Chapter 10: The Approaching Storm
A bone-chilling wind struck Shapira's face, carrying the distant, thick scent of gunpowder and fear. The magnificent buildings of Astellia Palace seemed to pale beneath a sky blanketed in gray clouds. She had made a decision, a promise to herself that she would not remain idle behind these stone walls.
"I'm going with you," Shapira said, her voice firm, cutting through the tension between them.
William, who had just finished pulling on his leather gloves, turned quickly. His eyes, which usually radiated resolve, now widened in shock. "What are you saying? This is madness! The battlefield is no place for you. Danger lurks in every corner there. You know that."
She stepped closer, her war cloak draped elegantly around her, not as a shield, but as an affirmation of her resolve. "I know. But I can't just wait here. I won't let you face this alone. I have magic, William, a power that can protect. A power that can protect you. I won't be a burden. I will be your shield."
William let out a long sigh, his gaze tracing Shapira's face. A flash of admiration mixed with frustration crossed his eyes. "Shapira, you don't understand. Battle isn't just magic. It's blood, tears, and death. I can't risk losing you. Not again." His voice was laden with a pain she understood, a shadow from the past that haunted him.
"That's exactly why," Shapira countered. "Because I don't want you to get hurt. Because I don't want to see you die. I will fight by your side, not behind you. This is a promise. I will prove that I am your partner, not just someone you have to protect. I am strong enough, and I will protect you with all my might. Trust me, believe in me now."
A faint smile formed on William's lips, slowly replacing the worried look on his face. Admiration was clear in his eyes. "You're as stubborn as I've always known. But, somehow, that gives me strength. Alright. But you must stay close to me, always. Never stray far. If I say run, you run. If I say hide, you hide. Understand?"
"I understand," Shapira replied, nodding confidently. "And I will never leave you. That's a promise. A promise between the two of us. Forever."
That night, the cold wind carried whispers of fear, but also of unspoken promises. They stood on William's private balcony under a star-studded night sky, the moonlight illuminating their faces. The silent atmosphere was their mute witness.
"I'm scared," Shapira whispered, resting her head on William's shoulder. Her voice was barely audible, dissolving into the quiet. "Not for myself. But for you. If something happens to you, I don't know what I'd do. I truly can't imagine it."
William turned, cupping Shapira's face in his hands. His thumbs gently caressed her cheeks, his gaze locking with hers. "Don't talk like that. I won't let that happen. We'll face this together. I will come back for you. That's my promise. I will marry you in this palace garden, just as we've always dreamed. It's a dream we share."
"Really?" Shapira asked, her eyes welling up with tears, a mixture of fear and hope. "We'll get married?"
"Of course," William answered, his smile widening, radiating a sincerity that warmed Shapira's heart. "And no curse, no war, no one can stop that. You are my world, Shapira. You are my life. You are all I have now."
He lowered his head, and their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. It was not just a farewell kiss, but a promise, an oath, and an affirmation of their unshakable love on the verge of a storm. The power of the kiss flowed through them, enveloping them in warmth.
Meanwhile, in a dark corner of the palace, Lady Isabelle was eavesdropping. Rage burned in her eyes as she watched William and Shapira. Her heart was poisoned by jealousy and vengeance. She retreated silently, a cunning smile on her lips.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Isabelle made her move. She snuck into the secret communication room, where she saw William laying out scrolls of maps and battle strategies. Her heart pounded as she copied some of the vital information. She knew this was treason, but her obsession with William blinded her. She had her chance.
Shapira, who happened to be passing by in the corridor, felt a wave of dark magic that was all too familiar. It was the same magic Isabelle had used to spread rumors. She followed the trail of magic, which led her right to the communication room door. She saw Isabelle, who looked startled when she realized Shapira's presence.
"What are you doing here, Isabelle?" Shapira asked, her voice cold, her eyes blazing with fury. She moved closer, her hands now ready with magic. "That dark magic. I feel it. You've done something you shouldn't have. You've betrayed this palace."
