Sapphire tried to ignore the meaning lurking behind his words and fixed her eyes on the two figures in front of them.

‘They kept me in a cage for nearly two days.’

A small chuckle shook his body.

‘Better than most are blessed with.’

He paused for another moment, craning his neck slightly to look up at her.

‘And to be fair, the castle guards threw you in the cage. And myself, of course.’

Sapphire’s eyes pinned Claye. ‘I’ll make sure I remember that.’

A grin spread across his narrow face. ‘All I’m trying to say is, we put you in the cage. It was their decision to let you out. I’d make sure to remember that instead.’

He turned and walked away without another word, leaving her. It felt as if time dragged on for hours until the doors swung open again, and two women entered.

The younger one had fiery red hair and skin that was nearly translucent. She had a darkness about her, but even from a distance, Sapphire could tell she was unnervingly beautiful.

The older woman beside her looked more severe. She had the same red hair but her skin was nearly silver with scars running in every direction. When her eyes cut to Sapphire, she was startled to see they were pale blue.

‘Your majesties.’ The older woman bowed, her younger counterpart following suit. ‘It’s a long time since we’ve been issued an imperative court summons.’

The king took his place on the throne beside his wife. ‘We need to get something straightened out,’ his eyes jumped between the two women and Sapphire, ‘quickly.’

The pair turned, their eyes settling on her at last. She squirmed under their gaze, unable to stop the shivers that ran across her skin as they took careful steps towards her.

This is –

It’s too much –

She –

‘We only want proof she is our daughter, Savina. Nothing more,’ the queen called to the older woman from her throne.

‘As you wish, my queen.’ Sapphire did not miss the bitterness in the woman’s tone. ‘Though if I was you, your majesty, I’d want to know why this girl has eyes the colour of the flowers that cover the fields of Ciliria. Quite unusual.’

‘That,’ the queen’s voice was sharper than it had been, ‘is none of your concern. Just do as we have asked.’

Savina threw her hands up in mock defence. ‘Nothing but a familial charm, my queen. There’s no need to fret.’

Araxia held Savina’s gaze with narrowed eyes.

‘There is plenty to fret over, given our history. In fact, I want your daughter to do this.’

Savina smiled, turning to face the younger red-haired woman.

‘Well, go on, Ashes. You’ve been requested.’

Ashes approached, her face unfriendly and guarded. The girl towered over Sapphire, making her feel small.