Touch of Flame

Flying over her homeland, Nazneen could feel her heart pounding. She had been away for so long, locked away from her people and the world. She had not seen her home for so long. What did it look like now after so many years? Was everything still the same or was it so changed that she wouldn’t recognize anything at all? A part of her hoped some things were still the same so she could cherish those memories.

As they landed with the guards and the messengers by their side, Ares got off her back she shifted. Others who were unable to attend the ceremony gathered together to witness the new queen’s arrival. Now, she truly felt nervous as the responsibilities of her role dawned on her. She could hear her own heartbeat. Bad, she thoughts since everyone else could hear it as well. She tried to calm down when she felt a hand on the small of her back. She turned to Ares who was beside her and he gave her a light stroke on the back without turning to her.

He looked ahead unafraid, despite knowing that people would oppose him. That gave her a sense of confidence and she looked ahead as well. She forced a smile on her face as the messengers announced her arrival and introduced her. Nimrion, the head messenger would make sure she settled down and that the court was built before he left with his two companions.

Nazneen looked around, recognizing some buildings and places and others were completely new to her. Things had changed as expected and she felt like a stranger in some way. She looked through the crowd for some familiar faces but why was she even doing that? Those who knew her would fight against her the most. She didn’t leave with a good last impression. She was sure people had celebrated her absence.

After Nimrion introduced her, she stepped forward inside the circle that was made by the crowd. Her conversation with Ravina had made her see the issue between humans and dragons deeper and it touched her on a personal level when they spoke about halfbreeds. Perhaps, their own future children. She didn’t want them to have the same fate as Ephraim. This war was bad for all of them. Her people only refused to see the disadvantages and admit that they had been chased into hiding.

It wasn’t surprising. Dragons were prideful. They had ruled over the skies and lands for a very long time and to give in to humans and live side by side as equals would be understandably difficult. But more difficult would be to stay safe. It was time to swallow the pride.

She looked around, now meeting the gazes of her people. She saw herself in many of them. Proud, unwavering and unwilling to change. Fiery eyes glistening with resistance. She would have been one of them and even worse had she not met Ares. Had she not had a human mate. Was it a blessing or a curse to have a mirror right infront of her eyes? Perhaps the witch did do her a favor after all but the truth was hard to swallow.

She felt the lump grow in her throat knowing what she had to do. Today, she would have to show some humility.

“Good evening,” she smiled looking around at all of them. “Some of you might already know me and the rest, I am sure you have at least heard of me. I know that many of you have doubts about me, and I understand why. I was not good to you. I was not good at all. But I have changed and I am still changing. Being locked away for a century has given me time to reflect on my actions, and I have now come to see things in a different light. I am sure I am still lacking in many ways but know that my heart is in the right place. My wish is to ensure our safety and make us thrive and I hope you can support me in my quest.”

When she finished an eerie silence followed. People looked at her as if they had seen a ghost. Eyes gleamed with surprise and confusion. Ares looked at her with an unfamiliar gaze and a hint of surprise as well and then gave her an approving smile.

She bid everyone goodnight and they proceeded, the messengers leading her to the royal house. Her home.

Nazneen’s heart began to beat again, the rhythm increasing with each step. She wasn’t sure how she would feel being back home, where she grew up. Where she had created both fond memories and painful ones.

“Are you alright?” Ares asked pulling her out of her own thoughts.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“That was a good speech.” He said.

“Thank you.”

“It seems you don’t need my help as much as I thought.”

“I disagree. I observed how you spoke to everyone tonight. It helped me expand my vocabulary.”

He smiled amusedly.

They arrived in front of the royal house. She could see how Ares looked at the building with curiosity. Indeed her home had a different structure than the rest of the buildings. Her father loved to display his wealth and the royal house was built to command attention with its grandeur and majestic appearance. It boasts towering columns, intricate carvings, and ornate decorations that speak of a time when dragons ruled.

At the front, they were met by doors made of solid oak, carved with scenes of dragons soaring through the sky and breathing fire. An impressive pediment stood above the doors, supported by columns soaring high into the sky. There were intricate carvings of dragons in various poses on the pediment, each symbolizing strength, power, and wisdom.

