She stood atop a dressing box as maidens poked and prodded her into a never-ending series of ill-fitting wedding dresses. She fought the urge to wrinkle her nose as she turned to see her reflection in a gaudy ball gown that looked as if a child had glued gemstones on to the bodice.

‘That’s the dress,’ Sadara noted. ‘Kaian will absolutely adore it.’

‘I think it’s more important that my daughter likes it,’ Araxia said curtly. She stood to join Sapphire in front of the looking glass. ‘What do you think?’

‘I think …’ A glint of red hair caught her eye across the room and her heart sank when she realized it was a maiden with another gown for her to try on. ‘I think I need a break. Please.’

‘But there are more gowns to be tried on and the wedding is approaching quickly. You must –’

‘Sadara, I really must not do anything.’ Sapphire’s eyes widened as she cautiously looked at Araxia, but the queen simply fought a smile.

‘I do think a break would do everyone good. We can return with fresh minds later.’

Sadara levelled a gaze at them both but knew better than to argue. She wasted no time in leaving the room.

‘These dresses are terrible,’ Sapphire said as the maidens unlaced her quickly.

‘These are Sadara’s picks. But mine and yours will be next. I think you’ll find them much more suitable.’

Sapphire took a deep breath as her ribs found their rightful place with the corset undone. ‘I wish I was as brave as you are,’ Araxia whispered, pushing a lock of hair out of Sapphire’s eyes. ‘Maybe then I could change your fate.’

She wished she could just rest. Her body was desperate. It was her mind that refused to listen. She counted the hours as they ticked by, throwing her body from one position to the next as her mind refused to slow.

She paced. She read. She stared: at the water, at the moon. Nothing worked.

Sleep would not come no matter how much she longed for it.

Currently, she sat in the armchair, legs tucked under her, sketching a portrait of Ashes absentmindedly – unable to focus on much else.

‘You have my nose entirely wrong.’

Sapphire was about to let out a scream when a hand slapped over her mouth, smothering her cry. She pushed away from the intruder and whirled around to find the last person she expected.

‘Ashes.’ Sapphire self-consciously tried to smooth down her hair. ‘What are you … how did you …?’

Ashes ignored her, picking up Sapphire’s sketch book. She smirked as she flipped through the pages, studying each closely. Finally, she snapped the book closed and returned her focus to Sapphire.

‘An artist’s muse. Now, that is something I never thought I would be.’

Sapphire grabbed the sketchbook back, shoving it under the chair cushion.

‘You shouldn’t be here.’