Ashes stared straight ahead, never glancing at Sapphire. Her eyes were fixed on Ryvinika, her expression a mask of indifference – so stark compared to the gleeful women who surrounded her, clapping and chattering excitedly. Sapphire kept her gaze locked on her witch as the world darkened around them.

Ashes was a few steps away when she finally looked to where Sapphire stood. She did not falter when she met Sapphire’s stare.

‘The prophecy is fulfilled,’ Ryvinika called out and the coven cheered. ‘Now we begin. Now we take back what should have always been ours.’

Ashes did not smile, did not praise her. She remained stoic, staring blankly.

‘What have you done?’ Sapphire pressed when Ashes was near. Her voice was steady, though she did not feel that way.

‘I did nothing at all.’

Ashes’ voice was hollow, empty.

A cry split the air.

It was a warning. A warning to run, to hide, to be anywhere but here. And then the ground beneath their feet shook as the creature came into view.

A shadow creature the size of the tallest tree stood at the border, waiting for a command.

‘Look at me!’ Sapphire demanded. ‘Why would you do this to me?’

‘I did nothing, princess,’ said Ashes. ‘Your choices are your own.’

Her eyes did not dance as she spoke, and there was no bite to her tone. She sounded drained.

‘You told me to trust them. To trust her.’ Sapphire pointed to Ryvinika, the woman who looked so much like herself. ‘You gave me your word – that peace would come if I just followed the prophecy. This is not peace. This is –’ Her eyes flickered to the flames that consumed the forest. The forest where she had spent many nights. It was ablaze, her naivety burning with it. ‘There were never plans for peace, were there? This … you always intended this. To trick me, make me your fool. You lied to me.’

‘You chose to believe me.’ Sapphire’s eyes widened at the impact of the words and she found Ashes’ gaze. If it had been all those months ago, when their paths first crossed, Sapphire would’ve thought nothing of the slight shift of Ashes’ expression – but Sapphire knew her now.

Only for a moment, she saw a glimpse of the girl from the forest and she almost reached out a desperate hand, but as quickly as it had come, the glimpse was gone.

‘Was any of it real? Anything you told me? The oaths you took? Your –’ Sapphire choked back a sob. ‘Did you ever care for me at all? Or was this just part of your plan? Whatever must be done. No matter who gets hurt.’