Page 106 of Cursed Dreams
“He was there, Nyla. At the end of the war. He fought in it.”
Nyla’s eyes widened in disbelief. “The war? The one against—”
“The war.” Thalia’s voice cracked. “He told me what he is.”
She looked down, almost unable to say it.
“Vaelith is dragon fae.”
Nyla’s face paled.
“No,” she breathed. “No, that’s not possible. That’s a myth. A story.”
“I saw him,” Thalia whispered. “I felt it. His magic. His fury. The way he said Caelum’s name like it was poison on his tongue. The look in his eyes, Nyla, he’s not like us. He’s not like anyone.”
A long silence stretched between them.
Nyla slowly sat down, like her legs couldn’t quite hold her anymore. “That’s… that’s terrifying.”
“I know.” Thalia moved beside her. “I know.”
“But, Vaelith? He’s been at the temple for years. He’s practically revered by the priestesses. He led troops during the border conflicts. He saved people, Thal.”
Thalia’s voice dropped to a whisper. “He’s been hiding in plain sight.”
Nyla pressed a hand to her mouth, visibly shaken. “And you think, he’s keeping , The Fae Prince, Caelum trapped in the dream realm? You said he called it a prison?”
Thalia nodded. “He told me he wouldn’t let him out. He said I was being played. That Caelum isn’t what he seems. But I know Caelum, Nyla. He’s kind. Gentle. He guided me when no one else could. I think he saved Aric, he helped me, he found a way to heal him.”
She hesitated. “And the way Vaelith reacted tonight… it was like a mask broke. Like I finally saw what he really is.”
“Gods,” Nyla murmured. “This is—this is huge Thal, what are you going to do ?”
“I don’t know what to do.” Thalia’s voice cracked. “I think Caelum’s realm was destroyed. I think the dragons burned the Temple of Kek and buried every trace of the truth. And nowhe’s trapped, and Vaelith’s watching me like a hawk, and I’m terrified. Terrified, Nyla.”
Her voice broke completely on the last word. Nyla didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Thalia’s hand and squeezed.
“Okay,” she said. “Then we figure it out. You’re not doing this alone.”
Thalia stared at her.
“Even if it means facing down dragons?” she asked weakly.
Nyla let out a shaky laugh. “I mean… I’ll probably scream the whole time. But yeah. Even then.”
Thalia let her head fall onto Nyla’s shoulder, tears welling again, but softer this time. She finally had someone who believed her. Someone who would fight beside her. And she knew, without doubt, that she would need it.
Chapter 24
The following morning, the library was quieter than usual, muted, as if the rising tension within Thalia had settled over the stone walls themselves. She sat at their usual corner table beneath a tall stained-glass window, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She barely touched the tea Nyla had pressed into her hands. Across from her, Cellen dropped into his chair, casting a suspicious glance around the shelves like they were being watched. He leaned in and stage-whispered, “Alright, I’m here. What’s the emergency? Secret plot? Rebellion? Are we overthrowing the temple or…?” Thalia didn’t even try to smile. Nyla shot him a look, and Marand’s expression was already tight with concern as she slid into the seat beside her. She took in a long breath to steady herself, glancing at Nyla for her silent nod of support, then without ceremony, Thalia told them everything. No witty lead-in. No sarcasm to soften the edges. She laid it bare: Caelum, the soul bond, the dream realm, the lost Temple of Kek, the erased history of the High Fae. Vaelith. What he truly was. What he’d confessed and finally how he’d threatened, to stop her at all costs. Her friends listened in stunned silence as the quiet, sacred space of the library wrapped around them. By thetime she finished, her throat was raw and her heart felt exposed. There was a long pause, before their questions began.
“Wait—Vaelith is a dragon fae?” Marand asked, voice hushed but trembling.
“And he’s the one who locked the prince away?” Cellen added, all the usual mirth gone from his voice.
“How long has this been going on?” Marand’s brows drew together. “And why not go to the High Priestess with this?”
“That’s what I said,” Nyla jumped in, giving Thalia a glance. “But—”
