Touch of Flame

Ravina studied Ares like she studied her father’s notes or inventions. She did notice a difference since he came here, but she couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was. She wanted to ask Joel what he meant by that so she could get a hint but didn’t want to give him or Malachi the wrong idea.

Ravina could see the golden tattoos on one side of his chest and shoulder. As he turned his head slightly, his eyes glowed a teal blue and seemed very reflective, as if there were water in them. That could simply be the lighting, she thought skeptically.

Nazneen continued with her dance, drawing more and more people to join her and share the fun and energy she radiated. She looked like a goddess, embodying feminity in a way that was very appealing. She looked strong, confident, graceful, and seductive all at the same time, and she wasn’t even trying. At that moment, she looked like a queen, knowing when to be soft and when to be strong. She made dancing look very enjoyable, and even the crowd moved their bodies or heads a little.

Ares watched her with seriousness at first, but even he was infected by her energy, and a subtle smile settled in his eyes. As more and more people joined the dance and the music changed, Nazneen approached Ares while dancing.

Knowing what she was about to do, he gave her a look of refusal, but she wasn’t one to listen. She glided across the floor smoothly and then grabbed his wrist, drawing him back with her to dance and join the other couple dancing.

Ravina watched them curiously. At least Ares didn’t have the same problem as she did. She had danced with him, and he was swift on his feet. Would he do well with this dance? It was different after all. There was lots of swirling, carrying, throwing, rubbing, touching, and more. It was intense.

Nazneen took him to the middle, walking backward while still matching her steps to the music. Then she stopped and approached him instead, her chest almost touching his before she turned around and put his hands on her hips before swaying them. She looked over her shoulder then and told him something with a smile. He just smirked, but then they swayed together before she turned again, now pushing her chest into his.

Her arms went around his neck, and he still held onto her hips, swaying with her. He was good at following her lead, carrying her off the floor, whirling her, letting her fall back over his arm, touching and grabbing her.

“He is not bad,” Joel nodded. “It is just such a waste…”

Ravina tried not to roll her eyes. “It seems like a human male has disappointed you before,” she said.

Malachi chuckled while Joel frowned at her.

“I prefer females, and I don’t mean to offend you, but I don’t think I need to show you the difference. Would I choose a human female over a dragon female? No. Just look around, and you will know why.” He told her. “No offense, brother.” He then addressed Malachi.

“Human females prefer a man anyway.” Ravina shrugged.

Joel scuffed “Listen, princess. You know nothing about what a man is.”

“I know the size of your muscles doesn’t make you a man.”

Malachi leaned against the tree behind them and let her have her fight with his brother. Joel wasn’t one to hold back about what he thought of humans.

“Muscle does make a man. A woman wants a man who is stronger than her and can protect her. You can’t deny that. She is stronger than him. Much stronger.” He explained going back to talk about Ares.

Ravina hadn’t really thought about the difference in strength between the two. Nazneen would indeed be much stronger, but looking at them, Ares didn’t make it seem that way. He was still taller and bigger than her and carried and whirled her around with ease. She didn’t overpower him with her aura either. He was still the intimidating one when serious.

“Since she is that strong, she doesn’t need protection.”

Joel looked at her with disbelief and sighed. “Just because she can protect herself doesn’t mean she doesn’t want a man to protect her.”

“There are many ways to protect someone,” she insisted.

Joel looked over at Malachi for help, but Malachi only shrugged. Then he looked back at her and was about to say something, but Ravina didn’t want to fight about it anymore, so she cut him off and summarized it. “It is about feeling safe. A woman wants to feel safe.”

She knew that she grew to feel safer with Malachi the more he understood her. She didn’t need protection from physical danger. For her, the danger was in allowing someone into her space, sharing those feelings that she couldn’t even allow herself to feel, and knowing that the person would shield her in that vulnerable moment and not cause her more harm.

Joel paused, looking thoughtful for a moment, and then he said nothing more. He turned back to watch the dance, and she followed his gaze only to see that Nazneen and Ares were gone.

****

Ares usually enjoyed music and dance, but he never thought he would enjoy it this much. They had a nice beat full of energy, and there was something about Nazneen when she danced. He had only seen this kind of smile on her when she was with his crew.

“Aah..” She sighed happily, holding onto her crown that she had taken off to let her hair free. She leaned away from him, allowing herself to fall sideways, and let him hold her by the wrist to keep her from falling. “It has been such a long time since I danced.” She smiled dreamily. “I really missed all of this.”

Then she twirled into his arm, coming close to him as they walked. “I didn’t know you were good at dancing.”

“I am sure it was you,” he said.

“No, no.” She shook her head. “I know a good dancer.”

“Well then, you should also know that our dance made me many enemies.”

She chuckled. “They are jealous of you for having me.”

But she wasn’t his. He did not claim her.

‘She is my woman,’ his own words echoed in his mind.

That was just a lie.

“And don’t worry. I won’t let anyone touch a hair on your head.” She assured.

Well, that would still not save him from death. He would have just told her if not for his mission. Telling her would make her lose focus of her goal and he needed her to focus right now. He needed her to get back her throne. He would do as much as he could for his people before his death.

“You have too good hair for a pirate who lived through hardships,” she said, running her fingers through his hair. “It must be your other blood.”

Other blood. He was an Arozak. He still didn’t know much about himself.

“I wonder..” She began sliding her fingers down to the nape of his neck. “Do you crave my blood yet?”

He stiffened, and then he could suddenly hear the rush of blood and her heartbeat. He was still not comfortable with the thought of drinking blood.

“That won’t happen again,” he said.

Even if he did crave blood, he wouldn’t drink from her. It was risky to taste anything from her body.

She just smiled to his surprise.

“You think it will?” He asked.

She chuckled. “I don’t know. I realized I am not good at guessing when it comes to you, but I am trying to be like you and enjoy a challenge. It is boring otherwise, right?”

Oh, she was picking up a few things. Interesting.

“You are a fast learner.”

“I am. I am also good at observing. I have noticed that the human female stares at you a lot.”

Ares stiffened again.