Page 36 of Heiress of Fire

“Are we really about to see the King?” Caleb asked with excitement.

“We are, brother,” Leilani replied.

From the threshold, Davina was able to glimpse the magnificence of the throne room. The drapes hung perfectly over the glass windows, which slightly reflected sun rays. Her friends began to walk closer into the royal rooms. Ron stood beside her. “What are you waiting for?”

“I don’t think he’ll want to see me.”

“You heard his voice?”

“Yes.”

“Then, he wants you here,” he whispered before passing the threshold after the others. Despite feeling anxious and hesitant, she walked right behind him, making sure to hide behind Ron’s tall figure from the King’s view. Embarrassment controlled her pounding heart and her footsteps.

What if it was a mistake that she heard his voice? A glitch. It could be. What if he gave her one look and then decided to throw her out? Or use his powers to disintegrate her? Just as he, probably, did with those other Soldiers many years ago.

Two of the stained-glass windows had the figures of the first families of the islands depicted in their designs. Her eyes went straight to the fire island.

Davina examined the dark-haired family that appeared to be laughing with one another. There had been a man and a woman with their three children, two girls, and one boy. Davina observed the children, they each wore different colored clothing. Why would they wear anything different other than the same orange and yellow pallet that was usually followed by the Aurisans? The boy had red clothing while the two little girls wore pink and blue kirtles.

Her eyes darted toward Beacon who had dropped to his knees. Beacon exasperated, “Your Majesty.”

There he was, the King in all his glory. His bearded face had a certain ethereal glow to it. His white and gold hemmed suit fit him perfectly. His silhouette held a peace that she wanted to swim in, a brightness that removed all her fear of being rejected by him. She, too, dropped to her knees alongside Ron and Cara.

Four hundred years had passed and he seemed not a day older than thirty.

“Please, stand. I want to look at each one of you,” he said calmly.

All those years filled with worthless rumors about Magnar being ruthless completely shattered at the sound of his voice. His voice was so soothing and sweet and calm all at once. So sweet that she believed that not even Ron’s words could be just as great.

Davina stood, but she examined the rest of the room. His footsteps drew near until she felt him standing right before her. Her eyes looked into his deep honey ones. A smile played over the King’s lips, a smile that reached his eyes. It was as if he was telling her that he was glad that she was there. Davina noticed herself and the others stood tall with their hands behind their backs, exactly how Abigail taught them. Cara was doing amazing at following the stance of the Soldiers around her.

“I’m happy you guys are here. After the many years that I isolated myself from my people, it’s been anything but easy to watch them waste away at the mercy of Raven. But my people decided to reject me and the abilities that I gave to them.” The King began to pace before them.

So the King really was watching his people. Then that would mean he heard all her pleas for his intervention. Why didn’t he ever do anything to stop all this tragedy from occurring?

“As much as I wished to intervene and help my people, I was able to see their hearts were filled with hatred for me because of the rumors Freya and her followers planted them. I waited and waited for four hundred years to find a generation that wouldn’t be so corrupted by the ancient evils.”

Davina felt her heart quicken even more at the mention of Freya.

“And I have found you, my little ones.” He smiled again.

“You have become the defenders of our home, you have been loyal to me since the moment you realized how much your gifts were necessary, and for that I am grateful. I waited many years for you eight individuals to be ready for the mission I am to give to you. I am giving you a name. You shall be called the Island Protectors,” Magnar said. “You have been chosen to be the faces of the upcoming war. You are not less, and you are not more than one another. You are each other’s equals. And each other’s shields in times of war.”

“We will do our very best, Your Majesty.” Beacon bowed his head. They all followed. If the King observed them and deemed them to be worthy to be appointed the official Island Protectors, then it must be because there would be success, right?

“But, to maintain order, I concluded that there must be a leader among you. The head of the Island Protectors. One that will be a motive of inspiration for you all and the people of Bellatorm. The one that will set the example of a brave and loving Bellatorman. A Captain.”

Davina turned to Leilani. Their eyes mirrored their own shock. Surely, the King would choose Beacon or Valerie, maybe even Snow. They were the oldest, much wiser, and more experienced when it came to the military.

Surely, she would not be chosen. Especially because she was Freya’s descendant.

“Davina!” the King exclaimed with a wide smile. He walked over to her, wrapping his strong hands in her own.

Davina let out a shaky breath as she looked at their interlocked hands. No, she couldn’t be the Captain. Just like Ron had said the day before, she just got there. She knew little to nothing about war and strategy. No.

“I have chosen you, beloved, to lead Bellatorm into victory. I have not found your brave heart in anyone else.” King Magnar looked at her with affectionate eyes.

No matter how much she truly did not believe in the words that escaped her quivering lips, she said them nonetheless. “I will not fail you, your Majesty.”

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