Page 150 of Heiress of Fire

Davina sighed. Her eyelashes stuck together as she closed her eyes and leaned down, setting a soft and bittersweet kiss over his chapped lips.

With her eyes closed, she wished for another chance. Another opportunity to see his smile, to hug him, to kiss him, to hold him. To live a beautiful life with him.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Davina set her forehead over his.

“I love you,” she replied. “I always have and I always will.”

She hugged him, careful not to move him too much, setting her head near his shoulder. Her throat was clogged as more tears came. She wasn’t ready. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was supposed to enjoy his life, with his new powers. He was supposed to get out of this. They were supposed to say I love you only after the war had ended.

“Why couldn’t we have more time?” she cried into his chest.

She had come out alive out of the mountains. She had hope and had fought to get out of there so they could have another chance. He said that she would be his again. Because he had hope for their future.

But this is why she didn’t allow herself to have hope. And she never would again.

“I’m just happy that you let me be a part of your life even if it may have seemed short. Thank you, Vivi.”

Davina didn’t know what to say anymore. Her sobs were enough to portray the tragedy that she was living. But that was when she noticed that his breathing was slowing tremendously. Davina gasped and sat up.

“Ron?” she shook him. “Ron!”

He smiled before exhaling one last time. His chest no longer moved. Davina sobbed, putting one hand over her mouth to try to stop herself from screaming at the realization that he was no more.

“No, please,” she begged. “Ron, wake up!”

Ron didn’t move. His brown and gray eyes stared at the ceiling, completely lifeless.

“Wake up!” she yelled while slamming her fists against his chest. He didn’t move. He didn’t wake up to tell her that it was a joke, he didn’t laugh, he didn’t smile. And never again would he be able to.

She’d just received the hope of a future with him, only for it to have been forcefully taken away from her too soon. Now she was able to understand the many arguments he caused for her to stay away from battle because now it was her that was wishing he never fought in this war.

Davina slowly leaned down, leaving one more kiss on his lips as she wept, then set her hand over his eyes and closed them. The King’s words resounded in her mind.

Strong like death is love.

Her fingers grazed his pale yet beautiful face.

Davina could feel Raven shifting her feet from outside of the ring of fire. Raven was right there, unarmed, and unprotected. This was her chance. She sniffed as she slowly, and reluctantly, untangled herself from his embrace. If she couldn’t experience him for the rest of her days, then she would make sure to avenge his death.

He was so full of aspiration. So full of dreams. So full of love.

Now it was all destroyed. All because of a sick game of persuasion.

She looked at Raven, her pupils filled with tears of rage. Raven shuffled her feet with clear awkwardness, yet her expression was clear of any form of pity for Davina’s loss. A loss that she made happen, because of her twisted idea of wanting to force Davina into joining the cause to overthrow the King.

Never removing her gaze from Raven, Davina carefully lifted herself to her feet before she headed for the fire that encircled Ron and her. As she passed through the fire, her eyes flared bright violet with sparks flying, pulling out her sword.

“I am going to burn every muscle, every nerve, and every bone in your body so deeply that you are going to wish you were never born,” Davina growled.

They began to circle each other.

“I only wanted what was best for you, sister. You would never be able to develop into your full potential if he was alive.”

“You’ll see my potential,” Davina spat.

“I do not wish to fight you, sister.”

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