Thea

------

- I’m sorry if I scared you. I’ve just been watching you for a while and you seemed so sad and detached to me.

- What? Oh, no, it’s not like that at all. And of course you can sit down, I did not claim the rights to this bench. - I said, smiling, moving a little to give more space.

- Have you been here recently? I haven’t seen you before.

- Yes, I recently moved in with my sister. - I replied with restraint, not wanting to talk too much to a stranger.

- And who is your sister? If it’s not a secret, of course. - he asked softly.

- Adeline, if you know her.

- Of course I know. I know everyone here. - He smiled good-naturedly while I waited for an explanation. - I’m the prefect here. My name is Simon Olish.

- Oh, I’m... I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr. Olish. My name is Te... Te... Temi.

What kind of ridiculous situation is this? Adeline and I thought through my whole image and my story, but we completely forgot about the name. And I’m so stupid, I almost blurted out my real name. By those, it was a name spontaneously chosen, as if it had been on my tongue all this time. Well, Those are so Those. I immediately remembered my dream in which the witches of the coven called me that. Could this be a prophetic dream foreshadowing my future?

But wait... My stepmother was in this dream... it can’t be. No, there’s no way I can go there to purposefully check it out. I don’t want to check it.

- It looks like you were thinking about something, that you completely stopped hearing me. - The man’s benevolent voice sounded in my ears.

- Oh, I’m sorry, I got a little distracted. What did you ask? - I tilted my head towards him and smiled.

- I asked if I should take you home. It’s getting dark. - I noticed that the sun had almost set, taking the orange sunset with it.

- And before you refuse me, I want to say that I need to see your sister. Therefore, I will insist on accompanying you.

- Well, then you didn’t have to ask that question. - I grinned.

It would be rash to go with an unfamiliar man, but for some reason he did not cause me fear. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

While we were walking slowly to Adeline’s house, I heard the story of Lourdes, about the city itself, about people, about traditions, and even learned about upcoming entertainment events. It was a simple and easy conversation that left a pleasant impression of the narrator.

- May I ask you a question, Mr. Olish? – finally I got the opportunity to ask and after receiving approval, I continued... - Are you a witch too?

A muffled laugh, laced with a cough, burst from the man’s chest. He coughed into his fist and gave me a radiant smile.

- The witcher would be more correct. – he answered with a smile, making me blush from the stupidly chosen words. - Yes.

- I see. - I blushed. – I’m just relatively new to this, so I don’t understand it yet.

- Did your abilities reveal themselves so late? - Mr. Olish pressed.

- Aah... More precisely, they have only just begun to open. - I lowered my head, feeling awkward. – Is it strange for my age?

- Well, yes, partly. Such cases, of course, happen, but most often the abilities of witches manifest themselves in childhood. Apparently, something was holding them back in you. - he commented.

I nodded in agreement, without going into details, although I didn’t really understand what could have held back my abilities for so long.

- And you, Mr. Olish, do witchers have any special abilities? - I asked.

- We’re not much different from witches. All our advantage is only in greater strength. - he smiled.

- I see. So you must be very strong, since you are also the prefect of this place.

- You are surprisingly perceptive, Ms. Temi. - He said sarcastically, making me roll my eyes. – You call me Mister so persistently that it’s a little embarrassing.

- It would be extremely disrespectful of me to drop the formalities after only an hour of acquaintance. Don’t you think so?

- Not at all, especially if I insist on it myself. Stop adding that "mister" of yours, just call me Simon. And don’t feel awkward, that’s what everyone calls me.

- Well, that simplifies a lot... Simon.

I still felt awkward calling him by his first name.

When we finally reached the house, I opened the fence bolt and waited for the man to follow, but he stayed outside without taking a step.

- Why are you standing there? Weren’t you going to talk to Adeline? - I asked, arching an eyebrow.

- I’m sorry for my little lie, I just couldn’t find another reason to be able to escort you home. - the man replied, lifting the corners of his lips.

My face immediately flushed, blushing. Why was it necessary to say such provocative and embarrassing words? I could not find what to say to this remark of his, and therefore preferred only to bow and wish him a good night, not forgetting to thank him for a pleasant walk.

The walk really turned out to be easy and relaxed. I was able to distract myself for a while and forget about Raphael. No, I didn’t succumb to the vibes of another man... he was just a pleasant companion and nothing more. Although his appearance was also pleasant, simple, but he looked kind and endearing to himself. That must be why I believed every word he said.

- So where have you been for so long? - like an angry mom, Adeline asked, frowning and putting her hands on her hips.

