Ephraim had been impressed by many times before by Darcy's strength and resilience, and her sister was similar in many ways. She was more brief and to the point. Stoic in many ways. He was glad to see that she was a sister Darcy could rely on. Not meek or frail.
She was very good at hiding what she felt. He could tell from the moment he gave her his handkerchief that it was a mistake. He had already smelled her scent and he was still struggling with this new knowledge. He should have expected something, knowing that they are twins. The fact that she was at the end of her fertile days, didn't help block the scent at all and it was highly disturbing.
But then, he just had to look at her face, and the scent would fade into the background, knowing this wasn't Darcy. Darcy was all affected by him like he was by her. Her gaze would be soft and full of love as she looked at him. Her smile was slightly coy but joyful, and her cheeks would have a hint of flushing in his presence. Her heart would change rhythm at least once while spending time together, and even her breath would carry unspoken words.
All of that were things he would respond to in turn and while Ravina's scent awakened his senses, SHE did not make his heart flutter or his soul yearn.
They arrived at a bench in the garden and sat down. She let out a sigh, closed her eyes and tilted her head back to allow the warm sunrays to fall onto her skin. Ephraim enjoyed the morning sun and the quiet as well.
"Ares gave me your book, with the ancient language?" She began.
"Did it help?"
"I studied what I can, but I haven't tried yet."
He nodded, and she opened her eyes and turned to him. "How could you know about your mother? It is only the priests that know or... any other creature that can look into the future or past from my understanding."
"I am partly that creature," he replied. "My mother had the ability to use magic."
"Oh.."
"The danger is if it becomes common knowledge what tamer truly means. Dragons will then hunt all human breedmates knowing that among them will be a tamer." He explained.
Ravina frowned.
"What people know about tamers is now false. Dragons just use the word sometimes to describe a human breedmate whose dragon mate has more humane." He told her.
She smiled with a nod.
"But with the ancient language, people are going to know something isn't right. They already suspect Ares."
"Of witchcraft?" He raised a brow.
That was exactly what a few of Malachi's brothers suspected.
"So, the ancient language, it is possible that I can't use it."
"Yes. I don't know why some can and others not. My guess is that you need to have additional magical elements that make it possible to use the language of the magical creatures against them."
"What makes you think so?" She wondered. "Do you suspect Ares to be like your mother?"
That would explain his healed leg.
"No. He could be anything." He replied.
Ravina became thoughtful. Anything but still something with magic. Wouldn't he know?
Of course, he had to know!
"And he is keeping it a secret."
Ephraim smiled which surprised her. He knew? "I am sure by now you understand that not everything is safe out in the open."
Not safe? What could it be?
Ephraim could see Ravina's mind spinning. It would be better to let it go. The last thing they all needed was demons chasing them down, and there was no way to fight those who could manipulate minds.
Her gaze changed, and he felt a shift of discomfort where she sat. "I have to ask," she began, and he already knew she would talk about the scent. "I should ask my sister perhaps but if she doesn't feel it I don't want to make her uncomfortable, but do you..."
She couldn't really bring herself to say it so he made it easier for her. He didn't want this to be awkward. They would all be seeing each other often, and they would have to get used to it. "Yes, your scent." He said it casually.
"Why?" she wondered.
"You and your sister have the same bloodline and dragons select their breedmates based on compatibility for optimal reproduction outcomes."
"I understand," she said, nodding thoughtfully. "Malachi probably knows but Corinna will be confused." She frowned.
"I am sure Corinna will be least affected." She had just passed through her fertile days so her sensitivity was at its lowest while Ravina's was high.
Ravina looked at him questioningly, and he had no desire to talk fertility with her.
"It is a hierarchy. Malachi will be most affected, and then I will." Although, he would be the most affected now because of Ravina's state. Her scent was too strong, as if she was right under his nose. "Then you and your sister." He explained.
"Because you are dragons?"
"Yes."
"I am sorry," she said, and then stood up. If this scent thing was difficult for her, she could only imagine what it was for these men. "And thank you for the walk and the conversation."
"It was my pleasure."
She smiled. Despite the discomfort of the scent, he remained courteous. Knowing she was in her fertile days and Nazneen's "you reek" ringing in her ears, she didn't want to keep torturing the man. It was already embarrassing enough.
As she walked back inside, she went to look for Malachi, wondering where he had been all morning. Her steps slowed, just when she caught sight of him. He was... fully clothed.
Finding something to fit him was difficult she could tell. The clothes hugged his muscular body too tightly, and he was easing the collar with a look of discomfort as he spotted her.
"How do you tolerate this?" He said.
She chuckled, and he shook his head as he neared. Well, he didn't have a body to hide under all these clothes anyway, she thought with a shiver and he did not wait to unbutton the vest and tug at the shirt.
"Let me help you," she said, reaching to help him take off the jacket.
He didn't know what she would do and she liked it that way. She took off the vest and then told him to take off the shirt. Now he looked at her with a frown.
"I am not sure I should undress here."
"When did you ever care?" she asked as he still went on to take it off.
Now she put only the vest back on him before taking a step back to look. She nodded her approval. "Better."
There were some other women to approve as well clearly, as she heard hushed tones coming from behind. A few of Ares's maids stared as they passed by but the old maid that just came with a tray around the corner did not appreciate the nakedness.
"Oh lord!" She almost gasped and then averted her gaze, muttering prayers along the way as she left.
Ravina couldn't help but find the situation funny. If humans and dragons ever came together, the cultural clash would be immense.
"You want to cause disruption in Ares's home?" He asked.
"When did you care about him?"
He shrugged. "You are right. Keep going. I shall shed my pants next."
Ravina remembered him completely naked and what she did last and her face burned. Noticing her reaction, he raised a brow. "I guess I am stirring something else."
"Keep your pants on!"
He chuckled.
"Well, are you ready to meet my sister?" She asked.
"I have already met her."
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