3. TWO

TWO

D avina walked out of the pastry shop, dusting off the flour that coated her sleeve. She couldn't help but go inside the shop to buy a few sweets before heading to Castellum for training. She greeted the vendors who sat by their market tents, Aurisans had situated themselves in their usual spots across Spark Street. The stands were scattered beside the cobblestone path until they reached the Aurisan Bridge. She waved, receiving only a few greetings in return.

Most of them scowled at her because of her Almenara blood. She paced down Spark Street as her eyes scanned the fruits, vegetables, jewelry, and clothing baskets.

Wondering whether she would find anything she might like in one of the little markets. There was a small grin on her lips, even though she could feel many eyes piercing holes into her back. They always did this. They always judged her for her family's mistakes, but she was going to prove them wrong.

They stared as she walked past them while others remained with sour faces because they knew she was heading to Castellum.

Most Aurisans lost faith in their fire abilities, and King Magnar, because of the Era of Silence. Castellum was the base island for all the others, where the King resided.

When the Revolt faded into a serene calmness in all four islands, many hoped that the King would come out of his solitude and be a father to his nation like he used to be. But he did not. Instead, he remained in the castle for more than four hundred years, not speaking to his people since.

Many say he is dead, while others say that he is a myth that Castellum attendees created to be able to have some sort of control over the people.

Guilt trickled down her spine, Davina refused to think about the reason for his lockdown all those years ago.

After a couple of minutes of strolling through the streets, Davina reached the stoned Auris Bridge that would lead her to Castellum Island.

The usual orange and yellow passed by her, a frown finding her lips. She examined the quantity of Aurisans leaving Castellum and realized the number had decreased. Practicing their abilities was a law that the King had created and it seemed fewer people believed he'd come back.

Once she was at the arch of the Bridge, she spotted a blonde-haired girl with arms crossed over her viridescent gown.

She grinned wide and approached Leilani, who immediately scanned Davina's simple purple kirtle. "You're seeing him today and that's what you chose to wear?"

"We're going to change into our gear later. I'm going to be all sweaty by the end of everything." Davina leaned her head back.

"Still, you could've chosen something nicer to wear."

A beautiful set of intertwined daisies was set over Leilani's blonde strands, matched with her green dress and brown laces tied around her arms. Not a single wrinkle in sight.

"Wait—"

"What?" Leilani asked.

"You work in a garden. Isn't there like dirt, and insects?" Davina motioned Leilani's attire. She was sure that every gardener remained with at least one bit of grime.

"Unlike you, I try my best to look presentable. I know I'm going to see Sadoc today." Leilani was careful in lowering her voice before flipping her hair. Davina scrunched her lips and nose, trying not to laugh at her friend's delusion.

Leilani rolled her eyes.

"Let's do something about your outfit," Leilani noted, holding out her tanned hands. A branch began to grow over her fingers. The bark screeched as vines encircled it and before purple buds began to appear. Davina was enchanted by the gift Leilani shared with her twin, Caleb.

Leilani's powers were charming. Unlike her powers that only brought destruction.

Davina felt a hit to her chest but quickly recovered before Leilani noticed. Purple peonies and true lavender began to wrap around the branch. When she had finished, Leilani twisted the branch, then set it over Davina's brown curly hair. "Like the princess that you are."

"Let's hurry. We don't want to be late."

Smoke filled the air around Auris Bridge, which came from the Aurisan's fire abilities, as they walked down the Bridge. As they neared Castellum, Auris's hot and humid air became a fresh breeze that allowed them to breathe deeply.

"Speaking of Sadoc…" Leilani began.

"No one was speaking about Sadoc," Davina affirmed bluntly. Her lips pursed into a line.

"Well, now I am. He invited me to his birthday celebration. It's next Friday, and on the invitation, it says I can bring a plus one." Leilani grinned.

Davina wondered whether Sadoc knew that Leilani was of the lower class. Sadoc was the opposite of Leilani, and not just when it came to their economic situation.

It was strange for Sadoc, a Basalan, to be cold and emotionless like the Neptulans. But despite her observations, Leilani disregarded Davina's observations.

"Beg me all you want, but I will not go to that jerk's birthday party."

Leilani stopped and unraveled her arm from Davina's. "Not even for me?"

As soon as those words left her mouth, Davina was overwhelmed with guilt.

"What about our plans for me to move to Auris with you so you don't have to stay with your parents any longer?"

It was a conversation they had constantly. Davina wished to leave the hellhole that was her house, but she couldn't ever find the courage to leave her siblings behind. She felt too ashamed to think about beginning a new chapter of her life without them.

"Exactly, you're coming. And you're wearing that dress I bought you," Leilani noted before raveling her arm around Davina's again and guiding them both to the other end of the Bridge. "No complaining."

"Fine, but I'm only going because I know you're right," Davina groaned.

The Aurisan and Basalan girls approached the end of Auris Bridge and noticed two familiar figures standing on the sandy shore of Castellum.

