Page 41 of Heiress of Fire

“He knew the edge was right here. Why would he do that?” Ron asked, mostly to himself.

She was at a loss for words.

Davina turned to find Cara nearing the edge, staring off at the darkness that engulfed Beacon. One by one, the others made it to the threshold of the darkness.

Valerie stood beside her as she stared at the void below with watery eyes, stumbling into Davina’s arms. She held on tight to Valerie as her friend sobbed with a hand over her lips.

Davina recalled how Abigail had been standing over the hills on the other side of the Forest entrance, her hair and clothes perfectly unbothered. And Abigail betrayed no emotion as she stared at the group of Island Protectors.

Davina let go of Valerie and began to march toward the entrance of the woods. “Did you send us here to die? Is that what you and the King are planning?”

Davina’s eyes flared purple. Her voice boomed throughout the woods and towards Master Abigail.

“Is it fair that you’re the one over there, perfectly fine, while we may have lost one of our own?”

A violet light engulfed Davina’s hands before she pushed her arms forward, sending waves of fire at Abigail. Despite the aggressive winds, her fire neared Abigail quickly yet the Master remained still.

“Davina!”

Dark gray currents blew her fire into plum specks. The little particles flew and mixed into the foliage. His steps resounded on the dirt beneath her boots. Davina slowly turned to find Beacon pulling himself upright.

He was alive, he was okay. No scratches or bruises, he was okay.

Her eyes traveled to the swirls of mahogany and dark gray over the shiny metal that engulfed his entire body. She noticed a long, brown, velvet cape wrapped around his collar. A dark sepia-hued spear with a sharp end was gripped in his hand.

“She didn’t do anything wrong,” Beacon said.

Davina sighed in relief and rushed into his embrace. “You’re okay.”

She’d forgotten about all those petty little arguments they would have. All she cared about was his wellbeing.

She could feel his hesitance to hug her back, but he did anyway. “Yes, I’m okay, kid. I’m not going anywhere.”

Davina let him go. “I thought I lost the commander of the Island Protectors.”

Beacon raised a brow in question. She was the Captain, she had the authority to make him second-in-command. No one else was perfect for the role like Beacon was.

“Please, you would’ve easily replaced me with Leilani,” Beacon laughed.

“Magnar forbid Leilani ever becomes commander,” Davina said with horror.

“I would make a good commander,” Lani yelled through the wind, pushing her blonde strands back.

In an instant, Valerie threw herself into Beacon’s arms despite the harsh winds. Davina heard them exchange sweet kisses as she watched Ron’s solemn eyes stare at his brother’s new armor. It didn’t seem like jealousy, but more like sadness.

Why sadness?

Beacon then embraced Ron.

“You scared me, Bea, don’t ever do that again,” Ron ordered as he tightened his arms around Beacon’s torso.

“Let’s get out of here?” Caleb suggested.

“Yes, I think I can’t hear out of one ear,” Cara yelled.

“Don’t be such children. You’re fine!” Snow replied.

They trudged alongside one another against the strong currents, pushing closer and closer to the mountain ash division line. Ron and Beacon helped to keep them on their feet whenever the wind got too harsh.

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