43. FORTY-TWO

FORTY-TWO

H er lips gaped as Raven pulled out the blade from his chest, instantly falling onto the floorboards.

Davina dropped her sword. It clattered loudly over the wooden floor, near the dead demon dog. Raven faded into nothing as her entire vision was consumed by the image in front of her.

"No, no, no, no. Please, no," she cried. Davina fell to her knees beside Ron, quickly removing his helmet before her hands covered the stab wound in his chest and wrapped her forearm under his head, he wheezed.

The pain in her chest was so powerful that her fire erupted, creating a large circle around them. The purple fire crackled wildly as she held onto him.

His wound was fatal. His flesh was replaced by a large hole surrounded with dark ink while scarlet red blood dripped from his lips.

"No, you can't die on me. Not today. Not today. I need you," she begged desperately, the same thing he pleaded her when she was heading to Obsidian Canyon. His hand wrapped around her wrist, his blood staining her beige skin.

"Somebody help! Help!" she screeched, wishing for Snow to burst through the door so she could help heal the wound with her ice abilities.

"It's okay, it's okay," he cooed while rubbing her arm. He was the one dying and he was comforting her.

He must be in pain.

Ron's black hair stuck to his forehead; she moved the strands away from his eyes, her hand tracing his sharp cheekbone. "This can't be happening. Not to you."

"It's okay," he whispered before wrapping his shaky fingers into her own.

Davina recalled all those moments when he fought her so she could stay away from battle. All for the fear of Davina losing her life, but now, as he lay beaten on the floor, he had been the one who was losing the color on his face.

What was he doing fighting Raven like that? She was the one who was supposed to fight Raven, not him. Yet, she couldn't help but recall the way he would say that he would give his life for her in the war if need be.

He did it on purpose.

"No, it's not. It was supposed to be me. Why did you do it?" she cried.

"You promised, at the lake, that I wouldn't lose you. I wouldn't be able to bear a life without you. And you… you deserve a happier life than the one you've had. I already had so much. I ha-ad you and Beacon, Bane, and Va-al." A small tear escaped his eye. The salt that dropped from his brown eyes fell to the floor with splinters and glass.

This couldn't be the last time that she would stare into his gray-flecked eyes.

Davina sobbed as her tears fell onto his cheek, a small smile finding his lips. Davina questioned how he could flash a grin at a moment like this.

"Promise me that you'll find love again," he whispered.

He risked his life for her. He was giving her another chance to live, but it would be a life without him. She didn't think she could handle living the rest of her life without Ron. She preferred death.

"No." She shook her head. "No."

"Yes, love, you have to." Ron smiled.

"I tried, Ron. You know I did. I can't. You know that I can't." Davina shook her head as her tears showered his unhealthy pale skin. She wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet.

"Please, do it for me," he croaked.

Davina remained silent, her tears blurring her vision.

"Can I at least have a goodbye kiss?" He tried to smirk again but instead flinched at the effort. Her heart ripped open even more to see his pain, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Davina sighed. Her eyelashes stuck together as she closed her eyes and leaned down, setting a soft and bittersweet kiss over his chapped lips.

With her eyes closed, she wished for another chance. Another opportunity to see his smile, to hug him, to kiss him, to hold him. To live a beautiful life with him.

"I love you," he whispered.

Davina set her forehead over his.

"I love you," she replied. "I always have and I always will."

She hugged him, careful not to move him too much, setting her head near his shoulder. Her throat was clogged as more tears came. She wasn't ready. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to enjoy his life, with his new powers. He was supposed to get out of this. They were supposed to say I love you only after the war had ended.

"Why couldn't we have more time?" she cried into his chest.

She had come out alive out of the mountains. She had hope and had fought to get out of there so they could have another chance. He said that she would be his again. Because he had hope for their future.

But this is why she didn't allow herself to have hope. And she never would again.

"I'm just happy that you let me be a part of your life even if it may have seemed short. Thank you, Vivi."

Davina didn't know what to say anymore. Her sobs were enough to portray the tragedy that she was living. But that was when she noticed that his breathing was slowing tremendously. Davina gasped and sat up.

"Ron?" she shook him. "Ron!"

He smiled before exhaling one last time. His chest no longer moved. Davina sobbed, putting one hand over her mouth to try to stop herself from screaming at the realization that he was no more.

"No, please," she begged. "Ron, wake up!"

Ron didn't move. His brown and gray eyes stared at the ceiling, completely lifeless.

"Wake up!" she yelled while slamming her fists against his chest. He didn't move. He didn't wake up to tell her that it was a joke, he didn't laugh, he didn't smile. And never again would he be able to.

