Touch of Flame

Malachi kept his eyes on Zoila as she performed. She chose a specific traditional dance that was difficult to perform but she wanted to show her skills. He couldn’t deny that she was a skilled dancer but he wasn’t entertained at all.

People on the other hand were enjoying themselves, and he could see Ravina from the corner of his eye sitting among the crowd. He tried his best not to look her way, not to know what she was wearing and how beautiful she looked.

Zoila continued her dance but was surprisingly joined by another woman who challenged her.

He didn’t expect this but it wasn’t strange. At these kinds of parties, women often attracted the males they wanted by dancing and males by fighting. Now that there was a chance, knowing he had a human breedmate, the brave women would try their luck.

Zoila didn’t expect competition but she kept her composure. The new female was a great dancer too, a tough competition and she didn’t shy away from being more seductive. Zoila was restrained by her title of being a princess and had to act within certain parameters which gave this woman advantage in the dancing field.

People liked drama and competition so they cheered.

A third woman joined in full force, making moves that caused the crowd to cheer louder, and some even whistled. She stole the limelight, swaying her perfectly curved hips, seducing with her lined eyes, and waving her arms as if they had no bones.

The competition was fierce although they pretended to be friendly. Wouldn’t a man love this? But he didn’t.

When the dance finally ended, he thought the competition ended but there were clearly so many ways to impress a man. Now another female came to sing.

Hmm…

He tried not to show his frustration. She had a beautiful voice but he was choosing a queen for God’s sake. He wasn’t sure how her singing would help him rule. Did they not understand that this wasn’t about enticing him since he already had a breedmate? They would have to show some other useful skills.

Alright, maybe they were just attracting his people.

When she was done and he could care less, some other women still wanted to try. He locked eyes with his brothers who found the situation to be fun. Joel took pity on him, or perhaps he just wanted to enjoy the ladies. He invited people to join the dance and Aaron decided to help while Kenan had to be forced to join.

Kenan was the serious one. He didn’t like the games of seduction. If he liked a woman, he wanted to get straight to business. Joel was the flirt. He liked the chase more than the prize and females loved it. Aaron was neither. He was more spiritual and wanted something deeper than just taking women to bed.

People joined the dance and Joel was already sweeping a woman off her feet. Literally. Their couple dance included a lot of lifting of the woman. Joel lifted her, swirled her around his body as if wrapping a garment, then threw her up in the air to catch her and swirl with her. Then he took his time, flirting with her as well.

Aaron was dancing with another female. Kenan could care less and took the woman to leave. That man had no patience. He would probably take her midways before they even reached a safe place.

His gaze went to Saul, still seated and watching the party with disinterest. Since his breedmate died, many women had tried to get his attention but he showed no interest. Now women didn’t even bother to try. Word had already spread of how he rejected women before they could make their moves.

Ravina’s voice drew his attention back to the dancing crowd. Georgia had pulled her up to dance and she was protesting, her face already turning red. But now it was the other kind of dance. This one was subtle. All people did was lock opposite arms and swirl and then change arms and swirl again.

“I can’t,” Ravina said.

“It is easy. Look what they are doing.”

Ravina looked around and then Georgia locked their arms. She began to swirl gently and Ravina followed stiffly despite that all she had to do was walk faster in a circle.

She could not dance but he couldn’t say that she wasn’t graceful. She had a way of talking and walking. And even when she sat, she had a certain aura that urged respect. She also knew how to dress. It was subtle and elegant. The minimal jewelry adorning her but not overwhelming. And the choice of color was perfect. Purple. The color of royalty. She was giving a quiet message.

As she swirled, she eventually relaxed and even smiled a little. Brenna and Kayla joined and were friendly with her as well. Malachi frowned. He knew Georgia was generally a soft person, but Brenna and Kayla were not easy targets.

She switched arms and now danced with Brenna instead. “I think I am getting dizzy,” she called with a smile.

Brenna chuckled. “You will get used to it. Faster!” She then said making them swirl so their skirts flowed.

“Oh…” Ravina called trying to keep up as her smile widened.

Then she let her go and Aaron locked arms with her this time, catching her right in a swirl. She stumbled and chuckled at herself for being dizzy. He took it slow with her. “I am bad at this,” she admitted.

“You are doing well,” he told her.

Malachi felt some irrational anger arise within him. Before he could burn something he saw the messengers on the other side. What were they doing here right now?

He stood up from his seat to go see them.

“King Malachi, you have a lovely party here.” The head messenger spoke when Malachi came to them.

“Thank you. But you can’t be having fun by just standing.”

The head messenger smiled. “We only come to receive or deliver a message.”

“I know what you do,” Malachi said.

“My apologies. We are just trying to keep an eye out to see that everything is alright. I see your breedmate is still here but princesses from Rex are here?”

“Yes?”

“Do you intend to take one of them as your queen?”

“You will know when I take anyone as my queen,” Malachi told them.

“Then I shall let you know that other rulers are not pleased. Is there any message you would like us to deliver to them?”

“Let them know, that it is my clan that has been protecting our people the most. Remind them kindly, who we are. The most purebred, strongest, and largest clan. Remind them what fighting us would mean, not only for the clans but for our entire race. Also tell them, that we do not wish to fight because my interest and duty is in keeping our race alive and safe.”

The messenger nodded. “Your message will be delivered. Have a good night.”

Malachi watched them as they walked away, shifted, and flew back. He wasn’t sure how his message would be received, but he knew this wouldn’t be enough. His clan would only be strong if they stood together.