Touch of Flame

Ravina had kept herself busy the whole day, despite the strange sensation in her body. She felt hotter than normal, and there was a strange itch in her body. As soon as she got a moment between one job and the next, her mind went back to the kiss with Malachi. His scent still lingered on her, but it was stronger than ever before.

Georgia, Kayla, Mara, Nako, and Brenna helped her make the posters she wanted to spread, and soon many other women joined, whom Ravina got to know while selling the peelers or being a healer, and some were friends of the other women. Then their breedmates helped spread the posters they had made.

"These look terrifying," Hanan said, a young woman who was a friend of Kayla.

"They are," Georgia replied. "We have a home and children, and we want to live our lives. This war has gone too far. We should support whoever wants to stop it."

The women agreed.

"Mara, Nako. We should make lunch for everyone." Ravina said.

"Oh no. You have been working hard. We will leave once we are done."

"You are not leaving with an empty stomach. We worked together, let's eat together." Ravina insisted.

After the long hours of work, they enjoyed a lavish lunch together. Ravina listened to the women's chatter. Truly, spending time with women was not something she did before coming here. It was only her, her mother, and her sister. Pain hit her chest, at the memory of her beloved family.

Women talked about everything. They were open, and vulnerable to each other it seemed, and they loved to laugh. She had seen this among humans as well, in villages. Unfortunately, the aristocratic type couldn't enjoy an honest conversation without judgment.

They had dessert, and the chatter continued. Nelly, who was still curious about her hair, sat beside her and played with the ends, trying to make braids. And then he gave up and ran to play with the other children.

Once everyone left, the house suddenly felt too quiet. Ravina had enjoyed everyone's company, but this was the longest time she had ever spent with guests. She felt exhausted, although she hadn't done much.

She was about to take a short nap when she felt the scent of smoke and incense again. It was also stronger. Her hand reached for the invisible book and it appeared beneath her palm as she touched it. She picked it up, and the scent surrounded her, sending a rush of heat through her body.

Undeniably drawn to it, she brought it close to her nose. What was this addictive scent? Only another scent made her feel this way. Her body tingled and disturbed, she opened the book to learn more.

Ravina was getting more acquainted with the ancient language but she didn't feel like it made her remember anything or awakened anything inside of her. It was just words she was reading and learning.

As she read page after page, her eyes became heavy, and she found herself drifting into sleep until something caught her attention. She heard the front door open, and then heavy steps followed.

Malachi?

She listened to the footsteps. They stopped somewhere in the hall, perhaps right at the turn to her room. She thought he would come to her, but then the steps continued, and she heard him climb the stairs. Ravina frowned.

Putting the book aside, she went to see if it was him. She only had to reach the hall to know. His scent was strong, and she went upstairs slowly in the dark, trying to watch her steps.

The door to his room was open, and she peeked inside.

Malachi stood facing the bed and took off his vest. He then turned around sensing her presence.

"How was your day?" Ravina asked, leaning against the door frame.

"Good," he said, his voice strained. His eyes were still dark, and he quickly looked away. Now she was sure he was avoiding her.

Stepping further in, she stopped and didn't get too close. "Is it my scent?" She asked.

His eyes met hers again, burning with a fire she hadn't seen before. "Yes."

A long silence followed, and then his shoulders dropped. "You should go to sleep," he breathed.

Was he asking her to leave? She looked at him confused.

"Go, Ravina, unless you want to see the dragon in me unleashed."

Ravina shivered, and a tingle traveled along her spine.

"I am holding on to the last shred of control. It is not something we do." He gritted.

Despite his warning, she stepped forward because she saw the struggle in his eyes and he had told her he was in physical pain. "Let me help you," she whispered, continuing to step forward slowly.

She could see the slight worry in his eyes but also the restraint as he seemed to contemplate something. His whole body was tense. She could feel it and as she came to stand before him, his breath stopped as well.

Ravina looked up at him, and he watched her intensely, his face taut and his gaze piercing. What was she planning to do? She felt like she was playing with fire but that feeling only excited her. To know this man wanted her so much that her nearness alone made him hold his breath, made her want to risk touching those flames.

"Malachi." She placed her hand gently on his bare chest as if approaching a wild animal that could attack her.

Malachi's breath escaped his lungs. Her soft whisper made his self-restraint waver. If they were still enemies, he would be sure she was doing this to torture him. Perhaps she still was because she clearly knew the effect she had on him.

His body gave in to her touch as both her hands came to touch his chest, slowly traveling upward to his shoulders and then his neck. Cold fingers that should have helped him cool down but instead burned along his skin.

She touched his neck as if marveling at it, and then her gaze fell on his lips. That was all it took for Malachi to lose control.