Touch of Flame

The dinner was mostly a joyful event, with memories and happy moments shared. Nazneen and Ares were mostly the ones leading the conversation and inviting everyone to share something. Wine was served to help everyone relax, and Ares had arranged for musicians to play a variety of instruments, filling the room with melodies that inspired dancing.

Once the meal was finished, Ravina asked Ephraim to dance with her. "I am a terrible dancer, so we should pair the ones that know how to dance with the others." She explained, wanting to pair her sister with Malachi so they could get closer. 

Corinna looked at her like, "don\'t do this to me," and Ravina gave her a playful smile as she took Ephraim\'s hand. Nazneen and Ares were already in their own world with Nazneen being a little drunk. She was just like Ravina. Both had zero tolerance. Yet at least, Nazneen managed to get her feet straight and dance while Ravina was already stumbling into Ephraim. 

Corinna who wasn\'t the least affected by the alcohol, hesitated to dance with Malachi, her discomfort with him evident. However, she relented for the sake of her sister and offered her hand awkwardly since he did nothing to offer his hand first. 

He could learn some gentlemanly conduct, she thought to herself. 

Malachi took her hand, and she squirmed involuntarily. She couldn\'t help but be transported back to those dark days when she was being prepared to be sold as a breeder to the different dragon clans. Memories flooded her mind - the leering eyes as she stood naked before them, the passing around, the rough hands exploring her body, and the invasive examinations. 

Her stomach turned with revulsion, and she tried hard to swallow the lump in her throat. In all of it, Ephraim met her gaze with concern, but she gave him a look of reassurance. She did not want to alarm her sister. 

Taking a deep breath, she turned to Malachi. He watched her with a frown, but she ignored it. "I suppose we should start with the basic steps," Corinna said, trying to sound casual.

"Agreed," Malachi replied, his voice equally strained.

Corinna shut down her mind to stop her stomach from turning. It didn\'t help that they had just eaten dinner. She tried to see this whole thing as something technical and focused her mind on doing so. 

She placed her hand on his shoulder, while adjusting her other hand in his hold and knew where to place his hand by watching the others. He barely touched her back but she knew his hand was there. 

As they began to move together, Corinna offered some guidance. "Step back with your right foot, then forward with your left. Now, step to the side and bring your feet together."

Malachi tried to follow her instructions, but his movements were stiff and uncertain. "I apologize if I\'m not the best dance partner," he admitted.

Corinna forced a polite smile. "It\'s fine. We\'ll get there."

Across the dance floor, Ravina and Ephraim moved slowly since she was slightly intoxicated. She watched Corinna teach Malachi how to dance and hoped that would bring them closer. 

Meanwhile, Ares and Nazneen danced gracefully together, their bodies moving as one to the rhythm of the lively music. They were lost in their own world, chatting and laughing about something and stealing kisses in between. 

The atmosphere in the room began to loosen as the evening went on, and Corinna and Malachi seemed to get their steps right and join them in the whirlwind of the dance and music. 

Then they changed partners and Ravina was now dancing with Ares. He slowed down, seeing that she was a little unsteady on her feet. "I had too much," she admitted. 

"We all need to let go sometimes." 

"It does feel good," she agreed. "I didn\'t get to thank you for bringing us together." 

His gaze left her for a moment before returning with a faint smile. "I am glad I could." 

She looked over at Malachi dancing with Nazneen. 

"Take it slow, woman," he told her. 

She was drunk, yet he couldn\'t understand how she could move so fast and in absolute sync with the music. 

"You are slow, listen to the beat." She told him, drawing him closer. He wasn\'t sure who was leading the dance anymore. He needed more wine to get through this night. 

Once the dance was over, everyone decided that a cold dessert would be the perfect way to cool down and recharge. The servants brought out a variety of chilled treats, and everyone enjoyed the sweet, refreshing flavors as they continued to chat.

"So, do we call you Darcy or Corinna?" Ares wondered. 

Corinna seemed to think carefully and then looked at Ravina for guidance. Ravina smiled and said, "Choose whatever one you like." 

Corinna pondered for a moment, weighing the significance of each name. She had been born Corinna, but Darcy was the name she had chosen for herself when she had no memories of her past. Both names held meaning for her, and it was a difficult decision.

Finally, she looked at Ravina, her eyes filled with determination. "I want to keep the name Darcy," she announced. "Although Corinna is the name I was given at birth, Darcy is the name I chose for myself. It represents the person I\'ve become during my time without memories and the strength and resilience I\'ve found within myself. I will always cherish my connection to Corinna, but I feel that Darcy better represents who I am today."

Ravina smiled warmly, understanding and respecting her sister\'s decision. "Then Darcy it is," she agreed.

Darcy smiled, now thinking of her father as they spoke of her name. She looked over at Ephraim, and he seemed to think about the samethingk. She thought perhaps now was the time to address it, and Ephraim gave her a nod. 

She looked back at Ravina, her heart trembling with dread. "There is something I need to reveal." She began. 

Ravina sat up straight as if sensing her fear and worry. 

"Maybe, showing you will be better." She said. 

"Show me what?" Ravina frowned. 

Darcy hesitated for a moment, then rose from her seat. "Come with me, please," she urged, her voice trembling slightly.

Ravina, growing increasingly concerned, followed her sister without question. They left the dining area and made their way through the halls, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation and anxiety.

Darcy led Ravina to a dimly lit room, where a man lay in bed, his face pale and drawn. Ravina\'s heart caught in her throat as she recognized him. 

Uncle! Or… father? 

With heart pounding, she walked closer to the bed, looming over his sickly body. He lay on a large bed, the fine linens contrasting sharply with his sickly appearance. His once-robust frame seemed to have withered away, leaving him gaunt and frail. His skin, stretched tightly over his cheekbones and sunken eyes, was an unhealthy shade of grayish-pale, and his lips had lost their natural color, appearing pale and chapped.

His chest rose and fell in shallow, labored breaths, each one a struggle that seemed to sap the remaining energy from his weakened body. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dampening the sparse, graying hair that clung to his scalp. 

The sight of him in this state was a stark contrast to the memories Ravina had of him as a strong, vibrant, and loving man. It was incredibly difficult for her to witness him like this, so vulnerable and seemingly near the end of his life. Her heart ached with a profound sadness, and tears filled her eyes. 

She turned to Darcy, unable to ask all the questions swirling in her head because of the large lump in her throat. 

Darcy took a deep breath, finding the strength to explain. "I found him when he came looking for me," she said, her voice breaking with emotion. "But shortly after he arrived, he fell gravely ill."

Ravina felt the lump grow in her throat, now making her unable to breathe. Darcy frowned with worry. 

"How long..?" Ravina managed to say a few words now suddenly feeling dizzy. 

"It has been two weeks now." 

No! Her uncle was like this for two weeks, and she didn\'t know! 

"Is he… what happened…?" 

Darcy looked over at Ares, and Ravina followed her gaze. "He has been experimenting with dragon blood." 

So, that was the secret. The destruction. She sucked in a deep, sharp breath that cut through her chest. 

Darcy came to her side to provide support, putting an arm around her. "He will be fine. I won\'t let our father die." 

Fa… father?

Father! 

******

A/N 

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