Page 152 of Heiress of Fire

More tears welled in her eyes.

Davina looked down at the long blade that was stuck in her torso, warm liquid flowed from her chest down her stomach. Her eyes turned to Raven who had a regretful look in her eyes as she pulled the sword out, Davina gasped again.

“Davina…” She heard Cara whisper. “No.”

Her legs grew numb. No longer stable enough to support her body, she felt herself lose gravity. Cara gently caught her before she hit the ground.

Davina struggled to breathe, each inhalation of air brought more pain to her chest. Oxygen was no longer a privilege she would have to intake.

At least, she would die saving one of her friends. At least, she wouldn’t have to live a life without him.

Strong like death is love.

The familiar faces of Beacon, Val, and Snow rushed to her side as Caleb extended his hand toward Raven. Thorny vines wrapped around the Dark Mistress’s arms and legs, and black blood dripped wherever the thorns cut.

Snow pushed Cara aside and set her cold hand over Davina’s chest. Putting pressure over her wound, trying to use her icy abilities to restart Davina’s fire. She could feel the ice in her veins, searching for her familiar warmth. If only Snow had been here when Raven had killed Ron. Davina smiled at Snow’s frantic effort to help her.

It seemed like Snow cared for her after all.

Davina turned to Beacon who was trying to shake his brother awake.

“Ron!” Beacon wept, leaning his head against Ron’s chest. Valerie covered her mouth, trying to silence the violent sobs that she exasperated.

“Davina, stay awake!” Snow ordered sharply.

“Beacon,” she cried, extending her hand for him, tears falling from her eyes. “I-I tried, Beacon, I really tried. I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t—I couldn’t protect him.”

Speaking caused more pain in the hole in her stomach, but she had to tell him.

Beacon slowly reached for her hand and squeezed, never letting go of his little brother. “He’s my brother. I’m the one that failed him.”

She almost couldn’t bear to look at him because they had such similar faces, Beacon and Ron. Her vision began to blur.

“Davina, don’t you dare…” Caleb’s voice faded.

“Please, f-find my siblings,” Davina sobbed. Whatever came afterward, they would take care of it. She was certain of it. They were much more capable than she.

The old version of herself would be angry at the King for letting this happen to her, but how could she be if she would finally be able to sleep? She would be able to rest. She wouldn’t have to live a long and agonizing life without Ron. No more suffering, no more fighting. This was it. This was the moment when she would take her last breaths on these islands. It was a worthy death.

The warmth slipped out of her chest and was replaced by a soft icy blanket.

“Davina? Davina. Davina, please, stay awake…” Cara’s sweet voice echoed in her ears.

Valerie shook Davina’s face, trying to stop her from closing her eyes, but her eyes had grown too weary. Dark spots began to appear over her vision as the five of them begged her to keep her eyes open.

She felt the light in her face growing dimmer. A ringing in her ears occurred before silence consumed her completely.

Davina moved her head to give Ron’s peaceful face one last look.

She smiled. There was a reason for her to smile and it had been because she was loved. Despite all the rejection, all the humiliation, all the manipulation, and the torture she endured. Love was what pulled her through.

Love for the King. Love for Bellatorm. Love for her friends. An unconditional love for her siblings. And the love she shared with Ron.

Micah, Genevieve, and Emmy would survive this and would remember their eldest sister as a hero. She would die this death to save their lives. They would grow up and have the life she wasn’t allowed to have, and somehow that was enough.

Being the sacrifice was enough.

“Thank you,” Davina said.

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