Sapphire furrowed her brows, trying to consider what the witch could be implying, but came up with nothing. Ashes chuckled before reaching out a hand. Sapphire forced herself not to flinch as Ashes gently tucked a lock of loose hair behind her ear.

‘This is not a safe place for princesses to play.’

‘You speak to me as if I –’ Sapphire sputtered. ‘I am not a child.’

‘No.’ Ashes’ eyes dragged down Sapphire’s frame before meeting her gaze once more. ‘You most certainly are not.’

Sapphire felt her cheeks warm and she angled her face away in an effort to collect herself.

Ashes asked, taking a step closer, ‘Trouble on the golden throne?’

‘I just needed fresh air.’

‘We both know that’s not true,’ Ashes replied with a grin and the already black night became darker at the command of her shadows. Sapphire’s eyes widened, fear gripping her. ‘Power can be a terrifying thing, can’t it?’

Sapphire opened her mouth to speak but closed it promptly – how did she know?

‘I have no idea what you mean by that.’

‘Of course, you do, princess. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in these woods interrupting my night.’

‘What …’

‘Power is nothing to fear.’ The world around them darkened to an endless black and Ashes stepped closer, leaving hardly any room between them. ‘Don’t you crave it? The rush of it? The destruction?’

‘How do you know …?’

Ashes reached out her hand, tucking one finger under Sapphire’s chin. With a tap, she forced Sapphire to meet her gaze.

‘What do I know?’

Sapphire felt pinned by the witch’s stare and she opened and closed her mouth several times, entranced by the eyes staring back at her. ‘Would you like to confess your secrets? I will listen.’

Something sparked inside Sapphire. Something dark and curious and she felt herself lean forward slightly, just close enough that she could feel Ashes’ warm breath on her skin.

‘What is it that you seek, princess?’

Sapphire’s lips parted slightly but words did not come as she struggled to smother the answer she so desperately wanted to say.

I seek power. I seek answers. I seek you.

But she could not admit that so she shoved it down, forcing herself to take a step back. She desperately needed distance between them. Distance from whatever had awoken inside her. Ashes laughed like she could read her thoughts.

‘Be careful in your duel, princess. I would hate to see that darling Princeps boy get hurt.’

And then, the darkness collapsed, and she was alone. The sensation sent her running for the shore, never breaking her stride as she met the water. But as she swam, she could have sworn she felt a monster watching her.

A monster in the form of the most beautiful girl she had ever seen.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

It was the morning of the duel and Sapphire struggled to focus as Claye escorted her.