The return of Ryvinika’s voice was too much for her to handle, so she pushed away from the bed, bouncing on her toes as if she hadn’t spent the past few hours trapped in her worst nightmare.

‘May I visit you in the library tomorrow?’

Evera agreed but Sapphire didn’t miss the concerned look in her eyes. And she wondered if her own concern was as obvious.

Preparation.

That seemed to be all she did these days. Preparation for becoming queen, preparation for the wedding. The process chipped away at her, carving her into the perfect heir. Kaian stood beside her tirelessly. He took her hand when he was expected to. He guided her when she couldn’t bring herself to navigate the small talk and political agendas hidden behind polite conversation.

Araxia slammed the gavel, signalling the meeting was over and making Sapphire jump. She hurried to gather her things before she could be cornered into a conversation she didn’t need, and rushed out of the room with Claye on her heels.

‘You have –’

Sapphire turned to look at him with a pleading expression.

‘I’m begging you. Please. Allow me an hour off.’

‘How do you expect me –’

‘Lie, Claye. I expect you to lie. Tell them I am unwell, tell them it is my time of the month and I need rest, tell them anything. But I am begging you to grant me this one kindness.’

Claye sighed, running a hand through his hair.

‘One hour, princess. That is it and then I’m going to come and gather you from the library.’

Sapphire half smiled at his certainty that that was where she was headed.

‘You have my word.’

‘The clock is ticking. Go.’

She hurried towards the library, her dress flying behind her. Only when she was safely inside did she allow herself to breathe.

‘Claye set you free?’ Evera asked, ushering her towards their private corner.

‘For one hour.’

Evera smiled as she settled on the couch, Sapphire resting her head against a cushion.

‘The governors were that insufferable?’

‘Evera, if I hear about the oversupply of grain one more time –’

The door to the library opened and shut and Sapphire slumped down, trying to hide. Surely Claye hadn’t already come to retrieve her? They both stared towards the entrance, only relaxing when they saw Kaian’s familiar blond hair.

‘You ran off without me,’ he said as he sat across from them.

‘I couldn’t take any chances.’

The group laughed but an awkward silence followed and Sapphire finally sighed.

‘You can stop acting like this. You are both aware of the situation.’

Kaian relaxed slightly. ‘Are you going to tell me what happened?’