The coven dropped to their knees. Ryvinika turned to look at Sapphire – and Sapphire almost emptied her stomach into the dirt. She looked exactly like her.

‘I once had a sister, Aylara, who was desperate to free herself from the life she was born into. Ashamed of her Shadow Witch heritage. And so she took to praying in the elemental temples, joining the elementals at their tables, and when the time came for battle, she betrayed her own. She whispered our secrets – about the coven, about me – giving them exactly what they needed to defeat me. They stole my life – or thought they did, at least.’

Aylara.

Oh, mercy. The original queen. The woman who had fascinated Sapphire since her arrival. Her namesake. All those ripped pages … Aylara was a descendant …

‘The Elders came to adore her – offering her a rare favour. The gift of the elemental powers she longed for. And so, the Canmore bloodline was born, water wielders who would bear one daughter per generation – the future queens of Eriobis. And her bloodline continued for centuries – until Araxia Canmore. Barren: heartbreaking for the dynasty. The possible end of the infamous Canmore queens. And that’s when a plan was devised. Because while the bloodline of the Canmores grew … my own did as well.’

Ryvinika moved closer to Sapphire, who forced herself to remain still, forced herself not to look away from the woman’s sinister stare.

‘A deal was struck. A child of my bloodline would be brought forward in exchange for the freedom of those who resided in the Shattered Lands. The barrier would be brought down, and we would live in peace.

‘And so, you were born. Small and feisty from the moment your cry pierced the world – stealing your mother’s final breath as you left the womb. The child was presented through a hole in the barrier, where it was weakened just enough for a small passage accessible to those of pure blood, all while the Shattered Lands celebrated – preparing for a new life. But the queen did not hold up her end of the agreement; the barrier was sealed, reinforced even, locking away our people once more.’

The figure was close now – too close – and Sapphire could no longer feign bravado as she shied away from its menacing grin.

‘And so Aylara Canmore was created. Named after my lovely sister. They tried to hide my blood running through your veins, but they failed. They will always fail because magic – power – is not so easily silenced.’ Ryvinika turned to face Sapphire. ‘For a thousand years I have awaited you. Months I have bided my time as you adjusted. But you have done well, my child – won the hearts of those around you. And when you take the throne, you can finally bring justice to this coven. A queen worth bowing to.’

The flame engulfed Sapphire, the feeling of burning fingers pressing into her eyes and an inhuman scream escaping her lips.