Touch of Flame

Nazneen had bathed and pampered herself with scents and oils, brushed her hair until it was like waves of silk, lined her amber eyes, and adorned herself with golden jewelry and a rich green silky garment with a matching top. She made it less revealing, unsure why. No, she did no why. It was on an instinctual level, as if reclaiming her body after giving it away, retrieving some privacy so she could open the doors again when she wanted to.

She didn't see Ares around, so she thought he was probably still asleep. Humans needed more sleep, and he was not only tired but hurt too.

Nazneen asked her maids to prepare a bath in the room next by. Again, she found herself looking for clothes for him and bandages in case his wounds hadn't healed yet. How odd that she found this side of her that she never thought existed; tending to someone. But she had no complaints. She liked it.

Being a skilled fighter, she knew how to sneak into Ares's mens room where they slept with their chests of clothes and weapons. The men slept close to one another, in a way that made it seem like they were guarding each other's backs. They were ready to fight, but they couldn't even sense her.

Carefully, she went to look through the chests in the room, and she knew immediately which one belonged to Ares. His masculine scent teased her nostrils, and she quickly picked out what she knew he wore. Trousers, breeches, a shirt, a vest, a coat, belt, socks... what else?

She closed the chest carefully and snuck out again. As she walked down the hall, she came across one of her maids that informed her that Ares had woken up and now went to use the bath she had prepared.

"Do you want me to take those clothes to him?" She then asked.

"No," Nazneen said in a low but firm voice.

As the maid left with a simple nod, Nazneen wondered what had gotten into her. Dragon males were almost naked all the time for everyone to see so why would this bother her?

She shook her head and continued toward the room where Ares was taking his bath.

Nazneen was about to knock when she stopped herself and decided to walk straight in. Once she entered, she found Ares submerged in a bathtub filled with steaming water, his pale body relaxed and at ease. His eyes were closed while his head leaned back against the rim. His hair was damp and slicked back, revealing his sharp, handsome features.

Hearing her step inside, he opened his eyes and met hers. She saw a mixture of amazement and appreciation in his gaze. He took in every detail of her appearance--the rich green silk that clung to her curves, the delicate gold jewelry that adorned her neck and wrists, and the way her amber eyes sparkled with an enigmatic allure. Ares couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, and his admiration was clear in his eyes.

Nazneen felt a flush of warmth spread through her body under his intense gaze.

"Good morning," she smiled, stepping in further and putting his clothes on the chair nearby.

Ares followed her with his gaze, "Good morning, indeed." He drawled.

She hid her smile before turning back to him. "Are you enjoying your bath?"

"I am. I would ask you to join me, but... " his gaze skimmed over her, from head to toe. "It would be a shame to ruin the art you've created with your appearance." He said.

She tilted her head with a challenge in her eyes and said, "I am glad you can finally see."

He smiled mischievously. "I could always see."

She watched him for a moment, just as he watched her, and then she walked over, getting more serious with each step until she reached the tub and crouched beside him. Ares turned to meet her gaze.

"I have to ask...," she began, even though she wanted to avoid it for a little while longer. "What is happening between us?"

She really didn't know how humans did it. With dragons, it was very straightforward. You found your breedmate, acknowledged each other, and began your journey to share a life. Was she rushing things for him as a human?

Before he could reply, she quickly tried to remedy the situation. She held up her two index fingers. "Choose one," she said lightheartedly. "Either you are mine.." she held up one finger and then changed to the other. "Or, like you said, I am your woman. Either one will do for now." She smiled.

He didn't smile. He gazed deeply into her eyes and then looked at her fingers. His hand glided across the rim, and she wondered what he would choose when he took both fingers into his hold.

Her heart skipped. What did that mean? She looked up at him.

"Nazneen. Once I have made up my mind, I don't keep one foot in and one foot out." He released her fingers but took her hand in his, weaving his fingers through hers. Her heart picked up the pace, and she got lost in his deep gaze.

"What do you mean?" She almost whispered.

"It means, I am committing to you. Body, heart, and soul."

Nazneen felt her eyes sting, and then she didn't know why, but she rose and turned away from him, her heart squeezing in her chest. All the facade, the teasing, the anger, and the anxiety she had been carrying around suddenly wore off. Did her punishment end?

Ares looked at her back, confused. Did he say something wrong? He rose from the bathtub and stepped outside, stepping closer to her hunched form. Concerned, he grabbed her arms gently.

"Nazneen," he spoke softly. "What is wrong?"

She remained quiet and hunched, her hair falling down her face. He pulled her closer to his chest, not wanting to wet her clothes but also unable to stay away. Despite not making any sound, he knew she was crying now.

Nazneen felt foolish but couldn't understand or help this feeling that overcame her.

He turned her around, and his hand came under her chin, lifting her head up. She grimaced, not wanting him to see her tears, and his frown deepened when he saw her face. He searched her face and her eyes, while wiping a tear away. "Why are you crying?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "Maybe because I am happy."

A warm smile curved his lips. "I am happy too, sweet Neena."

