Thea

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I woke up in the morning from a terrible hum that resounded outside the window. Throwing back the blanket, I threw a silk robe over my body and hastily belted it, went to look through the slightly fogged glass, what was happening outside. And outside there was something that I already knew about and that really tormented my wounded heart.

The trumpet call of the herald was so powerful that it could safely wake the dead. It was an idle notification to all residents of the city about the upcoming wedding of the king.

My heart was fluttering nervously in my chest, convulsively shuddered and froze, shrouded in anxiety and sadness. I have already confessed to myself that I am mired in my infatuation with the king, but despite his big words, he does exactly the opposite things, making me worry even more.

My future was now too cloudy and intangible. Could I blindly trust him, someone who is too unpredictable and perhaps too cruel, and too dangerous. Or was it too late to think about it? Will everything be as he told me?

I took a deep breath, continuing to watch the servants scurrying downstairs. A grand celebration is planned at the court, and my mood is more mourning than festive. Lightly patting myself on the cheeks, I drove away the remnants of sleep and sadness and decided to distract myself. The wedding is in a day, I can’t influence Raphael’s decision, so I’ll just try to distract myself. And first of all, since I have nothing to do, I’m going to visit Jen.

In order not to attract anyone’s attention, I took out my maid’s dress from the bins, which I had successfully hidden for such a case and was about to change when someone threw a pebble through the window. I turned around at the sound, but I didn’t see anything. I came closer and looked around without opening the window. And there, on the very edge of the ledge, sat a curious black creature that turned its head from side to side as if trying on my reflection in its eyes.

I opened the window, and flapping his massive wings, the raven flew freely into my room and circled and glided in the air for some time, prompting me to praise his beauty and graceful movements. But instead of a smooth landing, he dissolved into a cloud of thick dark fog and revealed his human form to me, insolently and impressively lounging on my bed, still not made up from the night.

- You know, it’s at least indecent to lie in someone else’s bed. - I said with a slight accusation in my voice, although my eyes shone with mischievous sparkles.

- I can’t sleep without you. I miss. – looking at the ceiling, Skars replied, which made me freeze in place with my mouth and eyes wide open.

My heart skipped a couple of nervous beats in the silent pause that hung between us while I debated whether to say what was in my head or keep silent. But while I was thinking, the man sat up, resting his elbows on the mattress to see me better, and his mouth stretched into a wide playful smile.

- Did I catch you off guard, honey?-The man said in Raphael’s voice. – I told you that Skars and I are one person, in any form of its manifestation, be it a bird, a man or any other animal.

I still couldn’t believe my eyes and ears, and my tongue seemed to refuse to obey. If there was a profession of a tongue flipper, then this person would be very useful to me now.

- What kind of magic is this? - I finally managed to say.

- The usual splitting, I mastered it when I was a child. - He boasted, pleased with himself, as if it was as easy as putting a spoon in your mouth.

- But last time I talked to Skars and he was like a completely different person? - I asked the question that was on the tip of my tongue.

- Well, when I don’t have time to keep in touch with two bodies, I give him freedom of thought. It’s a kind of phantom reproduction of me, like my spiritual double. Two different people, but the same way of thinking. And at the same time, he always remains under my control, despite the apparent independence of his actions.

- Why then divide yourself if you still have to control him?

- Because if necessary, he will be faster with you than I am, it’s obvious. Also sometimes I have to be present in other places, for example like now. - He stood up and walked slowly but confidently towards me, forcing me to take a step back.

- What are you doing?

- I can ask you the same question. Why are you moving away from me? – he asked, continuing to drill me with his ruby eyes.

- That’s a strange question. Did you send me a part of yourself in the guise of another man instead of coming in person and expect me to succumb to you?

- Is that what this is about? Did you want me to come by myself? Have you been waiting for me? - He cocked an eyebrow several times.

Despite the external differences, Raphael’s voice, which flowed like a river from Skars’ mouth, drove me crazy with its intonation, its sensuality and tenderness, coupled with a slight playfulness. Why did he come at all? Tease me?

- Actually, I was just going to send Skars to keep you company, so that you wouldn’t be bored, but at the last moment I realized that the day of separation from you is akin to excruciating torture for me, so here I am, albeit in the guise of a "bird". - He started moving again and came close, forcing me to touch the cool wall with my back.

- But you know, baby, the next time we meet in person, I won’t let you run away from me.

I closed my eyes and held my breath, only catching the echoes of his sweet voice, which spread warmth through my body and launched electrical impulses into the very core of my femininity. If it weren’t for his split, I would have already given myself up to my desires and passionately kissed those lips that continued to whisper sweet words in my ear. But as soon as I opened my eyes, I met someone else’s face, which expressed extreme pleasure, laced with a smug grin, which immediately brought me out of the trance and I pushed him away lightly, but persistently.

- Well, then next time, make an effort to come yourself. Unless, of course, your wife lets you go. - I quipped and got out of his trap, missing the expression of displeasure on his face.

- Don’t come to the wedding tomorrow. Not under any pretext. – He said in a serious tone, and I caught his gaze, which clung to the maid’s dress that I was going to wear a little earlier and a crazy thought appeared in my head. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

I turned my back to him and took the dress, going to the screen. But instead of going behind the screen, I stayed in front and pulled the belt from the robe with my hand, allowing it to untie smoothly, dragging the slippery fabric behind me, sliding off my shoulders with flowing ease.

Without turning around, I felt the atmosphere thicken in the room, as the heat that was somewhere deep inside me flared up more and more and now spread to my opponent.

I was standing with my back to him in just my underwear. Slightly tilting my head to the side, I slowly ran my hand along my neck from ear to shoulder, and then picked up my hair, gathering it into a twisted ponytail and throwing it forward over my shoulder, allowing the hair to fall on my chest.