‘Raya Canmore was a force of nature. She would’ve liked you, liked your fire. Your spirit. Your quick tongue. You’re a lot like her actually.’

Sapphire smiled. She had seen Raya’s portrait in the castle. She resembled Araxia but with furrowed brows and more anger in her eyes.

‘She sounds incredible.’

Araxia’s laugh vibrated against Sapphire’s skin. ‘She was a very polarizing woman, and queen. But she always did right by her people, all the way to the end.’ Sadness dripped from Araxia’s words as she stared up at the sky.

‘A truth for a truth?’

It was a game Sapphire had played with Lyna and Susanna. A truth for a truth – a moment of honesty. She wasn’t sure why the old memory had surfaced at this moment – but maybe it was a bit of childhood nostalgia, for moments like this when she was younger.

‘Pardon?’

‘It was a game I used to play in Witrotean. We don’t have to –’

‘Well, can you explain the rules?’ Araxia replied eagerly.

Regret hit Sapphire quicker than she could stop it.

‘It’s simple, really,’ Sapphire continued. ‘Two parties volley questions and answers with only one rule.’

‘Which is?’ the queen pressed.

Sapphire turned to her, unblinking, and said in a serious tone, ‘Both parties respect each other with honest answers.’

The amusement retreated from the queen’s eyes for a moment before she finally nodded in agreement.

And so they began.

‘Tell me your fondest memory of Witrotean.’

Oh.

Sapphire tucked her hands under herself and tried to consider the question.

Fondest memory of Witrotean?

Mercy, she wasn’t sure there was one.

Still, she attempted to conjure up something.

‘I was eleven. It was before the war, so times weren’t as hard. Money had somehow found its way to the Home, and Loriana, one of the Mothers at the time, allowed us each a silver coin to buy whatever we pleased. I found a sketchbook at the market and bartered my way to a good price. I used the pages sparingly, until the day the war found its way into our home. We lost everything, my sketchbook included.’ She wiped away a single tear. ‘I enjoyed drawing very much. It helped me relax and get the thoughts out of my head. That was one of the last times I truly had something new of my own.’

Grief. Sorrow. Heartache.

Those were the words that came to mind as she watched Araxia falter to reply to her confession. The woman clenched her fist open and shut a few times as she tried to rein in her building emotions.

Finally, she spoke.

‘Would you like some art supplies in your room?’

Sapphire ran her thumb along her scar in an effort to not give in to the urge to sob. ‘It’s my turn to ask a question, not yours.’

‘Would you?’

A few quiet beats passed.

‘I would love that.’

‘Consider it done.’