Touch of Flame

“And she calls me the barbarian,” Malachi quietly said as the waitress came back to serve them wine.

Aaron burst out laughing. “The barbarian?” He had to laugh some more before he could speak. “Malachi the barbarian.”

He was having fun at his expense.

“You can be barbaric sometimes brother,” he teased.

How was he barbaric? It was just humans that acted differently. He was careful with her. Had she been a dragon, they would have already been wrestling. It was a way to show affection but well, humans liked to kiss the “ladies” hand and buy flowers. Be a gentleman, whatever that meant.

Was that what Ares was? Did he buy her flowers? Kiss her hand. What did he say to her? Surely their way of flirting was different. More subtle. He knew humans were careful with their language and showing affection in public.

“Did you also know that she was healing people?” He asked.

Aaron shrugged. “I know she helped Nelli.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Do you listen, Malachi? When was the last time you actually listened? And you would think I am manipulated again.”

He was right.

“Anyway, I am glad you are here,” he told him.

The waitress came back with the food. Aarons’s usual was spicy lamb ribs with baked potato and vegetables.

“This is the best ribs you can have,” he told him.

The waitress agreed. “Enjoy,” she smiled and left.

Malachi tasted the ribs. It was indeed very well made and with the wine, he truly enjoyed it. He poured himself some more and Aaron watched him carefully, being against him drinking too much.

“You know…” he began the wine getting to his head slowly. “She likes another man.”

Aaron frowned. “Who?” He seemed truly surprised by the news. Malachi knew why. Who would have thought someone like her liked any man.

“Someone she was supposed to marry?”

Aaron tilted his head. “Are you sure she liked him?”

“Yes. I even smelled him on her and her… reaction.” He gulped his wine.

The corners of his brother’s mouth curved down. “Well, I am sure he is nowhere near you. You just have to show her your true self.”

Malachi scoffed. His true self was more dragon than human. “I met him.”

“How was he like?”

Malachi remembered the man, hating every moment of what he had observed about him.

“More male than any human man I have met.”

His brother shook his head sympathetically, while Malachi’s mind continued to wander.

“He smelled…” he tried to find the right word. “Strong and… alive. It was different. His whole aura. It was not typical human.”

“Oh, Malachi…” his brother probably thought he was overexaggerating because of jealousy. Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, there was something special about that man if he managed to get into Ravina’s heart.

“It does not matter. She is here with you now,” Aaron said.

“But her mind is somewhere else.”

“Give it time and put effort. She seems like a person who doesn’t let people in easily but once she does she doesn’t let them go easily. I know it is discouraging but that is a good quality. It would be concerning if she just forgot about him already, don’t you think?”

He didn’t even know anymore. He knew she was just here a few days but it felt like forever.

“Come on. You were called the beast,” his brother cheered him.

The wine turned sour in his mouth. “Don’t say that.”

There was such a time, but it was many years ago. He did not like the name nor would she. He could only imagine what she would think.

Aaron chuckled. “I understand. That would not impress her, Malachi the barbarian.”

He stopped him as he reached for more wine. “That will be enough. Let’s try something else for your frustration,” he suggested.

Aaron took the to the fields. “Remember when we used to help them in secret.”

Them. The humans. The slaves.

Malachi nodded.

“Let’s see if you are still stronger and faster,” Aaron said.

“When I am not steady?”

“Is that an excuse, dragon king?”

Malachi shrugged. “I was just worried how you would feel after losing against an intoxicated man.”

“Don’t worry. I will be fine. There will come a time when you get older and I am still young,” he smirked and went ahead to find the plough.

They connected several ones to plough the biggest area at once and then went out to the field. Malachi grabbed the handle and then they gave each other a nod to start. They would do six rounds, three forth and three back, and the fastest would win.

Malachi ran as fast as he could, dragging the heavy tool to turn the earth but he was unsteady on his feet. He had a bit too much to drink, but he refused to lose. He let his anger and frustration take over, making his muscles taut to drag himself with speed through the field.

He caught up to Aaron who was a little ahead of him and even went ahead of him. He imagined the drawing of the eyes he saw, which fueled him. What was his name?

Ares. Yes. That was what he had told him and he wore no ring yet…

With a low growl, he continued to drag himself through the field, losing count of the round.

“Alright, brother! We are not going to sow the whole town. You can stop now?”

Malachi realized he was outside the field now and had turned some of the grass field. He stopped, panting and covered in sweat. He tossed the tool aside as his gaze fell on Aaron who sat relaxed on the grass.

“Who are you impressing? There are no women watching. All for nothing,” he clicked his tongue jokingly as he shook his head.

“Well, I can’t win against such drive. That is preparation for a lot of seeds,” he nodded with a slight smirk.

Malachi understood the double meaning but ignored him.

“I am going home,” he said, pushing his wet hair back from his face.

“I hope you at least found some release,” he called after him as he walked away.

“I don’t think the earth wants my seeds,” Malachi called back.

He heard his brother chuckle in the distance.

Speaking of women, they all looked at him as he passed by, drawn by the scent he gave off that came from working and sweating. Dragon females were drawn to whatever indicated physical strength. Not something that worked on Ravina. She would not be impressed by sweat and strength.

Once he arrived home, he went straight to the kitchen to drink some water and was surprised to find Ravina seated at the table. He halted.

She looked up from the candle she was carving. “Mala… kai…” she began but stopped right there. Her gaze was glued on his face first, her blue eyes widening a little before her gaze dropped lower and lower. Hesitantly. He could feel it like a hot caress down his torso.

Ravina forced her gaze up, swallowing. He could see how her cheeks flushed and aware of it she let her hair fall down the side of her face to cover it. God help him because her heat was calling to him. He stepped closer.

“Why… are you wet?” She asked, allowing her gaze to rake his body once more.

I don’t know. To make you wet, he replied in his mind.

_________________

Bonus chapter dedicated to Ivette_M11. Thank you for the supergift <3