Touch of Flame

On her way back to the castle, Ravina tried to read professor Ward's notes. He had written every detail of his research which wasn't surprising as that was how research was done. Every detail had to be documented so that another person could reproduce the result. If the research wasn't documented in detail then it lacked reliability. Professor Ward made sure that his research had both reliability and validity. His method could be followed step by step.

It was interesting to see his different theories and how the research proved him wrong until he came to the one theory that couldn't be proven wrong or right but had many arguments to support it. The fact that dragons shifted with magic.

His research showed that he had interviewed the dragons themselves, some of which were interested in breeding with humans and others which he suspected knew of the interbreeding already.

As she went through the interviews she sensed from some of the interviewed dragons that interbreeding wasn't as uncommon as they believed.

Ravina continued to read even after she got home. She lost herself in the details of professor Ward's research. She had never taken interest in the reproduction of dragons before. Why would she when she intended to erase them from this world? But now this information could be useful.

Knowing that going through all notes would take too long, she tried to find something specific about the scent and how dragons found their breedmate. What were the signs? What exactly did they look for or feel?

She skimmed through the pages to see if she could find anything this way. When she found something about the scent she stopped to read. Just like Bram told her both male and female dragons could find a breedmate through the scent. They were attracted to the scent that was best compatible with their blood so they could produce the healthiest offspring.

Ravina paused for a moment, realizing what she was hoping for. She grimaced as she thought of having healthy offspring with the despicable creature. Shaking her head she continued to read.

When females found their breedmate, the scent was often described as strong, and masculine and gave the feeling of being cared for and protected. It made them feel safe.

When males found their breedmate they described the scent as highly intoxicating, sweet, arousing, and hard to resist. Ravina paused again lingering on the words. Malachi could not be feeling that way toward her. This was beginning to make her anxious but she continued to read.

The male would usually find his breedmate during….

A knock on the door interrupted her and she quickly shut her notebook and hid it under the covers in case it was her uncle. Thankfully, it was only Ester.

"My Lady, it is time to help you get dressed."

No, she wanted to keep reading. How she hated when her work was interrupted especially by something like a party, but this was also a mission. She needed to meet Lord Steele.

As usual, Ester picked her the nicest gown. She knew more about the current fashion than Ravina did so Ravina trusted her choice.

Ester picked a light blue dress decorated with white lace. It left her shoulders uncovered but covered her arms to the elbows. The sleeves had a slit that made the fabric below the elbow fall and leave the rest of her arms bare.

The dress fit snuggly around her waist and hips but then flowed loosely down to her feet. It was beautiful, Ravina thought.

Ester undid the braids in her hair and allowed the waves to flow down her back with only a few pins to decorate it. She wore some diamond rings and earrings and then she was done.

"No," Ester said. "You are meeting your future husband. You should put some paint on."

"It will be too much," Ravina said but Ester insisted.

She made her lips a more appealing pink and put some color on her cheeks. Ravina looked at herself in the mirror. There was a time she wished to grow up fast so she could dress like her mother, paint herself, make herself look beautiful, and perhaps enjoy the attention of males. But that wish was long gone now.

Since her parent's death, Ravina hadn't enjoyed dressing up, or receiving attention, and nor did she pay attention to any man. And now she was suddenly supposed to share her life with one.

"Are you nervous?" Ester asked.

Nervous?

"Why would I be?"

Ester shook her head. "I thought you would be excited to meet him since he is of your choice."

Right. Unlike many women she was lucky to be able to choose her husband yet she wasn't the least excited about it.

"It is only a transaction," Ravina told her.

Ester frowned. "My Lady, if you got to choose your future husband, you should pick someone to love."

Love?

Ravina wanted to deny love but she remembered her parent's and the strong love they had for each other. She had no heart to love. It was impossible. Besides, no man would truly love a cold-hearted woman like herself.

"Some of us are not meant to be loved." She said taking a final look at herself. Her damaged hands caught her attention. "Give me some white lace gloves." She said.

Ester nodded and left to find her the gloves she needed. Ravina slid her hands into them and then looked at her reflection again. Alright. Now she looked less frightening perhaps.

