36. THIRTY-FIVE

THIRTY-FIVE

T he Bellatorman workers bustled among one another as they brought back and forth bricks and carts covered with sticky cement. The gooey texture was spread across the growing, thick brick wall that surrounded Castellum Island. Davina sat atop a section of the finished wall, between the Bridges of Basalt and Mistral, and as she scanned the isles, she smiled at the distinction of hues of each island.

Mistral Island had silver clouds above it, dark trees in its windy forests, and chocolate-colored buildings with rusty windows. Leaves and branches overcame gravity as they danced in different areas of the land.

Mistral was gloomy while Basalt was earthy and lively. There were vast grasslands among Basalt, with valleys filled with flowers, trees, and animals scattered across the earth island.

Her eyes traveled to the island on the far left. The large region of Neptulus portrayed a winter wonderland. While the other sections of Neptulus were filled with a lighter shade of the deep ocean that surrounded it which caused the other Bellatormans to find it hard to distinguish the difference between land and sea by the shores.

After observing the calmness of the three islands that were foreign to her, she fixed her gaze upon her native island, Auris.

From the distance, she could see the small cottage in which she grew up, the home in which she was forbidden to near.

She wouldn't worry about that at the moment.

This is all she could do for now. Sit, watch, and wait. Anxiety was eating away at her youth as she painstakingly waited for Raven's next attack. After spending most of her day probing her memories of each encounter, each battle, and each passage on Raven, she'd head into the training room to release her stress of powerlessness.

Irritation itched her brain as she spotted a familiar blonde-haired girl walk into Castellum from Mistral.

Davina jumped off the top of the wall and succeeded in startling Ashira. A loud screech echoed from her lips as she raised her hands to cover herself from any impact. Davina's lips remained in a thin line as she watched intently how Ashira recollected herself, her hands behind her back.

"Sorry, miss, you startled me." Ashira gulped as she fixed her baby blue skirt. "Chief Leader Isaiah sent me to give you this."

A page wrapped in a red ribbon in her hands. Davina snatched the small piece of vellum from Ashira's fingertips and unrolled it.

Meet me by Somerlane Lake, now.

No. Did he know? Did he find out? What was he planning?

Davina nodded to Ashira, silently dismissing her.

Grimacing, she headed to Auris Island and straight to Somerlane Lake. The same lake where she almost had her first kiss with Ron, where their relationship went downhill, and the same place where she was pieced back together by him. She feared for what could be waiting for her once she arrived to meet Isaiah.

Recently, he was becoming more passive-aggressive, angrier; more resentful toward Ron. Davina remembered the moment in which Ron beat him in their training duel and how Isaiah lost his calm. Isaiah was not one to lose control of his emotions. Davina was aware that he was someone who valued his pride and reputation, but she'd never imagined he'd become belligerent.

The entire stroll to Auris Island and into Somerlane Lake, she was shivering. A usual effect that spread across her body whenever she was nervous. Davina chuckled at the contradiction of her powers and the cold that dived into her blood whenever she felt fear.

As she approached the tall bushes that surrounded the entrance, she was able to find bright purple geraniums spilled over the green grass. Davina froze by the entrance. She used the shrubs beside her to remain balanced on her feet.

Under the willow tree, Isaiah stood. A bouquet of lilac peonies and lavender wrapped in a pearl ribbon in his hands. A crooked smile held over his lips. He was dressed in his Chief Leader uniform and his hair was perfectly set. Davina was quiet as she pushed her feet to take her to Isaiah.

Her dirty black boots stained the flowers that created a pathway toward him. She slightly stomped on the flowers that he scattered across her precious valley. A garden in which she shared beautiful memories with the man that she truly loved. Davina's heart quickened at the realization.

It must be love.

She thought herself a freak because a simple infatuation would bother her day and night, in those twelve months that they were separated from one another. No contact, no conversation, no acts of service; only arguments, resentment, and fights. All because they were both frustrated because of the distance that was between them.

Davina loved Ron.

Ron loved Davina.

This lake, this garden, and this tree belonged to her and Ron. This place represented the beauty of their relationship. This place did not belong to Isaiah and Davina. A bit of anger rose in her chest, but she had to remain serene if she wanted to put a good end to her relationship with Isaiah.

There wouldn't be a problem with trying to end this engagement formally. "Communication was key", or so she heard others say.

