Once again, she felt her eyes flicker to Ashes, who was watching her intently. Sapphire took a few seconds to memorize how the fire cast delicate shadows across her pale skin, the way the flames danced in the reflection of her eyes.

‘Now,’ Esadora began. ‘How can the coven serve you? What do you seek?’

Sapphire had prepared for this. Had rehearsed the conversation hundreds of times. She knew the answer. She knew what she needed to say, but the words lodged in her throat. She felt like if they escaped, everything would change again.

And really, was she ready for that?

Having finally found a home, was she ready for everything to shift?

Esadora smiled patiently, continuing to stare unnervingly at Sapphire.

It was too late to turn back now.

‘I have many questions – about my birth, about my time in Witrotean, about my parents.’ Sapphire tripped over the last few words. ‘I need to know the truth about my life and how you played a part in it.’

The words rolled off her tongue with unstoppable force and Sapphire tensed, waiting for outrage.

But there was nothing except the slightest tug of Esadora’s lips as she leaned forward.

‘These are delicate subjects. Delicate questions that demand delicate answers. A Shadow Moon is required to reveal what you seek. And there should be no uninvited guests lurking above.’ Esadora’s eyes moved to the overlook as she said it.

‘A Shadow Moon?’

‘When the next Shadow Moon appears, it will offer us what we need.’

‘When is the next Shadow Moon?’

‘Forty-five days,’ the Elder witch said flatly.

‘How am I expected to wait forty-five days?’

‘One cannot simply unravel the history of who you are, princess. It cannot be done without the alignment.’

Sapphire collapsed like a spoiled child.

The witch rose to her feet, the coven following. Sapphire remained seated, staring at Esadora.

‘I-I need answers now. Please.’ Desperation did not befit a princess, but right now, Sapphire couldn’t be bothered to care. ‘Please. Tell me something, anything.’

‘Patience, my child, is a virtue you should hold dear.’

My child.

The words rang in her ears. She couldn’t walk away without answers. Not now. She turned to Esadora, blocking out the remainder of the coven.

‘There’s a voice. It speaks to me at all hours. It – I can’t. Please, I need answers.’

‘A guiding spirit is a gift, princess. Knowledge bestowed upon you from a soul beyond the veil is an offering that does not come often.’

Panic was building inside Sapphire and she had no idea why. Her breathing was short and choppy.

‘But who is she? Why does she speak to me?’

Esadora paused before reaching up and pressing her thumb between Sapphire’s brows. Sapphire closed her eyes tightly, trying to force herself not to recoil. Finally, the elder witch hummed, nodding her head.