Ravina kept her eyes shut the whole time hoping for the flight to end soon. It ended with her crash landing. The beast decided to let go of her when she was still high off the ground to land safely and she fell rolling on the grovel. She scratched her hands and arms.

Oh well. The torture began she thought as she got up to her feet. Clearly, this dragon didn’t know she reveled in physical pain. She dusted herself off as he took a turn and landed while shifting back to his human form. Seeing him shift back wearing a pair of trousers made her swiftly think of dragons being magical creatures but she couldn’t ponder further when his dark eyes settled on her.

“My apologies,” he said stepping closer. “I forgot you were human for a moment and can’t land gracefully.”

She ignored him, suddenly thinking back of Ares. Oh, God! Was he dead? What would her uncle do to him? He had risked his life to help her with her mission and now she freed this beast and sacrificed him.

And her uncle and Ester… Sudden pain stabbed her in the chest.

Ravina looked back at the prisoner feeling her hatred for him grow. She missed her chance to be with Ares, to give herself to him, and on top of that, she put him in a very difficult situation. She didn’t get the chance to say a proper goodbye to anyone or prepare herself to face her enemy.

Malachi stepped closer, his skin healing slowly. Ares really went all the way using explosives to release him from the chains. Some guards probably died and others got injured in the process while Malachi came with little injurie because fire was not the way to hurt dragons.

Her uncle. Was he alright?

“You are worried for your future husband.” He began. “You sacrificed him and he sacrificed you so… he is not your future husband anymore.” He smirked. “What a tragic love story. Let me guess. It is to save humankind and use yourself against me?”

“Yes.”

“You think it will work?”

“Well, you brought me here.”

“I did.” He tilted his head as if curious. “I am just curious how long you will survive with me.”

She smiled slowly. “If I die, I will find peace and you will suffer. I win either way.”

He laughed. “Oh, princess. You rely too much on your books. I will show you some reality.”

She shrugged. “I am here to see your reality. I will keep an open mind.”

He smirked. “Good. You don’t want to waste your futu…well, not anymore but you don’t want to waste his death.”

She glared at him. “It must hurt your pride that he freed you of all people, almighty Malachi.”

His smirk turned into one of contempt. “Well, the price was his future bride. I am sure something is hurting him too.”

Oh, Ares. She put him through so much. The pain in his eyes right before she left.

Malachi watched her in silence while she was in emotional turmoil. Then he just turned around and walked away.

Ravina stood frozen not knowing what to do. Where was he going? She looked ahead at the wooden houses and beautiful mansions standing beautifully coordinated on the green fields and hills ahead.

Malachi stopped and looked back when she didn’t move. “Are you coming, princess? Did you not plan your own abduction?”

With heart-pounding she followed him. She stayed a few steps behind as they walked down a hill and arrived near the houses. It was like a very small heavenly village but her eyes didn’t get the chance to marvel a little more before dark-skinned people, and dragons began to come out of their homes and gather outside.

Her heart raced in fear. It was time soon. To face her enemies in pack. She slowed down her pace and as she met a few dark hateful gazes she slowed down even more.

“Uncle!” A little girl and a boy came running to him and he picked them easily with a chuckle. He placed a kiss on their cheeks. “Where have you been?” They asked him.

“I was on a trip.” He told them, and put them down. A woman who looked a bit like him stepped from behind the crowd.

“Malachi!”

“Mother.”

Mother?

The woman looked too young to be his mother but then Ravina remembered dragons lived for thousands of years. The woman stared calmly at her son, her eyes looking peaceful but her stance was strong and powerful. Malachi went and kissed her hand. Four males appeared from behind her, some of them resembling her and others resembling Malachi. They stood beside her, two on each side.

His brothers?

“I see you brought a guest.” One of the males spoke.

Malachi looked back at her. “Yes. This is princess Ravina.”

The whole crowd now stared with wide eyes before they watched her with more hostility.

One of his brothers stepped forward, watching her with disgust. “Oh brother, I was beginning to lose hope when you didn’t come back but you brought a perfect present.” He eyed her as if thinking of what to do with her.

Ravina looked at Malachi and he looked back at her with pity.

“Did you destroy her inventions?” They spoke about her as if she wasn’t there.

“No. You have the inventor now.”

His brother sighed as he cast a glance her way. “Then we should keep her alive until we get hold of the inventions.” His brother said.

It seemed as if Malachi had no intention of telling them that she was his breedmate. Of course, it wouldn’t be so easy.

“Kayla! Brenna!” Two women stepped forward. His brother gave a nod and they came to take her. Ravina pushed away the first one who tried to grab her arm and the second one quickly yanked her head back by grabbing a handful of her hair. “Don’t fight yet human or it will hurt.” She told her and then threw her forward.

Ravina fell on her hands and knees right in front of Malachi and his brother’s feet. The woman grabbed her by the hair again and pulled her up. Ravina’s eyes met Malachi’s resentful ones before the woman yanked her aside.

“Let go! I am his breedmate!” Ravina called.

The woman froze but didn’t let go of her hair. Ravina felt the eerie silence that followed her statement.

The woman turned back to Malachi still holding onto her hair. “Malachi?”

They all looked at him, waiting for his answer. His mother stepped forward, looking a bit concerned. She looked at her son, but Malachi was glaring at her.

“Malachi?” His mother placed her hand on his arm.

Malachi didn’t tear his gaze away from Ravina. Now he watched her with revulsion. “Yes. She is my breedmate.”