Page 119 of Cursed Dreams
“We’re in.” Cellen looked round with a wicked grin.
The door open without a sound. Inside, the corridor was dim, lined with dark wood and stone. The air was heavy with incense, and the sweet smell of burning seasoned wood.
“Why does this place feel like a villain’s lair?” Cellen murmured as they crept inside. “Are we sure we aren’t going to open these doors into a dungeon filled with gold and virgins?”
“Do youwantus to get caught?” Thalia hissed.
“Just adding ambiance.”
Marand shook her head fondly. “Can’t you take anything serious, your impossible!.”
“Gifted,” he corrected under his breath.
They moved further down the corridor widening into a hall of shadowed archways and polished floors. Following Marand’s lead they continued down another darkened corridor. Every step felt too loud. Every breath too sharp. Thalia could hear her heart beat in her ears, her pulse thrumming in her skin. She could feel his magic as though it was calling to her again. Hands clenched at her sides she tried to stay focused on her raging thoughts. This wasn’t just breaking into someone’s home. It washishome. The male who had once haunted her thoughts. The dragon who had once held her in shadows like a secret lover, burning for her. The one who could end her with a flick of magic if he chose. The male who was now her enemy.
“What if he’s here?” she whispered.
Cellen leaned in. “He won’t be Marand had both the notes delivered earlier today, and I had the bartender send me a message confirming when they had both arrived at the tavern earlier tonight”
“Did you? The blonde fae barmaid?,” Marand replied flatly.
“ Yes, I did. And yes it was, she owed me. See I can plan too “
Thalia ignored the growing tension between her two friends. Tonight was not the night to even try to address what ever was going on between them.
They paused at the curve of the corridor. Ahead, the staircase to the upper level where Vaelith’s study waited. Three doors down, right side. Thalia had memorized the layout from the map in every spare moment she’d had today.
A noise from the floor above made them all freeze.
After a few moments of tense silence, Cellen exhaled. “We move now or not at all.”
Thalia nodded. “Let’s go.”
With hearts pounding, they made their way up the staircase toward the study.
The upper level of Vaelith’s lodgings was deathly quiet. Every creaking floorboard felt like a shout. She was acutely aware of how wrong and dangerous this was. They paused at the top of the landing. A long corridor stretched before them, lined with tall doors carved in dark wood.
"Third on the right," Thalia whispered, nodding toward the far end. “That’s the one. I’m sure of it.”
“ Are we going straight for the study, or should we try his bed chamber?” Cellen asked
“Study, Cellen! Not everything revolves around the bedroom!” Marand’s answer was harsh
Cellen flashed her a grin. “Spend a night in my bedroom, then tell me that.”
Thalia rolled her eyes attempting to ignore the irritation of their constant back and forth. Her pulse thrummed the closer she got to the door. The feel of Vaelith’s magic from the ward becoming more and more intoxicating with every step she took. Thalia watched as Cellen stepped forward once again and began meticulously dabbing the oil around the door. The ward reverberated with each word he spoke, it was stronger this time. Thalia watched as beads of sweat formed across Cellen’s forehead. He gritted his teeth the strain becoming increasingly apparent. Suddenly an orange flash blasted from the centre of the door rendering Cellen airborne, before crashing in a tangle of limbs backwards down the corridor.
“Cellen!” Marand ran to his side.
“ Wow !” “I didn’t expect that!” he slowly lifted himself up on his elbows.
Thalia crouched beside her friend who looked far too pale for her liking. "Are you okay?”
She placed her hands over him sending gentle pulses of her magic to check his body for injury.
“I’m fine Thal. Honest stop fussing.” “But I can’t break it, it’s too strong”
Ignoring her friends protest she continued her examination, only stopping once she was thoroughly satisfied there was no internal damage. With the help of Marand they both took hold of an arm each and pulled Cellen back to his feet.
