Page 10 of Heiress of Fire

She tried not to show her surprise.

There had been children being the product of two different Bellatormans, usually the child inherited one set of gifts. Never would the child bear more than one element, but Ron’s parents both came from Mistral. He was the only one without the air gift.

“What power do you have?” she asked.

“Can I be honest?”

“Of course.” Davina nodded.

“I have no idea,” he sighed. He passed a hand over his temples. “I only know that when I get mad, I can burn things with my hands. The Aurisan and Mistran Leaders advised me to move to Auris so I could learn more about my abilities, although most of the time it’s like my powers are not even there. Like I have no gift at all.”

Davina furrowed her eyebrows, wondering whether he would want to talk about the sensitive topic that was his dormant gift. In all the history of Bellatorm, there had never been any record of a person being born with a different set of powers from the rest of their family.

In part, she understood him. The feeling of being left out, of being the weird one, the strange one. Her gift was strange too.

“I guess we can say that you are a true Aurisan,” she joked. “It’s okay. I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon.”

He chuckled as he shook his head and then nodded with a small smile.

“Let me see your power.” He jerked his chin toward her hands.

“What?”

“Yeah, I want to see your power. I heard it was different from the usual Aurisan fire,” he said.

“I don’t know. That’s not a wise question to ask,” she said softly.

“Oh, come on. I told you the truth about me, let me see your truth,” Ron begged.

“Fine,” she uttered.

She looked at him, a strand of her hair escaped from behind her ear, partly covering her features. He watched her intently. She lifted her palm and allowed the warmth in her chest to travel to her wrist, down to her palm. The warmth turned into a pleasing heat above her skin. Bright mauve flashed before them, a slight tingle within her sockets. Her glowing purple eyes turned to him.

“I didn’t know you could do that with your eyes.”

The purple flame crackled over her palm.

“It’s something new I’ve been doing.”

“I have so many questions.” He watched with wonder.

Davina let her fingers twirl and dance as a figure of a waltzing couple formed within the fire. Their bodies flared up from the flames, sparks flying and becoming little embers that floated into the night sky. Davina could feel Ron’s stare as she controlled the fire couple that floated above her hand.

Davina curved her fingers inward, leaving little plum particles flying between them.

“It seems there is someone in the islands that does understand me,” he crooned.

Davina smiled.

“I see the way you look at your Basalan friend whenever she presents her gifts,” he pointed out.

Her smile dropped.

“And I've also noticed the way you seem to wish you could have the same gift as she.”

Davina focused her gaze on the tulle that covered her legs, beginning to fidget with the rough feel of the cloth.

“Your gift was given to you for a reason. Embrace it, love it, enjoy it. Because if you don’t, you’ll live a long bitter life. Trust me when I say that it’s not a pleasant way to live.”

---