Touch of Flame

Nazneen was impatiently waiting for Ares, hearing from a distance that the men were still awake. It would take a while, she thought, frustrated.

She wandered around the royal house, making her way to the other side, where Sylas had promised to fix it. As she neared the now rebuilt section, she heard different kinds of noises in the distance.

Following the sounds, she soon realized what it was. A mix of heavy breathing, rhythmic creaking, and the occasional low moan and deep grunt. The maid Anora was quick, but it was not Saul that was pinned between her legs. It was Jonathan.

Sudden footsteps made Nazneen strain her ears. When the footsteps stopped, so did the moans and the creaking sound.

Did someone interrupt them?

Nazneen heard another woman's voice. "Am I late?"

"No," she heard Anora respond. "Jonathan? Do you mind?"

"I do not," she heard him say, out of breath.

Nazneen could almost see it in her head as the women exchanged places and the new one, commenting, began to explore. "So pale," she murmured.

Nazneen decided to retreat, allowing the two species to get to know each other intimately. Curiosity was a strong thing.

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The sounds of moans and heavy breaths continued to fade as she left that part of the royal house behind, and her own hunger stirred as she heard familiar footsteps in the dark hall and an ever-so-alluring scent reached her nostrils. She had been waiting for him, and hearing the sounds of passion from the other room had only heightened her own desire.

As Ares emerged from the shadows of the hallway, his eyes met hers, and without speaking, they moved closer to one another, their eyes locked in a silent conversation. She didn't know if it was the darkness, the sounds from earlier, or both that made her tingle with longing. Once he was close, she reached for him, her arms snaking around his neck and his around her waist, and without a spoken word, their lips met.

The night they had together did nothing to ease her hunger. In fact, she felt more greedy now. A heat, a bothersome itch, and a slow ache made her unable to think.

Ares knew he shouldn't start the night with a kiss, but here he was, getting himself caught in the spider's web. His earlier worries were all gone as she seemed to melt in his arms. So hot. So needy. So irresistible.

When she drew back with a shaky breath, he caught her eyes with his and found that they glowed with a desire unlike any he had ever seen before.

She steadied herself. "What do you want to do tonight?" She asked.

Ravish you, he thought as a reply. She had a hint of a smile in her eyes, knowing just how tempting the question was and guessing what his reply would be.

"Anything you want to do," he replied, curiously.

She seemed to contemplate something in her head for a while before taking his hand. "I haven't shown you around the kingdom. Would you like a tour?"

He nodded.

Hand in hand, Nazneen showed him around the home, in places where she grew up, and created certain memories. Some brought a smile to her face, and others seemed to sadden her.

She also pointed out different parts of the kingdom, explaining their significance and history. Ares listened intently, keeping his eyes on her as she spoke. She knew her history, and she seemed to appreciate it now as she presented it to him.

As they reached a secluded garden, they found a large tree and sat beneath it, leaning against the thick branch. The night was cool and calm, and only their intertwined fingers were sweaty now.

"I'll need to leave for a while tomorrow, to meet Ephraim."

Nazneen nodded. "I will come with you."

"You have to be here for the trails. Besides, I need to visit the waters, so I will swim my way there." Maybe he could even talk to Ephraim about a cure. The man had lived for a long time, and his mother was a magician. Perhaps he knew something.

Nazneen looked at him, unsure.

"I will be back as soon as I can," he assured.

He told her briefly about his relationship with Richard and about Ravina and her sister which again, made him wonder who Ephraim's human breedmate was. If it was Corinna, then it would be even more odd that she didn't look for her sister.

Nazneen noted the same thing. "Why would her sister not look for her?"

"We will find out soon," he said.

As the night went on, Nazneen and Ares decided they should go back and get some sleep before dawn approached. Ares was still tired when the morning came, and he hadn't gotten enough sleep. Even skipping breakfast as he heard the men in the room leave to eat something, didn't help him get in the hours he missed, and soon he had to force himself out of bed.

As he got dressed, there was a knock on the door, and Nazneen stepped in. She held a small tray with food. "You missed breakfast."

"It is alright. Just coffee will do," he said, smelling the coffee she came with. He took the cup in a hurry and then sipped some. "Thank you."

"Are you leaving now?" she asked.

"Yes." Drinking as much of his coffee as he could, he put the cup back and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "I will be back soon," he promised.

Tenzin followed him all the way to the river, since Nazneen insisted on it. "You are bleeding," he pointed at his face.

Again?

"It happens," he said, remaining calm as he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it to his nose. Once they arrived at the river, "I will take care of myself from here," Ares said.

Tenzin gave him a curt nod and then shifted into a large white beast before flying away. Once Ares felt that he was alone, he got into the water and found his way back to his mansion. From there, he grabbed something to wear and took a carriage to the appointed place, all the while feeling a strange tug at his heart. Not now, he thought dreadfully. The appointed place they would meet was the same place from which he bought the ships from Ephraim.

For the first time, he actually noticed that the humans working at that market were somehow dressed in the same manner. Some of them were quick to notice him, and he could feel how they sent the word among themselves as if to deliver the message that he was there.

Ares ignored that because he was now focused on something else. What if Corinna was here? He walked through the market, looking into the shops, and saw a few women, but none of them was Corinna. The pain in his chest returned, the uneasiness tugging and tugging. Why? He had just been in the water.

"Lord Steele?" A guttural voice spoke from behind him.

Ares turned around to find a relatively young human male standing there. "You are here to see Lord Dragenski."

"Yes," Ares replied.

"Come with me," he said, and without waiting, he turned on his heels and walked away.

The young man led Ares through a narrow alleyway, the buildings on either side seeming to tower over them. The sun felt too hot, and Ares removed his jacket to see if it would help him breathe easier.

They emerged into a small courtyard, surrounded by tall walls. In the center of the courtyard was a table and two chairs, and a man sat in one of them, his face obscured by the hood of his cloak.

As Ares approached, the man stood up, removing the hood from his head. A pair of smoke and amber eyes met his. "Lord Steele." He offered a polite smile. "It is good to see you, again."