Touch of Flame

Malachi left her alone with his mother who showed her to a privy room where she could wash up and change clothes. She gave her a new set of jewelry to match her clothes then she wanted to help brush her hair.

"I can do it." She said.

"It is alright. I like to do it. It reminds me of my daughter."

Daughter?

"You have a daughter?"

"Yes."

"I haven't seen her."

"She is dead."

"I am sorry," Ravina said although she didn't feel sorry at all. She was completely numb today.

Araminta just smiled and continued to comb her hair. Maybe Araminta was kind not only for her son but because this made her feel like a mother to a daughter again. Sadly, Ravina felt like she would find her sister happy somewhere else and not feel the need to stay in this world to take care of her.

She would leave eventually. She had endured enough. She was so exhausted and she wished to disappear so badly that she could straight stab herself right now with the pin Araminta was putting in her hair. For a moment she even imagined reaching for it.

"Thank you for taking care of Malachi yesterday," Araminta said.

Ugh. This was why she avoided people. These kinds of conversations made her uncomfortable. Nice small talks made her uncomfortable. Her brain had to think extra hard to reply and when too much time passed for a reply, she remained quiet.

"I am planting vegetables and fruits in the backyard. Would you like to help me?" She asked.

Ravina nodded.

Araminta took her to the backyard of her home which was just a short distance away from Malachi's home. She bandages her hands before allowing her to help. In her backyard, she had planted flowers, tomatoes, and strawberries and Ravina helped her pluck them and plant more.

They worked in silence and Ravina was grateful for that.

"Are you tired?" She asked when they had worked for a while.

"No," Ravina said.

"Can you cook?"

"No."

"Would you like to learn?"

"Yes."

Araminta smiled widely and Ravina wasn't sure why.

"Let's make tomato soup with these fresh tomatoes."

Ravina nodded.

When they were done, they washed their hands, and then Araminta showed her to the kitchen. She introduced Mia, the kitchen maid, and then went ahead to show her how to make tomato soup.

Ravina had to learn to cut tomatoes that slipped out of her fingers. "Oh, careful." Araminta chuckled. "Don't cut yourself."

Then she had to cut onions. They were even more slipper and burned her eyes.

"Oh dear, do you want me to take over?" Araminta asked when tears streamed down her eyes.

"No. I am fine." She said. It couldn't be that difficult. Mia was cutting them easily. Ravina watched her carefully and tried to imitate her. She cut one and failed. Took another one. Failed. A third. It was getting better and she kept going until Araminta stopped her.

"You are eager to learn." She smiled. "Maybe you can try tomorrow again. I think this will be enough for three days."

"Oh, I am sorry." She said.

Mia laughed at her. "You don't look like what you are." She said and Ravina wasn't sure what she meant. What did she look like and what was she?

Araminta began to cook the soup and showed her all the steps. What herbs and flavors to add and how long she should let it cook. She let her try to make her own with another pot and followed her steps.

"You are a fast learner." Araminta smiled.

"You haven't tasted it," Ravina said.

"Someone else will do the tasting. Let's serve it now."

Someone else?

Ravina helped serve the table and she realized they were serving many people. Would her sons be here?

"We usually eat lunch together. The whole family. If we are too busy then we have dinner together but it is usually lunch." Araminta explained.

Aaron and Joel were the first to arrive.

"Here you are. Ravina helped me cook today." She announced.

"That is kind," Aaron said taking a seat.

Joel went to sit beside him. "Let's hope it is not poisoned."

"Of course it is. Poison comes in different forms." Saul said as he arrived. "You are sure making her work, mother." He said and sat down.  "Aaron. Give me the bread!" He ordered.

Aaron stood up but Ravina was quicker than him. She took the basket of bread before he could take it. "I will help him." She told the youngest brother. Then she walked along the table and placed a piece of bread on Saul's plate.

"Could you give me water as well?" He said to annoy her.

"Of course," She said taking the pot of water, she poured it into his glass. "Do you need anything else?" She asked him.

"No." He said his eyes blazing with anger.

She ignored him and turned to Aaron. "Would you like some water?"

He looked up at her with a gentle smile. "Yes, thank you."

She poured him water and placed a piece of bread on his plate. Kenan arrived and looked around confused.

"We are being served by our new servant," Saul told him.

Kenan sat down without commenting.

"Saul, let's not behave like children." His mother told him. "Where is Mala.."

Before she could finish her sentence, Malachi walked into the room. He paused and looked around surprised. Then he went to sit on the short end of the table, across from Saul.

Suddenly the room felt crowded with these big males at the table. All of them with chests bare and taught muscles as if they had been doing labor work all day. This made her aware of what she wore, especially when Malachi glanced her way, allowing his gaze to sweep over her swiftly.

"Well Malachi, your breedmate has made us some food. It reminds me of something." Saul said.

Almost all of them stiffened. Ravina felt a sudden tension in the air.

__________

Bonus dedicated to my supergifters, Marianne33, Onix_Rain45, Ivette_M11, Needmorecoffee and Teresa_Gilbert_3969. Thank you for spoiling me <3.