Seraphina's chambers were far grander than anything she had known before. A large plush bed, a hearth, plush chairs, and a large vanity littered the room. She sat down in front of the mirror, taking a comb to her black, coily hair. Getting all the knots from the journey out. The luxury around her brought no comfort as all she could think about was her village back home. She hopes that she can cure whatever the curse is so they will not be harmed. There was more to this curse than she knew. Faint rumors say he was cursed by an ancient enemy. However, the details were few.

She walked towards the window of the room, looking down upon the stone streets. Faint street lights flickered, and the once bustling streets had died. The door to her chamber suddenly creeped open, and a young woman entered. Her face pale, with green eyes and light brown hair.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion. I am Elena, your maid," she started, "how may I be of service?"

"Tell me, what do you know about the kings illness?" She asked.

Elena's eyes darted towards the door before leaning in close to Seraphina, "they say he was cursed by a Sorceress up north."

The northern territories had recently been conquered by King Caelum. The battle had been long and bloody, the crown losing tremendous support before the victory. However, after the victory, there was even greater support for them than before. It wouldn't be far-fetched that a magic user would curse them. That territory is known for its talented spellcasters and witches.

"Does anyone know what kind of curse it is?" She asked, but the woman shook her head. Seraphina's plump lips tightened into a frown.

"I had clothing brought up for you for the coming days," Elena said, smiling. She walked towards a smaller set of doors to reveal a large walk-in closet filled to the brim with different colors and materials. She pulled out a few options: one a deep purple floor-length gown and the other a light blue one. The dresses were exquisite, the fine materials soft against Seraphina's hand.

"I think I look better in light blue," Seraphina decided. Elena smiled and set the others back, laying the chosen one out. She gave a quick bow before leaving the room quickly. The silence was uncomfortable.

Seraphina begins to undress out of her top dress and corset, leaving just her undergarments. The hearth provides substantial heat. However, the stone flooring was still freezing to the touch. Shivering, she steps towards the fire, kneeling on a runner rug in front of it.

The door opens again, causing Seraphina to jump. She turns around quickly to reveal the king again. He notices how little she is wearing, and a brush appears on his face. He looks away before clearing his throat.

"I was hoping we could have a moment alone to see if you could sense anything," he said. There was a slight desperation to his voice. She nodded, afraid of what would happen if she said no. He gives a weak smile before walking over to her, kneeling down next to her.

"Pray with me," she said, taking his hands in hers. His hands were warm and calloused, having seen the battlefield hundreds of times. Seraphina channels the spirit of Aurelia within her. The warm, nurturing feeling of her god is cut short by something sinister. The hatred needed to cast such a curse was great. Breaking something like this will take more than just a healer. She digs deeper within her powers, the glow and warmth admitting from her growing brighter. Caelum and Seraphina are drawn together like a magnet. They're for heads touching as she grasps for any information.

Suddenly, she sees something. A building in the woods close to the walls of the capital. She sees a glimpse of an old woman inside. However, her face is obscured by her dark cloak.

"I think I have a starting point," she said, opening her eyes. Their proximity causes her to pull away sharply. Caelum's intense gaze causes her heart to pump hard in her chest.

"I saw the whole thing, we will leave first thing tomorrow," he said, pulling away quickly, "Be ready at dawn."

He left shortly after that, the loud door closing shut behind him. She watched the door for a moment before sighing. The evil behind this curse seemed to be more than she realized.

A carriage was dispatched in the early morning. Her gown was put on by Elena, who also brought over a heavy dark brown cloak.

"The king wants to keep your presence as hidden as possible," she stated, throwing the cloak over the gown. Seraphina would have been completely obscured if it was not her curls poking out of the hood, framing her face.

The marketplace was busier than when she last saw it. The smell of fresh bread and other baked goods filled the air. Children ran up and down the street playing with new toys they had just gotten. For a moment, Seraphina felt oddly peaceful; as if she wasn't trapped in an awful situation.

Eventually, they passed the gates of the city and wandered into the woods surrounding the fortress. Suddenly, Caelum yelled at them to stop the caravan, and he opened the door jumping out. Seraphina followed closely behind, sensing the same feeling that he was. Whatever they had seen or felt before was close. She held up the heavy material of her dress, the roughage of the forest getting caught on the bottom material. The dresses the women of her village wore were so much more practical. She had to do everything in her power just to catch up with Caelum.

Finally, they reach the cottage in the woods. The once open door in their village firmly shut. Seraphina hesitated, unsure of what is to come as soon as they go in. However, King Caelum did not have the same worry. He rapped at the door, shouting his name and title immediately. Seraphina rolled her eyes at that, "How obnoxious," she thought.

The door swung open to reveal an old woman. Her eyes faded with age, her hair thin and very white.

"Hello," she said smiling, "I knew eventually you would find me." King Caelum paused, his face flickered with confusion before he followed the old woman inside, Seraphina following closely behind.

The door shut behind them, the dim inside of the cottage had no windows and few candles. A small table was in the center of the room, which the woman gestured for them to sit at. They obliged, fully taking in their surroundings.

"You were expecting us?" Seraphina inquired.

"Rumors of King Caelum's illness have traveled far and wide," she responded promptly before turning to Seraphina, "and many have heard of you: Seraphina of Ithren."

Seraphina's throat tightened, the woman's voice low and eerie.

"What can you tell us about the curse?" King Caelum asked, leaning closely to the woman. The low ceiling caused him to have to dip his head.

"This curse can't be solved by a simple healer," she began, a twisted smile forming on her face before turning to Seraphina, "I wonder how far you'll go to save your village." The blood drained from her face.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her voice trembling slightly. The woman laughed a horrible laugh, causing Seraphina's skin to crawl.

"His curse was the result of a previous wrong," her eyes locked with Caelum's, "you know what you did up north, to Thorien's family." Judging by Caelum's expression, he recognizes the name, and it made him panic.

"Who is that?" Seraphina asked, but before he could answer, the old woman  interrupted.

"He used his powers to conquer the territory and then left him for dead. Did you really think someone that powerful wouldn't get their revenge?"

King Caelum, for the first time ever, felt defeated.

"Is there any way to cure it?" Seraphina asked.

"It depends... will you give up your life for your village?" She asked. Seraphina's stomach dropped, and her pulse quickened.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her hands clamming up.

"The prophecy states that the curse can only be broken through a divine person... but not through simple means," she started, "they must be bound to the cursed for all the rest of their life."

"Bound?" She asked.

"A marriage to a divine person - whether a healer, mage, or druid - will cause the effects of the curse to subside. The wicked " she points to Caelum, "must be balanced by the divine."

Seraphina turns to face Caelum, his face displaying zero emotion before finally twisting into a rage. He grabbed the edge of the table and flipped it over in a singular grunt. His large hand gripping Seraphina's arm, dragging her put through the small cottage door. The following silence tense. Seraphina's ears pounding in her ears.

"So..." She says, trying to break the silence, but he keeps just dragging her through the forest, his angry expression unchanging.

Seraphina's mind continued to drift back to her village, and the fear she felt for her people in this moment. They finally reach the caravan, and he tosses her into the carriage. Either silent hand gestures, the caravan began to make its way back towards the stone walls.

After one of the most tense nerve wrecking rides of her life, they made it back to the castle. The stone walls are feeling even more impending.

Her quarters were suffocating, and her heart pounded as she waited to be summoned. Her mind continued to go back to what the woman said.

"Will you give up your life for your village?"