Touch of Flame



After a night of short but warm sleep, Nazneen carefully tried to get out of Ares's arms. He stirred and drew her closer again, and she waited until he fell back into sleep to try to sneak out. 

Nazneen began to prepare for her day as a queen, even if she didn't want to leave his side. But she was beginning to see things differently. She wanted to settle down one day, have peace and a normal life with Ares, and for that to happen, she would have to work harder today. 

She was also enjoying her position, which she never thought she would. She was meeting interesting people, having fun, chatting, and solving problems. She felt alive again, living with a purpose brought a different meaning and flavor to her life. 

After washing up, she went to find her clothes in the drawers. She had brought with her clothes since she would be staying here at night for a while, and there was no way she was wearing those terribly complicated dresses. 

She picked up a black top and skirt, and when she turned around, she found Ares awake. He lay on his stomach with his head on the opposite end of the bed. His muscular arms were crossed beneath his head, drawing attention to the contours of his back and shoulders.

A soft smile curved his lips as his eyes met hers. "Good morning," he said in a deep, gravelly voice that was still laced with sleep. 

Oh. Her body responded to the huskiness of his tone. She wanted to get back in bed and ignore her duties. 

"Good morning," she replied.

"Are you leaving already?" 

"Yes," she replied, putting the clothes on the dresser to start changing. She reached for the straps on her back. 

Ares pushed himself up on his elbows and said, "Come here. Let me help you." 

Nazneen stood at the end of the bed, her back to Ares, feeling the heat radiating from his body as he rose to his knees behind her. She turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of his toned arms and shoulder as he reached for her. He gently removed her long hair from her back, tossing it over her shoulder then he reached for the straps on the back of her top. 

He was swift with it and soon had it undone, the top falling off her shoulders and revealing her bare chest. Before she could move, Ares' arms came around her and his hands found their way to her breasts, cupping them from behind. 

Nazneen let out a gasp of surprise. "Ah, Ares! How subtle!" 

Ares chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest and against her back. "Oh, you want it firmer? He said as his hands began to massage her mounds. 

Nazneen's mind became clouded with desire and she struggled to form coherent thoughts. "You know that is not what I meant." She breathed as she leaned back against him. 

"I thought you preferred to skip the foreplay and get straight to the main course," Ares said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

He lowered his head to her neck, kissing and nipping at her skin while his hands continued to knead her breasts. Nazneen moaned in pleasure, her head falling back against his shoulder as his fingers flicked and tugged at the sensitive peaks. 

"Ares… I can't now," she pleaded, as heat pooled to her core and her body trembled with desire.

Ares' hands slowed their movements, but he didn't remove them from her body. Instead, he placed a series of hot, open-mouthed kisses along the nape of her neck and down her spine,  sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her body.

"I know. But I thought I would help you undress," he said, his hands trailing down to her stomach and then coming to the waistband of her skirt. 

He undid the straps on each side, as he continued to kiss and nuzzle her back. Then he hooked his fingers under the fabric and slowly began to peel it down, exposing the curve of her hips and the swell of her buttocks. 

"Beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky with desire as he turned her around. 

Ares grasped her buttocks, his fingers kneading the soft flesh as he leaned in to kiss her, his lips kissing up her stomach, leaving a hot, wet trail along her skin, until they reached the valley between her breasts. There, he paused to nuzzle and nip at her flesh, causing her to arch her back and let out a soft moan of pleasure.

Nazneen's head fell back, her fingers tangling in his hair. She then chuckled at the thought of having to stop him. She pulled him gently by the hair. "I need to get dressed, Captain." She said, looking down at him.

"But I am dressing you." He smiled mischievously. "With kisses." 

He tried to kiss her again, but she pulled his hair a little harder, keeping his mouth away from her skin. "Then shall I go back only dressed in your kisses?" 

Ares chuckled at her suggestion. "That could work, but I think you'll need many more kisses for decent coverage." He pulled her in this time, continuing to pepper her chest with playful kisses.

