Page 103 of Heiress of Fire

As he pulled away, he ruffled her hair. She pushed his heavy arm off of her with a wide smile. Cara held onto her tightly almost immediately.

Snow approached her with a beautiful yet emotionless expression, lifting her hand as Davina watched her intently. A large and pointy snowflake in her hand.

“I am grateful for your life.” It must’ve been the nicest thing Snow had ever said to her, but she still said it with her usual icy voice. “I hope, that one day, my snowflake will be of use to you as you fight our wars.”

That was all she said before walking away. The sharp snowflake felt like it was more than just a birthday gift. It seemed like a token of gratitude. Gratitude for embracing her role as Captain.

She didn’t believe herself worthy of others being grateful to her because of her duty. She saw it as an obligation to protect those of Bellatorm, an obligation she was able to share with her friends who stood around the kitchen, conversing with one another. Davina watched her white-haired friend walk into the hallway.

But that was when her eyes reached Ron with messy hair and his usual dark blue clothing.

He was here and he was staring at her. His eyes were still bloodshot. Probably from all the alcohol he had consumed earlier that night. Other than the fact that he was stupidly drunk, he was staring at her with such a horrible void. An oblivion of hatred.

For some reason, as he stood there in her kitchen, she was overwhelmed by a deep rage for him. He had chosen his contempt over his love for their country. He had chosen to desert the King’s calling for him to be an Island Protector, so why was he here with them, celebrating her life? How dare he show up at her birthday party and ruin the walls she had so effortfully built?

“Who invited you?” She hadn’t meant to ask so harshly, nor for everyone to hear. Everyone turned to find Davina and Ron staring at one another.

He was here and he was drunk. And she was able to infer that he wasn’t planning on playing nice despite his secret infatuation for her.

The room fell silent.

He clenched his jaw as he glanced at the others. Davina ignored their wide-eyed stares as she let Ron read the anger on her face. Beacon cleared his throat.

“Let’s start with the traditional song so we can finally dive into the cake Leilani made for you,” Valerie interceded.

Davina pictured the tapers above her cake igniting. Purple flames violently lit the candles that surrounded the three layers of the cake, as she continued staring at Ron.

“Thank you, Lani, for the cake. Although, I doubt it’s any better than the ones I make,” Davina said before giving her best friend one of her sweetest smiles.

“Shush your mouth and appreciate my gifts.” Leilani squinted her eyes threateningly.

They began to sing and chant, except for Ron. Davina laughed as she watched the others clap and sing for her.

While she scanned her group of friends, she found Ron’s gaze. She didn’t know whether what she was seeing was true, but she saw him hesitate.

He gulped.

Davina blew out her candles while simultaneously watching him rush out of the kitchen from the corner of her eye.

TWENTY-NINE

Ron slammed the lime-hued door behind him.

What was he thinking, coming over here in this state? His vision blurred as he watched the trees move with the breeze.

The breeze was picking up and turning into stronger winds. He breathed in, only for him to feel his lungs burning violently. He felt like he was drowning in his depression.

She didn’t care. She never cared. She’s a liar. She’s a hypocrite.

His world spun as he fought to balance himself.

Ron put his hand over his chest as he groaned. The pain seemed to have remained since the moment she had walked out of his life; a misery he wished would come to an end, a sadness that ran too deep for the alcohol to reach.

Not even the women he’d met since their breakup had been as wonderful as she. How he wished he dared to speak to her a few moments ago. Perhaps she’d gift him an embrace for just a few seconds. He would’ve been able to smell the hibiscus scent of her curls. Perhaps maybe even have a little drop of the euphoric past that they shared.

Sharp blue and red lights passed through his vision as he stumbled down the path. Ron could hear branches snapping behind him. He ignored the noise as he was sure it was his own heavy feet that caused the twigs to snap. Just like his own rotten heart.

He breathed in heavily as darkness covered his already blurry vision. He panted against the mask. His hands were now bound as he thrashed against the force of the person holding onto him.

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