41. FORTY

FORTY

D avina landed on Mistral Island, her legs wobbling from the harsh landing.

"Beacon! Ron!" Davina shouted through the commotion of people rushing for the Bridge. Davina padded through the mob, in search of the only two Island Protectors who could help her at the moment. "Beacon! Ron!"

After continuously pushing through the crowds, Davina was able to notice Beacon's bearded face. Beacon's eyes widened before instantly running to her and holding onto her. "Davina! You're okay!"

Davina immediately wrapped her arms around his torso with a thundering heart beating in her chest.

"I wouldn't know what to do with my brother if something happened to you," Beacon sighed before ruffling her hair again. She would have found the moment endearing had she not been carrying the news of Leilani's betrayal.

"Beacon, I think Lani has betrayed us," Davina said hurriedly. She wasn't sure whether she truly believed it because she didn't want to admit the changes in Leilani's behavior.

"What?"

"She's betrayed us."

"No, that's not possible. It's Lani," Beacon argued.

"I know," she whispered. "Raven is going to move the shields closer to the islands. You saw what happened to Amir when he touched the walls. I need you to go to the other islands and leave a message to the other Protectors."

"What is it?"

"Ask them to leave ten Soldiers in charge of helping everyone safely get to Castellum. When they're done, head over to Basalt. That's where we are ending this war once and for all."

Beacon nodded.

"What of my troops here?" he asked.

"I'll take care of your troops here, now go."

He nodded as wind currents began to grow immensely around him; his hands were directed to the floor, his feet lifted into the air, and his battered Soldier uniform began to be replaced with his brown armor. It shined despite the darkness that consumed the morning sun, Beacon rushed out of Mistral.

Davina hurried to find the nearest Soldiers on the island, scanning the crowds of rushing Mistrans for a nearby Leader. She'd need their help as well.

As blurred faces and silhouettes passed by her peripheral, she searched to find the special Mistran Leader robes. That was when she spotted the silky flow of a Mistran Leader's robes.

"Leader Kaden!" Davina yelled through the commotion. Davina stumbled between passing Bellatormans.

The elder Leader rushed to Davina. "Yes, Captain? How may I be of assistance?"

"I need your help to assign ten Soldiers or Apprentices to stay here and help the people transfer to Castellum. The others are instructed to head to Basalt Island. Do what you can but help me spread the word. Battle awaits us there."

"Yes, Captain." He nodded and ran in a flash throughout the Island.

Surprised, Davina chuckled after seeing the old man run so quickly. Then she strode to the island square, the center of Mistral. As she entered the plaza, she found a once beautiful statue of a Mistran Leader had been pieces of broken stone along the pathway. The fountain had gone dry, the flowers had died, and the benches were shattered.

She frowned.

Mistral's intelligence which had produced research, art, and knowledge was ruined. Their beautiful buildings and sculptures were gone.

"Vivi?"

Davina twirled to find Ron standing near the broken statue, grime covering his face and arms with a coat of sweat shining over his temple, his chest heaving. She immediately smiled and ran into his embrace. Ron held onto her tightly, so full of emotion, she barely felt how he had picked her up and spun.

"You're here. You made it."

She whispered, "I wish this moment could last forever."

"What's wrong?" He slowly put her back on her feet. Thankfully, he still held onto her. She would have support as she informed him about Lani. She still hadn't fully processed it herself. Lani was wonderful, but this hadn't been something she'd ever expected.

"It's Leilani," she began. "Sadoc found me and if it weren't for him I would've been dead by now. He helped me get out of the mountains. But before he did, he told me that Leilani betrayed us and informed Raven about what we were planning."

Ron's brows lifted. "What?"

"Supposedly, Raven wants to move the barrier over the islands. We have to go to Basalt. They're meeting at my house."

"Are you sure you can trust Sadoc? It's Leilani, she'd never do that," Ron questioned.

"I'm not sure of anything right now, but we have more to lose if we don't find out," Davina said.

"How are we going to get there?" Ron asked.

Davina smirked. "Flying."

She didn't have much reason to smile, but only imagining Ron squirming as they flew would definitely make her feel a bit better.

