Touch of Flame

Malachi stood in front of the dresser combing his wet hair after his quick bath. He had woken up alone in bed and from the chatter downstairs he knew Ravina was making breakfast with Nako and Mara. He took the opportunity to wash up because today he had had a lot to do. His mind was already planning for the day as he wanted to make things right. The sooner this was solved the sooner he could live a happy life with less worry besides his breedmate.

Ravina.

That woman had done something to him. She gave him back his confidence, his will to work harder, his belief that things could change, and much more. She gave him back his purpose after feeling defeated for so long. He had felt like a useless king, mostly because he was and people didn't hesitate to point it at every corner he turned. He had fought hard to come here because he was unhappy with how things were but when he arrived at this place, he was already tarnished. He had become the very thing he fought against.

He put the comb away thinking of his father and his sister. His father would have laughed at him and his sister, she would have been disappointed.

Amal. His heart ached and he tossed the comb away. At least one of them had to get their sibling back. As he heard Ravina's steps as she climbed the stairs he turned away to ask her if she spoke to Ares about her suspicions. Why did he forget to ask the man?

And now... he forgot what he was thinking about when, suddenly, he caught the scent of Ravina's fertility as she entered the room carrying a tray of food, and it was as though a tempest was erupting inside of him. The sweet and alluring smell of her fruitfulness at its peak caused his nostrils to flare as he took a deep breath, reawakening the breeding instinct in him that he had been trying to keep at bay. His pupils dilated and his muscles tensed in response to the enticing scent. The air around him thickened or was it perhaps his skin. Don't transform now!

Ravina gracefully walked inside, and he followed her every movement like a hunter waiting for the right moment to sprint and catch his prey. No. A hunter could control himself and wait for the right moment. He was something else right now.

"Good morning," she smiled so invitingly, and he almost gasped, realizing he had been trying to hold his breath. God! He could use the chains right now that had been holding him back in the cave. It was insane how his body wanted to take control of him, and a feral growl rumbled deep in his chest as he watched her place the tray on the table and push her damp hair away from her neck.

He leaned back against the dresser as Ravina turned to him. Her blue eyes and cold stare met his. "Come and eat..." she said, her words slowing down at the end as she took notice of the hunger in his eyes.

Ravina swallowed. It was early morning. What had happened to him? Why was he looking at her like that, suddenly?

He remained standing where he was, his hair still wet and his body damp. His muscles seemed to glisten even more, and she recalled his body from last night as he changed under the light of the moon streaming through the window. It was difficult not to stare but she had also wanted to touch him only the next step that Nazneen told her was...

Well, she couldn't find the right words. She shouldn't be so surprised after all the things she read in Ester's books.

An image of Nazneen licking the corn cob before putting it in her mouth came back to mind. That woman was crazy. She could even hear her laughter now after her eyes had widened.

She looked at Malachi, trying not to think of any body parts right now. Not when he was looking at her like that. She became suddenly aware of what she was wearing. She had kept his robe because it was comfortable, and she wore nothing underneath. Yet she felt as though she was naked from the way he looked at her.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

He pushed himself away from the dresser in silence and strode over. Ravina felt her heartbeat increase with every step until he came towering over her with his size.

In an almost desperate move, Malachi wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. Ravina's heart skipped a beat, and instantly she was enveloped by the heat emanating from his body. She could feel his breath on her face, hot and heavy with need.

A strong hand cupped her face, and his thumb brushed across her jaw to below her chin. He tilted her head back, and his lips hovered just a breath away from hers. The tension built to a fever pitch, and the heat from his body seeped through the thin material of her robe.

Ravina could feel his strength and restraint in the muscles of his arms flexing under her palms, and in his dark eyes, she saw the ferocity of his desire, and it stirred something deep within her, that yearned to close the gap between them and taste the fervor that was so palpable.

She tiptoed to reach his lips but he was so tall. She only earned a taste but she didn't have to do anything after that. With a low growl, Malachi grabbed her hair and slammed his lips against hers.

Ravina gasped in shock at the electrifying contact. His mouth was like a storm of passion that threatened to sweep them both away in its ferocity. The pressure of his lips was insistent, urging her to meet him with equal fervor. Their desire grew with each collision, a fire that burned hotter and more consuming as if it would never die.

Ravina got lost in the feeling, her senses overwhelmed by the flavor of him.

Malachi poured his all into that touch between them, communicating a fierce hunger, a need to possess and surrender all at once. He even smelled her blood now and he ached to mark her.

He pulled away as he felt his protruding fangs. When wanting to mate, it was the only time the dragon wanted to appear at the same time as the man. He couldn't let that happen now. She was so fertile. It would have consequences he was not ready for.