Touch of Flame

The moment Nazneen entered the room with Sylas by her side, the atmosphere at the dinner table changed dramatically. The lively chatter that filled the room died down, replaced by an uneasy silence as everyone's eyes turned toward the unlikely pair. Ares, who had been engaged in a conversation with Ravina and Saul, stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing with surprise and concern.

Nazneen seemed to sense the tension in the room, and she cleared her throat before speaking "Everyone, I would like to introduce Sylas. I asked him to join us for dinner."

The dinner proceeded, and although the atmosphere remained tense, everyone tried their best to continue their conversations. Ares noticed that Sylas was an expert at blending into the background, observing and listening rather than actively participating in the discussions. He seemed to be studying everyone in the room, especially Nazneen, and Ares couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease because, with this man, he really couldn't tell what he wanted.

Despite his discomfort, Ares forced himself to engage in small talk with Ravina and Saul, not wanting to give Sylas the satisfaction of knowing he had disrupted their evening. However, his mind was preoccupied, and he found himself frequently glancing at Nazneen, watching her interactions with the mysterious witch, while Ravina replied to a sarcastic remark that Saul made.

It was interesting to spend time with them today. The man seemed to enjoy annoying her, masking his growing liking for her by being pesky. Since Ravina would be part of their lives, he didn't realize that liking her would be easier than not doing so, but one had to fail to realize that.

One thing he would give to the man. He was focused. He was the kind to try every possible way before giving up. The only problem was that his focus was on the wrong thing, but once he changed his focus to helping his brother, he could accomplish a lot. And he wasn't bad at learning how to use firearms

As the dinner came to an end and the guests began to disperse, Ares saw an opportunity to confront Sylas. The witch had gone to the destroyed side of the royal house after offering his services to rebuild it with the use of magic. He was almost done when Ares arrived.

"You have quite the skill," he remarked.

Sylas turned to him, his face a mask of gentle yet mysterious expression. "You have no shortage of skills yourself." He retorted.

Ares observed the rebuilt section of the house, noting that the work seemed flawless, as if it had never been damaged in the first place. "What is your purpose here?" He asked, getting straight to the point.

Sylas looked up at the marvelous painted ceiling, seemingly contemplating his answer. After a moment, he turned back to Ares, his eyes filled with a strange intensity. "I see great potential in Nazneen," he said softly.

"And you wish to help her after my passing?"

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"I hope she won't need much help by then. You are the one meant to influence her."

"I want to stay by her side too," he said, feeling pain cut through his chest. "Longer."

"Isn't it fascinating," he said as he began to pace, his gaze following the art on the walls. "You were once just fine with dying, and now it torments you."

Ares remained quiet.

"It is the knowledge of it. People don't believe me when I tell them that knowing the future is a curse." He continued.

"Can you not help me?"

Sylas turned his head with a frown. "What do you hope I could do?"

"Anything."

Sylas laughed. "Oh no. You do not wish for me to do anything to save your life. Could you place a value on your life? What would the price be to buy it then?"

Ares could already tell this was going very badly. "I am not stupid, but you still don't need to speak in riddles. Tell me the price and if you are willing to help and then I can decide."

"Well, you want to live so you have to pay with something close to such value." He raised a brow. "Eric? Noah? Naz...neen?"

Ares clenched his jaw. Never!

Sylas could see the stark refusal in his eyes. "I thought so."

"And don't ever tell this to anyone!" Especially Nazneen. Knowing what this cure could do, he was afraid of what she would do if she knew she could save him.

"I won't. I do not wish for her to take your place, so do not worry." Sylas assured.

Ares's shoulders relaxed, and Sylas noticed how tense he had been. "I will find a way," Ares said calmly, and was curious to see the man's reaction.

Sylas looked at him almost with pity, as if he was trying to no avail. "Sometimes fighting is the way, and sometimes acceptance is. You decide."

***

After his talk with the witch, Ares arrived at the chamber he shared with his men and Saul. His heart was a bundle of mixed emotions. Confusion muddled his thoughts, and heartache settled in his chest.

He took a deep breath as he sat on the edge of the bed, trying to push away the feeling of heaviness in his heart. He did not even notice that it was only Noah in the room with him.

"What is wrong?" Noah asked.

Ares watched him in the dim light for a moment. "We need to talk about my death."

Noah recoiled, not wanting to discuss it. They didn't discuss death. It came when it came but things were different now and even if his heart didn't kill him, death lurked around the corner, and he wanted to make sure that everyone was taken care of once he was no longer able to do so himself.

"My will is with Jose. Everything is there in detail. I want the mansion to remain a safe place for all of you when needed." Ares said, his thoughts drifting to Nazneen. She would not go to his mansion to hide. This was her home and she was the queen but still, he added just in case. "Nazneen..."

"Don't worry." Noah cut off. "I will take care of everyone. I just don't understand...all your life you didn't let women too close, and then suddenly Ravina, then Nazneen. What is happening to you?"

He didn't know either.

"I understand what happened with Ravina, but Nazneen?" He looked at him with his brows raised as if asking for an explanation. "What is wrong with you? You know you took part in the experiment." He could hear the frustration in the man's tone.

Ares sighed, knowing very well what he meant. He did not mean for this to happen. It wasn't like he could predict ever wanting to be with a female dragon.

"Some things are out of my control," he said.

Noah dropped his shoulders and sighed in turn. He was silent for a moment, and they just looked at each other before he spoke. "Have you told her?"

"Not yet," Ares replied. He didn't even know how to tell her... or when. Should he look for a cure first before making her worry for no reason, or should he just tell her as soon as possible before things escalated between them?

"Where are the others?" He asked.

"Eric and Jonathan left with Saul and Tenzin to drink." Noah shrugged, and Ares knew why he didn't go with them. Some of them had to stay sober.

As both of them decided to sleep, they suddenly heard footsteps approaching. The door to the room opened, revealing Eric, Saul, and Tenzin, and Ares's slightly heightened senses could smell the stench of liquor as the men walked with slightly unsteady gaits.

Ares raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Where is Jonathan?" he asked, noticing the missing man.

Eric hiccuped before responding, his speech slightly slurred. "Oh, Jonathan? He, uh, got abducted by a dragoness."

"Abducted?" Noah repeated.

"Willingly abducted," Eric corrected himself while stumbling forward. Tenzin and Saul were in better condition. "No one was willing to abduct me," he complained.

Saul chuckled as he let himself fall onto the mattress, taking his place on the bed beside Ares when he had refused to be anywhere near him last night. "Because you don't have a fire big enough to fuck one."

Eric took offense to this and came to stand near the bed at their feet. Ares wanted to warn him, but decided to stay out of it for a while. His masculinity was in question here, and men could not let such things go.

"I am... younger," he said. Everyone looked at each other like 'that is all?' then they burst into laughter.

Eric frowned. "Some women like younger!" He clamored. "We have more energy."

Ares shook his head and pulled the blankets to himself, knowing Saul wouldn't use them.

"What are you laughing at?" Eric demanded to know, but everyone began to go to their beds. "You know I am right," he continued.

After a few attempts at trying to prove his argument, he just fell to the floor, and a minute later, he was snoring.

Ares listened to their breathing, waiting for all of them to fall asleep before sneaking out. He had promised to meet Nazneen and spend the night together.