"Isaiah—" she began.

Wind breezed through her curly hair.

Isaiah reached for her left hand and looked down at it, softly grazing her ring finger. His eyes reached hers.

"From the moment I saw you I was captivated. For months, I observed you. I watched how compassionate you were with those who hurt you. I was amazed by your ability of goodness, and I realized that was exactly who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. At first, I felt discouraged because I saw you were infatuated with someone else. But I was perseverant, and King Magnar let me have you. He let me be a part of your life." Isaiah bent down on one knee. Her heartbeat quickened even more. "I knew in just a matter of weeks that you were meant to be mine and that I could not be happy with anyone else. I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone else. And I don't want to lose the warrior woman that you are."

Davina was now heaving. As much as she knew that Isaiah would understand, she still felt nervous. Hopefully, he wouldn't spiral the way Ron had. Hopefully, he would become a stronger man and could find a woman that truly loved him.

"Will you make me the happiest man of Bellatorm and marry me, Davina?" he asked with a bright gaze.

She gulped. This was her chance, to be honest. It would be wrong of her to come up with another excuse to avoid their matrimonial union, to continue being his betrothed, and above all, to marry him when her heart was truly set on another. Valerie was right.

Despite his minimal changes, no one deserved to be lied to the way that she had been to him this entire time.

Her hesitance to accept his proposal turned his smile into a frown, she gulped with anxiety. "I'm sorry, but I can't."

He stood up without letting go of her hands.

"What do you mean?"

She could see his heart breaking into pieces when she looked into his eyes.

"Truthfully, Isaiah, I don't love you in the same way that you love me. I care for you, truly…" Davina stopped. It pained her that she was hurting him.

But then she felt his grip around her fingers grow tighter. "You're hurting me."

"What do you mean you don't want to marry me?"

"I'm sorry, Isaiah, but I can't. You've said some things. You've done things that I think are… like right now. Let go of me!" she exclaimed.

He didn't let go.

Davina pulled at her hand, trying to escape from his grip.

He was fuming with rage. She called onto her fire and let it reveal through her fingertips. Her purple flames set his skin ablaze, and Isaiah pushed her away from him. "You wench. You burned me!"

"You wouldn't let me go!" she yelled.

She took a few steps back as his gaze darkened. The small glimpses she had of his aggressiveness before, manifested in this entirely distinct version of himself as he cracked his neck.

Confusion struck her.

A breeze continued to flow through her hair. The autumn air grew thick, and Isaiah's eyes scanned her completely. No gleam in his eyes and no goodness in his smile.

"Isaiah, are you okay?" Davina asked, walking backward, away from him.

"Why couldn't you just forget about him?" he cried.

So, he did know.

"Why couldn't you just love me the way you love him?"

He had been standing under the willow tree, but in the blink of an eye, he stood right before her. His hand snapped to her neck, crushing her throat. Davina gasped as she clawed at his hand, in hopes of forcing him to let her go.

"And if I can't have you, then no one can."

Where did he get these abilities?

Stay calm. Surprise him.

A sweet voice spoke to her. She obeyed. She fought against her thundering heart and made it slow. Her fire waiting to be permitted to escape from under her skin, but she remained calm, no matter how much her mind was raging with flames. She wouldn't explode just yet.

Isaiah began to lift them into the air, clouds puffed around his legs, the grip around her throat growing tighter as her feet lifted from the grass. Davina grabbed a hold of his arm as he continued to glare at her with pure disdain.

"I wish I didn't have to do this," he whispered. It seemed as if there was almost regret passing through his eyes. "What was it, huh? His looks? His power? Or did he bed you? Just like all the other trollops of Bellatorm."

A deep darkness surrounded his clouds. His air currents used to be a soft gray but now they were inky black. Her heart broke. She turned to look into the emptiness of his glare.

What did you do, Isaiah?

Based on the reaction to her rejection, she hoped it hadn't been her fault that he made such a drastic choice. An unwise one at that.

Isaiah lifted her before throwing her into the grass of Somerlane with an unspeakable strength. Pieces of mud flew into the air as Davina collided with the wetland, her uniform now covered in brown soil. The air escaped her lungs as she felt her back crash into the earth.

Something inside of her brain clicked.

Now.

"I wish I didn't have to do this," Davina mocked as he marched to her.

She pushed herself upright, grabbing his raised arm as she glared at him. His eyes widened as she muttered, "But you just stained my uniform."

