Page 61 of Heiress of Fire

“I will never get used to that,” Leilani muttered as the fire from Davina’s wings reflected over Leilani’s face.

Davina chuckled, then looked at the feathers of fire beside her, she flapped her wings once. “I don’t think I will either.”

“Have you asked Abigail as to why you have wings?”

“Actually, no. I didn’t think about that before,” Davina admitted.

“You really should. Maybe you can even ask the King.” Leilani shrugged.

“Yeah, I might.” Davina observed her wings. “Do you want me to fly you home?”

“No, it’s okay. I want to continue my nature walk,” Leilani said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Leilani chirped.

“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow at the meeting.” Davina waved.

“Take care, D.” Leilani waved back and smiled, heading down the mountain.

Davina squatted, prepping herself to jump into flight, until her feet began to tremble fiercely. Davina furrowed her brow as a loud rumble ripped through the mountains.

Leilani stumbled as the peaks began to crash into one another. Davina rushed to Leilani, gripping her by her torso and flying higher into the sky, away from the debris and dust that spewed into the air.

“What’s happening?” Leilani asked, her blonde hair whipping as she turned to look around the valley.

“I don’t know,” Davina exasperated.

Only one mountain remained unharmed.

The periwinkle blue and lavender sky was filled with a hurricane of darkness, dark clouds encircled Davina and Leilani. The mist of night neared them, pushing them closer to the one untouched peak.

Davina let go of Leilani as they reached the top of the mountain.

“Davina?” Leilani asked, her eyes fixated on the five figures that stepped through the cyclone of ink.

Davina pushed Leilani behind her, carefully stretching her wings inward and commanding them to hide. Davina’s hands were enflamed with her purple fire.

“I am not going to hide behind you, I was the one who taught you how to fight,” Leilani bickered.

“We’re not arguing about this right now,” Davina muttered. “Get your armor out.”

Leilani huffed before metal screeched loudly, surrounding her tan skin while purple and gold iron covered every inch of Davina’s frame. Sharp branches crunched and appeared over Leilani’s hands; thorns planted across the entirety of the wood.

A set of five figures set foot before them in perfect formation, the same formation that they were in when they last attacked. A tall female wrapped in a dark cloak stood in the middle.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Davina asked.

Davina observed the dark clothing that was wrapped around the woman’s silhouette. Everything about her screamed darkness and evil. A polished black metal mask wrapped the lower part of her face, covering most of her facial features.

“You don’t recognize me, darling? I can’t say I blame you, I have been wearing other faces for far too long.”

Davina’s jaw clenched. The woman standing in the middle reached for a knife that had been set upon her silvered holster. Her skin was pale white, and it seemed to glow bright blue under the moonlight. Her fingernails were sharp and inky. Her scarf had been twisted as if it was a messy braid turning around her neck and arms. Her clothing revealed just how twisted her mind had become after all these years of her rebellion.

“At last, I can present myself to you, beloved one,” her rasping voice echoed into her ears. Chills ran down her spine as her voice drew near.

Davina tightened her flamed hands. “Raven.”

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