Page 53 of Heiress of Fire

“That’s a really cool staff,” Davina complimented.

“A staff and a sword?” Ron asked, mostly to himself.

“The King has favorites,” Davina teased.

Ron squinted his eyes. “You don’t get to say that, Captain. A Captain who also happens to have wings as an extra set of abilities.”

Davina laughed until she found violet spots around the mixture of orange surrounding her. A loud rumble erupted into the pool of magma, she could feel her legs vibrating intensely.

“Is it about to erupt?” Ron yelled.

“I think so!”

“Hold on to me!” Ron shouted through the rumbling of the volcano. Davina pushed herself closer to Ron but then an explosion of red and yellow blasted them upward, toward the mouth of the volcano.

Davina glimpsed pieces of amethyst and gold through the walls of copper that filled her sight. The colors rushed harshly onto her skin. She groaned with unpleasantness. The boiling rock began to form across her body, hugging her kirtle into the suit.

Davina closed her eyes while taking deep breaths. Tingles ran down her spine as the lava had fallen back into its pit.

She opened her eyes and examined the glove of purple rock around her fingers, then turned to look at her wings of violet fire. She smiled. A euphoric rush raced into her blood as her wings propelled her upward before she twirled once in the air.

Davina placed her feet above the ashen floor, next to Ron, who looked down at the weapons in his hands.

Ron looked up, his eyes immediately captivated by the indigo and gold armor along with the wings that accompanied her form. Her once-slicked-back hair had dried and curled into its natural coils. Ron stared with gaped lips, his sword and staff almost falling out of his grip.

Davina stretched her arm. Her fire crackled above her hands despite the rock armor surrounding her fingers, lowering her hand, embers scattered into the air as her wings and fire dimmed.

Ron’s eyes traveled upward. Davina followed his gaze to find two long swords crossed with one another.

She lifted her arms and gripped the hilt of the swords, slicing them out of their holsters. Both blades had the most perfect curves in the guard of the hilt. Davina spanned the sword with a wide grin.

She did it.

She found her armor. The King had been nothing but wonderful to her. Davina activated her powers, she had wings, she was a Soldier and a Captain, and now she had her armor and weapons for the war. Perhaps, she was ready for war.

She looked up at him and noticed a small glint in his eyes.

Her heartbeat raced as she examined him in his gear. She didn’t think it was possible to smile wider, but she felt like she did. He looked remarkable in the dark blue armor, weapons in hand.

“You look—” he stuttered. “Amazing.”

“Thank you.” She blushed.

The glim in his eyes faded away with his smile. Davina lowered her weapons.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Ron looked away from her. Her shoulders slumped as she inferred what he was going to say.

“I don’t know if I can be a part of this war, Davina.” Ron sighed.

No.

She didn’t wish for another argument. They had such a wonderful day, despite the trials and exertion. She felt more connected to him, much closer. It was troublesome, but they’d been going through it all together.

She liked having him around and enjoyed his presence. And she had to admit she loved having him as a partner in these trials.

“If finding our armor was hard enough, imagine the war,” he stated.

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