Touch of Flame

“That is horrible,” Nazneen said, horrified by the stories he told her.

He had to steal whether it was food or clothes. Sometimes he would go days without eating and outside in the cold winter or rainy autumn. The people that treated him cruelly were adults, which made her angry. The scars that didn’t heal were from his childhood, which explained why. Magic could not heal old scars.

Ares told her about it casually. “Well, it is the reality of many.” He said simply, putting his arm between his head and the pillow.

Nazneen felt sad, but she was also warm inside. Sharing a bed just to have a conversation was something she had never done before and she found comfort in it.

She reached to touch the scar on his eyesbrow. He closed his eyes as she traced it with her fingers, brushing over his eye to where the scar continued underneath it. So this scar was old as well? He got it when he was a child.

“I like this one the most,” she said, her fingers tracing the side of his face. He opened his eyes again. “When your eyes are not distracting me from it.”

He smiled amusedly then crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes again. “I will not distract you.”

As if that was possible. Her fingers followed his cheekbones, down to the hollow of her cheeks, and then slowed down as they neared his mouth. He didn’t kiss her. What would that feel like?

Her fingertips touched the corner of his mouth before brushing over his lips, ever so gently. She could feel how he held his breath for a moment as she touched him, feeling the smooth softness that was unlike the rest of his scarred and roughened skin.

Nazneen was overcome by the feeling of wanting to kiss him as she withdrew her hand. She closed her eyes with a deep breath, feeling his scent surrounding her and the touch of his hands and lips still lingering on her skin. Never did she have to exercise so much patience.

***

Ares woke up from the sound of raindrops on the window. He looked outside and found rain pouring down in the gloomy morning weather. It seemed like the weather matched his mood today. He didn’t feel like waking up which was unlike him. He didn’t feel like doing anything.

Nazneen was sleeping beside him without covering that tempting body of hers. For a moment he imagined scooping her into his arms and spending the rest of the morning that way before he returned to his senses.

Dragging himself out of bed, he dressed and then went outside to the porch. He watched the rain as he thought back to what the witch told him. The old man kept his word of releasing him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Ares would have to warn everyone else. The witch was after something.

For now, he just walked out in the rain, his feet taking him to the calming cliff. He stared ahead; the rain soaking him, the cold giving him goosebumps all over his skin. He couldn’t stop thinking about his parents.

“Ares?” A familiar voice made him turn around. He was surprised to find Ravina there alone. “You are back.”

She was soaked in the rain as well. What was she doing outside alone in the early morning?

“What are you doing alone here?” He asked.

She walked over, “I couldn’t sleep.”

“And decided to walk in the rain?”

“I need the cold,” she replied as she came to stand beside him. “And you? Are you alright?”

Did Joel tell her as well?

“I am fine.”

She stared at him for a moment. “I don’t know what the witch has told you but I wouldn’t believe him.”

“You know I am most skeptical, but some things when laid in front of your eyes, you just can’t deny.”

She nodded. “I am truly sorry for your loss.”

p

She rubbed her hands together. “I have received the book from Chanan.” She frowned. “Where did you get it from?”

It was in the wrapped envelope Ephraim gave him. “The half-breed. Why?”

“The half-breed? Is it his?”

He wondered why she was so curious. “Yes. He wrote it, simplifying everything to help learn and understand better.”

Her frown deepened.

“What is wrong?”

She shrugged. “It just… I don’t know:” She shook her head. “There was just a certain smell. Does he smell like incense… and something… smokey?” She shook her head again. “I am sorry. That is a strange question.”

It was. “I don’t know.” He replied. He didn’t care to smell the man, but amber and smoke were what his eyes made him think of.

“Speaking of the half-breed, I was wondering if he could know where my sister is?” She said. “While Malachi was looking for my sister he came across humans with weapons. Possibly slayers, but they were working with dragons.”

He nodded thoughtfully although it wouldn’t make sense for her sister to be with slayers and never find her.

“You don’t think she would have come back home?” He asked.

She sighed. “I have thought about it and I know it doesn’t make sense. I am just desperate and trying everything.”

“I understand. I don’t know where to find him yet. He is very careful but we will meet. Perhaps at home as he told me he would invite me over. I will see what I can find.”

She forced a nervous smile. “Thank you.”

He gave her a nod. “You should go back before you get sick.”

She looked at the cliff and then ahead. “You too.” She said her gaze returning to him. “I’ll see you at the coronation.” She gave a slight nod and then walked away.

He stayed a little more while, then went back to the guest house. Nazneen stood in the room and crossed her arms over her chest when he walked in. “Do you have to leave like this every time and make me panic?”

“I am sorry. I will leave a note next time.”

She rolled her eyes at him as he went to sit down with his clothes wet. “I am going to take a bath before it gets cold.” She said, snatching the clothes she prepared from on top of the chest.

He could use the warm water too. “Can I join?”

“No!”

He smiled. That was surprising.

“And don’t come inside,” she told him.

So she would play hard to get now?

“Hurry then,” he told her.

Ignoring him she went into the room next by. She spent a good amount of time there.

“Are you done soon?” He called.

“No!”

“No?”

“I need to take my time.”

Unbelievable. “Are you being like this on purpose now?” He asked getting up and walking closer to the door.

“No.”

“I think you are. When did you become shy?”

“I am. Just stay away!”

“I am coming inside.”

“You ask for death?” She threatened.

Why was she suddenly like this? He became very curious and decided to just barge inside.

Oops!

Nazneen yelped as she picked whatever fabric was nearby to cover herself. He saw some strange peeled skin on her leg before she threw a towel at him. “Don’t look! Get out!”