Touch of Flame

Chapter 326  The Gathering (3)

Darcy had been yearning to attend this gathering. Not out of a fondness for social events, but due to the torturous solitude at the castle, particularly the absence of Ephraim. The depth of her desire to see him was almost alarming. How she had missed him. As she made her entrance, her eyes instantly sought him out in the crowd.

Soon enough, her gaze locked with his smoky amber eyes. A wave of emotion swept over her at his sight. Had he always been this breathtaking, or had her longing for him accentuated his appeal? His gaze mirrored hers, holding her with an intensity that remained unbroken even as the dancers occasionally obscured her from view.

Ares approached to welcome them, pulling her attention momentarily away from Ephraim. Several guests registered the presence of the king and his entourage, their eyes widening with surprise and curiosity as Ares made the introductions.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her crew members, also impeccably dressed for the occasion. A silent wave was exchanged between them, acknowledging their shared excitement and the novelty of the experience.

Suddenly, a pair of hands clasped her arms. She turned around to find Ravina.

"Ravina," she said, enfolding her sister in a warm embrace, instantly sensing a distinct change in her. Stepping back, she studied Ravina more closely. There was something different about her and as she held her arms, her touch…her hands... seemed smoother. Looking down at her sister's hands, she saw faint remnants of scars that used to be more prominent.

Her eyes shot up to meet Ravina's, then dropped to her sister's neck, where the mark was unmistakable. "Ravina?" she whispered, guiding her sister to a secluded corner.

"I know," Ravina replied in a hushed tone. "It wasn't planned. Something happened." She hurried to explain.

Darcy's heart pounded with worry. "Were you hurt?"

"I am fine now," Ravina assured, casting a worried glance toward their father. "Is it that visible?"

Darcy shrugged. "You don't need to give him all the details," she suggested. "Especially if Malachi proposes swiftly."

"Yes, except they have no such customs. I am not even sure he knows," Ravina replied, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Have you two discussed... a union?"

Ravina nodded. "Yes, several times," she whispered again, not feeling as comfortable talking about it where everyone could hear. Darcy understood and asked nothing further. They would get the chance to talk later. "Anyway, now go to Ephraim. He has been waiting all evening."

Ravina took her by the arms and turned her around to face Ephraim who began walking toward them from across the room. Darcy couldn't help the smile that lit up her face, and as he neared, Ravina left her side.

Darcy fought the urge to just wrap her arms around him and hug him when he was close enough. As if feeling the same, he quietly reached for her hand and led her to the dance floor so he could pull her into his arms.

Ephraim's grip was secure, drawing her closer than the dance demanded, yet not fulfilling her deep yearning for closeness. His scent wafted towards her, tempting her to bury her face in his shoulder and breathe him in. She had truly missed him. When she raised her eyes to meet his, the amber hues of his eyes seemed to smolder like a fire amidst the smoke.

"I was suffocating slowly without you here," he confessed.

"Can you breathe now?" She asked with a smile.

"Now, the sight of you makes me hold my breath. I fear… I might do something to upset your father if I breathe you in." His response made her body alight.

It was clear in his eyes how he felt. The fire in them was potent and clear. He was usually in control, but now he seemed to teeter on the edge. And she was right there with him. The fear of crossing a line and upsetting her father amidst his court memebers lingered in her mind.

They continued their dance, reluctant to separate, their bodies entwined in a harmonious rhythm. As more couples joined them on the dance floor, the atmosphere grew lively and spirited.

Her father and Meredith swayed in time with the music, Andrew and his wife followed suit, as did Malachi and Ravina, and Ares and Nazneen. She spotted Captain Joseph twirling a dragon woman across the floor, and her crew members were not far behind, losing themselves in the joy of the dance, and so the night went on.

Now that the guests seemed capable of handling themselves, Ares took the opportunity to intertwine business with the ongoing revelry. He approached Aletta, who appeared to be torn between enjoying the company of the dragon men and the humans. She seemed to be assessing them, as if determining who would be the most satisfying company.

As Ares drew near, she turned, her eyes narrowing slightly in his direction. "Are you enjoying yourself?" He queried.

"I am indeed. However, I find myself in a dilemma. These dragons look like a splendid time in bed, but the humans, they seem like a delicious time in bed. I am unsure which I prefer." Her eyes traveled over him, taking his form with a leisurely sweep. "A combination of both would be best."

Ares recalled the way some Marozaks had looked at him during his underwater visit. Being half-human, he was also half a meal in their eyes. Nazneen would certainly love to hear that, he mused sarcastically.

"I would suggest having both, but I am certain they wouldn't appreciate each other's company. Perhaps if you used your compulsion ability, you could make them more... cooperative."

She let out a chuckle at his suggestion. "Indeed."

"I thought we could talk more privately," Ares proposed, extending his hand invitingly toward her.

Ares expected Aletta to raise an objection or voice a warning about Nazneen, as was her habit. Instead, she slipped her hand into his without question, rising to follow him. It was only once they had walked some distance down the hall that she began to question him.

"I am not sure we should go this far. Won't your lady mind?"

"I doubt you're afraid of her," he responded, trying to probe her for more information.

"Not for myself. I'm more concerned about you."

He couldn't help but smile. "And why is it that you help and worry?"

"I've simply grown fond of you," she replied with an air of nonchalance. "It happens."

"What happens?"

"Liking someone unusual for a while. It fades over time."

Someone unusual?

"I… will take that as a compliment," he said.

As he guided her to a room, she hesitated further. He appreciated that she wasn't the type to insinuate herself between a man and his partner. After all she was the only one of her kind he knew, and would like to keep a friendly connection with her.

She tugged at his hand as he began to open the door. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere we can converse away from prying eyes and ears."

Pushing the door open, he ushered her into the room. She was on the verge of voicing another question when her gaze landed on Nazneen, who was lounging casually on one of the sofas. Nazneen looked up at their entrance and rose to her feet.

"What took you so long?" She questioned, striding towards them.

"What is going on?" Aletta asked, her eyes darting between the two of them.

Nazneen's lips curled into a knowing smile as she moved to stand beside Ares, her hand tracing a leisurely path down his arm. "I thought we could share him," she suggested, casting a glance at Aletta.