Sapphire chewed the inside of her cheek. The first time the witch had threatened her, she had felt consumed with fear. But now, knowing that her own hands could cause as much destruction as the shadows, she would not yield.

‘You’d be wise to leave me be.’

‘Ahhh.’ Ashes glided across the forest floor, towering over Sapphire before she even had time to blink. ‘Have you found your backbone, princess? That will make this much more fun.’

The girls stood toe to toe, Sapphire’s blood drumming in her ears.

‘Well, what’s your move?’ Ashes smiled, exposing too many teeth. In the shadows, Sapphire noticed they looked more like fangs.

‘I refuse to waste my magic on you.’

The witch smiled in a sickeningly slow way. Sapphire fought the urge to cringe, but lost.

‘Seems you’ve found your footing just fine,’ said Ashes.

‘I am of royal blood. A Canmore. A queen,’ Sapphire challenged, channelling Araxia in every syllable.

‘Future queen, highness. Time has yet to place that depthless duty upon those delicate shoulders. Thank Gods above for that small mercy.’

‘Don’t speak to me like that,’ Sapphire hissed.

‘What are you going to do about it, hmm? Will you take me back to the castle and punish me? Have your guards give me a good lashing?’

‘I’d rather kill you myself.’

The words slipped past her lips, shocking her.

‘Now, that’s something I would love to see. What’s your style, princess? Would you drown me? Lock me under the freezing lake? Or would you show mercy and hit me with a gale so strong I’d crumble on impact?’ The witch bent down, nearly pressing her nose against Sapphire’s. ‘Your water-wielding does not scare me. I could rip the world out from under your feet. Ruin your mind. Steal your happiness so you would never feel joy again. Sit on your throne. Wear that glistening crown. Before you – or your people – could do a single thing to stop me.’

Sapphire laughed, shaking her head.

‘You’re not the only one here with a tempest inside them, witch.’

All her pent-up fear, anger, and rage came together in this moment.

‘What a pretty little fool you are. You aren’t strong enough to command me, princess. No high blood is.’

‘An ordinary high blood, maybe. But I’m more powerful than most and I think you know that.’

Ashes froze and Sapphire smiled triumphantly. She realized this was her one chance to have the last word – to walk away. And she took it, turning on her heel and heading in a direction she wasn’t sure of.

‘Princess, wait.’

The way Ashes said the word princess brought her to a halt. There was less poison behind the title than usual.

‘What were you seeking tonight?’

Never trust a Shadow Witch, she had been warned. But the Shadow Witch couldn’t trust her either.

‘I am looking for the barrier.’