On top of that, the tension she felt around Araxia and Kip hadn’t faded, but she tried to make an effort to spend some time with them. She asked them questions regarding the kingdom, the people she had yet to meet, the world she had yet to explore. They never refused her, telling her all about the town centre of Astral where merchants lined the streets daily, about the kingdom’s orchards and gardens that helped feed the citizens throughout the year, about the Elders who offered prosperity and blessings. Despite it all, she listened, enchanted by a world she hardly knew. Kip remained standoffish but still present – still making an effort to connect with Sapphire. And Araxia? Well, she was kind. She was patient. She was accepting.

And for that exact reason, Sapphire didn’t trust her.

She knew the queen’s eagerness came from a place of longing … eighteen years without her child. But still, she never questioned her. She never looked at her sideways, like she was a stranger in their kingdom.

Outside that, they kept her impossibly busy. From sunrise to sunset, they moulded her to become a part of their world. A packed schedule left her no time to see Evera, to explore the grounds, to comb through the ancient books that lined her walls.

Shadow Witches. Dark Magic. Lost history. She needed to know more, but by the time she collapsed into bed at night, her eyelids were too heavy to read.

Today was no different, and as she walked into the chamber where her instructor awaited, she did her best to stifle a yawn. Exhaustion was ever-present.

‘Good afternoon. I trust training went well?’

Fyra Pattaway had a stern look about her without even trying. The grey hair of the tutor Sapphire had been assigned was plaited tightly against her scalp, and a constant frown took up too much room on her face. Her voice was steady but not elegant. Her posture was rigid, and her clothes were always neatly pressed.

Sapphire nodded and the woman’s frown deepened.

‘Princess, as we’ve discussed, it is important to address questions verbally to show you are engaged.’

Sapphire fought the urge to roll her eyes, another habit she had been scolded for one too many times.

‘Yes, Fyra. Training went well. I – well, I’m enjoying connecting with the water.’

‘That is great to hear. But I hope you are prepared to focus on today’s lesson.’

‘I will do my best.’

Fyra narrowed her eyes.

‘And I will focus.’

If there was anywhere that Sapphire struggled, it was in this room. She had been lucky enough to learn to read and write – a privilege that was not awarded to most girls once the war came – but outside that, she had never attended school. She battled to keep focus, and to retain the information she was given daily.