‘Sapphire, you can’t trust her.’ It was Evera who spoke. ‘No matter what she tells you, or what they show you, or how kind they seem.’

‘Ashes is …’ Sapphire opened and closed her fist three times, trying to decide if she wanted to continue. ‘Maybe if you just took some time to understand her –’

‘No.’

Kaian stared at her with narrowed eyes.

‘Excuse me?’

Kaian rose to his feet, hovering above her. ‘For centuries, Shadow Witches lived up to their reputation. And you will not change that. I won’t allow it.’

A fire deep inside her stoked the anger in her chest. She dug her nails into her scarred palm in an effort to not give in. Still, she couldn’t slow its burn. It devoured her, pulsing through every nerve ending.

Silently, she rose, standing nose to nose with her husband-to-be. And when she smiled, she watched as Kaian’s expression shifted to something else entirely. Fear, realization, desperation.

She swallowed, trying to dispel the poison she felt building inside her.

He will control you. A queen is but a puppet for the man who sits beside her.

No.

Kaian was her friend. Her advocate and her confidant. They had made a promise.

High bloods never keep their word.

Ashes’ words rang in her ears. Ashes had warned her that he would try to control her. That she would lose her voice and her power – her decisions made by her husband and a council.

‘You do not command me,’ Sapphire said in a low voice. ‘I do not answer to your orders.’

‘I am your partner. We make decisions together, and I have the right to tell you when you are acting … unwisely.’

‘You’re not even listening.’

‘Then talk, Sapphire. Tell me why I should trust this Shadow Witch you’re so fond of.’

Sapphire stared at him with wide eyes, unsure how to explain that she dreamed of Ashes’ lips, her skin in the moonlight. She could not gather words, and Kaian gave her a sideways glance.

‘Exactly. I advise you to focus on your people. The ones you will do right by and serve faithfully.’

With that, he pushed away from his seat and walked towards the door. Once Kaian was gone, Evera spoke.

‘I’ll listen.’

The words caught Sapphire off guard, and she stared at her friend in disbelief.

Evera patted the free spot beside her, and Sapphire crawled on to the bed, her body suddenly exhausted. As she turned to look at Evera, her friend stared at her with worried eyes.

‘You really care about her, don’t you?’

‘I do.’ Sapphire didn’t hesitate. It was like a rush of fresh air to speak of her feelings for Ashes. To be fully herself. To admit that she adored the Shadow Witch that walked barefoot through the forest and praised the moon.

‘I am not here to judge you, but you have to understand that I am … confused.’