‘I just – I fear if I tell you, you’ll either think I’m insane or use it against me.’

With an eyeroll, she rejoined Sapphire on the log. ‘You’ve got too used to your surroundings. Some value trust over leverage.’

Sapphire stared at her hands and ran her thumb roughly over the scar on her palm, her skin turning red under the force.

Ashes sighed as she roughly grabbed Sapphire’s hand, intertwining their fingers.

‘I am not your friend. But if you need to unload a burden, someone to help bear the weight of this life, I’m here.’

Sapphire’s focus shifted to their touching skin.

Unload the burden. A safe harbour.

‘Sometimes, I hear a voice. Her whispers in my ears are riddles and things I do not understand. But she always returns, and her words snake their way around my very being.’

Ashes’ grip on her hand tightened. ‘What does this voice say to you?’

‘She warns me to not bow before the Elders, calls my praise of them blasphemy, and even in the storm, she spoke to me. Challenging me. I don’t know who –’

‘Ryvinika.’

‘What?’

‘Ryvinika is speaking to you.’

‘Ryvinika? The Shadow Witch behind the storm?’

‘Ryvinika controls the storm because it is hers.’ Ashes cut Sapphire with a glare. ‘This is all part of what was foreseen.’

‘What was foreseen?’ But the girl didn’t answer her. ‘Ashes, please.’

‘I cannot answer your questions yet, you know that,’ Ashes spat.

Like a spoiled child, Sapphire let out a low-pitched whine, burying her face in her hands, embarrassed. ‘I just want to – to understand.’

A few moments passed before she felt familiar fingers taking back her hand, extending it. She watched through a blurry haze as Ashes placed a gentle kiss on her open palm, another on her inner elbow, and a final one on her collarbone. Her lips found their way to her tear-slicked cheek, planting gentle kisses until they found Sapphire’s lips, meeting them softly. Sapphire leaned into her, allowing herself to get lost in the scent of honey and ash.

She closed her eyes, wondering if this was how the citizens of Eriobis felt when they prayed to the Elders she no longer believed in.

Finally, Ashes pulled away, their fingers still intertwined.

Ashes’ tone was matter-of-fact as she cupped Sapphire’s face with her free hand. ‘We’re doomed by this, princess.’

She felt the slightest brush of a thumb against her lip as Ashes traced it.

‘I didn’t know you’d be so beautiful,’ Ashes whispered. ‘I had no idea someone could be.’ The vulnerability in her words shocked Sapphire. ‘You will be my undoing. My damnation – but I accept my fate as long as it’s at your hand.’

Tears brimmed in Sapphire’s eyes, threatening to spill over. They both knew what this was.

How it would end.