'t I be?" He asked.

He shrugged. "Probably. The two ladies aren\'t just siblings, but twins. Their bond started even before birth."

"Thank you for adding to my anxiety," Malachi said.

Ares chuckled. "The bride\'s family is part of the trial," he said, amused. The man was probably enjoying his misery. "If you want to take the bride home, you have to impress all of them. Especially the twin sister." He grinned.

"Perhaps you can lend me a formal attire," Malachi joked.

Ares gave him a knowing nod. "I can arrange for that."

A small smile tugged at Malachi\'s lips. "I hope you are not planning on watching me sleep." He said, telling him in other words to leave now.

Ares pushed himself off the door with a smirk. "I have better things to watch. Good night." He said, leaving and closing the door behind him.

Malachi settled into his bed, knowing he wouldn\'t be getting much sleep tonight.

Ravina, on the other hand, slept peacefully for the first time in years. Her heart felt light, and her mind was filled with sweet dreams. Corinna was there with her as if she had never been gone, as if she had never endured pain. One touch, one hug from her sister had erased it all. She was in heaven now.

When Ravina awoke, the bright morning sun greeted her through the large windows. She felt her sister\'s hand in hers but noticed Corinna seated on the floor, her head resting on the sofa as she slept.

Ravina carefully rose, not wanting to disturb her sister. She placed a pillow on the floor and gently tried to move Corinna into a more comfortable position. As she did, Corinna\'s eyes snapped open with a gasp.

"I\'m sorry, it\'s just me," Ravina said softly.

"Oh, Ravina," Corinna breathed, relieved.

Ravina smiled, cupping her sister\'s cheek. "You slept in a bad position. Sleep some more," she suggested, but Corinna sat up.

"Once I wake up, I\'m awake," she replied, folding her legs and smiling at her sister. "Did you sleep well?"

Ravina\'s heart swelled with joy, but she fought back the tears. "Yes, the best sleep I\'ve had in many years."

Corinna\'s smile widened. "I\'m glad."

Ravina touched her sister\'s hair. I thought I would be the one to go short."

"Why?" Corinna wondered.

"You were more feminine and gentle. I was a bit...manlike."

Corinna chuckled. "You are very womanly and beautiful. I imagined you looking like this. Divine. Angelic."

Ravina just stared at her with a smile, thinking her sister was the angel. Her angel.

"Anyway, we should go get dressed and have some breakfast." Corinna said, standing up. She took her hand and, as if knowing her way around Ares\'s home, she led her to a room.

Although Ravina was the one wanting to take care of her, Corinna took that role and was there to help her with everything. It used to be the other way around, and as her sister combed her hair, Ravina got teary eyes again. She remembered braiding her sister\'s hair or her mother doing that for them.

"Where have you been staying?" Ravina asked, recalling a name from last night. Someone her sister had called, Ephraim? Was he the one she saw in the mirror?

"I have been staying with the crew, and lately I have been staying with Ephraim."

Ravina noticed the way she said the man\'s name and the small smile on her lips. He had to be the one she saw her sister with.

"He is a half-breed?"

"Yes."

"And you... you like him?"

She blushed. "Yes."

Ravina smiled, seeing her sister happy but she couldn\'t help but feel protective. She would have to see the man for herself.

"I can\'t wait to meet him." She said.

Corinna\'s smile widened. "I think you will like him." She began to tie her hair with a ribbon, the smile slowly fading from her face. "I heard you are King Malachi\'s breedmate?"

Despite showing no hint of emotion, Ravina knew her sister didn\'t like the idea at all.

"Yes," Ravina replied, closely watching her sister\'s expression. "I guess you saw him last night."

"Briefly," she replied, not revealing much. "You have been staying with him?"

"Yes."

"Do you... like him?"

Ravina her sister\'s apprehensive way of asking the question, Ravina couldn\'t lie. "Yes."

Corinna smiled, but Ravina knew her sister. That wasn\'t a genuine smile. Of course, Malachi had a reputation in the human world. One that would be difficult for her people to reconcile with.

"I know what you think of him," Ravina began, thinking the best course would be to just let them know each other. Someone\'s energy and actions spoke louder than words. "Hopefully, he will change your mind."

She saw the muscle ticking in her sister\'s jaw before she smiled. "I hope so."