Page 10 of Cursed Dreams
“I—”
“But then, Idoknow how it feels,” he interrupted smoothly, puffing out his chest. “When I won the Spring Tide Water Trials, the entire village celebratedmeas well.”
Thalia’s smile became brittle.Ah, yes. The Trials. The one thing you bring up every single time we speak.
“Andnow, of course,” he continued, “I’ve only gotten stronger. My water affiliation is second to none! You should see how far I can summon the tide now.”
“How impressive,” Thalia said flatly.
Goldora, either oblivious to her daughter's growing discomfort or actively ignoring it, clapped her hands together. “Oh, you two must dance!”
Thalia’s stomach dropped. “Oh, no, that’s really not—”
“Nonsense!” her mother chirped, already nudging Marcus forward. “It’s a festival! Enjoy yourself, darling!”
Before Thalia could formulate an escape, Marcus swept her into his arms, spinning her onto the dance floor with an ease that made her regret every decision leading to this moment.
The village musicians played a lively tune, a blend of drums, flutes, and lyres weaving together into a melody that made the festival square come alive. The rhythm was fast, demanding quick steps and fluid movement, something Marcus had no trouble with, given his self-proclaimedsuperior athleticism.
Thalia, on the other hand, just wanted to vanish.
As Marcus spun her effortlessly, she caught glimpses of the other villagers watching, some of the young women in particular eyeing her with a mixture of jealousy and admiration.
Oh, please. You’re welcome to him.
“See how easy this is for me?” Marcus boasted, flashing her a grin as they twirled past a group of giggling girls. “Strong legs. Excellent balance. Water magic enhances my agility, you know.”
“Fascinating,” Thalia muttered, barely keeping herself from rolling her eyes.
Marcus didn’t seem to notice her sarcasm, too busy admiring himself. “And, of course, mymuscleshelp.”
Thalia had to physically bite the inside of her cheek to keep from snorting.
“I traindaily,” he continued, flexing slightly as he twirled her again. “A strong body is essential for a strong core. You wouldn’t believe the weight I can lift now. Go on—feel my arm.”
Thalia stared at him, horrified. “I’mgood, thanks.”
He grinned, clearly thinking she was just beingshy.“I don’t blame you. Iamquite impressive.”
Oh, dear gods. I am going to die here.
She glanced desperately toward the sidelines, where Goldora and her friends watched with blatant delight. Meanwhile, thevillage girls continued to look on in awe, whispering amongst themselves, no doubt wishing they were the ones in her place.
They can have it. All of it.
As the music surged and Marcus spun her again, she vowed that as soon as the dance ended, she was going to slip away, faraway, and spend the rest of the festival somewhere that Marcusandher mother’s matchmaking schemes couldn’t reach her.
As Marcus twirled her yet again, Thalia felt herself sinking deeper into a quiet, simmering panic. He was still talking, something about coming to visit her in Vertrose, about how he had animportantproposition, but her mind was already scrambling for an escape. Suddenly the last words hit home –proposition.
Oh no. Oh, no.
She couldfeelit coming. The pompous, self-satisfied way he was building up to it. The expectation in his voice. He was going topropose, here, in front of everyone.
Her heart pounded in alarm. She didn’t want to do this. Nothere, notnow. Not at all. She had never given him an indication she was interested in him, why was he so persistent!
Her mind raced, desperately seeking a way out when, there was a shift in the air.
The music hadn’t stopped, the festival still bustled around her, butsomethinghad changed. The villagers around them straightened, their laughter quieting as their gazes flickered toward a single point in the crowd.