Isabelle paled, the scroll in her hand now trembling. "I … I didn't do anything. This is none of your business, servant. You have no right to question me. This is the prince's private chamber."
"I sense Varkhiel's magic on that scroll," Shapira accused, pointing without hesitation. "You're sending secrets to them, aren't you? You betrayed William, betrayed Astellia! Why would you do this? How dare you betray his trust?"
Isabelle laughed cynically, a laugh filled with bitterness. "Because of you! Because you stole him from me! I won't let you have him! William should be with me, not you! You're nothing but a troublemaker who came from nowhere!"
"Love cannot be forced," Shapira replied, her voice rising. "William would never love a traitor. What you've done will endanger everyone, including him. You are a traitor. What will you say to him now?"
"He will never know!" Isabelle screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she tried to flee, but Shapira was already blocking her path.
"William will know," Shapira said, her face set with a determination Isabelle had never seen before. "And you won't be able to stop this. I will make sure he knows. Everything you've done will be exposed. You can count on it."
William, having just returned from a small skirmish on the border, saw the commotion. He hurried over, his eyes catching the scroll that had fallen from Isabelle's hand. He saw the terrified look on Isabelle's face and the resolve on Shapira's.
"What's going on here?" William asked, his voice heavy, his eyes sweeping over Shapira and Isabelle.
"She betrayed you," Shapira explained, her voice trembling but firm. "She sent military secrets to Varkhiel. She's trying to destroy us. I saw her do it. I felt it. I saw Varkhiel's magic in her hands."
William stared at Isabelle, his gaze now filled with disappointment. "Isabelle? Is this true?"
Isabelle could only lower her head, her body trembling. She could no longer deny it.
William shifted his gaze to Shapira, a look of regret and admiration shining in his eyes. He stepped forward, taking Shapira's hand tightly. "I'm sorry, Shapira. I should have never doubted you. I was blind. I'm so sorry. Thank you for showing this to me. Thank you for protecting us."
"We'll face this together," Shapira affirmed, squeezing William's hand in return. "Always. Nothing will tear us apart. No one. Not Isabelle. And not Varkhiel."
A few hours later, on the outskirts of Astellia, the roar of a small battle erupted. Varkhiel's forces, now armed with some secret information, attacked with greater confidence. William led his troops, his courage unwavering. Shapira, as she had promised, was by his side, using her protective magic to block the attacks of dark sorcery.
A dark spell shot toward William. Shapira, reacting instantly, raised her hand, and a shimmering energy shield blocked the attack. William turned, his eyes meeting Shapira's. A faint smile touched his lips, not just of gratitude, but of acknowledgment. He saw Shapira not just as his love, but as a partner, a true warrior.
"Are you alright?" William asked, his voice loud amid the chaos of battle.
"I'm fine," Shapira answered, slightly out of breath. She used her magic again, throwing a ball of bright energy toward the enemy, forcing them back.
William turned back to face the enemy, a new resolve enveloping him. "Advance! Don't let them get near! For Astellia! For our future!"
The battle was brief, Varkhiel retreated after realizing Astellia's defenses were stronger than they had anticipated. But the danger was not over. In the distance, among the dark trees, shadows were moving. This wasn't the end, but the beginning of the real storm. Shapira sensed a much greater dark power now approaching. Her eyes widened as the cold shadow of Isolde flashed through her mind. The real danger had not yet arrived. William wasn't safe. She had to protect William. She had to find a way to destroy all these threats. Was she strong enough? Was their love strong enough?
She looked at William, who now stood proudly on the battlefield, cleaning his sword. Shapira knew their fight had only just begun, and she had to find a way. A way to end it all. A way to protect William, and herself. What was she to do? And did Isolde, her mother, who was drawing ever closer, have a connection to the rest of the curse? The darkness was becoming more real, and Shapira knew she had to find the answer, no matter the risk.