Her large wings reappeared, crackling against the strong winds, Davina wrapped her arms around his torso before pushing them both into the air.

"Davina, no!" Ron yelped and scrunched his eyes closed. Davina chuckled.

"Would you rather be running to Basalt?"

"Yes!" He yelled with his eyes shut as his hands tightened around her waist.

"We'd be wasting precious time," Davina argued. Ron shook his head while the wind pressed down on them. "It's kind of fun to fly. Only if you let yourself enjoy the view."

"How can it be fun to fly when you can fall to your death at any moment?" he cried.

"Do you not trust me?"

"I do."

"Then open your eyes," she said.

Davina could hear him sigh as he reluctantly opened his eyes, his stare fixating over Mistral's windy forests, their clean streams, but also their ruined architecture. Davina smiled as he stared over the island with wonder. Ron then glanced upon Basalt and Auris. She followed his gaze and was able to see every curve and end of the islands.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" she asked with a smile.

Just a few moments of peace before she rained hell upon Raven.

"It is, but nothing compared to the woman in front of me." Ron smiled. Davina blushed and shook her head. "Before we head into battle, I just want to say that you are one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to me. And if I don't make it out alive, then I'm so grateful that Magnar let me know you in my lifetime—"

"Don't say that." She cut him off.

"You are extraordinary, beautiful, and in my eyes, you are perfect. Especially all those defects you hate most about yourself. And if King Magnar chose you to lead this war, then it's because he believes that through you, the Era of Silence will end. I believe in you. Always have and always will. And I am so, so proud of you. I don't know if anyone's ever said that to you, but I am right now. I'm so proud of you, Vivi."

She didn't think she was perfect. She was far from it, but his words…

He was proud of her. The King had said that once a few months ago.

The King and Ron had recognized her efforts to do what was good. To do right. To be better. Even though she believed she had been doing everything wrong. And for some reason, knowing that the King and Ron believed in her and were proud of her was the only validation she needed.

And it gave her a slight hope that perhaps her parents did love her too. She doubted their love and she hated that. She would never understand how a mother could be so cruel to the child of her womb.

Unless her mother decided to change, that wound would always remain open. But she was concluding that the King had gifted her a man who would love her correctly. A man who would protect her, guide her, and support her whenever and wherever she needed. That man was Ron.

A loud swish passed by Ron. Ron hissed and snapped his hand to his ear.

"Ron?"

Davina pushed her head back as an arrow passed between them, Ron let out another groan. As he convulsed in her arms, he began to slip through her fingers. Fear struck her immediately as he fell out of her arms.

"Ron!"

Arrows continued to dash toward her.

"Vivi!" he shouted, lifting a hand for her as his hair ran wildly while he plummeted. Davina spun and turned at every arrow that was shot at her, eyes locked on Ron who was already getting too close to the ocean waters near Basalt. Davina glanced to Basalt's shore only to find Predators near the seashore with bows and arrows. She groaned in annoyance.

Davina extended her hand toward Basalt Beach and sent balls of fire to fall over the shore, burning the Predators and their weapons.

Ron stretched his arm even more with widened eyes. Their fingers brushed for only a second until more darts and arrows swooshed between them.

Despite all her efforts to burn the Predators to a crisp, more had joined them on the shore and aimed more metal pieces at them. Davina pushed herself nearer to Ron who was hurtling closer and closer to the water.

She wrapped her wings around herself as a shield against the arrows that were aimed at them. He was too near now, she feared she wouldn't be able to get to him in time.

"No, I can't lose you now," she muttered under her breath.

Ron furrowed a brow before she pushed herself toward him and gripped his arm.

At last, Davina was able to reach him. Using her newfound strength, she pulled him into her embrace and wrapped her wings around him.

"You said I could trust you," he cried.

"That was not my fault!" she retorted.

She looked through the walls of purple fire that surrounded them, panting, as she tried to find a way to get onto Basalt Island. There was no other way. They'd have to go under.

"Can you trust me again?" she asked.

He was silent before he said, "Always."

"Take a deep breath."

Her wings stretched wide before folding inward and disappearing.

"Wha—" he questioned but was cut off as cold water engulfed them.