Page 23 of Heiress of Fire

Her cheeks flushed. Ron asked himself, what could ever embarrass such a beautiful girl like her?

“What troubles such an enchanting maiden like yourself?”

Davina’s eyes paused on him. Ron watched her brainstorm for an answer. He couldn’t help but fall in love with her pondering face, even if it was because she distrusted him and came up with an excuse to end their conversation soon.

“I would not like to burden you with my problems, sir,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

“Please, don’t call me sir. It makes me feel old.” Ron laughed, rubbing his neck.

She chuckled.

“There’s that smile.” He smirked.

She smiled wider, her hands rushing to dust the pieces of mud off of her skirts. As if she even had to try to look beautiful. Ron fought the urge to stop her from ruffling with her appearance so much.

“Just some issues at home is all. Nothing too serious.” She shook her head. Ron noticed how Davina forced a smile onto her lips. He could see right through the mask she was working to lift at that very moment. Was this something she always did?

He’d heard rumors about the Elio and Almenara families. The Elios were known to be vile, prideful, and crazy, but their reputation was nothing when compared to the Almenara family. He wasn’t one to pay any mind to gossip, but the rumors were confirmed to be valid. Nico Elio and Mae Almenara were bad parents, and Davina got the worst of it. No one cared enough to mention that. Only that she must’ve been exactly like her crazy parents.

“Come, sit with me,” he said as he sat down on the log that she had been sitting on.

“If anyone saw you talking to me, you’d be put to shame.”

“I find that I don’t seem to care,” he stated. She hesitated before slowly sitting next to him. “Tell me all about your pain and the weight of the world that has been over your shoulders. I’ll help you carry it.”

Davina’s eyes slowly made their way to his. He felt like his heart stopped. The moon cast its light onto her beautiful face. She made the moonlight much more enchanting, that’s how magnificent she was. Ron reached for a strand of her hair, pushing it behind her ear and letting his finger softly caress her cheek. The girl beside him held questions in her eyes. There was something so magnetic about the Aurisan girl that sat before him. And he didn’t ever want to be far from her.

Castellum was deserted. There only rested the Leaders, Soldiers, and Apprentices to remove the tables and pick up any leftover waste.

The torches that surrounded the wall of the castle cast a dim light across the seashore. The scene before Davina seemed to be an accurate depiction of the state of the people of Bellatorm. The life inside of the hearts of the Bellatormans was dim. They had abandoned all faith in their King and their gifted abilities.

How she wished she could change that circumstance into a better one.

Davina noticed the young girl she’d spoken to earlier, Cara. She had a cloth sack in her left hand while she kneeled to pick up trash with her right. Davina smiled, but the smile was short-lived as she pulled her gaze to the tall silver building beside her. There had been several windows surrounding the stoned edifice.

“Certainly our Majesty can see what’s happening to us,” she whispered. “When will your silence end? Haven’t we learned our lesson?”

Tears stung her eyelids. She gulped as she felt a tightness in her throat.

“I know that I’m no one to ask you this, considering who my ancestor is, but I didn’t choose my family. So please, help me in some way, give me something. A sign that your Era of Silence will end soon. So that I know whether it’s worth it for me to fight for my family and your people in the upcoming war.”

Davina let out an exasperated sigh as her eyes scanned her companions of war. “Who am I kidding? I’m an Almenara, I don’t have a right to anything.”

She could’ve sworn she glimpsed a bright figure pass by the highest window of the fortress from the corner of her eye. Quickly, her gaze rushed to the window but there was no one there. Her eyes remained glued to the window as she kneeled, reaching for some wooden pieces that were spilled across the sand.

“Davina!”

She turned toward the people who had been cleaning up with her. No one seemed to be calling for her.

Glancing to her left and saw Ron rushing to her. His face had been pale with dark circles under his honey and gray-flecked eyes. Davina saw the anxiety leave his heart the moment their eyes met.

Ron collided with Davina, wrapping her into his embrace. Davina felt the tremors radiating from his body, causing her heart to pound. She immediately wrapped her arms around his torso, making sure to squeeze tightly, allowing herself to savor the way it felt to be held by Ron.

“I was so scared something happened to you,” he croaked. “Everyone just started talking about how you went to meet the Predators face to face. I was so afraid.”

“I’m okay,” she said, her arms held tighter onto him.

He let go of her, his hands reaching for her face as he seemed to be staring deep into her soul. He looked exhausted like he hadn’t slept in days. His hair was a mess, which was odd for him.

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