She'd just received the hope of a future with him, only for it to have been forcefully taken away from her too soon. Now she was able to understand the many arguments he caused for her to stay away from battle because now it was her that was wishing he never fought in this war.

Davina slowly leaned down, leaving one more kiss on his lips as she wept, then set her hand over his eyes and closed them. The King's words resounded in her mind.

Strong like death is love.

Her fingers grazed his pale yet beautiful face.

Davina could feel Raven shifting her feet from outside of the ring of fire. Raven was right there, unarmed, and unprotected. This was her chance. She sniffed as she slowly, and reluctantly, untangled herself from his embrace. If she couldn't experience him for the rest of her days, then she would make sure to avenge his death.

He was so full of aspiration. So full of dreams. So full of love.

Now it was all destroyed. All because of a sick game of persuasion.

She looked at Raven, her pupils filled with tears of rage. Raven shuffled her feet with clear awkwardness, yet her expression was clear of any form of pity for Davina's loss. A loss that she made happen, because of her twisted idea of wanting to force Davina into joining the cause to overthrow the King.

Never removing her gaze from Raven, Davina carefully lifted herself to her feet before she headed for the fire that encircled Ron and her. As she passed through the fire, her eyes flared bright violet with sparks flying, pulling out her sword.

"I am going to burn every muscle, every nerve, and every bone in your body so deeply that you are going to wish you were never born," Davina growled.

They began to circle each other.

"I only wanted what was best for you, sister. You would never be able to develop into your full potential if he was alive."

"You'll see my potential," Davina spat.

"I do not wish to fight you, sister."

"You have no choice." She smirked.

Raven's eyes scanned her. She was giving a head start to pull out her sword. If she was to kill Raven, it would be because it was a fair fight.

Davina swiped her sword at Raven's torso. Raven stepped back. She aimed the edge of her sword at Raven's chest. Raven blocked. Davina sliced once again before dropping to the ground and doing a leg swipe. The Dark Mistress jumped.

Davina was on offense while Raven was doing a great job in defense. This drove Davina into madness, making her push all the force in her arms to collide with Raven's dark sword.

Raven threw a slash at Davina. She bent back, dodging the sword from nicking her cheek. Raven twirled and landed a hard kick to Davina's stomach. She stumbled back before scrunching her face and landing a hard blow on Raven's sword, causing Raven to stumble.

The witch quickly recovered then blocked another one of Davina's hits. They continued to throw several hits of their swords at one another before Davina yelled out her anger and frustration as Raven brought her sword back to cut her. The Captain kicked the sword out of the Dark Mistress's grip, sending it clattering onto the wooden floor.

Raven grabbed a piece of the shattered sofa and threw it at Davina. She used her newfound strength to shield herself with an arm against the flying davenport.

Davina sent a menacing look to Raven. She ran up to her, sending a kick to her face as Raven blocked with her forearms.

"Stop this, Davina!" Raven begged, her voice muffled because of her mask.

And it was then that Davina noticed that Raven's lifeless eyes portrayed fear. Despite her mask, Davina was able to read her clearly.

Raven sincerely believed Davina was some sort of sister to her, in a twisted and distorted way. Davina threw her body onto Raven and held her throat with her free hand.

"How could you possibly ever think I'd be grateful for you killing the man I love?"

Raven's eyes widened, her hand holding onto Davina's, trying to break free of her grasp.

"Davina!" someone yelled. Such a delicate and sweet voice. A kind girl. One who hasn't betrayed her. Like Leilani. She had always been loyal and humble.

Davina turned to look in the direction of the front doorway and was able to see the battle that was taking place outside. All sorts of differently shaped Predators were fighting against Bellatorman warriors.

Davina was able to glimpse Valerie and Beacon using their light and tornado abilities to blind and suffocate the Predators that surrounded them. Then, before she could blink, Davina was pinned to the floor.

"You should never let yourself be distracted! That is why I killed your lover! Because he was nothing but a distraction." Raven raised her sword, Davina rolled away from the edge of the blade, leaving Raven's sword stuck on the wooden floorboard.

Cara scanned the room to find the dead dog lying near the kitchen until her gaze fixated on Ron's bloody body surrounded by tall purple flames. Cara gasped.

"I am only trying to help you, sister. Why won't you allow yourself to see that?" Raven huffed while ripping out her sword from the wood boards.

Raven turned, her sword in her hand. Davina's eyes widened, quickly doing a kip-up then grabbing Raven's arm before she could throw the sword at a distracted Cara.

"Cara, get out of here!" Davina ordered.

Cara shook her head. "I'm not leaving you!"

