Touch of Flame

Ravina felt like an old man walking with a cane she made for herself, grasping it tightly as nausea overtook her. She wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt nauseous but the voice in the back of her head whispered “Queen”. Her heart sank, as the reality of it dawned on her.

‘I don’t want to be a queen,’ the small frightened voice in her head called. She wasn’t ready yet. Oh Lord, she wasn’t ready for anything. Her determination, confidence, and willpower, all went up in smoke. She was left with nothing but shaking knees. Like a young bride sent off to the home of her in-laws to live the new phase of her life; the nightmare. So this was what it felt like when the time finally came? No mental preparation would help.

Her situation was slightly different but she wasn’t sure if it was better or worse. She just knew it was going to be dangerous and exhausting and she was already so tired at the moment. How much longer would she have to stand strong? Her legs were giving in and were this danger worth it? She didn’t mind death. She welcomed it but she wanted to at least see her sister first.

Corinna? She sought the connection again but felt nothing.

Ravina looked around to see if people were already drawing conclusions. A few people stared as they walked by her with her arm through Malachi’s.

Malachi?

She turned to look at him and he watched her carefully, slowing down his steps. As much as he angered her for many reasons and not small ones, she didn’t want to draw danger to him as well. She knew being king meant being a target.

The strange feeling about her uncle came to mind again. She recalled small moments, the way he patted her head, the way he laughed certain times when he was with her alone and strangely she remembered when she hugged him before leaving. That hug…

She stopped, tears burning her eyes. Malachi looked at her concerned.

“Ravina?” He came to stand in front of her. “What is wrong?”

As a tear fell and he covered her from people passing by. “I am sorry,” she shook her head. “I just wanted to enjoy this evening but I am too much in my head.”

“It is alright. We can go back home if you want.”

She really didn’t want to go back home. She was curious about the ceremony, and from Mara and Nako’s descriptions, it sounded fun.

“I don’t want to miss it.”

He wiped the tear from her face before she could. “Are you afraid?” he asked. “What is it?”

“I… am not sure. It is…” how would she explain it. “You met my uncle?”

“Yes.”

“And my father.”

“Yes,” he frowned confused.

“Could you tell the difference?”

He seemed thoughtful for a moment but then he looked at her suspiciously. “Why are you asking?”

She wasn’t sure.

“I would have to meet them several times to tell the difference and my senses were impaired from all the drugs and infection. I can’t be sure.” He explained but he seemed to keep thinking. “They look… very much alike.”

“Yes.”

He looked into her eyes as if knowing where her thoughts were going. “You would probably tell the difference easily.”

Would she? What kind of insanity was this? Of course, she had to know her father and uncle but then she remembered the many times, she and her sister switched roles. Ravina liked to follow her father and watch his experiments and Corinna liked to be with their mother. Their parents had decided that they needed to spend equal time with each so sometimes her father would ask Corinna to go with him instead and her mother would ask Ravina.

Sometimes they would agree and sometimes they would try to lure them by changing clothes and hairstyle. It wasn’t easy to fool their mother, but their father would take some time to catch up.

Ravina remembered dressing up like her sister and following their father on his trip. He only notices once they were out of town and had no choice but to continue the journey with her. The thing that often gave away was the difference in the way they behaved so they had to impersonate each other. Corinna was better at it. Ravina wasn’t so good with her sister’s softspokenness and her father noticed that.

“Maybe,” she replied and his frown deepened. “I am one task-focused,” she explained.

He nodded with a faint smile.

Malachi helped her to their seats as people gathered. Some sat stools were placed in a half circle. Others were still wandering around, sitting at tables outside the circle and eating what was served at the large tables. Food was being grilled at certain corners and dance and music in others.

Ravina felt the gazes cast their way where she sat beside Malachi. She took a deep breath and decided to ignore them. She turned to Malachi. “What will happen first?” She asked.

He leaned closer in his chair. “It might take a while until the bride and the groom arrives. Meanwhile, people enjoy meeting each other and chattering for a while. Eating and drinking if they want. Some can join the dance,” he explained.

She nodded.

“There is a couple given the title the heaven-matched couple. They also need to arrive before the bride and the groom and watch the competition that will either make them give up their title of keeping it.”

“I heard it is Georgia and Dias.”

“Yes.”

It would be interesting to see if they would lose or keep the title.

“Some of it might be odd for your to watch,” he warned.

“I’ll be fine. I think I have seen and heard enough at this point.”

He smiled.

In the distance she spotted Georgia and Dias, walking hand in hand and dressed in matching attire. Ravina just got the feeling that they were deserving of the title. There was something about them; they complimented each other nicely.

They came over to them, Georgia already smiling as soon as she lay eyes on them.

“I have a feeling tonight is going to be intense,” Georgia said.

Why? Ravina wondered.

“I don’t think you need to worry. You have kept the title for too long even if you lose it,” Malachi told her.

“I am ready to lose it,” Dias joked.

Georgia gave him a push before turning to Ravina. “You look stunning,” she told her.

“Thank you,” Ravina smiled.

“Are you prepared to see the insanity of our people?” Dias asked.

“I think so,” Ravina said.

“Uncle! Aunty!” Suddenly the voices of children came from a distance. Ravina turned her head and found the small children that ran to Malachi the day she arrived here, running toward them.

Malachi stood up and allowed one of them to run into his arms while the other went to hug Georgia. Soon they were surrounded by the family, Joel and Kenan coming to see the children as well. Malachi introduced her to his cousin, the mother of the two children. They went off to play with Joel and Kenan and then ran to Saul sitting on a stool. He sat them on each of his legs and she saw him smile genuinely for the first time as he played with them.

After a while, some women came to take the children away. All children. “What is happening?” Ravina asked.

“They will have a separate party. Mating is not very child friendly,” he explained.

Oh…

“So princess…” Joel’s voice came from right behind her as he walked around. he had two cups of wine and he gave them each. “When shall I give you your stallion?” He asked.

A few women walking by, looked his way, “you can give it to me,” one of them called and they chuckled.

Joel turned to them with a serious expression and they gave him certain looks before he turned away from them and sighed. “Women trying to tempt me,” he shook his head pretending to be tired of it.

Malachi looked like he had enough of his brother. Ravina found it amusing, especially when he a certain woman caught his attention in his pretense.

Kara.

He paused as she walked by, following her with his gaze. He forgot he was talking to her and decided to go after the woman. Before he could catch up to her, Kenan got to her, blocking her way.

Malachi looked like he wanted to disappear. “Don’t look at them.”

“Why?” Ravina smiled, taking a sip from her wine. “I thought you used to be like them.”

“I was NOT like that,” he said.

“No, you were worse.”

“I was not worse,” he defended himself. “I did not chase women.”

“Right. I forgot that part. They just fall right into your arms.” She said as she kept watching Kenan’s attempt to impress Kara. He was saying something but Ravina could tell the woman was unimpressed. She excused herself politely and walked away.

Where was Aaron?