Touch of Flame

"If you touch my sister..."

"You will kill me," he finished for her.

Ugh, if she had only been quick enough and stabbed him. She wriggled her wrists while pushing her legs up to kick him away, but the garment restricted her.

"You will hurt if you hurt my sister because that hurts me the most." She told him.

"Good to know, because clearly, physical pain does not hurt you." He said it with a severe face. "So hurting your sister will at least hurt you even if it hurts me. I can tolerate that. Can you?"

"No."

"Then don't try anything stupid."

"Don't worry. I make my plans carefully."

"Trying to stab me, is not being careful."

"Then I will try to stab you carefully next time."

He laughed showing his perfect white teeth. It was a genuine laugh as if truly amused by what she said.

She tried to use the opportunity to push him away but he was too strong. "You are funny." He said and drew back, pulling her up with him. She almost collided with his chest but managed to stop herself when she was an inch away.

He released her wrist and reached to force the pin out of her hand instead. He took it and put it back in her hair. "It looks better there." He told her. "Now be a good guest to my mother. She might be the only one to treat you with kindness."

He released her wrist giving her a gentle push to step away from him just when his mother entered the room. "Are you coming?"

"Yes," Malachi said and went to his mother. Ravina followed him.

Before they reached the breakfast table, Ravina smelled the scent of newly baked bread, fried eggs, and coffee. For the first time, she actually felt hungry. How strange.

Once she arrived at the table she also found fruits, olives, cheese, and beans. "Please sit," Araminta told her then turned to Malachi who was about to leave. "You should eat too."

"I am not hungry."

"You have been starving for seventeen days."

Ravina stiffened where she sat and looked up at Malachi. Was it that long? She often lost track of time.

Araminta took her son's arm and almost forced him to sit down. "Besides it is rude to leave a guest alone." She turned to Ravina. "I am sorry Ravina, but I'll have to leave you with my son for a while. Some important things came up that need my attention right now."

"It is alright," Ravina said understanding it all. She was trying to make things good between them. Not a bad intention. Just an impossible one.

Malachi did not like it at all but said nothing.

Once his mother left, he behaved as if Ravina wasn't there. He put food on his plate and began to eat. Ravina did the same but she poured herself some coffee first. Their coffee was like nothing she had tasted before. She thought she was in heaven for a moment. What was this?

"It is fermented and roasted in a special way." He said without looking her way as if he knew what she was thinking.

Ravina watched him eat as she sipped her coffee. He had good table manners. But what did he do to his face? It seemed like he got into a fight. He ate quickly and then stood up from his seat. Without glancing her way he just left.

So he wanted to ignore her? For how long, she wondered?

She ate breakfast alone, feeling more comfortable by herself, and then leaned back in her chair when she was full. She looked around the parlor. It was furnished and decorated in warm browns, beiges, and gold. There were vases with green plants on tables and shelves and near the windows. Some grew tall and were attached to the wall.

Ravina stood up and decided to look around. The floor was covered with a dark rich brown rug that felt smooth beneath her scarred feet. She walked to the shelf with decorations. She found embroideries, vases with beautiful paint, wood carved like different animals, and small houses. She picked up a carved horse. It was carved in such a way that it looked almost real.

"Do you like it?" Suddenly a male voice spoke.

Ravina turned to the door and stiffened when she realized it was one of Malachi's brothers. Not the one that almost broke her jaw. He walked across the distance with a gentle smile.

"I haven't had the chance to introduce myself. I am Aaron. The youngest of Malachi's brothers."

She nodded. "I am Ravina."

"I know." He said. "You are famous amongst our people."

"I am sure." She replied.

"Do you like horses?" He asked.

The question triggered old memories. She had detached herself from horses. She used to own one and after watching it die from burns she could not get herself attached to another.

"No." She replied. "Do you?"

"I love them. My whole family does."

How ironic, she thought.

"This one was carved by Malachi." He said nodding toward the curved horse in her hand.

"Well, I am sure your brother killed more horses than he has carved. Maybe it is his guilty conscience doing this splendid work." She said. "If he has one."

Aaron's smile widened, showing his pearl white teeth. What was funny?

"Guilt is indeed something he is very familiar with. You seem to know him well."

"I have studied him." She said.

His smile faded and his eyes narrowed. She didn't know why she was provoking him. It wouldn't help her situation.

"You must be very good at what you do if you learned about him in a few days of studying."

He was suggesting she didn't know him. She didn't argue against that.

"Do you want to go to the stable?" He asked.

Ravina became unsure if she could just leave. "Your mother brought me here."

"Don't worry. She will be busy for a while."

Was this some kind of trap? Was he taking her to dispose of her without his brother's knowledge?

"Alright." She said.