Lelani grimaced. ‘I’m afraid it’s more of a demand than an offer. I have some things to take care of, but in a few hours, we’ll begin the trek.’

Lelani did not allow Sapphire to argue, heading straight up the stairs.

‘It’s better we take you to the kingdom than guards find you,’ Evera said once they were alone.

‘Why would the guards even bother? I’ve done nothing wrong.’

‘Not technically, I guess.’ Evera looked uncomfortable. ‘But your presence is a slightly bigger deal than you might realize.’

Sapphire felt her temper flare.

‘Was that your plan, then, all along? Bring me here just to hand me over to armed guards?’

‘Of course not. I wouldn’t – I was worried for you – you looked so out of place, I just wanted to help.’

‘And what changed?’

Evera deflated slightly. ‘My mother is a bit more cautious than me.’

‘I hadn’t noticed,’ Sapphire scoffed.

To her surprise, Evera smirked.

‘She means well … she’s just protective of what is left of her family. You have to understand that.’

The words burned Sapphire from the inside out.

‘Not all of us have the luxury of a family, much less a mother as fierce as yours.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ And Evera’s voice truly sounded so. ‘It was unfair of me to expect you to …’

Sapphire felt her anger slip a little.

‘It’s fine.’ She looked back to the washroom, remembering how it had felt to see her own eyes. She recalled Lelani’s hushed tone. She recalled how, despite being afraid, Evera had offered her kindness, expecting nothing in return, and she sighed. ‘My eyes … they’re not usually this colour.’

The girl forced out the best smile she could.

‘They’re quite pretty. They suit you.’

‘They make me look deranged.’

At that, Evera laughed loudly, and while Sapphire’s hand still rested on the scabbard of her dagger, she felt herself relax slightly at the sound, allowing herself a moment of peace in the presence of such kindness.

CHAPTER TWO

As they made their way west, Sapphire learned what true exhaustion felt like. The weight of the leather made the walk excruciating, and she was covered in sweat. But despite the difficult terrain, Lelani and Evera barely broke their stride, slowing only to allow Sapphire to catch up with them.

She was too tired to be embarrassed. Evera kept her pace slow and intentional, remaining beside her.

‘There’s no need to be nervous, you know.’ Evera said, shattering the silence that had existed for the past few miles.

‘Who said I was nervous?’ Sapphire snapped back, more venom in her tone than she actually felt.

Evera shrugged slightly, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. ‘You’re not as hard to read as you think you are.’

Sapphire studied the side of Evera’s face, trying to piece together the girl’s motives before Evera turned a gentle gaze on her.