Page 124 of Heiress of Fire

This is all she could do for now. Sit, watch, and wait. Anxiety was eating away at her youth as she painstakingly waited for Raven’s next attack. After spending most of her day probing her memories of each encounter, each battle, and each passage on Raven, she’d head into the training room to release her stress of powerlessness.

Irritation itched her brain as she spotted a familiar blonde-haired girl walk into Castellum from Mistral.

Davina jumped off the top of the wall and succeeded in startling Ashira. A loud screech echoed from her lips as she raised her hands to cover herself from any impact. Davina’s lips remained in a thin line as she watched intently how Ashira recollected herself, her hands behind her back.

“Sorry, miss, you startled me.” Ashira gulped as she fixed her baby blue skirt. “Chief Leader Isaiah sent me to give you this.”

A page wrapped in a red ribbon in her hands. Davina snatched the small piece of vellum from Ashira’s fingertips and unrolled it.

Meet me by Somerlane Lake, now.

No. Did he know? Did he find out? What was he planning?

Davina nodded to Ashira, silently dismissing her.

Grimacing, she headed to Auris Island and straight to Somerlane Lake. The same lake where she almost had her first kiss with Ron, where their relationship went downhill, and the same place where she was pieced back together by him. She feared for what could be waiting for her once she arrived to meet Isaiah.

Recently, he was becoming more passive-aggressive, angrier; more resentful toward Ron. Davina remembered the moment in which Ron beat him in their training duel and how Isaiah lost his calm. Isaiah was not one to lose control of his emotions. Davina was aware that he was someone who valued his pride and reputation, but she’d never imagined he’d become belligerent.

The entire stroll to Auris Island and into Somerlane Lake, she was shivering. A usual effect that spread across her body whenever she was nervous. Davina chuckled at the contradiction of her powers and the cold that dived into her blood whenever she felt fear.

As she approached the tall bushes that surrounded the entrance, she was able to find bright purple geraniums spilled over the green grass. Davina froze by the entrance. She used the shrubs beside her to remain balanced on her feet.

Under the willow tree, Isaiah stood. A bouquet of lilac peonies and lavender wrapped in a pearl ribbon in his hands. A crooked smile held over his lips. He was dressed in his Chief Leader uniform and his hair was perfectly set. Davina was quiet as she pushed her feet to take her to Isaiah.

Her dirty black boots stained the flowers that created a pathway toward him. She slightly stomped on the flowers that he scattered across her precious valley. A garden in which she shared beautiful memories with the man that she truly loved. Davina’s heart quickened at the realization.

It must be love.

She thought herself a freak because a simple infatuation would bother her day and night, in those twelve months that they were separated from one another. No contact, no conversation, no acts of service; only arguments, resentment, and fights. All because they were both frustrated because of the distance that was between them.

Davina loved Ron.

Ron loved Davina.

This lake, this garden, and this tree belonged to her and Ron. This place represented the beauty of their relationship. This place did not belong to Isaiah and Davina. A bit of anger rose in her chest, but she had to remain serene if she wanted to put a good end to her relationship with Isaiah.

There wouldn’t be a problem with trying to end this engagement formally. “Communication was key”, or so she heard others say.

“Isaiah—” she began.

Wind breezed through her curly hair.

Isaiah reached for her left hand and looked down at it, softly grazing her ring finger. His eyes reached hers.

“From the moment I saw you I was captivated. For months, I observed you. I watched how compassionate you were with those who hurt you. I was amazed by your ability of goodness, and I realized that was exactly who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. At first, I felt discouraged because I saw you were infatuated with someone else. But I was perseverant, and King Magnar let me have you. He let me be a part of your life.” Isaiah bent down on one knee. Her heartbeat quickened even more. “I knew in just a matter of weeks that you were meant to be mine and that I could not be happy with anyone else. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone else. And I don’t want to lose the warrior woman that you are.”

Davina was now heaving. As much as she knew that Isaiah would understand, she still felt nervous. Hopefully, he wouldn’t spiral the way Ron had. Hopefully, he would become a stronger man and could find a woman that truly loved him.

“Will you make me the happiest man of Bellatorm and marry me, Davina?” he asked with a bright gaze.

She gulped. This was her chance, to be honest. It would be wrong of her to come up with another excuse to avoid their matrimonial union, to continue being his betrothed, and above all, to marry him when her heart was truly set on another. Valerie was right.

Despite his minimal changes, no one deserved to be lied to the way that she had been to him this entire time.

Her hesitance to accept his proposal turned his smile into a frown, she gulped with anxiety. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

He stood up without letting go of her hands.

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