"Ah, Ares stop!" She chuckled as he pulled her down. "I really need to go." 

"Alright," he said, pretending to be disappointed. He helped her get up on her feet again. "Let's cover up this tempting body." He said picking up the top. 

He turned it back and forth with a frown that almost made her laugh. "I don't know what this is supposed to cover," he muttered. 

"Open it at the front," she pointed out to show him.

He followed her instructions and then helped her slide it through her arms before bringing the ties together at the front. Then he helped her put on her underskirt, and the one above. 

"Thank you," she smiled. "I need to go now." 

"No jewelry?" 

"I didn't bring any." 

"Well then," he said, stepping out of bed. He ran his fingers through his hair to smooth the ruffled strands. "We need to arrange some for you." 

"You have jewelry lying around?" 

"I was a pirate." He reminded, as he crossed the distance between them. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "Can't you see that I like collecting treasures?" 

"Hmm..." she smiled. "And I thought I was your only treasure." 

"No. But you are my most valuable and cherished treasure," he replied.

"Can I trust the words of a pirate," she asked playfully, placing her arms on his shoulders. 

"Ah, but you forget, I have already given up the life of a pirate. What greater treasure could there be than the one in my possession already?" he said with a grin, his hand trailing down her back.

Nazneen chuckled, admiring his quick wit. Then, with a soft sigh and a smile, she looked into his eyes, feeling the warmth emanating from them. "As much as I would love to stay, I have to go," she whispered. "I'll accept the jewels tonight, and… perhaps I'll be dressed in them only."

His gaze darkened and smoldered. "Until tonight, then," he said.

Nazneen left him with a smile and a shiver of excitement. He went out into the cool morning breeze and flew back to her kingdom. Tenzin met her outside, and together they went to prepare for the first court meeting with the newly selected court members. 

Noah had helped her through the rest of the process while Ares was gone. She had gotten the chance to talk to them one by one, a little closer to know their faces, and she had selected Sylas to be one of her top advisers. He had scored very high in the tests, but Nazneen wanted to keep him close for other reasons. Mostly because she felt it was better to have him close under her watch than far away and resentful. 

Sylas arrived early in the courtroom, and as always, his presence sent chills down her spine. He always wore a hint of a knowing smile, and he greeted her with that same smile this morning. "Good morning." 

"Good morning," Nazneen replied. 

"Are you nervous for your first court meeting?" He asked. 

"No." 

He walked around the long table with long strides. "I am to be your adviser, so a little honesty would be good." 

"I am fine," she said as she sat down. They both regarded each other for a long moment. "Are you married yet?" She asked him. 

"No," he said, raising a brow at her question. 

"You have no plans to?" 

He chuckled. "You are suddenly interested in my personal life." 

"I think finding the one changes you, and you could use a change to stop interfering in other people's business." 

"It is difficult to settle when you can see certain parts of the future." He admitted. 

She wasn't sure why that would be difficult unless he saw his death or a coming betrayal. "And this is the future you saw for me?" She asked skeptically. 

"Partly," he replied. 

"What about Ares?"

"What about him?" 

"You know he is dying. You were the one who told him. Why would you?" She wondered. 

"It is what he came to me for," he replied. 

She shook her head. "It seems to me you are enjoying my misery still." 

"Enjoying your misery was never my intention, Nazneen," Sylas said, his voice tinged with gravity. "I informed Ares of his condition because he sought answers, and I provided them. As a seer, it is my duty if I am paid for it. You know how it works."

Nazneen studied Sylas's face, looking for any sign of deceit. "Well, as my adviser, your duty is to help me find a way to save him. "

He chuckled. "That is a personal matter and has nothing to do with your rule." 

"It has if I plan to make him king and so you will serve him too." 

"I ssseee…" he hissed. "Well, there are a few ways, but the price is very high. I have presented the options to Ares. You should ask him. Then let me know which one you would like to proceed with." 

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