She struggled to follow the path she had taken the previous night, and she found the deeper she moved, the more confused she became. She kicked up leaves as she walked, in an effort to disrupt whatever barrier bond Ashes created.

Sapphire cursed when her cloak snagged on a branch. She finally freed it, tearing it slightly, frowning as she did before she heard a twig snap to her right.

Sapphire whirled around. The darkness was so dense she could barely see a few feet in front of her.

She felt the magic beneath her skin pulsing, something she still hadn’t got used to. She pressed the tips of her fingers together, trying to quell the anxious energy running through her.

Another crack of a twig under a heavy step was the undoing of her calm facade.

‘Ashes?’ Sapphire called.

To her left, leaves rustled as whatever it was circled her. Sapphire opened and closed her fists tightly, flexing and cracking the joints. The next noise came from in front of her, and she stepped backwards, tripping over the same large branch her cloak had snagged on. Pain shot through her, rushing up her arm, and a warm stream of blood flowed from her elbow.

Footsteps.

She heard them clearly as they moved towards her, and all the courage she had gathered was lost.

‘You certainly know how to make an entrance, don’t you, princess? You’ll wake up every monster in these woods if you keep covering the forest floor in your blood.’

Ashes’ voice was sharp, and Sapphire’s breath hitched as she turned to meet the witch’s narrowed eyes.

Ashes looked at Sapphire’s wounded arm and licked her lips.

‘There are beasts in the forest much worse than me, princess. It would do you many favours to remember that.’ Ashes tilted her head, studying Sapphire in the familiar pale light that glowed in her palm.

Irritated by the witch’s warning chuckle, Sapphire didn’t answer.

The two walked in silence, and Ashes looked up to the sky.

‘It appears a storm could be coming.’

‘I’m not scared of getting wet,’ Sapphire muttered.

The witch smiled.

‘Noted.’

Sapphire rolled her eyes, pushing forward. Ashes easily matched her stride.

‘Where are you taking me?’ Sapphire asked.

‘Somewhere more private, and away from my coven.’

‘Why?’

Ashes looked surprised by the question. ‘I have my reasons.’

‘But –’

‘If you’d like, I can take you to them. Allow them to do as they will with a child of a high house. Would that be preferable?’

Sapphire’s cheeks warmed, and she pressed her palms together in an effort to focus. ‘No. I – No.’

‘As you wish, princess.’

They walked in silence, Sapphire’s mind restless as they moved deeper into the forest. She had no idea what to say as questions buzzed on the tip of her tongue.

‘Why do you say high house?’

Ashes paused for a moment, studying Sapphire.