An image of the coven being escorted through the very forest Sapphire stumbled through nightly came into view.

‘And the Shattered Lands were born. Still, as the high houses built the barrier, Ryvinika pronounced a prophecy. One they should fear. One that would be their undoing.’

Sapphire shifted. Her eyes darted around, but she could not see past the flames.

Pay attention, child. All will be revealed.

Sapphire sat up straight, focusing on Esadora’s voice.

‘A blessed child would be born into royal blood – only to be ripped from her mother’s breast. Lost to this world until her eighteenth year. This child would be gifted with powers, unrivalled by all but Ryvinika herself. This child would be the answer, the prophet of justice. This child would be the undoing of the world. The beginning of the end.’

Tears formed in Sapphire’s eyes at the realization. She was simply a girl. She was no prophet.

Another whisper of a laugh and she closed her eyes tightly.

Oh, child. There is an answer.

‘There are many secrets of the world, my sisters. Secrets that are destined to never be answered. But there is one that we do know. The princess is a child of the Shattered Lands. Stolen from the other side by trickery and deceit,’ Esadora continued.

The fire once again shifted, revealing the barrier. The king and queen stood before it, soon joined by a man carrying a baby. As he handed the child over, Sapphire watched in horror as the man’s throat was slit. His body collapsed at their feet before being rolled back through the barrier. The king and queen raised their hands to close it once more.

The sight made her sick, unravelled her thread by thread. This couldn’t be real. This wasn’t possible.

She was Kip and Araxia’s daughter. A child of royal Canmore blood. This vision couldn’t be true. She looked like Aylara, like Araxia. She was a Canmore.

‘And just as Ryvinika had foretold ages ago, the child slipped away, the prophecy in action. Ryvinika’s prophecy – a child born into royal blood – not of it. And when you returned here, eighteen years to the day, we knew you were the one we have been waiting for.’

The fire showed the image of Sapphire in the throne room, Ashes with the dagger in her hand. She tried to stand but something slammed into her, holding her down.

Face the greatness to which you were born.

‘I do not take orders from you.’

The fire flared, a silent warning from Ryvinika to obey.

Sapphire did as the witch commanded as Esadora continued.

‘Ryvinika, please guide us.’

Sapphire felt a shift, an alleviation of pressure she hadn’t realized was there and she watched as the fire took on a form, walking to the middle of the coven.

‘Hello, my sisters.’