Touch of Flame

Malachi was really trying to find something about Zoila to like. Besides her beauty, there was nothing he could hold onto. But what other choice did he really have? He had his people and his kingdom to care about.

Zoila got distracted while talking and looked inside through the window. Malachi looked over his shoulder to see and saw a green garment from the corner of his eyes.

There was a knock on the glass door and he turned the other way to look behind him. Ravina opened the door and stepped into the balcony. What was she doing?

"Malachi..." she looked between him and Zoila, subtly signaling that she wanted to talk to him.

"Oh... I will leave you two alone," Zoila said rising from her seat.

"Thank you," Ravina gave her a nod as Zoila walked by.

Holding a plate with one hand she closed the door with the other when Zoila went back inside the house.

What was going on?

Ravina walked past him and came to sit beside him on the bench. She placed the plate with delicacies on the table and then just straight

Malachi turned to her, sitting sideways on the bench, with one leg bent and his arm laid across on the backrest. He waited for her to say something, watching her jaw clench and her nails almost dug into her skirt before she folded her fingers.

"Why are you here?"

She turned her head, her blue eyes piercing into his. They were so intense. "To feed you." She said.

He looked over at the delicacies. "Really?"

"Yes. I came to feed your pride." She said.

He smiled. God. Did he actually miss this? He ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck feeling as if he lost his mind. What was happening to him? He looked at her again and she watched him confused by his smile.

"You must enjoy having two ladies," she said.

He just watched her, allowing his arm to fall on the backrest again, his hand landing right behind her back where he could feel her hair. He wanted to grab her by the hair so badly that he gripped the backrest instead.

She noticed the way he watched her and looked away anxiously.

"I am enjoying myself," he replied.

"I wonder... who is more natural. You or Zoila?"

He smirked. "Why are you insulting my future queen? You should learn a few things from her."

She leaned back and turned him. "You want me to act like her?"

No. "Why not?"

She surprised him by gliding a little closer. "You want me to smile and bat my eyelashes for you, King Malachi." She said batting her eyelashes.

He held back his smile. "You could try."

"Do I need to try?" She wondered, staring into his eyes and right into his soul. It was as if she could see through him.

"Probably. You should try everything so you don't miss your chance in case you have one."

"Now you are manipulating?"

"I am just using all my resources." He smirked.

"It is useless. You will not win, King Malachi." She almost whispered, innocently.

The smile faded away from his face and he didn't know what came over him. His arm came around her waist from behind and he pulled her against him. She gasped when her shoulder collided with his chest.

***

"What are you...?" He grabbed her jaw before she could finish her question. Not hard but firm enough and brought his lips close to her ear.

"Then do you want me to lose?" He asked.

Ravina remained still suddenly aware of everything. She knew people could be watching from behind, yet he held her so close. She could feel his bare chest against her shoulder, his fingers were imprinted on the side of her waist where no man had ever touched her before and his hot breath fanned her ear and the side of her face.

"If you win, do you know what that means?" He asked still speaking near her ear. His fingers eased around her jaw and slowly slid down.

Her heart became erratic as he traced her throat, his fingers gliding lazily over her skin. "Do you know what it means, Ravina?" He repeated.

She knew. He was showing her. His other hand brushed across her lower back, before gliding up her back. She arched away from his touch, feeling heat prickle down her spine.

She shivered.

"Can you handle it?" he asked, his lips brushing her ear. "I am a sour loser. If you make me lose, I am going to make you pay, princess. Or beg."

Her heart stopped. What did he mean? "Why?" She breathed.

"What do you mean?"

"You can't make me pay or beg if I am willing. I know what comes with being your queen." She spoke fast, panicking.

He was quiet for a moment and then laughed. He pulled her closer, his fingers digging into the side of her waist again. "I am going to make you beg for more princess. That is what I am talking about."

Her face flushed and she pushed herself away. "That is not going to happen." She said.

"Of course not." He smirked. "Because I won't lose, although a little part of me is...hoping for it. I want to hear 'please' from your lips."

"That will only happen in your dreams."

"And if my dreams come true." He shrugged.

She scoffed. "You will beg Malachi. Not I." She promised.

"No. Because I only need to lose. Right?" He raised a brow.

She nodded. "Alright. My begging comes after you lose anyway."

His gaze darkened. "Now I don't know what to look forward to. Winning or losing."

Now she didn't know what she feared the most. Winning or losing.

He smiled knowingly. "You are still innocent," he said as if realizing.

She blinked confused at first and then realized he thought she did the deed with Ares. Then what exposed her now?

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Bonus chapter dedicated to my supergifter DespinaNY. Thank you <3