As she walked through the dark forest, Sapphire’s body begged for a break. For sleep. For rest. For a brief reprieve from the panic that had gripped her since she spoke with Kaian in that clearing.

She had spent an hour at the looking glass, staring at her now-green eyes. When the colour started to fade, she choked down another potion. She couldn’t handle it – that violet reflected back at her.

She recalled the way Kaian’s face contorted when he talked about it: a sneer, a furrowed brow, a look of disgust settling on his elegant features.

Disgust for someone like her.

Her breathing hitched – what would he do if he knew …?

A tightness in her chest made her bend forward, resting her head against the looking glass.

A barrier.

Dark Magic.

Violet eyes.

Her hands shook. Exhaustion settled. Panic permeated.

The only choice she had was to seek answers.

As the treeline thinned, she saw her, standing further along the shore and looking to the sky.

‘Hello, princess,’ Ashes purred, water gently lapping at her bare heels.

Sapphire joined her on the shore, staring upwards. Dense black clouds obscured the moon and the stars entirely.

‘A storm is brewing.’

Sapphire nodded.

‘This storm will take two weeks to form. The final storm of the cycle. And the most powerful.’ Her eyes finally turned towards the princess. ‘To what do I owe the pleasure tonight?’

A quick gust of wind made Sapphire shiver and long for the warm sanctity of her bed.

‘I heard a rumour the other day.’

‘A rumour?’ Amusement resonated in Ashes’ voice. ‘What kind of rumour, pray tell?’

‘A rumour about the creatures of the Shattered Lands.’

Ashes turned towards the princess, folding her arms as she tilted her head, taking Sapphire in.

‘Speak whatever truth you must and be done with it, highness.’

‘I heard …’ Her voice was shaking, her fear evident. ‘I heard they had violet eyes.’

Ashes’ lips tightened, her eyes betraying her for only a moment. Sapphire knew her answer.

Anger like a cold, swift knife dug into her side, working away at a gaping wound.

‘Not a single word. This whole time. You never uttered a single damn word.’

‘They are people, not creatures.’ The witch’s tone was drenched in warning.

‘You knew –’

‘Of course I knew, princess,’ Ashes hissed. ‘What I don’t know is why it matters to you.’

‘My eyes!’ she thundered. ‘I have the eyes of a monster, that’s why!’

‘By the Gods!’ A shrill, bitter laugh left Ashes’ lips as she raised her hands towards the sky in mock exasperation. ‘I’ll give the high bloods one thing, their ridiculous propaganda is unmatched. Twisting history until it suits them.’

‘Shut your mo–’ Sapphire started.