Touch of Flame

Ravina remained confused. She didn't believe in souls traveling and being reborn. How could this be? And what would it mean if it was true?

She turned in bed and almost gasped in shock when she found Malachi sleeping beside her. The wind softly blew his hair back, revealing his relaxed face.

She remembered him playing the flute. He was confusing but she decided not to ponder on it.

Sitting up she thought of her sister instead. She had to find her and protect her people if possible since he was planning on destroying their defense. Clearly, he couldn't see or perhaps just didn't care that by terrorizing he had put many women in similar situations as his sister. Now he would do the same, remove the defense, which would allow dragons to be able to enslave again and women be used and abused.

She watched him remembering the recent attack where she almost died. She wondered what would he do if the dragons his brother sent had killed her.

'I will always love you,' Arshan's words echoed in her mind.

Her hand reached for her chest. She had felt it. His love for her. It brought tears to her eyes. But Hiroshima stabbed him to death. Stabbed him in the heart in which he kept her. If such love could not survive, no wonder their world was dark. Her heart became filled with sadness.

Stepping out of bed, she went to the private room to freshen up. She needed to refill with water and throw out the used one and so she did. Now that she knew where she could find things, she refilled with everything else.

Having slept well, she had the same energy as the last time she did. Her head felt a little less heavy, her mind a bit more clear and her senses felt heightened. She could enjoy the atmosphere outside, although soon Malachi would make her look like a mistress in front of his people. She would rather just be a prisoner.

But she didn't let that ruin her mood. She made tea, prepared bread then went underground to fetch cheese, olives, and other food that needed to be stored in certain temperatures and specific pots.

Once she placed everything on a tray, she went with it upstairs.

Malachi had just woken up and stretched his arms. She slowed down with the tray in her hands, marveling at the half-naked, newly awakened man. His hair was tousled from sleep and his eyes and face were still a bit swollen from sleep.

He dropped his arms and looked at her a little surprised. She walked over, "good morning," she greeted him, and just like he did, gave him a node to move his legs away. He folded them and she sat down placing the tray between them.

Malachi frowned. "What are you doing?"

"Serving breakfast. Do want tea?" She asked but didn't wait for his reply. She poured some into his cup. He just had to taste her utterly bland tea. Or perhaps she had improved a little. She put some cinnamon and honey.

He watched her suspiciously.

"I did not spit in it." She assured him, placing the cup in front of him.

He picked it up without tearing his gaze away from her and then took a sip.

"How does it taste?" She asked as she poured herself the tea as well.

"Delicious," he said with his morning voice. She lifted her gaze and found him still staring at her as he took another sip.

Picking up her cup, she tasted the tea. It was not bad. It tasted decent. With a nod of satisfaction, she put it down. Perhaps next time, she would make it perfect.

"I would have made eggs, but I don't know how." She said taking a piece of bread and eating it with the cheese.

"Hmm..." was all he said still suspicious.

Ravina ignored him and ate the breakfast. She was aware that he kept watching her as he ate. When they finished, she took the tray and went downstairs, away from his scrutiny. She stayed there for a while, just to breathe without him, before going upstairs again.

He had washed up and changed. He went to the dressed and picked up the comb.

"Will I get a room and some clothes?" She asked.

"You can use the room across the hall. I will arrange for clothes." He said running the comb through his hair.

"Thank you."

He paused, looking at her through the mirror.

"Just be yourself. This new behavior makes me uncomfortable." He said disgustedly, tossing the comb on the dresser.

She was herself. She was just choosing her battles and so she ignored his remark and he left without a word.

While she cleaned up in the kitchen, she heard a knock on the front door. She went to answer and found Brenna, Georgia, and Nelli standing outside. There was a large chest at their feet.

"Good morning, human," Brenna said and her sister nudged her with her shoulder.

"Good morning, Ravina." She said.

"Good morning," Ravina replied confused.

"Malachi told me to arrange some clothes for you," Brenna said picking up the chest easily.

Ravina moved out of the way as Brenna stepped inside. "Where is your room?"

"Here," Ravina said showing her the way.

Georgia and Nelli trailed behind. Brenna put the chest in a corner and turned around.

"Thank you," Ravina told her. She looked very feminine yet carried the chest like a male.

"Georgia picked the clothes and jewelry for you." She said.

Ravina turned to Georgia. The woman smiled. "As a thank you," she said, placing her hand on her son's head. "He has improved a lot."

"I am glad to hear," Ravina said, looking at Nelli. The boy smiled at her. "You might want to continue with the treatment until he has recovered completely."

"I will do so," She said. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Would you like some tea?" Ravina asked.

They looked at each other. "Can you make tea?"

"It is not perfect." She said but felt it wasn't polite to just send them away although small talk made her uncomfortable and that was what tea was all about.

They chuckled amused. "It is easy. I can show you." Georgia said.

Oh well. Then it was time to learn.