Raven shoved Davina's grip off her then snapped her glare back on Cara. Davina grabbed Raven's arm again, Raven glowered at her while Cara ducked behind the Dark Mistress.

"You leave her, you wench," Davina muttered. They struggled against each other's grip, Davina holding onto her tightly with all of her strength.

Raven spun Davina's arm and wrapped herself into the Captain's arms before pulling her and causing her to crash into Cara.

Davina let the fire that surrounded Ron go unlit, saving Cara from being burned, and they landed deep into the floorboards, causing the wood to creak loudly at the collision. They groaned in unison from the impact. Cara reached for her head. Davina felt the sharp tang of iron on her tongue.

Metal whistled and several footsteps shuffled by the entrance.

She would have turned to see who was by the door but Raven was aiming her sword for Cara. Davina recovered quickly and flew to her feet, covering the pink-armored Island Protector from Raven's aim.

Davina gasped.

Raven's sword ripped her open. This wound was different. It was nothing she'd ever felt before. Darker and more wicked than all the other gashes she'd ever received.

More tears welled in her eyes.

Davina looked down at the long blade that was stuck in her torso, warm liquid flowed from her chest down her stomach. Her eyes turned to Raven who had a regretful look in her eyes as she pulled the sword out, Davina gasped again.

"Davina…" She heard Cara whisper. "No."

Her legs grew numb. No longer stable enough to support her body, she felt herself lose gravity. Cara gently caught her before she hit the ground.

Davina struggled to breathe, each inhalation of air brought more pain to her chest. Oxygen was no longer a privilege she would have to intake.

At least, she would die saving one of her friends. At least, she wouldn't have to live a life without him.

Strong like death is love.

The familiar faces of Beacon, Val, and Snow rushed to her side as Caleb extended his hand toward Raven. Thorny vines wrapped around the Dark Mistress's arms and legs, and black blood dripped wherever the thorns cut.

Snow pushed Cara aside and set her cold hand over Davina's chest. Putting pressure over her wound, trying to use her icy abilities to restart Davina's fire. She could feel the ice in her veins, searching for her familiar warmth. If only Snow had been here when Raven had killed Ron. Davina smiled at Snow's frantic effort to help her.

It seemed like Snow cared for her after all.

Davina turned to Beacon who was trying to shake his brother awake.

"Ron!" Beacon wept, leaning his head against Ron's chest. Valerie covered her mouth, trying to silence the violent sobs that she exasperated.

"Davina, stay awake!" Snow ordered sharply.

"Beacon," she cried, extending her hand for him, tears falling from her eyes. "I-I tried, Beacon, I really tried. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I couldn't—I couldn't protect him."

Speaking caused more pain in the hole in her stomach, but she had to tell him.

Beacon slowly reached for her hand and squeezed, never letting go of his little brother. "He's my brother. I'm the one that failed him."

She almost couldn't bear to look at him because they had such similar faces, Beacon and Ron. Her vision began to blur.

"Davina, don't you dare…" Caleb's voice faded.

"Please, f-find my siblings," Davina sobbed. Whatever came afterward, they would take care of it. She was certain of it. They were much more capable than she.

The old version of herself would be angry at the King for letting this happen to her, but how could she be if she would finally be able to sleep? She would be able to rest. She wouldn't have to live a long and agonizing life without Ron. No more suffering, no more fighting. This was it. This was the moment when she would take her last breaths on these islands. It was a worthy death.

The warmth slipped out of her chest and was replaced by a soft icy blanket.

"Davina? Davina. Davina, please, stay awake…" Cara's sweet voice echoed in her ears.

Valerie shook Davina's face, trying to stop her from closing her eyes, but her eyes had grown too weary. Dark spots began to appear over her vision as the five of them begged her to keep her eyes open.

She felt the light in her face growing dimmer. A ringing in her ears occurred before silence consumed her completely.

Davina moved her head to give Ron's peaceful face one last look.

She smiled. There was a reason for her to smile and it had been because she was loved. Despite all the rejection, all the humiliation, all the manipulation, and the torture she endured. Love was what pulled her through.

Love for the King. Love for Bellatorm. Love for her friends. An unconditional love for her siblings. And the love she shared with Ron.

Micah, Genevieve, and Emmy would survive this and would remember their eldest sister as a hero. She would die this death to save their lives. They would grow up and have the life she wasn't allowed to have, and somehow that was enough.

Being the sacrifice was enough.

"Thank you," Davina said.

Davina allowed herself one last look at the Island Protectors, giving them her last smile. The King's words echoed again in her mind, before letting the darkness engulf her.

Strong like death is love.