Touch of Flame

Malachi returned to Ares’s home after making sure that he was calm and that none of what happened would show on his face. Ravina was already struggling with her father, so he didn’t burden her with his sadness as well.

As he walked down the hall, the sweet scent of blossom reached his nostrils and the sound of faint footsteps echoed in the hall. Before he could look, he already knew it was Darcy, and guilt struck his heart again. He wished to stop, walking and turn around, ashamed to face her, but it was too late and she had taken notice of him.

“You are awake?” She said her steps slowing. He could tell she hadn’t slept at all and had cried as well. Her eyes were red and slightly swollen. 

“Yes,” he breathed as they met in the middle. 

“Is Ravina still sleeping?” 

“She hasn’t slept well,” he told her. 

She nodded, and a muscle ticked in her jaw. Again, she stood as if she had her hands in pockets that weren’t there.

“Maybe I should make her breakfast,” she mumbled, again not meeting his gaze. “I don’t know what she likes to eat.” She then realized, looking up at him to see if he had the answer. 

Malachi became thoughtful. “She eats all or nothing.”

“It seems like it. I’ll see what the kitchen can arrange.” 

Malachi nodded. “I will get back to her then.” He hesitated as he looked at her. “You should sleep too.” 

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“I am fine. I don’t need as much sleep, but for you to be there for her, you need to get some sleep.” He told her. 

“Yes,” she almost sighed. “I will take over later then. I will send breakfast upstairs.”

He nodded. 

“Is there anything specific you would like to eat?” She asked. 

“Anything is fine.”

“Alright then, I will see you later.” She gave him a curt nod and left. 

As Darcy disappeared down the hallway, Malachi let out the breath he had been holding. It was difficult to see her like that or to see her at all. She was small and slender, just like Ravina and to think she had been among dragon males only at the age of sixteen made him sick. 

With a deep breath, he turned and made his way back to Ravina’s room.

When he entered, he found Ravina awake, just walking out of the private room. Her face and hair was damp from washing up but her skin was still pale and her eyes were slightly swollen. She had dampened her hair as well, to tame the strands that had become wild from tossing and turning in sleep. 

When she took notice of him, a smile tugged at her lips. “Good morning,” she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion. Even the way she walked told him she was still tired.

“Good morning,” he replied, thinking that perhaps she needed a bath to relax. “A warm bath would be comforting,” he told her. 

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to go to the drawers to find clothes. “That will take too much time.” 

“You need to take care of yourself.” He insisted. “You can’t help anyone else otherwise.” 

She paused, her tired eyes looking at him with exhaustion. “Alright,” she said at last. “It could be nice to take a warmth bath.” 

Malachi stepped out of the room, finding a few servants bustling about in the hallway. He caught the attention of one of them, a young woman who seemed eager to assist. 

“How can I help you?” She asked, keeping a safe distance. Despite her polite smile, he could tell that she was wary. 

This made Malachi wonder if humans would ever feel safe among dragons. The difference in strength was great and posed a real danger. 

“I would like it if a warm bath could be arranged for Ravina,” he said. 

“Of course.” She smiled. “It will be arranged immediately.” 

“Thank you.” 

The servant hurried away, quickly relaying his request to her fellow staff members. Soon, a team of servants were dispatched to prepare the bath, carrying buckets of steaming water, fragrant oils, and soft towels. Malachi stood watching in awe, but Ravina seemed used to it. Not even as a king did he have this many servants. He knew that some dragon kings did, but his father had always been discreet and didn’t like servants walking around and eavesdropping, so only a few could remain in their home. 

Malachi liked it even less. Maybe because they were dragons and having one around gave no room for privacy at all and at least in his own home he liked to keep some of it. 

The servants moved efficiently, filling a large bathtub in Ravina’s private bathroom with warm water, swirling in the scented oils. The older woman spoke to Ravina, asking what she would like to have in her bath. 

