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Malachi was on his way home, as usual feeling a mix of dread and anticipation to see Ravina. She had surprised him many times these last few days, by playing along with his flirting game but also coming to his defense at the breakfast table. She had also overall been a little more agreeable but far more with his brother. He could no longer say that she was just her behavior. It was her behavior toward HIM. She was not as comfortable with him.

Once he reached home, he went upstairs and felt followed her scent to her room. He sensed the presence of someone else and once he arrived here found her sleeping on Georgia’s lap.

Malachi was surprised. She was sleeping peacefully in on her lap and Georgia was stroking her hair gently.

Malachi stepped inside and Georgia looked his way. “What happened?” He asked.

“Nothing,” she smiled gently. “She is just tired. She took care of patients today.”

“Patients?” He walked further in, his eyes glued on Ravina’s peaceful expression.

“Yes. You know how we have grown to become sick. She knows more than our physicians.”

With a frown, he sat on the chair at the table near the window.

“They let her treat them?”

“Yes. They were reluctant but I told them how she treated Nelli and she is a natural.” She looked down at her, stroking her so tenderly. “She is very strong. I don’t know how she does this. Having lost everything at such a young age and now being away from home, in a foreign land among the people who killed her family.”

Malachi felt his heart tighten a little. He remembered her father, a good-natured man and he could see how much she resembled him. How much she looked up to him and respected him. There was admiration in her voice and pride whenever she spoke about him. He could understand why.

“And she does not find any rest. She must be exhausted. Lonely.” She looked at him again. “Can’t you see that, Malachi?”

He looked into his cousin’s eyes. Her kind eyes were pleading. Asking, but he could not bring himself to answer.

“And now she has to endure being called the other woman.”

He stiffened.

“You are supposed to teach her the values of and to respect the breedmate bond but when you are disrespecting and humiliating your own breedmate how do you expect her to show the bond any respect?” Her tone remained soft as she asked him, yet her question was like a slap on the face.

“I understand your position is difficult but there are certain lines you should not cross if you want to build a good relationship with her. But if you just want to have her like the other woman then…” she shrugged. “I understand. The pressure is high. You want to protect us all. I will just ask you to challenge yourself. Is your breedmate worth fighting for? If the answer is yes, I am sure you will find ways to make things work.”

The answer was already sealed. Even if he fought his instinct, he could not fight what he had learned about her. What he knew of her.

“The way things are working right now are not efficient anyway.” She gently removed herself and placed a pillow under Ravina instead. Then she took the blankets and covered her.

“You know Malachi. I don’t pity you. I am happy for you.” She turned to him. “I think she is worth fighting for and I think you deserve her. I would say just like she wants to benefit from you, benefit from her. I think she would help you a lot if you bring her to your side. Not the opposite.”

Malachi looked back at Ravina and watched her curled fragile body that did not match her strong persona.

“Anyway, I must go now,” she said walking toward the door. Malachi stood up and followed her to the front door. She turned to him before leaving, putting her hand on his arm. “Take care of yourself and know you are not alone.”

“Thank you.” He said giving her a sideway hug. He opened the door for her and bid her goodbye.

He went back to Ravina’s room. She had turned in bed, her head resting at the edge of the pillow and she had pushed the blankets aside. The weather had been warm today so he could understand.

Malachi couldn’t help himself to go sit beside her. He reached for her pale her that looked beautiful despite the lack of color. It was soft in his fingers and smelled of jasmine. He released her locks, not wanting to wake her up. Her nightmares, her loss, he had contributed to all of it. He knew exactly why she was cold to him and deep down, it was one of the reasons he distanced himself. She would never see him in a good light. God, even he didn’t.

He sighed as he stood up and went to dim the lights when a drawing on the dresser caught his attention. He reached for the paper, and picking it up he looked at the drawing. It was the beautiful view from the temple. The mountains and the sunrise.

She was not bad. She could draw as well. With a smile, he put it aside and noticed the paper beneath. An eye grabbed his attention. He pushed aside the other paper to look at the set of eyes. He recognized them. They belonged to him. Her future husband.

Being someone who knew a lot about drawing he could tell she had drawn it with care. And sorrow. His eyes looked sad. She was also sad as she drew it. A bit angry. A little more frustrated and mostly hopeless. Malachi could tell the man meant something more to her. It was not just heated between them.

A sting of jealousy chafed his heart sorely. He wondered what this man had done to have her still think of him. Putting the papers back the way they were he whirled to see her. She shivered slightly so he guessed she was cold now. He went to cover her up again and as he put the blanket on her, she turned on her back and opened her eyes. Her blue, still dazed gaze fell on him.

She made a low sigh as her eyes closed for a brief moment. “Malachi,” she moaned softly and stirred all his nerves awake.

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Bonus dedicated to Onix_rain25 and Marianne. Thank you for the gifts <3