Thea

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Being in his arms was so warm and cozy. Now I didn’t feel awkward at all, maybe because he wasn’t doing anything obscene, but just comforting me by stroking my hair.

I don’t remember how long ago I showed someone my fears and worries in order to get support and care in return. After my family broke up, I had to deal with my own problems and sorrows. I’m used to being alone and being strong no matter what. And now such a little thing has put me out of action.

I was worried about this scar, but I was afraid to reveal the truth, I was afraid to tell about my brother. And it’s not that he hurt me, but that he didn’t know who was standing in front of him. This vicious vicious circle was so burdensome, forcing me to lie to everyone. Why can’t life be simpler? Why can’t everyone live in peace, love and harmony? Why all these wars and violence? For what? For the sake of power? I couldn’t figure it out, and I didn’t want to.

All I wanted now was to continue to be protected in these warm hands that squeezed me so tightly, creating the appearance of a soap bubble through which no trouble would penetrate. My heart was trembling from this outburst of tenderness, despite the fact that just minutes ago we almost fell out on each other.

I pushed a little away from his chest, creating a small space between us. His look at me from top to bottom was so kind at that moment, so heartbreakingly tender that all I could do, all I wanted to do was to rise on my toes and touch his lips with mine.

Lightly, barely breathing, timidly, I pressed against his soft lips. Not the way Raphael did. It was a modest innocent kiss, but through it I told him about my gratitude and affection. Yes, I began to feel attached to this person the longer we are together. I caught myself thinking that I was looking for him with my eyes, thinking about what he was doing and whether he hadnt forgotten about me. And I liked it.

Pulling away from his lips, I saw the surprise on his face. He didn’t try to deepen our kiss, didn’t try to use his hands exploring my body, as it was the last time. So I can conclude that he did not expect such a little pampering from me. I pursed my lips in embarrassment and wanted to move on, but he pulled me back to him and buried his nose in the top of my head.

-You never cease to amaze me, little girl. – he said softly, stroking my hair. – But this little gesture is not able to distract me. And don’t lie to me again. Never. Otherwise, you will only make it worse for yourself.

His tone of voice lost its threatening notes, became much calmer, but I felt that he was not joking with his moralizing. And as soon as I thought that we were done talking about this topic, he again asked a question that I didn’t want to answer.

-So how do you know about the dungeon? Speak, Thea, I can feel your heart trembling with fear. - his eyes flashed with a dangerous light.

I swallowed and tried to pull myself together.

- Then promise me that no one will get hurt. - I began.

- I won’t promise anything. – he snapped with complete seriousness.

- B-but...

He growled my name, making the skin on my back go cold.

- Don’t even think about prevaricating. Where were you last night?

Frozen in a stupor, I lost touch with space for a second. How did he know I wasn’t in the room yesterday? That made me frown even harder. Of course, I noted for myself that there are a lot of oddities in Raphael, but the further away, the more of them. Although it is likely that he sent his spies after me, but then he would have known that Terrence had kidnapped me and would have known about the torture and about the dungeon. Why didn’t he help me?

He called my name again, making me think faster.

- No. Promise me first. Promise me you won’t hurt my brother.

- So he’s involved in the fact that you didn’t sleep in your room? I wonder what you’ve been doing all night? – there was no trace of his former mood, he was furious as hell again.

- Promise me. – I insisted on my own, warming in my soul the hope that he would succumb to my persuasions.

- And don’t dream about it, honey. Since you keep standing your ground, I’ll find out for myself. And if I don’t like the information, you will both regret it very much.

With these words of warning, he left the room, removing the magic from the lock, and slammed the door with force. Every day, a new moral test.

I stood in the middle of the room like an immovable statue and wondered if I had done the right thing by hiding the truth from him. Or I should have told him everything as it is and hoped that he wouldn’t lose his temper.

I was still too young and inexperienced in dealing with people, in resolving conflict situations, so I relied on my gut. And it screamed at me to be silent like a fish. Well, I’ll think about Raphael and his mental disorder later, but in the meantime I need to get busy.

I crossed the room and climbed onto the bed, crawled to the headboard and took a picture from the wall, behind which a small hole opened. It was my secret hiding place that my mother once made for me while she was still healthy and could use magic. She gave me her jewelry box, which I liked to look into periodically and measure her jewelry, and now it contained the most expensive and valuable things for me, storing memories.

I took the box and sat on the bed, taking off the chain from his neck, on which hung a small golden key. Mom had cast a spell on the lock, so it could only be opened with this key. So my secrets were under reliable protection.

As a child, I kept dried leaves and acorns there, as well as baby teeth for the tooth fairy. Well, it seemed to me that these were the real treasures. Only later did I realize that the tooth fairy could not open this lock, and therefore never brought me gifts. It’s sad, but I’ve gotten smarter over the years.

I inserted the key and turned it three times until the lid clicked open. Of all the contents, I was interested in only one thing – my mother’s wedding ring. It looked ordinary, but it was a valuable family heirloom that was inherited, and therefore, before my mother died, she gave it to me.

It was the only source of magic I had that I could use. The ring did not have unlimited power, but it could help in small things. That’s exactly what I needed.

Putting the ring on my finger, I touched it with my lips, feeling the warmth from it and whispered...

- Find the Artemis artifact for me.

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Dear friends.

Thank you for following the new Chapters and staying with me at this beginning of my journey through the world of fantasy.

I will be very grateful to you for any support for my creativity, whether it’s power stones or reviews or comments.

This is very important to me. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Thank you everyone, I love you very much. <3