“We have lavender oil, which is excellent for relaxation and easing tension. Chamomile and rosemary can help with any muscle aches, while eucalyptus is perfect for clearing the mind,” she explained.

Ravina considered her options for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. “I think lavender and chamomile would be nice,” she said softly.

“Very well, my lady,” the older servant nodded, adding a few drops of lavender oil and a handful of dried chamomile flowers to the bathwater. 

As the servant finished preparing the bath, she turned to Ravina with a small smile. “Your bath is ready, my lady. I hope it brings you comfort.”

Ravina gave her a nod and thanked her before all of them left. She remained seated at the edge of the bed, looking like she didn’t have the energy to rise. 

Malachi went to her and offered to help her to her feet, being a support as they walked to the bathroom. He could see the exhaustion in her every movement, but he knew that the warm water and fragrant oils would help to ease some of the tension and weariness in her body.

Once in the private room, he felt he couldn’t leave her. 

“Would you like me to help you undress?” He asked. 

She seemed a bit surprised by the question, and then her gaze shied away from his. “Yes, please,” she answered softly.

Standing behind her, Malachi gently brushed her hair away from her neck. He slowly began to unfasten her nightgown, and once he was done, he carefully slid it off her shoulders and down her arms, allowing it to fall gracefully to the floor. He could hear the way her heart skipped a beat, and aware of her nudity, she remained standing close to him to get some coverage. 

Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, Malachi placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her to the edge of the tub, following right behind so she wouldn’t feel so exposed. Then he offered his hand to help her step inside. 

Malachi noticed the way her body tensed slightly, feeling exposed as she stepped into the tub. As she settled into the tub, he couldn’t help but steal a glance at her exposed body, the curve of her hip, the gentle slope of her waist, and the soft swell of her breast. His chest tightened, the sight of her so vulnerable and beautiful stirred a mixture of protectiveness and desire within him. 

Ravina’s reaction to getting into the warm water was one of pure relief and relaxation. As she eased herself into the tub, she let out a small, contented sigh. Her muscles, previously tense with exhaustion, began to relax as the soothing warmth enveloped her. Malachi could see the pleasure on her face, her eyes closing and her lips parting slightly as she allowed herself to sink into the comforting embrace of the water.

He knelt by the side of the tub, taking in the sight of her body partially submerged in the water, her skin glistening with droplets. The steam rising from the bath carried the delicate scent of the bath oils, a mixture of lavender and chamomile that filled the air with a sense of calm.

“Let me help you,” Malachi said gently. 

Ravina opened her eyes, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Malachi took a soft cloth and dipped it into the water, wetting it thoroughly. He began to wash her, starting with her shoulders, carefully scrubbing away any lingering tension. He tried not to think of her delicate skin, her slender neck, or the fact that she was naked right within his grasp. Thankfully, her scent had began to fade as the days of her fertility came to an end. 

He moved down to her arms, carefully working the cloth along the length of each limb. The silence and his effort not to think of her body took him back to thinking about Saul. Pain struck him again. 

Malachi had always been careful with him since he didn’t know how painful it was to lose a breedmate and a child. He felt protective of his brother but perhaps that had been the wrong way to go about it since it had done nothing to ease his pain. 

Since they couldn’t run away from it, it was right to face it. 

Malachi just wanted his brother back. He knew with such scars, none of them would ever be the same again but their bond could. Couldn’t it? Could they not be the best friends they used to be? 

As Malachi’s thoughts spiraled, he suddenly felt Ravina’s gentle touch on his cheek, bringing him back to the present. 

“Malachi, what’s wrong?” she asked softly, her fingers tracing a soothing path along his jaw and down to his neck and shoulder. The warmth of her touch seemed to seep into his very soul, comforting him even as his heart ached.

He forced a convincing smile on his face. “Nothing. I am just enjoying the silence and the bath with you.” 

She smiled, although she didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she didn’t press the issue. Instead, she looked into his eyes and made a gentle offer. “Why don’t you join me in the tub? We could both use the relaxation.”