With that, she channeled her anger to her hands and sharply moved his wrist into an odd angle until she was able to hear his bone pop. Isaiah yelled out in pain. Davina kicked his stomach. She watched him fall on his behind with a grimace on his face. His glasses fell off his nose and crumpled under his quivering body.

"Pathetic," Davina spat.

Her armor appeared, the pieces of rock and granite aligned perfectly around her Soldier uniform, her twin swords over her back, per usual. Davina held out her hand, a ball of fire crackling higher than it usually did.

"No, please, don't kill me," Isaiah begged as he cringed.

Davina scoffed. "Where's that brainless fool who dared raise a hand against me?"

Davina extended her hands, forming bondages of fire to wrap around his forearms. As the chains of fire encircled his wrists, she could hear the sizzling of his skin. She knew the heat would hurt his broken bones even more and she smiled at the thought.

"Like a dog you speak to me, like a dog you'll be leashed."

"Raven is going to kill you! You and all your family. I'll even tell her to send her Predators against that Mistran trash," he yelled, drool escaping his mouth.

"I'd like to see her try." Davina smirked. "Let's go."

Davina dragged Isaiah throughout Auris and into Castellum Island. As he struggled against the hot flames around his wrists, he begged violently to be freed. Irritation was clear in her expression as he commanded other Bellatormans to stop Davina and help him free from the chains of fire. Fortunately for those who were watching, no one dared cross her path.

As they stepped off of the Aurisan Bridge, Davina pulled the shackles and forced him to collide with the sand of Castellum.

"I command you to free me from these chains, Davina Almenara!" he yelled. "After everything that I have done for you and your family, this is how you return the favor. Me, your future husband!"

Davina examined her nails. He tried to stand, Davina flicked her fingers, sparks of violet flames fell over his face. A few specks landed in his right eye. Isaiah yelled as the particles embedded themselves into his sockets. He tried to reach for his eye but the fire around his skin burned brighter.

"Citizens of Bellatorm, I have come to present to you all, the reason why we have not been able to win the war against Raven and her Predators. There was a traitor among us." Davina raised her voice.

Whispers traveled between the mob of Bellatormans.

"So, Chief Leader Isaiah, tell us. How long have you been serving your master?"

"I only have one master and that's King Magnar," Isaiah bit back. Davina strutted to his left, bent her knees, and lit her index finger on fire.

More whispers occurred among the people. Davina could feel their judgy looks.

Davina refused to accept being painted as unclean because of her lineage any longer. The only reason why their hateful comments and looks had eased was because of Isaiah. And even now, as she tried to prove herself to them again, they doubted her. After everything she had done for them. After saving their children and their homes. They were still ungrateful.

Well today, they were about to start being grateful before she decided to burn all the islands to the ground.

"Don't you dare lie, or I will burn your good eye out." Davina reached for his left eye, her flames dancing over her finger.

Sweat dribbled his chin as she neared her ignited hand to his skin. He looked at her with eyes full of hate.

"I've been working with Raven."

Gasps of shock filled the air of Castellum. From the corner of her eye, Davina noticed seven figures stepping to the front lines of the scene. Her friends.

"Why?" Davina asked.

"I hated how you were so obsessed with that useless Mistran. I wanted you all for myself, but you remained loyal to him despite all my best efforts. I was the one who began those rumors about him, in hopes of you being disgusted by him, like I was. I did everything I could to make you love me with even just a fraction of the same love you had for him. I did everything! And I was still not enough.

"I intercepted his letters, and I made it seem like you were writing back, and it made him hate you. I was so close. I was so close to finally breaking you apart. But I could tell you still didn't love me. Raven even tried to distract him in her way. But you two are so, so stubborn."

Davina's eyes snapped to Ron. He simply nodded. Davina questioned all his efforts and acts, and she was right all along. He was trying to erase Ron from her life.

"Raven found me one day and said that she'd help me stop you two from ever being together again. As long as I gave her all of our strategies and plans."

More gasps passed through the mob of Bellatormans.

"I know that you have held me to be discreditable because of my lineage being connected to Freya. But I refuse to accept this anymore. I am nothing like my ancestor. And to prove that to you, the King chose me as the Captain and my friends as my Generals of the army. We are the Island Protectors. This is why you see the armor that I wear now. This is why I have been here in Castellum. Because I believed in the future of our islands and our abilities. But none of you have believed in me."

