Touch of Flame

It was very satisfying for Ravina to peel the top layer of Malachi\'s skin and see the glowing one appearing from underneath. She knew he could do this himself but he just wanted to tease her and she played along.

She walked around where he sat on the large rock to peel the skin on his chest. She had to walk against the waves of the river, which turned her feet cold but it didn\'t bother her. For the past few days, she had been feeling hot.

Ravina didn\'t know what she found more pleasurable and satisfying, seeing his chest or peeling the skin? It was as if she was taking off his clothes.

"Don\'t stare at me." She said as he kept watching her while she peeled his skin off.

"You are right in front of me. Do you want me to close my eyes?"

"Yes." She replied just like that, thinking that he wouldn\'t do it anyway, but he leaned back on his arms and closed his eyes.

Ravina took the opportunity to run her fingers down his abdomen and quickly peel the skin as she felt uncomfortable going lower while he watched her.

He was not going to ask her to do the rest, was he?

"Shall I undress now?" He asked with a smirk when she was done with his upper body.

She forced a smile. "I have never met someone so eager to be naked."

"I am just trying to make things even since..." his gaze skimmed over her body.

Uh... this man...

She crossed her arms over her chest. "And how would you make things even about the fact that you can smell how I feel?"

He took her wrist, untangling her arms. "I can smell it. You can feel it and see it... if I undress..."

"Malachi!" She pulled her hand away. "Have you no manners?" He was becoming more shameless each day.

He chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"Don\'t play stupid!"

He tilted his head amused. "And how do you know what I mean?"

Uh...

"I am not... I am not clueless!"

"Then what do you know?"

Everything she read flashed through her mind and her face turned red. "A lot!" She said and walked back to land, just to hide her burning face. She was in no way going to tell him she read those books. She would die with that secret.

Malachi was right behind her and swiveled her around by the arm. He backed her into the tree right behind her. "You know a lot?"

She looked him in the eyes. "Yes."

"Then..." he leaned closer and his voice became low. "Do you know that wanting you is painful? Physically painful."

Physically painful?

He narrowed his eyes "You don\'t know."

"I don\'t know everything about dragons."

He chuckled. "It is no dragon thing. It is a male thing."

A male thing? She really couldn\'t understand.

He stepped away with an amused expression. "Let\'s go back," he said and began to walk away.

She went after him, wanting to ask but something in her held her back. She had a hunch but she couldn\'t understand.

***

Malachi wished he could continue his day like this but he had duties to get back to. He prepared himself for the meeting and when he arrived at the courthouse, he went straight into the meeting room. His guests had already arrived and the messengers were there.

His brothers joined the meeting as well. He recognized the families Waiwen and snakeherd.

"Good morning," they greeted.

"Good morning." He looked at the two males who were going to participate in the fight and thought of making this quick by aiming at their pride. He didn\'t want to hear any complaints. "What brings you here this early?"

"King Malachi, we have been informed that there is another contestant in this tournament."

"Yes. Princess Nazneen. You know she has been released recently after a century so I am sure you are not worried about her. While her state is weakened, you have been working on your skills."

He could see their minds trying to come up with ways to get out of this. "King Malachi. Princess Nazneen has been away from society for a very long time. Things have changed a lot and our clan needs a ruler that understands the tough times we are in right now."

Malachi couldn\'t deny that. It was a valid concern and he wondered if Ares returned. He didn\'t know what Nazneen would be like without him. At least the man could guide her even if he would also make things more difficult being human and whatever else he was.

"We never picked our rulers based on those things. We have always had a tournament and the strongest have always ruled. If I change this tradition now based on what you said, then it would apply to both of you as well as I am sure there are those with better leadership skills than the two of you. We would have a different kind of tournament and perhaps you two wouldn\'t even be contenders."

They were taken aback by what he said. Even his brothers were surprised by what he had come up with.

"Alright then. Let\'s not waste time. This is the best for all of us." He faked a smile and then stood up. "Good luck."

He left the room without care and he could hear the silence that remained as he walked away.

Saul came after him.

"Is Ares back?" Malachi asked.

"No. It seems like he wants her to lose."

Malachi sighed and made his way to the guest house to see how Nazneen was doing. He walked upstairs to the room and knocked on the open door before peeking inside.

She stood near the window, watching something outside with arms crossed over her chest. "Is it time yet?" She asked.

"Soon. Are you ready?"

She turned to him with a deep frown on her face. "I am not fit to rule." She said.

"Don\'t worry. Most of us are not." He could think of worse ones than her.

She went to bed and sat down looking tired. "I left many people like this. I just... left them. Did not think once of how they would be feeling. No, actually I rejoiced in the thought of their loneliness, thinking I wasn\'t alone in it. Now, I am here."

"Why would you think he left you?"

She shrugged. "It is just a feeling. I was told I would pay the price before and after meeting him."

Malachi frowned. "Don\'t draw any conclusions yet. For now, just focus on the tournament. If he happens to come back, you want to have a safe place for both of you."

She looked at him closely. "Why do you want me to win?"

He sighed. "What makes you think I want you to win?"

She chuckled but kept her thoughts to herself. Instead, she stood up and began to stretch her body.

"You won\'t fight with these clothes, are you?" He wondered.

"If I want to win to be queen, then I will fight looking like one."