The Spell Called Love - Empires SMP S2 AU: Nature Wives

Chapter 5: Stupid Curse (Katherine)

Katherine stood at the window of her castle looking into the distance in the direction of the Evermore.

Shelby had been on her mind lately and making her rather distracted during the past week or so. Katherine had started to look forward to her visits more than she did from any other Emperor, literally counting down seconds till Shelby would come flying in on her broom.

One time Katherine had been so caught up with hanging out with Shelby, she had even forgotten about her curse.

No one had ever made her forget about the curse.

As a result, Katherine quickly concluded that she needed a distraction, something to ease her mind.

The perfect idea blossomed in her mind and she found herself walking down the stairs, out of her castle and into the stables.

She wandered along the lines of stables, horses sticking their muzzles out in greeting.

She took it in turn to storke each of their silky noses but didn't stop moving down the line of stables until she came to the one nearest the end.

Carefully she let herself inside, the inhabitant of the stable greeting her with a gentle nudge and a soft whinny

Katherine held the unicorn's face in her hands for a bit stroking it's pink coat and skeletal bone.

Katherine then sat down among the hay with her mount following her lead, curling around Katherine protectively  putting it's head in her lap. Katherine stroked the half-dead unicorn's pink mane, trying to make sense of her feelings.

They sat together under the calming blanket of silence. Katherine fell into a gentle rhythm of stroking her beloved unicorn's mane and her mind slowly calmed, however the witch was still on her mind.

The way Shelby was always around - even on the bad days - to make her smile. The way she became suddenly awkward when they were in close proximity. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. The way she dealt with things and how strong she was. Everything about her was just... magical.

Katherine sighed dreamily and with some of her thoughts figured out, stood up, thanking the unicorn for being there for her and left the magnificent steed to its rest.

Feeling slightly refreshed, Katherine made her way back up to her castle to check her schedule.

She was free from her duties up until the festival.

Katherine glanced out of the huge window in the direction of the Evermore.

Shelby wouldn't mind if she dropped in for a bit, would she?

*

The Evermore was looking more and more captivating by the day and every time Katherine came to visit there was always something new to admire.

Katherine landed expertly on the path, putting away her elytra. She wandered around Evermore for a bit, admiring the beauty, before walking up to Shelby's front door and knocking.

"Joey, if this is another threat, I swear to Joel, I will-" Shelby opened the door, "Oh- hey, Katherine!"

"You good?" Katherine asked, concerned at the outburst that obviously hadn't been ment for her,"

"Yeah, just a bit of a pirate problem," Shelby shrugged, "What can I do for you?"

Katherine nodded understandingly, "I was just seeing if you needed any help preparing for the festival this afternoon?"

"I mean, I could gladly use the help, come on in," Shelby stepped away from the door allowing the princess entrance into her home.

Katherine walked into the familiar untidy living space, paintings lined the wall and there was a small nook where a cauldron sat.