Touch of Flame

Malachi couldn’t help but feel repulsed. Not because another man made her feel that way but because he felt like he should have been that man. He wanted to be that man and it made him sick.

It was not that way his hands should be on this woman unless to strangle her to death and then bury her with her inventions. Those inventions. He let out a breath of frustration.

Ravina watches him confused. It seemed like she didn’t know the part where he could smell someone else on her and know when she was in a state of arousal, which meant she hadn’t even done it to mock him and that only made him angrier.

She did like the man and he couldn’t even pity her thinking she liked a whiny human. He had seen the man himself and Malachi knew when he saw a real man. He even smelled vigorous and vital. And now he could smell that she was in her most fertile days of the month. This whole situation hindered him from staying calm.

He took a few more steps back, trying to keep his calm as best as he could. With this irrational anger where his body acted before his head could think, he didn’t like at all. He didn’t even recognize himself anymore. He simply became an animal, proving to her what she probably thought about him.

Would she not wait to let the man take her until marriage? Ugh, just the thought made him tremble and he couldn’t control it.

“When are you getting married?” He asked.

She shrugged. “We haven’t set an exact date. But hopefully soon.”

Of course. It seemed like none of them could wait.

“What do you like about him?” He asked, feeling like he was still shaking. Why was he asking? He would only anger himself.

She looked away into the distance, a small frown settling between her eyebrows. “He is… good to me.” She simply said.

She was sincere. This part hurt him more than the fact that the man aroused her. Not that he took that part lightly. She was after all supposed to be the ice princess.

I will be good to you, he almost lashed out but that would only be the irrational side of him. He doubted even with this much effect that he would be good to her. Not that he wanted to. A part of him actually feared for her. With this much anger, it would be better for her to keep her distance.

He cursed. How could he feel two completely different things?

As if he wasn’t conflicted and tortured enough already he noticed the bruise on her neck when she moved her head a little.

He became so angry he was trying to shift now and break his bones in the process.

“Stop!” She told him.

“Shut up!” He yelled at her, trying to tear the shackles again.

“After sedatives, it will be poison. Don’t do it!” The panic in her voice made him stop.

He looked her away. He was certainly hallucinating if he thought she looked concerned.

“You are already infected. You won’t heal from poison.”

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t.”

“You said I have until your wedding night.” Damn him. He cursed himself for saying that.

“You don’t. That was before I decided not to torture you anymore. I am not interested in that. I actually came here to hear your side. Now that I decided to focus on good things, I have been able to think rationally and I wondered about you.” She said.

So the man made her think all good? He scoffed.

“What are you asking exactly?”

“Why do you hate humans?”

“Have I not made that clear?” He spat.

“No.”

He clenched his jaw suppressing the anger. He shouldn’t believe this attempt of her trying to understand him. She was a cunning one. Maybe playing along would help him more, but he would not share his truth with her. Never.

“I don’t need your sympathy.” He said.

“King Malachi, trust me when I say that it will take a lot for me to sympathize with you.” She looked at him with a serious expression. “I have seen a lot.”

He didn’t doubt her. She was only this young and she had already seen what she saw. There was no going back. She would forever see his kind with those eyes, while he was forced to look at her differently. He didn’t want to.

He looked at her and she seemed somewhat distracted. Her hand came to rest on her stomach and her skin was pale again. She was sick. He knew that already. Her skin looked paler each day and she was losing more weight.

He stepped forward with a frown and she returned her attention to him, trying to keep a straight face.

“Well, I have nothing more to say.” She said, looking like she wanted to get away from him.

“Wait!” He told her.

She paused and he quickly had to think of something. If she left him and never came back he would lose his chance. But what could he say that would make her stay and come back even if she left?

“You are my breedmate.” He admitted. She knew that already but he wanted her to think of it more. Maybe try to see some benefits in it and try to use it to her advantage. Then he would have a chance at escaping.

“I know.” She said turning to him.

“I can’t let you get married.”

“Then what will you do?” She raised a brow.

He couldn’t sound like he changed his mind too fast or she wouldn’t believe him.

“I will make you my breedmate of course. You would like that.” He said sarcastically.

She chuckled. “I am not sure.”

“You have read about breedmates.”

“I have. I highly doubt that is what I would experience with you.”

“You are right. I do see it differently as well. Taking you away from your future husband to live with your enemy would be the first thing I would enjoy.”

She watched him closely. “What about you? I am your enemy as well.”

“Well, it would be less of a burden for me. You are my breedmate.”

This time she laughed. Not an evil laugh. She just laughed as if he said something funny. “You are very funny, Malachi.” She said and continued to laugh. “Less of a burden?” She laughed.

He almost laughed with her. It did sound funny, but he was only talking rubbish.

She stopped laughing and forced her lips into a thin line, looking like she was still holding back her laughter. He wondered what went through her mind.

“What would you do if I released you now?” She asked him.

Kill her.

He looked at the bruise on her neck.

Yes, he would kill her. Before he thought of anything else that could change his mind, he would kill her.

He looked up into her cold eyes. “I am not sure.” He told her.