Page 44 of Heiress of Fire

“Do you know what you must do?” she asked.

“I think so.”

Ron then scanned her expression before asking, “Will you wait for me?”

Davina knew that he didn’t allow himself to be this vulnerable in front of anyone else. She felt honored yet unworthy. “Yes, of course.”

Ron turned his back to the edge, held out his arms, and let himself fall into the deep void.

She crossed her arms and began to pace a few feet away from the edge. The winds were pushing against her violently, but she ignored them nonetheless. The worry for Ron’s well-being was too great to allow herself to be pushed back onto the dirt like a delicate flower. She wondered whether today would be the day his powers were to be activated. How she would love to see the joy on his face because of the activation of his powers. She no longer wished to witness the shame that locked itself above his shoulders.

Another sigh escaped her lips.

She’d have to trust the magic of the islands to keep him safe. Above all, she’d have to trust the King. Davina had to believe that the King was truly in control of everything. Beacon was able to push himself out of the abyss with his tornado abilities, but Ron…

No, she wouldn’t give in to the horrible thoughts that bombarded her mind.

Moments later, Davina watched as the winds began to slow down. Uncrossing her arms, she scanned the Forest, the trees no longer stretched, and their branches no longer made creaks. The wind was gone.

Her hair calmed into a violent mess that looked similar to a bird’s nest. She groaned as she petted her frizzy hair down.

A loud rumble resounded beneath her feet, sending vibrations deep into her bones. Davina looked at the hole of darkness beside her.

Ron appeared from the void with a whirlwind of air carrying him to the surface, where Davina stood.

Except, he didn’t come out with armor the same way Beacon had. He came out with a dark blue sword in his hand. Just a weapon.

“This is all I found,” Ron stated, clearly upset with not having found his full armor set.

“There must be an explanation.”

“It’s fine. Let’s just go home.” Ron stomped out of the Forest, Davina on his trail.

“No, we are not going home until we figure this out.” Davina grabbed his arm.

“There’s nothing to figure out. My armor wasn’t there. It’s incomplete, just like me.”

“What if we search the other islands?” Davina asked.

“What?” he asked.

“You said you felt a pull to the other islands. Let’s follow the pull,” she said.

“What if it’s a false lead?”

“It’s better to find out if your armor is hidden in the other islands than to remain with questions for the rest of our lives.” Davina shrugged.

She avoided his gaze as a smile crept onto his lips. She hated how beautiful he looked.

“You would go with me?” Ron’s tone teased.

Davina struggled to find the right words as a slight blush rushed to her cheeks. “You would do the same for me.”

THIRTEEN

Davina and Ron ran down the Bridge of Neptulus then onto the sandy surface of the island, heading straight for Cryogen Lake. That’s where Ron had said he heard a call.

She knew that today could either elevate his motivations for a better future or destroy all his hopes of a life with activated powers. If this calling he was hearing to the other islands was a simple intuitive mistake, then he would be left with nothing but a sword. But if this calling to the islands was pulling him to find the other pieces of his armor, then it could mean so much more. He would have his armor complete and perhaps would be a step closer to finding out why his abilities were different.

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