The crowd was silent. She didn't know where this was going but she had to speak up because she couldn't accept or carry the weight of her ancestor's past anymore.

"I can be the villain of your story if you like. But I just wanted you all to know, Bellatorm, that I truly wish you gave me the chance to prove to you that I can be a hero. That I can be your friend. That I will give my life, if need be, to save our home. If we cannot learn to abide near one another because of the blood that courses through my veins, then let us live in unity for the love of our islands and for the love of our King, who has never been silent and has been present the entire time."

She glimpsed several Bellatormans pondering and processing her words. It seemed as if they were believing her. She almost smiled, had it not been for her ex-fiancé who struggled against the grip of her enflamed bondages.

"The King is at fault for everything that has happened! You are just a mere child. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your life because His Majesty has decided to remain in silence," a man beside Ron echoed.

Davina was able to identify him as a Neptulan with his deep blue that matched the color of his eyes.

The people around him agreed with him. She was losing them. The King was not about to lose more of his people to the evils of their hearts.

"The King has never spoken so loudly than in his silence. The King is in that castle right now like he always has been, and he has watched over you all. It is not his fault that evil dwells around us. We were the ones who allowed it to abide within us. If you permit us, me, and those of Castellum, we can help you with your powers.

"With your abilities activated, you will be strong enough to defeat the Dark Mistress and end this war once and for all. We won't have to live in fear anymore. Raven will not be able to inhabit you if your powers are activated and this comes from careful research. And if we work as one, she will be defeated."

"I still think you're too young to fight this war," the Neptulan man said.

Davina held tight to Isaiah's leash and walked toward the man.

"You are a grown man, yet I have not seen you put in effort to protect your people. Which means that a child has been doing your job," Davina muttered.

She turned to the crowd who held a pained look to find one of their Chief Leaders having been corrupted through Raven's snares. Others were angry, while some were in shock. She walked back to stand beside Isaiah who thrashed against the chains of fire.

"So Bellatorm, I ask you, what should I do with this traitor?"

For a long moment, everything was silent. Except for the bright violet fire that shined between her and Isaiah. If they remained silent, if they walked away, then they refused her and the King. But if they answered… they accepted her as their Captain. As their Protector. Then she'd have influence.

Then she'd be able to help them fight against Raven. That's all she wanted.

"Dungeon!"

"Throw him into a cell!"

"Kill him!"

"Lock him up!"

She didn't know how to contain the joy that bounced inside of her heart.

The people were willing.

Davina glared down at Isaiah as the shackles around his wrists crackled. He hissed as he closed his eyes from the pain.

"What do you think, Chief Leader?" she kneeled.

"Whatever you do to me, you shall do to your lover as well. Because he has also been working with our Dark Mistress," he uttered.

Davina remained still. There was no proof. It couldn't be possible. Ron would never be capable of doing that. She glanced at Ron who was still looking at her with a quizzical gaze. The crowd behind him roared with anger for Isaiah. Beacon, Caleb, Leilani, Snow, Cara, and Valerie stood as they watched with grimaces on their faces.

Right now, as much as she wished that her friends didn't have to see this side of her, she was mad. She was angry. She was furious.

All those months without Ron were for nothing. Isaiah had malice in his heart the entire time. That pride, all his efforts, all those kisses she had to force herself to give was done in vain.

"Where do you think he got all his training back? The Dark Mistress trained him herself," Isaiah spoke low only for her to hear. "He's using you. He's going to leave you. He's betrayed you. All those months you spent pining over him were for nothing."

A grin appeared on her face. Screw formalities. She was going to make him pay.

"I lied," Davina snapped before shoving her blazed finger into his eye. Isaiah tried to pry her hand away from his face as he cried. "I find that you're deserving of this punishment."

Davina pulled her hand out from his socket, letting his eyeball roll and be coated by the sand, leaving trails of red blood. Her hands became sticky with hot liquid. The crowd yelled in applause at Isaiah's expense.

Davina turned to the elder Leaders who stood by the entrance of the castle steps, her glare was enough of an order for them to obey. She watched as some Leaders whispered orders to the nearby Soldiers. The Soldiers came and dragged a weakened Isaiah into the dungeons.

Isaiah's blood dripped from her fingers as she walked into the castle, with Ron and the others right behind her.