‘That was really something, princess,’ Claye said as he settled in across from her. ‘I know I told you I didn’t have any doubts – but I wasn’t expecting you to nearly bring the arena down.’

Sapphire wanted to laugh but she felt too exhausted to do so.

‘Right now would be a great time for you to take one of those naps.’

Claye struggled to not grin.

‘I’ll offer you silence, for now at least.’ He turned his focus to a stack of documents he had tucked away in his bag.

In the comfortable silence of the carriage, Sapphire tried to relax. Her body was tired, but her mind was alive and racing. The voice from earlier rang in her ears, and like a moth to a flame, she could not ignore it. When it came, she listened. When it controlled her, she could not escape.

It scared her that, deep down, she wasn’t sure she entirely wanted to rid herself of it.

Back at the castle, the queen led her through a small door Sapphire had never noticed, and into an expansive winding garden. She wasn’t sure where to look first: the blooming flowers, the robust roseberry vines, the manicured hedges that curved to create an elaborate maze. She had never seen this part of the grounds.

They walked slowly; their pace intentional as the sun warmed their backs.

‘This is one of my favourite places to come to think.’

‘I can see why. It’s beautiful.’

‘I try to tend to it myself most weeks if I have time. I enjoy the upkeep. My mother used to joke that I would have been better off being an earth wielder with my green fingers.’

Sapphire gave her a strained smile, unsure of what to say, and Araxia sighed as she led them over to a nearby stone bench.

Sapphire reluctantly followed.

‘It is my job as your mother and your teacher to guide you through the hard moments. But if I’m being honest, while I know you are still learning to be my daughter, as much as I hate to admit it, I am still learning to be a mother. I don’t always know what the best course of action is.’

Sapphire stayed quiet, unsure of how to respond to this type of vulnerability.

‘This has been hard for you. I can’t imagine how you feel – and it’s not getting any easier. But your father and I love you. The power you wielded is something beyond me – beyond anything – or anyone – that I’ve ever seen.’

‘Does that scare you?’ Sapphire couldn’t stop the question from rolling off her lips.

The queen, to her credit, didn’t flinch. Instead she placed a gentle hand over Sapphire’s, her words kind, but strained.

‘We will figure this out, together.’