"You look beautiful," Ester said. "Lord Steele will be a lucky man and I hope he makes you a lucky lady because you deserve to be loved as well."

Ester was twenty-eight, six years older than her so she certainly had more experience with men. Even women younger than her had more experience. Ravina knew more about weapons than she knew about men. She was not oblivious to what happened between a man and a woman. Knowledge wise she probably knew much more than most.

"Thank you for your help," Ravina said getting ready to leave for the party.

"Have fun." Ester smiled.

The party was extravagant as always. Her uncle was the party type unlike her father and his wife liked it that way. She would wear her most expensive dresses and jewels and enjoy the attention. Ravina often wondered how her uncle married someone like her but she guessed that they were similar in some ways.

Prince Andrew was chattering with some noblemen, probably bragging about his adventures with his father and how they caught dragons, and his wife was caught up in gossip with some women. Ravina knew soon she would be the gossip if she wasn't already.

If it wasn't for her Lord Steele, Ravina would have pretended to be sick so she could be spared this agony. She grabbed a plate, ignoring the few men staring at her, contemplating if they should ask her for a dance or if that would be a death mission.

Ravina began to put some delicacies on her plate when she heard the chattering increase. She didn't have to turn around and look to know that Lord Steele had arrived, but she still did.

He was just like she remembered. Well dressed and fashionable, displaying his wealth in a tasteful way. He strode with his long legs across the dancefloor, his boots making a clicking sound as he walked. They were of black leather, high-heeled and floppy-topped, folded mid-calf.

Further up her eyes followed a pair of long legs encased in black pants, shortly cut by a long vest with a belt at the waist. She took notice of the weaponry attached to it, some hidden behind the knee-long black frock coat of the latest fashion, with golden embroidery, buttons, and loose sleeves. He wore a white shirt with laced sleeves under the coat and a matching vest. Ravina was oddly impressed.

Then she looked at his face. The man didn't seem to age. She could swear he looked like that when he used to come and visit her father when she was much younger. Those days she used to find him frightening. He still had that sharp and intimidating look but he didn't frighten her anymore.

His long dark-brown hair was nicely combed and tied back with a ribbon. He had a small scar on his left cheek right under his eye and his eyes were a rich green. His face, well the only way she could describe it was harsh and masculine. Or perhaps it was just his demeanor that made him look that way.

Lord Steele went forward and greeted the king and queen. The prince and princess were busy with their guests and the prince probably ignored him on purpose but her uncle waved for her to come. Ravina put her plate away and walked over to her uncle.

"Here is Ravina." Her uncle said with a smile as she came to stand beside him. "I assume you need no introduction. You have met before."

Lord Steele shifted his attention to her. His lips curved into a slight smile. "Your Highness," He said taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "It is a pleasure to meet you again."

She tried to return his greeting with a polite smile but failed. This would be a disaster.

"You two should dance." Her uncle encouraged them. " But perhaps I should warn you that Ravina is a terrible dancer." Her uncle said with some humor.

Lord Steele smiled. Even when smiling he looked cunning somehow. He reached his hand out for her. "I am a masterful dancer. You will be in good hands." He told her.

Bold.

She placed her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor. When they came to the middle he turned around and tugged at her a bit harder than she expected. She was quickly close to his body, her eyes widened slightly with surprise.

Lord Steele took her hand with his and the other rested at the small of her back. He swayed them elegantly to the music. He was good at leading and she quickly learned and followed his steps.

"I had been interested in asking for your hand in marriage." He began. "I didn't think you would be interested in getting married."

"Either way, I would have to get married."

He nodded. "Why me?" He asked.

"I couldn't find anyone better." She told him.

An amused smile curved his lips. "That is the most unique way I have been complimented."

"Why were you interested?" She asked in return.

"Because you are interesting." He said. "I need a smart woman by my side. Someone who will be my partner in everything."

Partner in everything?

"I like that." She said.

He watched her curiously. "What else do you like?" He asked.

She fought the urge to sigh. Not this. Talking about herself or talking, in general, was not her thing. This courting thing would end up as a disaster.