Page 59 of Heiress of Fire

Davina slowly sat next to him. She put her hand on his shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. Just like you always do.”

“No, I won’t. I’m a freak.”

“You shouldn’t feel that way about yourself. I see you as magnificent, just like you told me.”

“Then why am I different?”

Davina read the look on his face. He wanted to be like his family, a true-blooded Mistran with the ability to wield air. He wanted to feel included, he wanted to feel normal. When she saw him as unique, he saw himself as a glitch. As a freak. An abnormality that would have lightning bolts escape his hands occasionally.

“You would rather be normal?” she asked.

Ron remained silent and looked away from her.

“What if the King gave you this power for a reason?” she asked.

“If anything, it’s a curse from Raven,” he mumbled as he played with his sleeve.

Davina’s chest tightened, her lips parted. They were both different and he wasn’t too happy with being different. She let go of his shoulder.

“Do you think my powers are a curse?” Davina whispered, her eyes pleading for him to deny what she was thinking.

His silence was enough of an answer. The same thoughts he had over his extraordinary powers, was exactly what he thought of her. He didn’t think of her to be unique and special like she imagined he would. Like she thought of him.

“Each day that passes by, you continue to prove me wrong about every good thought I had about you,” Davina said.

“Vivi—” he began, reaching for her hand. She pushed him away and stood.

“I have to go. Cara’s activation ceremony is today. I suspect you won’t be accompanying us,” Davina stated calmly, avoiding his gaze.

Ron stood and began to walk toward her. “Vivi, I’m sorry. You know that’s not—”

“I can’t stay any longer, I must go. Enjoy the cookies,” Davina said, still refusing to look at him.

As she walked toward the front door, opened and closed it, tears quietly slicked down her face.

SIXTEEN

Over the top of a Basalan mountain, Davina stood next to Leilani. It was a little tradition they shared to come to Basalt and admire its natural yet ethereal beauty. It was Leilani’s suggestion to start having nature walks to Basalt whenever either of them felt too frustrated.

“Let’s sit,” Leilani suggested. Davina nodded and followed after her friend.

The grass of the mountain was fresh under her lilac trousers. Davina played with the grass beneath her as she looked at the sunset that left its rays over the pine trees among the valley of peaks.

The skies were painted a blue periwinkle and lavender. A small breeze passed through her hair, she breathed in deeply, taking pleasure in the scent of grass.

“What’s going through your mind, D?” Leilani asked, her almond skin shining under the sunlight.

So much responsibility. So much to get done. She felt incapable and small compared to all her problems.

Only two days had passed since her argument with Ron and Nico, and Davina hadn’t felt one bit better since that day.

It seemed as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders now that she had become the Captain of the Protectors. Officially, she had to fight to protect her parents who had never cared for her.

Maybe they did care, but certainly not enough. A very deep and twisted part of her wished she could leave her parents at Raven’s mercy because that would be exactly what they would do to her. Leave her. Just like Mae left her with Nico all those times.

But, she refused to be selfish like them. Perhaps, her siblings might follow in her footsteps. For some reason, she felt more fearful of her siblings becoming a replica of their parents and not losing her life in the war.

Leilani patiently waited for Davina to speak.

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