Touch of Flame

“So… did my tips work?” Nazneen asked.

Ravina only looked at her, but Nazneen got her answer. A mischievous smile curved her lips. The woman was faster than she imagined, but she knew they didn’t go all the way. She couldn’t deny that she was curious as to why. Did they have problems?

“But you are still holding back? Does it scare you?” Nazneen asked.

“No.”

“Nervous then?”

“No.”

“Worried?”

She paused.

“About what?” Nazneen wondered.

“I am fertile.” She simply said.

Oh…

“You are avoiding the consequences.”

She said nothing to that.

“You don’t like children?”

“It is not a matter of liking them. I am just…. and this isn’t the safest space for half-breeds.”

Half-breeds? Nazneen imagined having children with Ares. They would also be half-breeds then. It made a deep frown settle between her brows. She would also fear for her children. She recalled Ephraim’s story and felt a shiver down her spine.

She sighed. “Well, maybe you can give me some tips now.”

Ravina smiled. “You don’t need tips.”

“Trust me, I do.”

The woman narrowed her eyes. “What do you need help with?”

“Tell me what human males prefer?”

Ravina chuckled. “I don’t think there is much difference in preference.”

“Maybe, but Ares is …. different.”

Ravina tilted her head thoughtfully. “I don’t think I know him more than you do, but… I think he is very loyal to those who are loyal to him and he values that a lot. If you want to do something more fun then… he likes a challenge,” she shrugged.

A challenge? Was she telling her to be the challenge?

“Do you like to read?” She suddenly asked.

Nazneen recalled the times she was interested in books when she was still in the phase of trying to impress her father.

“It was a long time ago I read something.”

Ravina nodded. “There is a book called The masked King. My father gifted it to me. It was his favorite book and became one of my favorites.” As she spoke her tone changed and her eyes became distant, as if traveling back in time. A sad smile curved her lips. “I think you would like it too.” She said.

What made her think she would? Now she was curious what the book was about and what did it have to do with Ares?

“Where can I get it?”

“A bookstore.”

“Oh.. then I can’t get it.”

Ravina smiled. “I guess you can’t.”

She could ask Ares, maybe?

After finishing their grilled corn near the river, they went back to the celebration just to find Ares and Malachi mingling with the guests. Both were in deep discussions with a group of people.

Malachi’s group was calmer but Ares was in a group having a heated discussion. She almost felt like fists would be thrown soon but Ares lightened the mood with something he said and they laughed for a while before continuing with the discussion and getting agitated again.

“They seem busy.”

“What are they talking about?” Ravina wondered.

“Politics.”

“Ravina…” Suddenly a few men came to Ravina, looking surprisingly happy to see her, unlike most.

Ravina greeted them politely, and they wondered about her wellbeing. They sounded genuine.

“The little mix of magic you made last time has been doing wonders.” One of the women said.

“I am glad it helped.” Ravina said.

The woman introduced her friends. “We have been wondering if you will make more of those vegetable peelers?”

“We are working on making more. They should be available soon.” Ravina said.

“That is wonderful,” the woman beamed.

“This is Queen Nazneen,” Ravina introduced her.

The women greeted her. “It is good to see two female rulers together.”

Oh… so these women already accepted her?

Nazneen saw more friendly faces and supporters of Ravina. Not everyone was against her. The evening was more pleasant than she expected and ended with a dinner and dessert at Araminta’s house.

While enjoying her tea on the balcony, Joel came to disturb her. “I am still available… you know.” He smiled charmingly.

He was like her, in a way. They never tried hard to fish. The fish just fell into their net. Unfortunately for him, she was trying to catch a rare fish now and wasn’t interested in being the fish herself. Unless the fisher was someone else.

“I know,” she said. “And it seems you learned nothing from your brother’s case.”

“Yours is different.”

“How?”

“I heard you say, he is just a friend.”

She chuckled. “And you believed it?”

“No. But you are not lovers. Is he playing hard to get?”

“Why would he?”

“It must pride him to have a beautiful woman like yourself whom every man wants to chase after him.”

“I am NOT chasing after him.”

“You look desperate.”

She frowned, feeling her cheeks heat up.

He smiled smugly and then came to sit beside her. “Don’t worry. Some men just like the chase and you are not running.” He put his arm behind her on the backrest without touching her and leaned closer. “You have to run fast. Make it a challenge.”

A challenge? Again.

“You will see, he will come running. He is watching right now.”

What was he doing? She was so close to slapping his hand away but curiosity made her stop. What was Ares thinking now?

Ares took a sip of his coffee, which was now suddenly bitter. The man was flirting again, but Nazneen didn’t get away from him yet. What were they talking about? He couldn’t hear them through the locked door and the chatter in the room.

Saul and Ravina were playing chess and he guessed Ravina won.

“Want to play?” someone asked him.

“No.” His gaze was glued on the balcony. Nazneen was staying. Did she enjoy his company? Could he be that person? He didn’t like him for her but if she liked him, then… it was alri…

The words faded when Joel slowly put his arm around her and pulled her closer. Nazneen didn’t push him away and Ares took another bitter sip. Could she at least not do it in front of him? Something itched inside of him. A familiar stab. One he had experienced before.

He averted his gaze, realizing he had emptied the cup of coffee. Putting it away, he got up and walked out into the cold night breeze. He didn’t go far since they would be leaving the Azar clan tonight, to go home to Nazneen’s clan.

The messengers would guide them the first few days, helping them choose guards and court members and establishing certain rules. Ares had already discussed a few plans with them, together with Malachi.

“Jealousy is not foreign to humans then,” a familiar voice came from behind.

Malachi.