‘Whatever reason brings you back to this forest,’ the witch paused, blinking a few times, ‘is proof enough that you need to do this.’ Sapphire wondered how Ashes would feel if she knew. That more often than not, it was her face that drove Sapphire from her bed and into the darkness. The words died on her tongue as Ashes dropped her hand and started walking again. ‘It will also mean you will stop interrupting my nights. Your pesky presence will not be missed.’

Sapphire followed close behind, doing what she could to push the panic away. The trees soon began to thin, and through them, she could see the flame of the fire dancing. As they moved closer, Sapphire pulled her cloak tighter.

Ashes paused for a moment, looking at Sapphire, and she shook her head. ‘This isn’t a place to hide, princess.’ Her eyes were heated as she looked at the girl. ‘This is a place to truly be free.’

Sapphire recognized Savina as she stepped forward.

‘My daughter, who do you bring?’ The woman’s tone was sharp.

‘The guest of honour, Mother.’ Ashes looked at Sapphire, who kept her face tucked into the hood of her cloak. ‘Well, princess, would you like me to do the honours?’

Sapphire took a deep breath before pulling the hood away, revealing herself to the women who watched her. Savina studied her, and the rest of the coven mirrored her, breaking out in quiet gasps.

No one spoke to her. The only sound was the crackling of the fire, and Sapphire took a step closer.

An older, dark-skinned woman moved forward. Her eyes were a honey brown with red rims, wise with years and experience. ‘We have been awaiting your arrival.’

‘You have?’ She thought Ashes had given them no indication that she was to come.

The woman gave her an unguarded smile.

‘Come. Join us by the fire.’

With tentative steps, she followed the woman to the circle of stones surrounding the flames and took a seat. The surface was smooth beneath her palms, and she struggled to settle.

She had been warned, since the moment that she arrived in this world, that Shadow Witches came with forked tongues and evil intentions. Their darkness was too much for any elemental to handle, but here, in the tightly packed circle, Sapphire felt welcomed.

It left her unsettled.

Across the fire, Ashes sat with her mother. The girl lifted an eyebrow at Sapphire as if to say I told you so.

‘What brings you to our coven, princess?’ It was the same older woman who spoke. Sapphire studied her ageing face and long grey hair.

‘Just call me Sapphire.’

The woman bowed her head, nodding. ‘And you may call me Esadora. I am the Elder of this coven.’

‘It is an honour to meet you, Esadora.’