She’s funny in her acting. I smiled and handed her the skewers with food and persimmons that I had brought for her and Klaus, and began to tell her about my impressions of the city and the fair, also about the meeting with Mr. Olish.

- Oh, well, he’s a regular there. Especially in the evening, so he goes there to drink beer and relax in the company of chatty townspeople. This is how he learns the latest news and pressing problems. Simon’s a good guy. I’m very glad that you met him, now you won’t be so lonely, because besides me you have a new friend. – mumbled Adeline with a mouth full of chicken.

- Yes, he seems to be a good person. Pleasant. - I agreed.

- Yeah, and also single and rich.

- It was an unnecessary remark. - I mumbled, confused. – I’m not looking for a groom.

- And that’s for nothing. Don’t you need a reliable support and protection? He is a very skilled witcher, many women dream of marrying him.

- Even you? - I didn’t fail to catch her at her word.

And realizing that Adeline had touched a nerve, she immediately put the question on the brakes, trying to change the subject.

- He looks at me exclusively as a sister. she added sadly, swallowing a piece of chicken.

- Of course, who would look at you differently. - Klaus added fuel to the fire.

- I ’ll kill you...

Adeline threw her fists at Klaus, and then used a choke hold on him, at the same time wrapping her legs around his waist like a monkey. Well, really like small children. Fortunately, Klaus seems to have realized that all this is on the level of jokes and played along with her.

It was very funny to see how they got closer in such a short time. It was as if they had known each other half their lives. It’s even a little envious how easily they tease each other and behave openly towards each other.

I quietly got up from my seat and quietly left the living room. Once in the room on a soft bed, I stared at the snow-white ceiling and did not notice how tears flowed down my cheeks. There used to be a magic ceiling in my room, the weather was changing and birds were singing, it was so wonderful that the memory of this moment brought me back to the pain that Rafael left me with. I rolled over on my stomach and buried my face in the pillow, drowning out nervous sobs and the words "fool, idiot, cretin."

The dream rolled in just as imperceptibly, plunging me into a whirlpool of completely different events and actions.

Light kisses showered my shoulders and neck, along with burning breath. It was so hot that it seemed that a little more and I would melt under the onslaught of these tightly squeezing hands.

I opened my eyes and confidently encountered bright scarlet, bloody irises, which melted my already swam consciousness even more. Why, knowing that you can be dangerous to me, do I reach out to you so much? Why I want you with every cell of my body.

I squirmed under him, trying to snuggle closer, get used to, feel his warmth and he responded in kind, snuggling up to me down there, without slowing down in his fiery kisses.

I could no longer restrain my moans and completely surrendered to this pleasure like a harlot. But who cares about me and my personal life. Raphael paused for a moment, looming over me, his gaze riveted on mine and so piercing. His hands gently caressed my cheeks and lips.

- Tell me... - he whispered, continuing to press into me.

- What to say? - I swallowed a groan, closing my eyes.

- Do you swear to love and respect me, to be a reliable support for me, a faithful life partner and not to belittle my desires in front of others? - he whispered breathlessly in my ears.

- Yes. - the voice echoed in my ears.

But it wasn’t my voice.

I abruptly opened my eyes and realized that I was standing next to a bed on which two naked people were lying in each other’s arms, whispering love words and obscenities. Giselle’s black hair was crushed under them, tangled with the hands of Raphael, who showered her thin neck with kisses.

And again a sharp pain, like a thousand needles sticking into my heart. I squeezed my eyes shut, swallowing a tear and desperately shook my head, trying to erase all these images from my head.

- I hate it! – I screamed with all my might, so that my throat was torn with pain.

- Thea, calm down, wake up! – I was shaken violently, prompting me to open my eyes and through the veil I saw Adeline, who was sitting on the bed, grabbing me on her shoulders.

- God, you scared me. - She put her hands to her chest, catching her breath. – I tried to wake you up several times, but you just fell asleep. And you kept screaming and tossing around on the bed. It was so awful. What happened? Did you have a bad dream?

I leaned my back against the headboard of the bed, tucked my legs and buried my face in my knees, continuing to cry non-stop. I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to cry out all these tears once and for all, so that they would wash away all this suffering from my heart. And only a warm gentle hand touched my head, as I felt an even greater rush of tears.

That night, we sat with Adeline in an embrace, she comforted me as best she could, and I cried and told her everything through tears. About what happened before and about this terrible dream. I just needed a person who would help me, who would share all this with me, who would help me overcome everything and move on. Previously, Jenine would have done it, but now I found myself in no less reliable hands.

We fell asleep only in the morning, exhausted from my nervous breakdown.