Page 92 of Heiress of Fire

“I don’t know what it is you’re planning, but you stay away from Leilani. If I so much as hear that you involved her in your little schemes, I’m going to melt your face off. Do you understand?” Davina shouted in his ear. Her lavender-flamed eyes appeared as she glared at him. “Do you understand, Allaway?”

He nodded. “I understand.”

Davina pushed him into the foliage-covered ground while mentally reaching for the fire that ignited the shrubs. Smoke filled the air around them as the branches were left thin and black.

Sadoc lay above a pile of leaves and vines, staring up at her with widened eyes. She half expected him to reply, to threaten, or to fight back. But he remained still, with an elbow supporting him up.

Sadoc was not a fighter. He was one of the Basalans who didn’t activate his abilities or learn military combat like the others. He hid behind his riches. He was just a simple man playing powerful.

What did Raven even see in him?

“I won’t do anything to you today. Your own evil deeds will catch up to you,” Davina said, strutting out of the garden and past the servants.

TWENTY-FOUR

“Do you think it’s a good idea that I go through with this?”

For the past two weeks, she’d been dreading this day. The day that she and Isaiah would announce their engagement publicly.

“What do you think about his proposition?” The King responded with a question as his teacup clinked off its porcelain saucer.

When she had first walked in, the long dining table was already set with different plates of omelets, fruits, juices, and teas for both of them to eat and drink as they conversed.

She had come to the King’s throne room that day because she wished for someone to tell her that she was making the right choice because there was a small itching feeling in her chest telling her that it would be a mistake to ally herself with Isaiah. Davina lowered her eyes to the promise ring that wrapped her right-hand ring finger. She hadn’t put it on her other hand because then it would feel too real.

Davina partly believed it to be too soon to commit herself to another person romantically, especially knowing that she’d have to go through with it.

She pursed her lips. She didn’t feel anxious whenever she imagined herself being courted or engaged to Ron. But Ron was no longer a privilege she could delight on in this lifetime.

He'd, at last, paid attention to all the gossip that was said about her. Maybe he viewed her as the spawn of evil like the other Bellatormans called her.

“I don’t know,” she exhaled.

“Do you think it’s a good idea that you accept this proposal with Isaiah after the emotional turmoil you went through with Ron?” he asked.

“You know about that?” Davina asked.

“The day that the eight of you were here, it was hard to miss the way he looked at you.” King Magnar chuckled.

“Oh,” was all that Davina could say.

“One day, you’ll look back and understand everything that’s happening right now. But ask yourself, is this the right choice?” Magnar asked.

Davina sighed. “I know he’s a good man. I may not love him now but I’m sure I can learn to love him with time. I know that he can help me destroy the image that Freya left for me and my family.”

Maybe the flutters that she felt in her stomach when he helped heal her wounded ankle were a sign that indicated that they could share a blessed union filled with love.

If only her ancestor Freya Almenara hadn’t made the mistake of leading the Revolt against the King, then she wouldn’t have to tie herself with a man she did not love.

“Do what is right, my child. Always put what is fair and good before anything.”

“I’m trying to.”

“And I know you won’t fail.” The King smiled.

A trumpet resounded from a distance. Davina glanced out of the window near her. She observed the Apprentices and Soldiers that were loitering around the courtyard. She watched as a diverse group of Bellatormans joked and laughed, their weapons clinking over their holsters as their shoulders shook with rejoice.

Then she spotted Cara walking up the stairs and into the courtyard with Valerie, Leilani, and Snow on her trail. They conversed with one another as they made their way into the castle’s golden double doors.

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