A Sorceress From the Future

Chapter Twenty Eight

Husband and wife stared at each other, their eyes brimming with conflicted emotions. As usual they had lit their spaced stone house but for some peculiar reason it still felt cold. Sabrina was perched on a chair facing the window. Ever since she was a little girl, she enjoyed watching the stars. She always felt as if her ancestors were looking at her, assessing her every move. When she felt lost, much like tonight, she would lift her gaze towards the stars seeking counsel. Of course, she did not hear actual responses from the spread of twinkling delights but she always did feel peace washing over her. The corners of her mouth even made an attempt to lift which was a miracle really given her foul mood.

Stephen poured himself another goblet of wine; it was his fifth. His thoughts had begun to scatter a while earlier but he had ignored the woozy feeling, waving it away irritably. This was the last night he would be in his home. His wife had her reservations when it came to gobbling down burgundy, he might as well unburden her before his departure. Stephen’s fingers trembled as he lifted the goblet to his mouth. He took a sip and smacked his lips noisily. He then proceeded to flit his glinting eyes to his wife. As usual she was sat on her favorite chair, mesmerized by lit objects in the mass of navy blue. Stephen had never fathomed her fascination with stars but it was he who had nailed the chair in its position. This is what people did when they were hopelessly in love, they compromised and respected the other party’s decisions and wants; as frivolous as they might appear to be.

“The kingdom is in chaos, the people want blood…”

Stephen sighed tiredly. He suddenly felt quite old and in truth he was. He fought the temptation to read his wife’s thoughts, something he had not done for a very long time. Stephen had not planned to fall in love with a human but he had and as a result he had compromised.

“All the more reason you should come with me in search of Chi’s future king. What will remaining here achieve? The council are too cowardly to refuse Dawson the throne and the people are too unnerved to realize their foolish choices…Dawson will sit on that throne love, you staying here will not change that…”

Sabrina suddenly tore her gaze away from the serenity of the stars, her face contorting a pained expression. Stephen swallowed another mouthful of wine. He had seen that look for all through his marriage. It was usually accompanied by high pitched screaming and flying objects.

“Do you not recall our promise? We cannot turn our backs on her! We said we would keep Chi safe, that Dawson would never sit on that throne…Do you not realize what the repercussions entail? The prophecy-“

“And staying here will stop what is meant to happen? Do not be so naïve Sabrina…Come with me, we will put an end to the prophecy before it even begins…”

A whimper escaped Sabrina’s throat. She was both desperate and exhausted, a woman her age should not reach this level of aggravation.

“You have aged gracefully my love…”

“Get out of my head Stephen!”

Stephen raised his quavering hands in mock surrender. He was onto his sixth drink, he just couldn’t will himself to stop. Just like he knew he couldn’t convince his beloved wife to leave Chi under Dawson’s reign.

“If at all I am going to catch up with Luke, I have to leave here at first light…”

“Very well then…I will prepare your weapons…”

Stephen let out a wounded moan, Sabrina snapped here eyes shut. This was it; the duo will be parting ways with no knowledge of a reunion. If neither Luke or Baric returned to restore peace among the people then the world was really headed for doom. Stephen thought of the vessel and shivered. There were many at times where he had come close to the vile object but each time, his wonderful lass had been there, ready to bar him from danger and now he was leaving her here. She was no weakling but still, wasn’t it natural for a man to wish protection upon his beloved?

“I will be alright Stephen…I might be old but I am far from being frail…I am witty and efficient, always spotting outcomes of situations before their occurrence. You are right, I might not be able to stop Dawson from sitting on the throne but I can stall long enough for you to find the rightful king for the people…”

Stephen placed his goblet on the varnished table and sauntered towards his sitting wife. He crouched down to view her, stroking her face and leaning in so that their foreheads would rest on each other. Sabrina sighed in response, tears began rolling down her cheeks. Her husband brought his lips to the salty droplets. Each time he kissed her wet face, Sabrina quivered under the intense contact. For a while they remained that way, their intimacy something to be envied.

“What if we are too late? What if we fail? If you do not reach Luke in time, the world as we know it well be destroyed…humans and magical creatures cannot go to war, if they do…”

Another whimper escaped Sabrina’s throat. Stephen embraced his wife as she buried her head in the crook of his neck. He tried to formulate an encouraging sentence but it was impossible for his wife’s fears were justified.

“You have to find Luke Stephen, you have to…for her sake, for everyone’s sake…”

Stephen swallowed as the words of his dear friend echoed in his mind;

Once mortals and immortals collide, the greatest force in history will be conflicted…Once this happens, she will unleash her wrath and everything will turn into ash.

Stephen knew that he had to sacrifice his happiness for this quest lest everything he held dear, including the woman in front of her, turned to ashes.