Touch of Flame

“Here.”

“What is it?” Ravina asked taking the small book from Chanan’s hand.

“It is the ancient language.”

She looked at him confused.

“He can use it. This is a simplified version with translation. He told me to give it to you.”

He? Ares?

“You think I can do that?”

“It is better to try. Things have changed.”

She nodded. “Alright. Thank you.”

While Malachi was absent from work, Ravina sat on her bed and tried to look through the book. It was old but well-kept. She had a strange feeling while holding it, as if being protective over it. She felt the pages with her fingers and looked at the penmanship. Whoever wrote it was talented. She even felt like smelling it.

Bringing it up to her nose, she smelled something unique to her senses. It reminded her a little of the burnt incense at the temple and smoke and something else. The scent of a man, but not Ares. Why was she drawn to this scent?

Shaking her head, she tried to focus on the words. Memorizing it would be best, especially words that could help her in a dangerous situation so she looked at those. Then when she got tired, she tried to find a place to hide it well.

Pulling it from the drawer on the nightstand, she wanted to hide it behind it but when she looked up, the book was gone. She had put it on top of the nightstand, where could it have gone?

As she was about to get up, she placed her hand where she had placed the book, and somewhere it appeared under her palm. She gasped startled and removed her hand. It disappeared again.

What?

She reached for it and it appeared just as she touched it. Oh! It hid itself? She was fascinated and pulled her hand away to just leave it there.

There was something about that book. She could feel the scent, lingering around, making her feel drawn to it. Strange. She shivered.

Walking outside, she enjoyed the cool weather on her burning skin. She couldn’t understand why she was feeling hot these days. Couldn’t be her first time being fertile.

Nako came outside holding a plate with sweets while chewing on one. Ravina reached for a piece and put it into her mouth. She was also eating more these days.

“Nazneen will be queen then?”

“Yes,” Ravina said wondering where Ares was. It didn’t feel right that he was still gone. Maybe she should visit Nazneen. The woman must be distressed.

“Hmm…” Nako leaned back against the wall picking another piece from the plate. “Don’t be bothered by what people say.”

Ravina frowned. “What are they saying?”

“You know… about Malachi and Nazneen…”

“What about them?”

Nako stopped. “You haven’t heard?”

Ravina shook her head.

“These stupid people think King Malachi and Nazneen should get together since both have human breedmates.”

Ravina stiffened.

“That way they will also keep their blood pure. The two katharos breeding.” She scoffed.

Of course, there would be those who would always be against her and try to find better options. Thinking of Malachi and Nazneen’s breeding made her feel uncomfortable. She couldn’t deny that they would look good together and have beautiful offspring.

“Is there a way to prevent pregnancy?” Ravina asked.

Nako paused, surprised by the sudden question but then she smiled. “I guess humans have a different kind of struggle. It is often that you can get pregnant.”

That was certainly a problem for her. Although she had spent more time with children, it didn’t change her mind about not wanting to have children of her own.

“There are certain fruits and spices you can eat after you do the deed.”

“Will it help?”

“Yes.”

Nako watched her for a moment. “You do not wish to have children?”

“I can barely survive here why would I bring children into this?” And her fate could end like every other tamer.

Nako nodded. “I understand. Maybe one day we can all live in peace.” She sighed.

“You should go home to your family. I won’t be needing anything else.” Ravina said. “I will go visit Nazneen.”

“Have the rest then…” she gave her the rest of the sweets on the plate before going back inside.

Ravina couldn’t leave them and took a moment to enjoy the sweetness before going to see Nazneen.

The guest house wasn’t very far away and Ravina wondered if Nazneen would even be there. Tomorrow would be her coronation and then she would have to prepare to go back to her clan.

Malachi wouldn’t be happy that she was visiting her but she couldn’t let the fear of danger make her stay at home day in and out. She wasn’t here to be passive and she also just wanted to live and breathe.

As she arrived in front of the guest house, a shadow covered her. She couldn’t help the cold shiver that ran down her spine before Nazneen landed outside the porch.

“Ares is not here yet…” she said and turned to walk inside.

“I am not here for Ares,” Ravina said.

Nazneen paused and turned around. Her expression was grim.

“May I come in?”

Without replying, Nazneen walked inside and Ravina followed her. “If you are here because of what people are saying then don’t worry. I am not interested in your breedmate.” She said as she walked.

​ Ravina realized she was following her to her room. The woman tossed her shoes aside as she kept speaking. “That is the difference between you and me. As dragons, we don’t leave our breedmates and stay loyal to them.” She sank into one of the chairs near the window.

Ravina took the liberty to sit on the other one. “We are also capable of loyalty,” Ravina said.

“It doesn’t come naturally to you.”

“I think it does, with the right person and at the right time.”

Nazneen tilted her head and nodded slowly. “Alright. Then tell me, how does a human know if they found the right one?”

“You don’t know for sure. You just feel it is right.” She shrugged. “Knowing might change how you feel but not necessarily. Finding out a human was your breedmate didn’t make you celebrate at first.”

Nazneen chuckled darkly. “You make a good point.”

They sat in awkward silence for a moment, just looking at each other. “Did you lose it yet?” She suddenly asked.

“What?”

“Your virginity.”

Huh? Ravina was taken aback by the question.

Nazneen shrugged. “I am just wondering since you reek of what would make the men weak and the women here jealous.”

“Uh… I haven’t.”

“I know Malachi is in pain. How are you doing?”

Ravina thought this could be her opportunity since Nazneen already brought it up. The pain thing again. “It can’t hurt that much,” she said, testing the waters.

Nazneen chuckled. “Oh, it does. It can be very frustrating for us women, but it really hurts them.”

So it really hurt? Was it what she thought?

“What should I do?” She asked before she knew.

Nazneen tilted her head to the other side. “It depends on what you want to do.”

“I don’t want him to hurt.”

“Listen! It is YOUR first time so think about yourself. Do it when you want to but if you want to help him meanwhile then…”

“Then?”

“Why am I telling you this?” She frowned.

“Tell me,” Ravina urged, frustrated by not fully knowing anything. She couldn’t be the only one clueless here anymore.

Nazneen took a deep breath. “Alright. I’ll tell you the subtle one…” she said amused.