Chapter 4: The Knight’s Oath

Sera paced in the small garden outside the cottage, her mind racing. Kael's words from the previous evening replayed over and over in her head. "We've met before—in another life." She wanted to dismiss it as nonsense, but the way he looked at her, the intensity in his voice… it shook her to her core. And then there were the dreams, the fragments of memory that didn't belong to her—or did they?

Kael approached her from the edge of the forest, his footsteps soft yet purposeful. He carried with him a presence that commanded attention, though he never spoke louder than necessary. "I need to explain," he said, stopping a few paces away.

Sera turned to face him, her arms crossed defensively. "Explain what? That you think we're some sort of… star-crossed lovers reincarnated from another life? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?"

Kael's silver eyes softened, and he stepped closer. "I know how it sounds, but it's the truth. I've lived for centuries, cursed to wander this world until I found you again."

She let out a disbelieving laugh, but there was a tremor in her voice. "A curse? Immortality? Do you expect me to believe that?"

Kael reached into the pouch on his belt and pulled out a small, intricately carved pendant. The sight of it made Sera's breath catch. It was the same design as the silver pendant she wore around her neck—the only thing she had from her unknown past. He handed it to her, his hand brushing against hers for the briefest moment.

"This belonged to you," he said quietly. "In your past life, you wore it always. I've carried it with me, hoping that one day I would find you and return it."

Sera stared at the pendant, her fingers trembling as she traced its familiar patterns. A wave of warmth and sorrow washed over her, and for a moment, she felt as though she were standing in another time, another place. A battlefield, a promise, and Kael's anguished face flashed in her mind. She staggered, and Kael caught her by the arm.

"You're starting to remember," he said gently. "It's overwhelming, I know, but you have to trust me."

She pulled away, shaking her head. "Why me? Why now? If what you're saying is true, why did this happen to us?"

Kael hesitated, his expression heavy with guilt. "It's my fault. I couldn't protect you in our last life. I failed you, and you… you paid the price. But I swore I'd never let it happen again." He knelt before her, his armor glinting in the sunlight. "Seraphina, I vow to protect you with my life. No matter what comes, I will not fail you again."

Sera's heart pounded as she stared at him. His words felt like a promise that echoed through time, binding them together in a way she couldn't explain. For the first time, she felt a flicker of belief—not in his story, but in him.

Before she could respond, a scream echoed from the village. Both of them turned toward the sound, and Kael immediately rose to his feet. "Stay here," he commanded, but Sera was already moving toward the cottage to grab her satchel of herbs.

"I'm not staying behind," she said firmly. "If there are people hurt, I can help."

Kael gave her a long look, then nodded. "Stay close to me."

As they rushed toward the village, Sera couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something far greater than she had ever imagined.

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TO BE CONTINUE...