Touch of Flame



Richard looked at both his daughters, his chest swelling with so many emotions. He looked more specifically at Corinna. He hadn't seen her in six long years, looking for her everywhere, wondering what could have happened to her, and being haunted by nightmares of her absence. Now she was here, looming over him with her warm eyes, eyes like the ones of her mother.

Then he turned to Ravina and got emotional again, feeling the pain tightening his chest. This was his daughter, who had been with him all this time, but he neglected her. 

They both looked at him with such relief, their tears streaming down like rivers. He tried to sit up, but his entire body ached. His head throbbed, specifically a particular spot on his forehead. 

"No, father. Rest." Ravina tried to gently push him down. 

"Let me..." he said, his throat burning every time he spoke. "I want to hold you." He rasped. 

They both placed one arm under each of his arms and pulled him up. Corinna pulled the pillow from beneath him and adjusted it behind his back, but he wasn't planning to relax. He wanted to hold his angels. 

He pulled them in, each with one arm, and they both hugged him, crying on each of his shoulders. He cried with them, feeling a mixture of overwhelming emotions that wasn't good for his health. He felt his breath pinch his chest, and both of his daughters noticed. 

"Father, don't strain yourself. You need to stay calm." Ravina said. 

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"I will bring water," Corinna quickly left his side to bring him water. 

Richard tried to focus on breathing. He didn't want to go back to being paralyzed. He didn't want to miss even a small moment with his daughters but every breath he took was like being struck in the chest. 

Ravina watched him intently, nodding at him to keep focusing on breathing. Corinna came back with some water and he reached for the cup with a trembling hand. Ravina took the cup instead and helped him drink. 

Richard started crying again at the warmth he felt from his daughters. Their care made his chest tighten for a different reason and he lost his breath again. 

"Father, no more cries. You have to focus" The more stern one of his daughters told him. Ravina had always been the stoic one. 

Richard almost smiled as he tried to focus again. "I am glad you found each other," he said. He knew how painful it was to be separated from a twin. "I've been negligent," he admitted, his voice just a whisper, but heavy with remorse. "As a father, I... I failed you both. I let my own struggles, my own... demons, blind me to your needs, to your pain. I withdrew when you needed me most. I failed to be the father you deserved." Richard's breath hitched in his chest, the words causing a physical ache that rivaled his current physical torment.

As much as Ravina wanted to stop him from talking, she thought perhaps he needed to let it out to breathe. 

"For that, my angels, I... I am deeply sorry. I've hurt you both so much, and you didn't deserve any of it. None of it." Shame in his gaze before he looked down. "Your mother would be disappointed in me."

Memories of her mother flooded her mind. Memories of them spending time and then the way her parents were so deeply in love. It was pure joy to just see them together. Her father seemed to remember her as well, a smile curving his lips slowly. "But she would be very proud of you two." He added. "I am proud of you." 

They hugged each other again with more cries until all of them had swollen eyes.

Richard discovered that Corinna had lost her memories as they spoke of the past, and they continued to talk to reconnect again. She had very vague memories of him, so Ravina left them to have that moment to reconnect while she went to bring him food. After all this time not eating, he needed to get nutrition. 

As she tried to find the kitchen, a movement in the shadows of the dark hall startled her. 

"Ravina." Ares appeared from the darkness, his emerald gaze settling on her with concern. They hadn't spoken since her confrontation, and she wasn't feeling as betrayed as she first felt. In fact, she seemed to understand somehow. 

"He is awake?" 

"Yes. I was looking for the kitchen." 

"I can send servants with food," he told her. 

She nodded. "Thank you. What are you doing alone here?" 

He shrugged. "Nazneen is sleeping. She is tired." 

"And you aren't?" 

He smiled faintly. "I am. I just… I couldn't sleep." He seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Malachi left briefly to go back home."

She nodded. Giving the responsibility over to his youngest brother must have still left him worried. 

"I'll send servants with food then," he said with a nod, walking past her. 

She turned around, "Ares." 

He stopped in his tracks and turned around. "I am still grateful for all you did." She told him. 

His eyes seemed to glisten, and then a gentle smile curved his lips. He didn't have to say anything. They just looked at each other, and then he proceeded down the hall. 

Ravina watched him disappear into the darkness and then went back to the room where her father stayed. She could already hear Corinna's laughter as she neared, and once she entered the room, she found them in bed chuckling about something her father shared with her. 

Ravina smiled at the sight in front of her. It was just like old days. 

Corinna turned her head, "Ravina, come!" She called, chuckling. "Father was just telling me how you and I would try to deceive him by changing our clothes and hairstyle."

Ravina smiled, and her father nodded. "I would often realize too late." he said. "Your mother was much better at it." 

"We were too clever. Even mother would be fooled sometimes," Ravina said, joining them in bed. 

They continued the chatter until dawn, and Ravina, despite not having slept, didn't feel tired at all. She felt so energized and happy.