He pulled her into his embrace, and she wrapped her arms around his naked form. His cold, wet skin then made her draw back.

"You should dry up and get dressed quickly," she said, knowing enough that humans had this strange habit of getting colds.

Get dry? Her hot body against his hair made the water on his body, evaporate. She glanced down at his abdomen to see his wounds. They had healed quite well, because of her blood.

Her blood?

Strange he didn't smell it now. There was a pattern of craving blood only when injured, and last night, during the fight, his claws had come out. It never happened before. What was it? He needed to know more about his kind.

Nazneen grabbed a towel and came to him in her silky, deep green garment that made her look like a forest goddess. Noticing that his body was already dry, she tiptoed to dry his hair, her breasts brushing along his chest.

He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. "Not now, Ares."

No? That was a surprise.

She dried his hair quickly, not realizing her strength, she ruffled his injured head a bit too roughly, and he remained still, enduring it.

"Oh, I am sorry." She said when she found his eyes tightly shut.

"Don't worry." He breathed, his head throbbing in pain. "It felt good," in other ways.

She looked apologetic at him and then frowned. "You are full of lies."

He chuckled. "Only the ones that would please you."

"That is comforting to know," she said with sarcasm.

He raised a brow with a sly grin. "See."

She knew she couldn't win this banter, so she gave up and waited for him as he got dressed.

So many complicated clothes, she thought, but he didn't seem to mind as he layered them. Then they had breakfast, and his men joined them before they could finish.

Eric's eyes shone wide as he looked at her. He was the youngest, so he wasn't good at hiding his appreciation, and Nazneen found him adorable. She gave him a gentle smile, and his whole face lit up.

"No one is going to feed you just because you keep your mouth open," Ares said when Eric kept staring.

Jonathan chuckled. "Let the boy be. I apologize on his behalf," he then turned to Nazneen.

"Oh, don't apologize. I would be happy to feed him," she said to tease Ares, but then realized that would be teasing the small innocent boy as well and wished to take back her words.

"You heard that, Captain," Eric voice had a mocking lilt as he glanced at Ares, but he was also a bit cautious as he studied his expression.

Ares put his cup down, a silent threat in his eyes.

Eric was willing to try his luck. He was like Ares in many ways; mischievous and daring. He even had the same roughish grin.

"Well, if she wants to feed him and you don't want to be fed, then let the boy be," Jonathan shrugged.

Ares turned his gaze to Jonathan, and they exchanged looks. Noah hid a faint smile behind his cup.

"Lord Steele," Eric began using a darker voice to appear older as he stood up. "I for once, deeply appreciate Lady Nazneen's wonderful presence and want to cherish every moment of it. So if you don't mind..."

"I do, so sit down!"

Eric quickly dropped his manly act and pretended to be heartbroken as he sat down. "That is one way to crush a young man's dreams." He then turned to Nazneen. "You look wonderful," he admitted.

Daring indeed.

"Thank you." She smiled. "What about your captain?" She then asked nodding toward Ares. "Do women in your world think he looks wonderful."

They all somehow chuckled, and she frowned. "Oh, Lord Steele has a reputation that scares women off." Jonathan said. "And men."

Was it that bad? Was he ugly in his world? So ugly that he was scary? It couldn't be possible.

"It only scares young maidens. Other women whom he had taken to be..." before Eric could finish the sentence, both Jonathan and Noah covered his mouth.

Nazneen knew what he was about to say anyway. Women whom he had taken to bed. She made an effort to ignore the pain in her chest. It was foolish. She had her share of men, and speaking of women he had been with, she heard in the distance that Ravina and Saul had arrived.

"We have our guests here," she said, standing up. "I will go meet them. Eat in peace."

She left the table, and Ares followed her. "Eric is a lot like you," she pointed.

"He seems to have the same taste as well, clearly," he mused.

Well then, would he like Ravina too?

Oh, God. She was being irrational again, or was she? Just because he gave in didn't have to mean he forgot Ravina completely, and maybe if he saw her again, some old feelings might creep back. It was too soon after all.

She pushed those thoughts away again. No. She had made progress with Ares, and it meant something.

They met Saul, Brenna, and Ravina at the main hall as the servants led them in. Nazneen was very observant of any exchange between Ares and Ravina but when they greeted each other normally, friendly, with no tension, she relaxed a bit. Maybe she was exaggerating in her head.

"What happened here?" Ravina wondered, seeing the destruction that had happened.

Nazneen led them to the parlor before she could tell the long story of what happened. The guests' eyes widened as they listened.

"Are you both alright?" Ravina wondered.

"Yes. We survived."

"Who were they?" Saul wondered.

"I haven't questioned them yet," Nazneen said. "We had injuries to tend to last night." and other pleasures. "King Malachi is very generous to send you here," she then said, changing the subject.

Saul was about to say something, but Ravina spoke before him. "Well, he thought we could learn a few things."

Oh, the humble choice. Very diplomatic.

"I am sure we could learn a few things too," Nazneen replied.

Ravina gave her a knowing smile.