‘I almost killed Kaian. I hurt him because I lost control.’ Sapphire put her head in her hands, a sob winning out over her will not to fall apart. ‘All those people today – they think I’m a monster.’

‘No, Sapphire. No. Your power will be respected. And it’ll just make you a stronger queen.’

Araxia’s eyes finally met Sapphire’s, and she noticed the queen looked tired. Sapphire’s lip quivered.

‘Since the day you were born, you were destined to be queen. All the unexpected circumstances in the world couldn’t change that.’

Sapphire gave her a small smile, and Araxia stood up, smoothing the wrinkles out of her dress once more. A nervous habit that Sapphire knew well.

The woman began to head out of the garden, but Sapphire felt overwhelmed.

‘Can you stay?’

Tears flooded the woman’s eyes, and Sapphire admired how she did not fight to hold them back. They fell gracefully. Like they were nothing to be ashamed of.

‘Of course I can.’

Araxia sat beside her once more, and Sapphire felt the weight of the day, of the last few months strike her all at once.

She laid her head on Araxia’s shoulder. The woman stiffened but relaxed as she placed her own head atop Sapphire’s. Since her arrival, she had been so focused on her own experiences she had never really stopped to think about how her return would impact Kip and Araxia. How they would struggle to make the right choices and fear that they were failing her. The thought made her chest ache.

They were quiet for some time. Sapphire felt growing fondness for the strong woman beside her.

‘We’ll figure it out, sweetling. I promise,’ the queen whispered, gently nuzzling her head. ‘We’ll figure it all out together.’

‘I’ve never had a mother before. I don’t know what she should be or how it should feel. But – but whenever I close my eyes and seek out comfort or strength, you’re all I see. I stare for hours into the looking glass hoping to find small pieces, scraps even, of who you are inside me. If there is another way, a better way, some skill I need to master, I don’t see it. So, please, just – just don’t give up on me.’

The confession slipped off her tongue, but her words, she had meant them.

‘Sapphire.’ Araxia’s voice came clouded with emotion.

The queen turned and enveloped Sapphire in a hug. And Sapphire allowed it – enjoyed it – wanted it. A rock in the storm going on inside her soul.

Unknown power. A hazard.

But still, her mother hugged her tighter.

And that was enough for Sapphire – today.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Sapphire and Evera were sitting in the garden enjoying the late-afternoon sunshine.

‘I’ve never seen power like yours before.’