Her final vision before her arrival. She remembered the smallest detail of the withered hem of the girl’s black dress, the thin hand and well-kept nails, and the glint of red hair like a beacon of safety amidst the storm.

She reached out, palming a lock of Ashes’ hair. It was so familiar; how had she not seen it before?

‘Ashes …’

The colour drained from Ashes’ face, her eyes dragging upwards to meet Sapphire’s.

‘I-I need to make one more confession.’

Ashes nodded.

‘The visions … I-I believe I was dreaming of … you.’ Ashes failed to mask her shock as she stared at Sapphire. ‘I think whatever magic or prophecy or damn trick of fate brought me back knew. I don’t think I came here to find my family, my kingdom – I think it brought me here to find you.’

The iciness melted entirely from Ashes’ features, a smile breaking across her beautiful face.

‘I thought you weren’t a believer in fool’s magic,’ she whispered as she leaned closer. ‘But if that’s true, then I must offer fate my gratitude for the rest of my life.’

Ashes brought her into a lingering kiss that was full of longing and a desperation. She tugged Sapphire closer, lifting her on to her lap, and the touch of skin on skin made Sapphire’s brain unravel. Every question she had melted away at the touch of Ashes’ fingers on her thigh.

She had been dreaming of this girl before she had known her. She had been running towards her before she knew of her existence. She had been working to save her before she had ever set foot in this barren land.

Damn a kingdom. Damn a crown. Damn the Gods, the barrier, and everything in between.

Ashes, this Shadow Witch, was the salvation she had been seeking.

Days later, Sapphire wasn’t simply avoiding sleep. She feared it. The nightmare felt so real, and she couldn’t shake the sensation of dread that had settled into her bones. Still, exhaustion was a strong opponent, and despite her fear, she fell into a restless slumber.

Ashes. Screaming. Reaching out. Crying.

Sapphire could not get to her as a crowd ripped her in two. But then she noticed Ashes was not alone, and suddenly, Sapphire saw herself being held down as she lashed out, trying to free herself.

And then she heard the chants.

Burn the witch.

Burn the witch.

Sapphire watched as her dream self turned to look at Ashes. The desperation they shared was so raw and broken that Sapphire couldn’t watch any longer. She sat up in bed before vomiting all over the marble floor.

Burn the witch.

She was out of bed in a matter of seconds, reaching for her training suit and pulling back her hair, strapping the dagger to her thigh. The chants from her dreamland rang out in her mind.

Burn the witch.