Ophelia’s Strength (FREE to read!)

Hector

Hector’s POV

I froze when I walked into the apartment, I was absolutely mesmerized by the beautiful girl that I saw sitting there, stuffing her perfect mouth with sushi. We made eye contact and she froze too. I had felt this feeling before, this undeniable attraction and need for someone else. It was consuming me. I was shocked to be having this feeling again for someone else. I was scared and mesmerized at the same time. Memories of pain resurfaced.

I have no idea how long I stared and was unable to speak before Naomi broke my trance. I walked over and sat down to eat, but really wasn’t in the mood for food anymore. I had to stop myself from staring, Ophelia was stunning. She was beautiful, she smelled amazing, and I could feel her magic. Just being around her made me feel amazing. It made me feel whole, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I noticed Ophelia sneaking nervous glances at me too, she must have felt the pull too. She was no longer eating like she had been starved, just nibbling.

Naomi had filled me in a little bit as to what was going on, I knew that she had been in a controlling and dangerous relationship which she had literally just left. She also had just learned that she had magical abilities. She had been through a lot. I had the strongest urge just to wrap her up in my arms and fix everything for her. I was really relieved that she seemed ok, I couldn’t stand the thought of her being upset about some a******.

I ate a few bites and made small talk with everyone. I listened as Hazel and Zane discussed the dream Ophelia had told them about with the cottage and the lady who had told her to be strong. They explained that it could be her spiritual guide and she should expect more guidance from her as she learns to embrace her powers.

I found witches fascinating, I myself was a healer. Officially a doctor, but I definitely used my healer abilities when safe to do so and when called for. It was dangerous to let the whole world know about your abilities, historically those who had been open about them had met with awful repercussions.

Ophelia’s POV

When dinner was finished Hazel and Zane made plans with me to begin my first lesson. They gave me huge hugs as they got up to leave and made me promise to call them if there was anything they could do to help or if I had any burning questions that needed immediate answering. I promised to call them and thanked them profusely. I felt so lucky to have met them and have them there for support and guidance. I was so elated, I honestly couldn’t even remember the last time I could describe herself as elated.

I wondered if Naomi could feel the tension between Hector and myself, I wondered if Hector felt like this too. Maybe I was imagining things? I knew I should be stressed and scared after everything that unfolded today, but this feeling just had me at peace. I hoped I made Hector feel at peace too. It was scary, to have feelings this powerful for another so soon, but I couldn’t deny that I was enjoying it. We all sat in the living room in silence. I was not sure what to say. Naomi took it upon herself to finally break the silence. “Hector is a healer, have you heard of people with healing abilities before Ophelia?” She asked.

I shook my head to say no. Hector explained that he and other healers had varying abilities to sense pain and illness in others. They could sense how to fix some things and sometimes could use magic to heal someone.

“That is truly amazing,” I mused, entranced with Hector’s every word. “A doctor and a healer, your patients are so lucky.”

Hector explained that it was very beneficial in diagnosing and helping his patients, but he had to be very very careful of when to use magic as to not arouse suspicion. The last healer he had known who decided to go public about their abilities had mysteriously disappeared, likely kidn*pped to be someone’s personal healer.

I made eye contact with Hector, then bashfully looked away. I was hoping she wasn’t making a fool of myself and being super obvious about my attraction to Hector. “Do your parents have healing abilities too?” I asked him.

“My mom comes from a long line of healers,” he replied, “she is a bit scared of her powers so never trained in using them, once in a while as kids she would heal a scraped knee or sense that one of us was getting sick, but that’s about it. She said it is too hard emotionally to sense when someone has a terminal illness that cannot be healed. The more you use your powers and train with them, the more you are in touch with what the people around you may be suffering from, so she prefers to leave her powers as dormant as possible.”

I nodded, I had never considered the downside of having special abilities.

“My uncle is one of the most powerful healers I have ever met,” Hector continued, “he has coached me since I was 17 and decided that I wanted to discover my full potential.”

“You are amazing, I am sure,” I told him lovingly. I couldn’t help it, I just wanted to shower him with praises.

Hector’s POV

I smiled at her, she was so kind. She seemed so genuine and pure. I wanted to take her in my arms and kiss her so bad. I wished I could heal her from any emotional pain she felt, but unfortunately I can only heal physical ailments. I wished I could truly relish in this feeling and share with her how I felt, but it scared me so much. “Thank you,” I replied sincerely. “I think you are amazing too, you have been through so much and you seem to be taking it in stride.”

“I feel like I finally woke up today from a bad dream,” she told me, “I will always be thankful that Naomi was there and saved me.” Ophelia gave a warm smile to Naomi who was now yawning.

Naomi got up, “Well, since I didn’t have a long nap and I ate most of the sushi I think I need to go to bed. Hector feel free to stay as late as you like, and Ophelia please just make yourself at home, if you need anything just search around and help yourself. Too bad we didn’t get Hazel and Zane to teach you how to call items to yourself yet,” she laughed as she hugged us both good night. Naomi left the room and it was just Ophelia and I sitting next to each other on the couch.

“Are you tired?” I asked Ophelia.

“No, I had the best nap of my life today, are you?” She replied.

“I did have a long day, but no, I am not sleepy yet. Look, I don’t know everything that you’ve been through, I just know the basics and I know it’s a lot. Are you ok?” I looked into her eyes and saw some pain flash across them.

“I think I will be,” she said, “maybe it just hasn’t all sunk in yet. I hurt so bad when I think about the fear I lived in for the past couple of years, the deception and the way I was treated was just not right. I’m embarrassed that I couldn’t find a way out sooner, I felt helpless and like it wasn’t worth trying.” She continued on, “ it’s funny though, I really feel like I should be scared, sad, and traumatized but Naomi just makes me feel calm. You, something about you just makes me feel…” she paused as if she was unsure if she should finish that sentence. “I am sorry for spilling my guts to you…I don’t even know you and I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to a silly girl’s mistakes.”

I took her hand, I think we both felt the sparks. “Ophelia, you aren’t silly. You can talk to me, about anything. I will help you if you can. Trust me, I don’t have better things to do. I bury myself in work and sometimes it’s nice to have a break from that.”

She looked me in the eyes, I hope she could tell that I was sincere. I did want to be there for her, I just don’t know if my heart can handle another romance. She gave me the most loving look anyone has ever given me. She scooted over, laid her beautiful head on my chest and wrapped her petite arms around me.