As she emerged on to Ciliria’s shore, she spotted a familiar boulder and leaned against it for a moment to catch her breath.

But every minute wasted was a threat. She needed to be back inside the castle grounds before the sun broke over the horizon. So, she began.

It was darker than she recalled, so that she could barely make out the trees in front of her. It was hard, but not impossible.

She had to see the barrier. An urge that threatened to swallow her whole.

But every time the moon broke through the canopy, she found herself looking at the same wall of trees she had passed moments earlier.

She took a deep breath. She was prepared for this – she had studied the map till her eyes had burned. She knew where she needed to go – she only needed to trust herself.

West.

She was supposed to head west.

Her pace increased, her confidence building with each step.

She was going to find the barrier.

She noticed the flicker of a flame a few paces ahead of her and quickly pressed herself against the nearest tree, try not to let her panic win.

But then she heard the sound of voices echoing through the forest.

She was not alone. No, worse – she was terribly outnumbered. Sapphire pressed her body harder against the rough bark.

She could turn around, try to find the water and swim home; but she wasn’t sure she’d be able to find her way without proper light. Or she could swing wide and try to avoid disturbing the group before her.

Neither approach seemed very likely to succeed.

Short on choices, she decided to retrace her steps towards where she hoped the lake would be. When she whirled around, she felt her magic come to life, ready to protect her as she nearly screamed.

Ashes was only a few feet away. The same orb of dim light was floating in her palm and she had a curious look on her face.

‘Now, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to run into me.’ The witch’s familiar smirk appeared, taunting her.

‘You’re the one who always finds me.’

‘We have barrier bonds, princess. You tend to trip them. Every single time. It’s my job to check them.’

‘Barrier bonds?’

‘More magic I can wield that you can’t,’ the witch replied with a smile.

Sapphire averted her gaze, hating that Ashes always seemed to have the upper hand.

‘Now, what are you doing out here this time?’

‘I don’t believe it’s any of your business.’

Ashes laughed as a shadow grew from her. It whisked around Sapphire, causing her to shiver.

‘My shadows long for royal blood. And yet, you continue to tease them with these secretive outings you insist on having in the dead of night.’