She had not taken time to change. Her dress became heavier the deeper she went, but she could feel the energy building around her – every nerve buzzing as the water met her skin. She stretched her hands out, prepared to run through what she had been practising.

The first move was simple – pulling all the water into her and then pushing it away to create large waves that could overwhelm anyone who joined her in the lake.

Simple. Easy. The water obeying its master.

‘I’m glad to know the recommendations in that book were correct. But we should probably stop now.’

But it wasn’t enough. She needed Evera to believe that she could beat Kaian. Even if Kaian was kind. Even if he was nothing like his parents. From the tips of her fingers to the very marrow of her bones, her entire being longed to establish dominance.

She thrust her hand under the waves, calling upon the magic in her veins and the magic that coursed through the ground under her feet. She called upon the Elders and the Gods that came before them, pleading with them to fuel her. To give her the kind of power that would bring the world to its knees. The type of power a queen would need.

Something heeded her.

As her outstretched hands began to move in slow circles, the water followed her. Move with me. Follow me. Trust me. Her fingers began to work quicker and the water followed at the same pace, spinning faster until she had created a whirlpool. The water roared with rage as it moved at her command. And she smiled to herself.

It wasn’t proper. Araxia wouldn’t approve. But, Gods, she was lost in it.

Lost in the sound of the rapids rushing past her, the feeling of the world bending to her will. In the sight of the water – hungry and consuming. In the idea of winning the duel with the smallest move of her fingers. At the vision of smiling in victory at Sadara. For a moment, she wondered if she could consume the world whole.

Right then, she understood Vasalis, the forsaken Elder who took on too much. The type of control and power coursing through her fingertips was impossible to replicate.

She understood the daughter of the water, who’d sacrificed herself to the Voltra Sea.

‘Sapphire, please!’

Evera’s strangled plea broke through the haze, and she dropped her hands stiffly to her sides. The water ceased swirling and became still without her guidance, and she stared out at the miles that stretched before her, blinking a few times to recentre herself.

Finally, she turned to Evera, who asked, ‘Are you OK?’

Sapphire blinked a few more times before meeting her gaze.

‘Yes, sorry. I’m fine.’ She exited the lake, meeting Evera on the shore. ‘What did you think?’

‘I think you are a Canmore through and through. Kaian won’t stand a chance.’