‘But I left all the same.’ Sapphire wiped a tear away with her free hand. ‘Maybe one day I will be able to face it all. Maybe I can tell you about the Home and the world I once knew, but for now, it’s simply a demon I am not brave enough to face.’

‘You’re braver than you ever give yourself credit for.’ Evera squeezed her hand.

‘I won’t do it again,’ Sapphire said, returning to the topic of conversation she could stomach. ‘I promise.’ And she meant it.

A few moments passed before Evera pulled away. Her eyes were swollen but she smiled.

‘You’re my friend. The closest friend I have,’ Sapphire said too quickly.

Evera’s smile grew, and she pulled Sapphire back into a hug. ‘What a way with words you have.’

They fought back a fit of laughter that threatened to take them over, eventually succumbing to the feeling. They collapsed together on the bed, giggling, thankful that the hard conversations were over.

Still, a feeling lingered in the back of Sapphire’s mind.

The feeling that she did not belong.

And she clung to Evera’s kindness like a soul lost in a storm.

They spent the rest of the night confessing secrets and memories. Stories of their childhoods, which were so starkly different – Evera’s filled with warmth and love, Sapphire’s a fight – but still, they found more common ground than expected. Both had been caretakers for those younger than them, forced to grow up to provide … It was there that Sapphire felt a deeper connection than she had ever known.

They fought to keep their tired eyes open as the moon climbed high in the sky, not wanting the night to pass – but finally, Sapphire felt herself slipping into a deep sleep that only came with the security that Evera could offer her.

At the training grounds, Araxia was already in the water, which was entirely out of character. The queen had entered the water only once – on Sapphire’s first day – remaining on the shore to instruct and encourage the rest of the time. The sight stopped her short, and Araxia waved to her.

‘Come on, Sapphire. We only have a little light left. Let’s get started.’

‘Get started?’

‘You’re going to duel me.’

‘Wh-What? I’m not ready for that.’

Sapphire took a step away from the queen, unsteady on her feet. And despite the water’s chill, she began to sweat under her training suit. The idea of duelling Araxia, the queen of Eriobis and the woman who had taught her everything she knew, left her unnerved. She wasn’t prepared, either mentally or physically.

‘You are ready. And if you’re not, you will be. We will duel every day. Multiple times a day if needed. I refuse to let my daughter walk into the arena unprepared – especially when duelling a Princeps.’