‘I am quite behind. If you don’t have a request, I do apologize but I must focus. Is that OK?’

Sapphire frowned, knowing a dismissal when she heard one.

‘Of course.’ Sapphire stepped back. ‘Just send me a note tomorrow. I really hope we get to spend some time together.’

Evera offered her a tense smile but said nothing until Sapphire finally took her cue to leave.

Claye had delivered the letter a few hours ago, letting Sapphire know that Evera had agreed to stay the night and since then Sapphire had been awaiting her arrival. The sun had almost slipped away when the knock came. When Sapphire opened the door, both girls stared at their hands, unsure of what to say.

‘I’ve been avoiding you,’ Evera said with no preamble. Honest and straightforward.

‘I caught on to that.’

‘You deserve to know why.’

‘You don’t have to tell me.’

‘Sapphire, stop talking. Please, let me do this.’

Sapphire clamped her mouth shut.

‘I used to have four siblings. I now have three.’ The tremor in Evera’s voice was noticeable and Sapphire stilled. ‘He died chasing power. And that night – when you were summoning your powers, the look in your eyes reminded me so much of the way he used to look. He could have burned the world to the ground and it wouldn’t have been enough for him.’ She paused and rubbed her neck like she was trying to convince herself to carry on.

‘You – I can’t …’ She hiccupped, a soft sob bubbling on her lips. ‘Maybe we hardly know each other, but I care about you. And I can’t imagine watching you burn out like he did. I can’t lose someone else – especially not to the hunger for power that comes with this world. I don’t want you to –’

Sapphire was up and moving before she had the time to think the decision through, wrapping her arms around Evera. She pulled her friend in close as Evera shook with sobs. And she remained there, supporting her as the girl struggled with a loss she would never shake.

‘I – I never had the opportunity to have a family before I came here. But I did have … people who mattered. So, while I’ve never had a loss like yours … I am sorry. Sorry you had to face that and sorry that I ever made you think you would face it again.’

‘You never talk about the Home.’

‘I fear the guilt will consume me if I do. I … I left them. I left them and there was no one prepared to take my place.’

Evera reached out for her hand. ‘You never chose to leave them, Sapphire.’