Touch of Flame

Malachi had expected Ravina to show disgust or disturbance. This wasn’t the way of humans but rather than disgust, she showed concern for the bride when the groom shifted. Of course, she didn’t know whether it was safe or not. It could look very frightening to the untrained eyes, but she handled the rest very well. Felt the intensity of it that was amplified by the atmosphere.

She looked at her hand grasping his tightly. Shocked she released him and then stared as if looking for something. “Don’t worry. There will be no mark unless the act is intentional.” He told her.

“Well, claiming your body wasn’t. I am just following your logic.”

He chuckled. It always amazed him how fast she could reply and still say something smart. Her face was flushed now from the ceremony and having finished her wine without realizing it. His own heart changed rhythm now, seeing her all flushed and eyes slightly hooded. He had imagined holding her, marking her while having her nails dug in his arm. He had seen them inside the circle as the bride and groom. Not the best situation to let his imagination run wild.

She turned away from him, her gaze returning to the celebration. Most people joined the dance, swaying and swirling to the music. His brother Saul walked away, going home while Joel joined the dance, Kenan sat with some of his friends, and Aaron sat alone looking thoughtful.

“Do you want to leave?” Malachi asked, turning to Ravina.

“Where?”

“Somewhere quiet and calm.”

She nodded.

He helped her up and they walked away from the ceremony. Since she was injured they walked at a slow pace, using the bridge to cross the river to the other side. The sound of celebration disappeared gradually and then they could enjoy the quiet night.

“Are you alright walking?” He asked.

“Yes.”

They walked over another bridge connecting two mountains and then found somewhere to sit on the grass and watch the view ahead. Ravina put the stick she used to walk beside her and then put her arms around her bent legs, curling when she was already so small. He often forgot about her size because of her persona. Her presence was powerful.

“You live in a nice place,” she said thoughtfully.

“Was it not nice back in the castle?”

“The castle is built to keep enemies out. Not to enjoy much.”

He nodded.

“I can understand my mother now. She said she wanted a simple life, marry a farmer and live in a small house near their farm.” She smiled with a slight shake of her head. “That was her dream while many women dreamt of being in her place. It is funny how one’s dream can be another one’s nightmare.”

“Was her marriage arranged with your father?” He wondered.

“No.” She smiled. “My parents met and fell in love. My father said he knew the moment he met her that she was the one. My mother was reluctant and didn’t want to marry into a royal family so she kept her distance but my father was persistent with his pursuit. Eventually, he won her heart and they got married. It wasn’t easy as people wanted my father to marry for political purposes but he had already made up his mind.”

Malachi nodded intrigued by the story. He had always wondered how humans could be so sure without instinct that someone is the one. How?

“How come with such a story in your family that you didn’t want to get married?” He asked.

She shrugged. “Partly because of their story. I knew their case was rare and whenever my father spoke of marriage I would tell him I would only get married if he found a man like himself.” She turned to him. “He is not easy to match.”

Malachi smiled. “You gave your father quiet the task then.”

“I was just hoping he would give up,” she admitted.

“Did the way of dragons perhaps change your mind? It is not rare here. We find our breedmates.”

“It must be easier to find the one through instinct and have the reassurance to know they are the one. To feel the instinct to protect them and care for them, but I am not sure if that makes it more valuable.” She spoke calmly while staring ahead. “Would it not mean more to you if someone chose to care for you and love you without any instinct involved?”

He never thought about it that way.

“To care for you simply because they want to.”

He became thoughtful.

“I know of course that there is more between breedmates than instinct. The instinct is just the beginning and recognition but what if someone recognized the one without that? Isn’t it fascinating?” She was thoughtful as well. “Do you think losing a breedmate is more painful than losing someone you love deeply but that isn’t your breedmate?”

Malachi frowned.

“I think my father would be in great pain if only my mother died,” she said now frowning as well. “All the memories together, losing his twin and his wife and… his daughter…” she swallowed. “But I was there. Why would he…?”

Her uncle was her father? Was that even possible?

She shook her head. “I had too much to drink.” She rubbed her eye. “I wouldn’t know much about love or breedmates. Ignore what I said.”

“Losing someone you love is painful no matter what. Losing your breedmate is painful whether you love them or not but I can’t know what is more painful. Perhaps like you said, it is about memories. What experiences we had with that person that we can no longer have that makes it painful.”

The memories were indeed very painful.

“Memories,” she repeated thoughtfully. “It could be,” she nodded then turned to him. “Are you sure you don’t have memories of a past life?”

This was the second time she spoke of a past life. “I am sure. Why?”

“Just curious,” she shrugged. “I wonder if there are any half-dragons?”

“We don’t have that in my clan.” He said.

“Why not?”

“My father banished them a long time ago, long before I was born. I believe it was the same with most clans. Until a few years ago when they decided breeding with humans was a good idea.”

Ravina frowned.

Even now, the half-breeds would probably be poorly treated by most and seen as only means of survival.