Sapphire stared around the seats as the prayer continued, meeting another wandering gaze. Kaian smirked and they both looked away quickly. ‘To the magic that binds us and the barrier that keeps us safe. May it endure for all of our days.’

Sapphire’s eyes widened at the king’s words as the prayer ended. Servants began to fill every inch of the table with dishes.

Before her was enough food to feed the Home for months. There were bowls of fresh fruit she knew had to have been picked from the trees and vines on the castle grounds, and fresh bread and pastries were stacked on tiered plates. There was meat – the kind of rich cuts Sapphire had dreamed of back in Witrotean. Nothing like the scraps she had pulled from the carcasses of the small woodland creatures she had hunted in the forest.

There was simmering soup, and sweets that made her mouth water from just looking at them. There was no space left on the table once the presentation was complete.

Overabundance to celebrate.

It was something she wasn’t sure she would ever get used to.

Rayna began to plate her food for her. As she motioned to each platter, Sapphire gave her a simple yes or no, and the others waited as the king and queen’s servants followed suit. Once their plates were filled, the questions began.

What was your childhood like?

Can you tell us more about Witrotean?

Were you aware of what had happened to you?

She played along, answering their questions as she had been trained to do. Otherwise she sat silently, studying the room and listening to their conversations. The governor of the Isle of Irobel was upset, seemingly offended by the lack of support and resources they were receiving for their transportation initiative. Then Aleburn was demanding more financial assistance for the rebuilding of villages affected by the erosion of the cliffs.

The guests slipped in their political plays any chance they got. But she also overheard things they might not have intended her to.

‘The barrier is fracturing at a faster rate than they’d like us to believe,’ whispered a man whose name she couldn’t recall. ‘If a simple girl can cross it, who is to say the monsters won’t follow?’

‘It’s the Canmore way. Keep us all in the dark in an effort not to sully their perfect image.’

They cut their conversation short when they met her gaze, stiffening in their chairs.

It was all rather exhausting, but eventually, the room began to clear as attendees excused themselves, always offering the Canmores a bow as they left. Sapphire felt herself relax slightly. She wasn’t entirely sure she had done well, but she had survived and that was good enough for her.

Soon enough, it was only the Princeps and the royal family left in the room.