Page 78 of Heiress of Fire

“I’m happy enough without them.” He began to step closer, but she immediately stepped away.

As he realized that she didn’t want to be near him, he stopped. Davina glanced at him for a moment, then regretted looking into his glossy gray-flecked eyes. She’d never imagined that she would be the reason for his tears.

“You are the reason for my joy and the reason that I get up from bed every morning. You’re my hope and my light.”

She could almost hear her heart shattering into a million little pieces.

As much as those words were sweet to hear, she knew that being idolized by Ron would be a mistake. It would be emotional suicide for him if she continued to be in his life.

“I shouldn’t be,” she whispered. Davina observed him as he sighed and lowered his head. “You’re not happy, Ron. I know you’re not happy. You use me to fill the void of your powers. Admit it.”

Davina waited for him to reply, hoping for his sincerity. Maybe if he admitted it, she wouldn’t have to walk away and leave him with a broken heart. Maybe she could convince him to fight as an Island Protector. She wouldn’t have to go home and hide the pain behind her mask. But he didn’t say anything.

She turned but he was quick to grab her arm, not allowing her to leave.

“Please, don’t do this, Davina. I need you,” Ron croaked as she closed her eyes. Davina savored the feel of his touch over her arm because it would most likely be the last time she ever had the privilege to be this near to him.

But he refused to admit that she was a mere distraction from his shame. What upset her the most was that he was okay remaining with a distraction rather than facing his adversities, which is something he would teach her constantly.

Davina focused on her beating heart as she took a deep breath, feeling the air travel into her lungs and out. She had to do this, she reminded herself, he would be less focused on the activation of his powers and more on taking care of her.

She could do this. She could bottle it up and deal with it later, she was used to it.

Davina numbed that part of herself shrugged off his hand, and said, “Then learn to live without me.”

TWENTY

Genevieve and Emmy lay on their stomachs as they drew flowers over their parchment pages. Davina had retrieved the parchment from Castellum, knowing that the girls would be able to have fun drawing different figures on them.

Davina set a clay plate of chocolate chip cookies on the coffee table, near where the girls lay.

“This is for you, big sister,” Emmy chirped. The ruffle of a page reached Davina’s ears.

Big sister, a nickname Micah had given her, the girls quickly caught on to it soon after.

Davina smiled wide when she saw a large rose drawn over the page. It hadn’t been the most perfect depiction of a rose, but her little sister had drawn it for her and she loved it already.

“You didn’t have to waste your page on me. Keep it for yourself, you can hang it up on your wall,” Davina said.

Despite having the hardest week of her life, Emmy and Genevieve didn’t fail to make her smile. If she could not enjoy Ron’s love, she would enjoy theirs.

“I made it for you, take it.” Emmy dangled the parchment in front of Davina.

“I drew something else for you too,” Genevieve chimed. Genevieve’s slick, straight black hair ran wild as she jumped to her feet with a grin so wide Davina’s heart warmed.

“Why do you always try to take my ideas?” Emmy rolled her eyes.

“I was the one who came up with the idea of drawing the heart to give to Davina—”

“Girls, stop fighting,” Davina said sternly.

“But Emmy started it! She’s always blaming me for everything!” Genevieve yelled.

“Genevieve, calm down,” Davina said.

“No, I don’t. You’re a liar!” Emmy screamed.

“Stop lying, Emmy! Why do you have to be so annoying?”

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