Once inside, they were greeted by a spacious courtyard, surrounded by rows of columns and adorned with beautiful plants and flowers. In the center of the courtyard, stood a large fountain that was surrounded by benches where people could rest and admire the beauty of the surroundings.

So far, things still looked the same.

As they made their way deeper into the house, they passed through long corridors lined with more columns and adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of dragons in battle, flying through the sky, and ruling over their kingdoms. Ares took his time to watch them.

“My father was very proud of being a dragon,” she explained.

“I can see that,” Ares said. “These paintings would also make me feel proud if I was one.”

Two servants came to welcome them, their eyes darting with many questions when they took notice of Ares. They greeted them all.

“Here is your queen and this is… Ares. Her guest. Show them both to their rooms.” Nimrion ordered them. Then he turned to both of them. “I will see you tomorrow morning. Good night.”

“Good night.” Nazneen nodded and Nimrion left with his two comrades.

The two servants suggested showing them each to their rooms. Ares turned to her. “Good night then,” he said.

No!

“Good night,” she replied oddly.

Why was she suddenly acting like this? She could just refuse. She watched him leave with one of the maids before she followed the other one. Again she got lost in watching the halls, trying to see what changed and what remained the same. Most things were the same giving her a feeling of nostalgia. Before she knew her eyes burned for some odd reason. Why would she cry?

So many strange emotions settled in her chest and she fought back the tears. “I have prepared two rooms,” the maid Anora said. “One has the view of the mountains. It is on the…”

She knew which one she spoke about. It was her mother’s room. “Let’s take that one.” She interrupted.

When she arrived at the room, she was surprised. Unlike the rest of the house, the room was made differently. Of course. She shouldn’t be surprised that a room where people lived after them would change to suit their personal style.

“I… I can change things if you don’t like them.” Anora said noticing her expression.

“No… it’s alright.”

She excused the maid to be left alone.

The room was decorated in warm, earthy tones of browns and golds, with accents of deep greens, which were very dragon-like. The walls were muted beige, and the floors were covered in plush brown rugs.

This room’s centerpiece was a rich, dark wood four-poster bed. The bed was draped in silks and satins in shades of deep green and gold. Above the bed hung a canopy of sheer fabric, creating a dreamy, ethereal effect. Maybe not so dragon. This reminded her of the room she was given in Ares’s mansion. It seemed dragons adopted the style of the humans they hated so much.

She stepped out into the balcony and stared ahead at the mountains, while the wind blew her hair. She was back home.

The candles flickered around her with their soft light as she lay in bed under the covers. It was warm but she felt lonely.

Wait! She sat up. Was Ares safe alone in another room by himself?

No, no! She had to go see him. She pushed the covers aside and left the room with only a silken robe. She followed his scent, which led her across the large hall and when she arrived at the door to the room, she could hear his steady breathing. He was already asleep?

Carefully, she opened the door and stepped inside. A fire burned in the hearth, lighting up the room and she found Ares on a large bed. She expected him to notice her arrival since he always slept with an eye open but as she stepped closer he didn’t move. He was breathing at least so not dead.

She looked around for a moment, unsure of what to do but then decided to get into bed with him. He smelled heavenly and always made her body crackle like burning wood.

She turned to watch his face. Was he even the slightest jealous today? She hoped her struggle paid off because Joel made her roll her eyes so many times she became dizzy. She wouldn’t let herself go through that again.

As the night passed, she fell asleep as well. The night’s experience seemed to call for nightmares and she found herself locked in the dark cave again. Her father stood outside but didn’t care to release her. She was screaming for his help, calling his name and begging him but he turned around and left.

Then the nightmare took a different turn. Her people had captured Ares and they held him hostage with a net. She stood frozen, wanting to save him but she couldn’t move her body.

​

They began to hit him in front of her and she could do nothing. She could feel herself screaming but no sound escaped her mouth.

They gave his lifeless body a last kick as they left him. “You brought this on yourself.” One of them spat.

She was still crying but couldn’t get to him. Nazneen opened her eyes with a pained gasp, feeling the tears stream down her temples.

She shot up and turned immediately, his name already on her lips when she came face to face with him.

“Nazneen?”

“Ares! Oh,” she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.

She never wanted to see that image again. The thought of him dying felt like death itself.