Valerie had been pacing by the edge of the Bridge with her hands on her hip while Snow played with her white strands, the crystals on her pastel blue dress twinkling. Valerie's silk dress shined under the rays of the sun, combining perfectly with her pale skin and dark hair, complementing her light abilities.

Valerie's black hair whipped as she glimpsed Davina and Leilani. "Seriously? I wanted to train today, not tomorrow night!"

"Don't be such an apple polisher, Valerie!" Lani exclaimed.

Davina parted from Leilani as her Basalan friend was immersed in a bickering argument with Val. Davina stared at the grand fortress that stood before them, covered in silver that glinted under the sunlight. It was majestic and wonderful, tall and grand. The most beautiful of buildings in the kingdom of Bellatorm.

More than fifty training rooms, a growing Armory, hundreds of chambers, four kitchens, and the King's warded section at the very top of the castle. Her eyes traveled to the highest window that was situated at the very top of the fortress, the window belonged to his throne room. That was where the King had been spending the last four hundred years. She wondered whether the King, in isolation, cared enough about his people to look through the glass.

Davina served the silent King Magnar as an Apprentice, but she had to admit that she struggled to believe he'd come back as well. But she found peace in her powers which caused her to have some sort of hope.

Once she was done observing the fortress, she turned to Snow and sent her a smile. "Hi, how was your day today?"

"It had been a pleasant day before you directed a word to me," she snapped, walking into the courtyard and up the flight of stoned stairs. Her silver dress cascaded above the staircase with each of her receding steps.

Davina sighed, reminding herself that it was in Snow's nature to be cold. At least that was the excuse that her friends said about Snow. Valerie and Leilani approached Davina as a small sob pierced the air. Immediately, the three girls turned and found a young boy collecting bronze coins from the cobblestone Bridge; a basket lay nearby. Davina's heart clenched at the sight.

"Seems like the Prey received new members after yesterday's Predator attack," Valerie said, walking up the staircase.

Leilani sighed. "Have the Mistrans printed out the newspaper with any new information?"

The afternoon sun became shadowed by the deep argent walls of the castle as they entered.

Valerie nodded. "I saw an early version of the newspaper but there were no updates."

Leilani sighed as Davina shook her head. A loud ruckus of hooting and clapping began to resound in the castle corridors once a trio of young men entered the fortress. The three girls turned to them with annoyed looks, knowing well that it was just Beacon, Caleb, and Ron.

Valerie smiled once she set her eyes on Beacon, who wore a toothy grin. She walked toward him and embraced him. "Beacon, I missed you," she pouted.

Davina smiled, watching how Beacon carefully wrapped a mahogany-sleeved arm around Valerie. They were the perfect match despite being born into different islands with different abilities.

"You saw him yesterday, you baby," Leilani taunted, stepping away and heading to the youngest of the trio. "Brother, it's good to see you."

Davina noticed how Caleb was wearing his emerald Basalan Soldier uniform with his brown hair ruffled and sweat shining over his forehead. Caleb smiled at his twin sister and put his arms over her shoulders. "It's good to see you as well, sister."

Valerie and Beacon began to head deeper into the Castellum corridors. Davina smiled at Beacon as he passed by her and then turned to the last young man standing by the entrance. His figure was surrounded by the rays of the sun until he stepped a few feet closer to her. He already had his eyes set on her, and a small grin appeared on his face.

His brown and gray eyes sparkled once she reached him.

"Davina, you look wonderful today," Ron greeted.

"Ron, this is just a simple kirtle," she noted.

"You could be wearing a garbage cloth bag, and I would still believe you to be the most beautiful girl of Bellatorm." Ron leaned toward her, not a single hint of hesitation in his eyes. She looked down and pursed her lips to stop herself from smiling.

"Shall we head inside for training before Master Abigail sends us on shuttle runs across the islands?" Davina asked.

"We shall." Ron nodded as he clasped his hands behind his back, heading toward the halls of inner Castellum.

"How are your parents? Were they affected by yesterday's Predator attack?"

"My parents are okay. Thank the King that they had found a place of hiding. The Predators caused minimal damage to the restaurant," he replied as he held his gaze straight ahead.

Davina nodded. "That's good. Will your family need any assistance with the restaurant?"

"Me and my brother made sure that everything was back to normal today in the morning. Thank you for asking." He smiled at her.

The Aurisan girl couldn't help but blush and recall the way the light had poured over his silhouette moments ago. The scene was similar to the lighting of a chandelier of crystals that showered him the night they met.

But if she were to be truthful with herself, she was uneasy because of the conversations she'd been having with Ron. Since the first night they met, he had been nothing but a gentleman to her, yet she could see the interest in his brown and gray-flecked eyes.

Davina turned to Ron as they walked along the hallway, an amused grin playing over his lips.

How she wished she didn't melt at the sight of his smile.