Page 28 of Heiress of Fire

“I read something about dark magic,” Caleb interfered, his hand raised.

Dark magic wasn’t something commonly heard about in Bellatorm, all the abilities that the Bellatormans wielded were pure and natural.

“I didn’t find much, but supposedly dark magic can only be born when natural abilities are present, whether dormant or activated. Which means, that the darkness causes an exertion in the wielder.”

“That’s great, Caleb. The wench is going to tire herself to death,” Leilani exclaimed.

“Yes, but we can’t just sit back and let her kill everyone on the islands while we wait for her to die of exhaustion,” Davina argued with irritation laced in her tone. Leilani remained quiet.

“Is that all we have on her?” Valerie asked, clearly to break the tension.

“I believe so,” Davina said. “Did anyone else find anything?”

“I didn’t find anything interesting,” Ron informed.

Beacon agreed, “Neither did I.”

“I think it’s best you all finish eating and head upstairs. Training starts in one hour,” Isaiah ordered.

Everyone nodded and continued to enjoy their meal.

After they were done eating, they each headed out of the underground Archives one by one. It was just her, Ron, Isaiah, and Amir in the library.

Davina set her plate above the other trays on the table. She strode to the entryway of the spiral staircase when a rough hand grabbed onto hers. Only to be met with tender, gray-flecked eyes. It was as if his eyes were a passageway into her soul.

She didn’t know whether she liked the idea of Ron knowing the deepest parts of her being, mostly because there were so many aspects she hated about herself.

Isaiah and Amir stood by the entrance. Davina nodded at them and they walked onto the spiral staircase, giving Davina and Ron privacy to talk.

By the look on his face, she was able to predict the conversation wasn’t going to be a pleasant one.

She faced Ron with pursed lips, a deep frown replaced his usual smirk. Davina imagined that his scowl was due to the upcoming war that she seemed to be a part of.

Just by looking at his eyes and the expression of worry in his features, it seemed like he truly cared for her, and it annoyed her. When it truly mattered, she was completely alone. But now that she had to prepare to fight a war, she had something else to live for.

Davina was scared.

No man, no mother, and no father ever cared enough about her. It was always her and her siblings. Valerie and Leilani were the exception. She wasn’t one to open her heart to others, especially not to potential suitors.

Although they had only met a few months ago, she knew that Ron was the type of guy who deserved the world. He had too good of a heart. He was proving that to her as he stared at her with those beautiful eyes of his that begged her to stay away from danger.

She didn’t deserve him. What did he even see in her?

“I know what you’re going to say,” she began and leaned on one leg.

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Don’t do this, Vivi,” Ron begged as his other hand reached for hers. Her heartbeat raced as his thumb caressed her bruised knuckles.

Vivi.

Her chest hurt as she heard the nickname he gave her. He had only called her that once when they were at Sadoc’s party. She sighed and shook her head. Davina couldn’t bear to look at him right now because she knew she had to fight this war. It wasn’t what she desired but her siblings needed to be protected at all costs. However, he shouldn’t fear for Davina because she was being trained to be a Soldier, just like he had.

Even though he didn’t have any abilities at his disposal, he was a very competent Soldier whenever it came to hand-hand combat and weapons. Whatever he lacked with his abilities, he fulfilled in great measure in other ways.

“This isn’t your fight, Davina.”

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