With every step, she felt her heart rate increase. The realization that she was about to emerge in front of thousands of people heightened the hollow feeling of anxiety that had bored its way into her chest.

She stood in the large French doors of the northern side of the castle. The same doors she had been seeing all week.

Sapphire’s mouth was dry, her hands clammy. The world tilted, and the panic clung close.

Araxia tightly gripped the curve of her elbow, a silent question.

Sapphire met the queen’s sincere gaze and tried to steady the hitch in her breath. Her knees wobbled but she remained standing.

Araxia gave her a proud smile.

Two guards pulled the doors open, Kip and Araxia stepping out a few seconds later. The sun was bright, blinding even, as it painted them golden. The crowd was deafening as the people of Eriobis celebrated their king and queen.

Claye stepped forward, in his robe with the cool silvers of the air lineage woven into it. As he began to wave his hand, a simple gust of magic was summoned, allowing Araxia’s voice to carry out to the people below.

‘It has been my greatest honour to serve the people of Eriobis,’ she began. ‘But, as you know, there was another honour I have always held dear to my heart – being a mother. Eighteen years ago, I was given that opportunity, and then, it was taken away in an instant. Since then, we have dedicated our efforts and time to finding our beloved daughter. It’s been such a heavy burden to carry – the loss of a child – and I truly had started giving up hope. But the Elders are kind, generous, and have finally brought light back to our darkest times.’

The hum of whispers intensified. The air was electric. Araxia paused, allowing the crowd to process and speculate. She never wavered, though. She cleared her throat, and the silence returned.

‘And that’s why we have gathered you here today. It is a celebration beyond measure. Because we have regained the one title we thought we’d never hold again – parents. Today, I would like to introduce you all to someone very special. Our daughter, Sapphire Canmore.’

Stillness.

Unmoving and tense.

Sapphire Canmore.

She hadn’t heard the names paired together before and couldn’t tell if it sounded right. A hand pressed against her lower back and she turned to find Claye smiling at her, eyes narrowed.

‘Go. They’re waiting for you.’

Araxia and Kip turned her way, each with a hand outstretched. She thought of Witrotean, back to that small, dusty room, and Martia with her furrowed brow, Susanna and Lyna with their constant questions, her hand-me-down clothes. But there was no returning to what she had once known. There was no other path but forward.

So she took the first step forward – towards notoriety, scrutiny, and plenty of things she wasn’t ready for.