Touch of Flame

Nazneen felt like she laying on a grass field on a warm summer day. No. She was floating on clouds, flying and basking in the soft rays of morning sun. No. Not even that. This is much more... she couldn't find the right words but it didn't matter.

She curled her legs up, her stomach still fluttering as she rested her head on Ares's lap. She wasn't sure what this meant yet but she didn't want to spoil the moment by asking. Instead, she wanted to revel in this newfound intimacy between them and enjoy it as long as possible.

As she hugged his thigh, she could feel Ares's hand gently stroking her hair, his fingers threading through the dark locks, brushing against her ear and the side of her neck. She closed her eyes with a sigh, hearing the fire crackle in the hearth, the steady rise and fall of his chest and feel the warmth of his body.

Ares's fingers continued to play across her skin in a comforting way.  "You are not sleeping yet," he spoke softly.

"No." She didn't want to miss this moment but also, she didn't want it to end. Ever! Now... how was she supposed to send him away? She couldn't. "I don't want you to leave and... I feel selfish for that."

Ares felt his chest tighten. If she only knew he was the selfish one. He let his own wants and needs control him. He let this happen.

"You are not," he caressed her cheek with his knuckles. "There is no danger you can put me through that I haven't already put myself through."

"I know, but if I was there, I wouldn't let you do those things."

A smile tugged at his lips. Indeed she wouldn't. That was why pirates never settled and if they did, they left the dangerous life behind.

"I thought you would join," he grinned. "I am sure with you on the ship, many things would be much less dangerous."

He could feel her smile against his thigh. "Maybe I would. It depends on how persuasive you are."

A hint of a sweet musky scent spiked in the air. She was thinking about something. Something that they did earlier. He traced the curve of her neck and the shell of her ear, feeling the scent spread across the chamber.

He imagined sailing away with her for several days, only surrounded by the ocean and nothing else. Away from all the noise and duties. "I think you would like it. Getting away for a while."

"I think so too," she murmured.

Ares played with her hair, enjoyed the feel of her skin and he waited for her to fall asleep but she didn't. "You should get some sleep. It will be a busy day tomorrow."

"You too," she said moving her head away from his lap and moving aside so he could lie down.

Ares put his head down on the pillow facing her. Her eyes still gleamed, making them even more alluring which he hadn't thought was possible.

"I saw you with Tenzin," he began and she stiffened. "You seemed sad."

She relaxed and then swallowed. As if not wanting to talk about it, her eyes darted for a moment before looking at him. "He told me about my father. That my father..." she clenched her jaw. "That he loved me." She almost whispered.

Ares could tell she was struggling with this new knowledge. He could believe what Tenzing said. Family relationships were so odd, he had learned. Fathers were odd and for a brief moment, he thought of Richard. Where on earth was he?

"You think he didn't?" He asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know what to think. I... what am I supposed to do with this knowledge? Just... forgive him? After everything..."

She was hurt and upset.

"Come here," he said pulling her into his embrace. She buried her face in his chest and he held the back of her head, stroking her hair.

"I really want to hate him." She sobbed softly. "Still... I wish that..."

She still wished her father loved her even if it caused feelings of conflict and frustration.

"All I wanted was to... even once... just once hear him praise me. See him smile at me. I never will now." She cried.

Ares just held her close, not sure if saying anything would help. Hell, he didn't know what to say. He just placed a gentle kiss on her hair and continued stroking her back to calm her down.

Eventually, she fell asleep and he was taken by the darkness as well.

Nazneen woke up in the morning with a new spirit. After the passionate and emotional night she shared with Ares, where she cried out both her sadness and frustration, she felt a strange sense of powerful and radiant energy surge through her. Now, she truly felt like she was released from that dark cave.

Knowing Ares was sleeping beside her, she looked over at him. His face was relaxed, and his breathing was even, a stark contrast to the intensity and power he usually exuded. God, the man truly liked to be in control and defiance annoyed him. She stifled a smile. Typical captain.

She found it interesting that such a person became her breedmate. She was usually the one to take control in such situations and even if dragon males were dominant in nature, they often let go completely when she took charge. But then in those situations, she realized she was never truly seeking sexual pleasure. It was a game of power.

She shook away those memories not wanting to think of the past and allowed her eyes back onto Ares. Nazneen would have never thought she would find those pale creatures beautiful. Pale skin had been to her like unseasoned food. Ironic when he tasted like the most used seasoning.

She had often imagined her breedmate to be the dragon of dragons. Darkest of skin, thickest of muscle, tallest, most beastly, and Ares was none of those things, yet her stomach curled at the sight of him. She knew she was biased and dragons wouldn't agree with her assessment of his looks but she was curious about what humans thought about him. Was he good-looking by their standard?

Perhaps she would ask Eric and that was when she thought of Ravina. Her stomach turned. Why did the woman have to come today? And the witch. Her stomach turned twice more.

Nazneen rose from the bed despite wanting to stay beside Ares. She adjusted her hair and dress before leaving the room to find some clothes and a bath perhaps. But first, she went to look around. The mess from last night was cleaned up but the walls and windows needed to be rebuilt.

She returned to the intact side of the royal house and followed the chatter she heard from a distance. She stopped and strained her ears when she heard giggling and her name.

"I thought he was hurt but..." another giggle followed as they whispered.

"Did you hear all of it?"

Nazneen looked downstairs despite knowing the voices belonged to the maids. She couldn't see them as they were inside on of the rooms downstairs but still, she looked, leaning closer to the rail to hear the rest.

"Listening to them... oh I wanted to go home to my man," one of them exclaimed.

"I didn't know human's would be so good."

"Oh, you don't have a man. Perhaps you can try one of the human men here." She suggested.

Nazneen smiled, shaking her head thinking of what awaited Ares's men.

"I don't think so..." the other replied.

"Why not? They might be different. Maybe they have something we don't know."

Nazneen scoffed. Like what? Two penises?

"I mean... you heard our queen last night."

She heard a few steps from the other side arriving at the room and then a male voice cleared his throat. "Don't be so loud," she heard Tenzin's annoyed voice speak and then he walked away, coming into sight at the hall beneath. He took notice of her, looking up and giving her a quick nod before continuing as if he hadn't seen or heard anything.

Well, he wouldn't be surprised. Perhaps, he even thought she went back to her old habits.

"He seems jealous," one of the maids whispered.

Nazneen made her way downstairs and found the women preparing a room for Ravina as she had ordered. She leaned against the rim of the door and nonchalantly looked ahead.

"Saul is coming with them." She told her naughty maids. "You can try a male with royal blood as well while going on your journey of exploration." She teased them for what she heard but also wanted to tease Saul.

They were startled by her arrival. Well, she was swift on her feet and before anyone could catch her scent she was there.

"Don't worry," she said when they looked frightened. "I suggest Noah. He seems hard to please." She winked, wanting to see the serious man enjoy himself. "Oh..." She then stretched, "I would like a bath now. My body is aching."