She could not think about it. She could not consider it.

She was not their daughter.

She waited for Araxia to speak, to lash out, to throw her out of training, but the woman remained steady, saying nothing. She studied her with a look Sapphire could not read.

‘Are you ready to try again?’

She wanted to say no, but she knew they had struck a deal. And despite her failures, she knew she had to continue to play the queen’s game. She had to keep her word. She had to try and try until her attempts were deemed good enough.

So, back under she went.

Two hours later, she was exhausted. They had been training non-stop, and Sapphire was out of hope. Her chest ached and her lungs burned as she struggled to stay upright.

She had failed every single time; her arms flying about, a sputtering cough escaping her lips whenever she broke the surface. Araxia’s ability to hide her disappointment was long gone.

Sapphire had tried to do what Araxia instructed. She had tried to connect, to feel at home. But every time, her anxiety overrode her senses, forcing her up with the need to fill her lungs with air.

Frowning, Araxia placed her hand on Sapphire’s shoulder. ‘One more time. And then you will be done for today. Evera should be here soon.’

With a heavy sigh, Sapphire ducked her head once more under the surface. She opened her eyes to see the familiar span of blue water. At first, it had been comforting; the silence it offered her had been peaceful.

And she repeated the mantra she had known for years.

You will not fail. You will not fall.

And she believed it …

Until doubt settled in.

You’re running out of air.

Your lungs are going to explode.

You’re not made for this.

Sapphire pushed upwards, desperate to break the surface. She knew it hadn’t been long enough – her lungs were not even burning. But she needed this all to be over. Her pride was wounded, and her body was tired. But as she attempted to rise, she smacked into a hard surface – like the water had been turned to stone.

She looked up, but nothing had changed. Sapphire tried once more, slamming against the invisible barrier and bouncing back to the bottom.

She tried again with more force, pressing her hands against the surface only to feel it pressing back, and she clawed at it, trying to escape.

Her lungs had now turned to fire, begging for relief. She looked frantically around her, trying to find Araxia, but she could not see her.

Suddenly, two hands lifted her out of the water.

‘Sapphire? Sapphire, you’re safe. I have you.’

She pushed away from the woman, struggling to reach the shore. She needed to be out of the water.

‘What is wrong with you? I could’ve died!’