‘I will be right outside the door. If you need me, please just –’

‘I won’t.’ Rayna flinched and Sapphire felt guilty. Rayna bowed her head as Sapphire stepped into the washroom, avoiding the girl’s gaze.

When she entered the bath, her hand stung and she quickly pulled it out of the water, staring at the fresh cut over her old scar. As she traced it lightly with her finger, she recalled the witch’s touch – how it had lingered a second longer than necessary. How it had silenced every screaming thought in her head.

Sapphire half wished she’d held on a bit longer.

She remained in the bath with those thoughts for hours and the water never went cold. Magic, she guessed. She added that to her growing list of questions. Afterwards she collapsed into the large bed; it was soft and the pillows plentiful, so unlike the worn mattress at the Home.

The Home.

She wondered if they were looking for her in the woodlands; if they cried beside her bed; if Martia said a prayer to the Saints, begging for her return. Or if she had simply pressed the dagger into Kaila’s hand, and Sapphire had become just another name on the growing list of those who never returned home.

The thought broke her, and she sobbed into the pillows until she fell into a restless sleep.

A soft knock stirred her the next morning, and when she opened the door, she found a small older woman standing there.

‘I apologize for the interruption, princess. I have been asked to gather your measurements.’

The woman led her to her dressing quarters, assisting her as she stepped on to a box in front of a large, gilded mirror. The woman’s hands worked quickly as she poked and prodded. A measuring tape was wrapped around Sapphire’s waist, her bust, and her arms.

She couldn’t stop fidgeting, but the woman never slowed, never sighed in frustration as she continued her task. Then the tailor wrapped the measuring tape around her waist once more, and studied the number.

‘I-I come from a place of famine,’ Sapphire rushed out, and the woman looked up, softening at the admission.

‘I’ll leave a few extra inches, princess. May you never know hunger like that again.’

Sapphire relaxed slightly but couldn’t fully adjust to the feeling of hands on her skin as the tailor guided her through steps she did not understand, and it was only when the door shut, leaving her alone, that she allowed herself to truly breathe.

Heading back to the washroom, she noticed the leathers had been taken away and frowned.

She’d rather liked the leather. It made her feel like a warrior.

The dress that was brought to her a few hours later … did not.