Touch of Flame

"The messengers are here," Saul said.

Malachi knew they would come sooner or later. His mother looked worried but Malachi stepped outside to meet them. He knew they would want to cause a scene and turn his people against him.

People gathered around the three messengers as they waited for him. Where was Ravina? He detected her scent from a distance and his eyes searched for her. He found her riding down the hill with Aaron. She smiled a little as she spoke to him.

Was that a genuine smile? It was a bit different than the sarcastic, mocking, cold, or forced smiles that he was used to.

Aaron looked ahead and realized what was happening as he neared. A frown settled between his eyebrows and he looked for him in the crowd. Malachi gave him a nod to come before going to face the messengers.

They stood in the middle of the circle created by the bystanders. "King Malachi of Azar." The head messenger addressed him. "Some words reached us about you finding your breedmate in a human."

"That is correct," Malachi said.

The head messenger's gaze shifted as he detected Ravina among the crowd behind him. "And we have heard she is the princess of Balkae."

"You have heard correctly."

"We need to know what you plan to do with her. This concerns us."

"You need not be concerned. She is no danger to us."

"I am afraid that we find her a danger, especially since she is your breedmate. We would like to take her with us and unburden you. We will do whatever is necessary to get hold of the inventions." The messenger spoke.

Malachi felt Ravina stiffen behind him.

The messenger stood with his arms hands folded at the front and his two companions standing beside him on each side.

"Your help is not needed," Malachi told him.

The messenger tilted his head. "I hope your people's fears of you making a human their queen does not become true."

"I will take care of my people," Malachi said as his brothers came to stand beside him.

The messenger understood that things wouldn't go his way so he retreated. Malachi knew it was only momentarily.

"I hope you do," he said.

He gave his companions a nod and they shifted and flew away. Looked around the circle. His people looked concerned and watched him with judgemental eyes as they went back to their homes and work.

"It seems like you got a problem, brother," Saul said with shrug. "I am here if you need any help." Giving him a pat on the shoulder he went his way.

Malachi turned around. Joel and Kenan waited for him to say something while Ravina stood between his mother and Aaron.

"Follow me!" He told he told her, ignoring the rest.

"Malachi..." his mother began worried and Aaron looked defensive.

Ravina looked at him a little scared.

"Don't make me repeat myself." He told her. "And the rest of you, stay out of it."

Aaron looked angered and was about to say something when Ravina grabbed his arm to stop him from stepping forward.

He turned to her and she gave him a reassuring nod. If Malachi was angry before, now he was infuriated. What was going on?

He walked away to hide his anger and she followed him. He was walking so fast that she had to jog to keep up with him. Once he reached his room her halted and swirled around.

She stopped, avoiding getting too close. He could tell from her heartbeat that she was a bit worried, but it didn't show much on her face.

"Where were you?" He asked stepping closer.

She tried to keep her calm and composure. "I went horseriding." She replied.

"I want you to stay away from my brother." He told her.

"Why?"

"Because I say so."

She narrowed her eyes. "What if I don't want to?"

"There is no if. You are in my home. You will follow my orders."

She frowned, her jaw clenching and her cold eyes hardening. He expected more resistance from her but she said nothing.

Why was he even concerned about his brother when he should be more concerned about the messengers? There were bigger problems she was causing.

He went to sit down at the dresser. He picked his brush and held it out, looking at her through the mirror. "Comb my hair." He ordered.

She shot daggers at him with her eyes not knowing how lucky she was he didn't strangle her to death after what he went through with the messengers.

Taking a deep breath, she walked across the distance and took the comb out of his hand. "Have you become crippled?" She asked.

"I am going to send my maid away. You will cook and clean for me. You like to work after all, don't you?"

"Not for you." She retorted.

"Even better," he said.

Holding back her anger, she ignored him and ran the brush through his dark, shoulder-length hair. He observed her through the mirror but she kept her eyes on his hair.

"Who were the ones who came here?"

"The messengers. They keep order in the dragon world and you have disrupted that order. You have one thing to be happy about."

She lifted her gaze to meet his. "You know... you could have left me on the rooftop. You brought me here." She almost phrased it as a question. Something to ponder on.

She was right. He had himself to blame. She made a plan but he executed it.

"What will you do with me now?" She asked.

With her or to her? She touched his neck again.

"Use me to get hold of the inventions and then what?"

"I already gave you a role." He said. "Perhaps if you do a good job, I will upgrade your position."

She stopped brushing his hair. "Is it enough now?"

"Yes."

She sighed.

"Prepare me a hot bath now."

She frowned.

"I don't know how to do it."

"Figure it out. Use your intelligent mind." He told her getting up and heading toward the door. "Don't take too long. I will be back soon."

"Go to hell!" He heard her say under her breath as he left.