Page 21 of Cursed Dreams
Vaelith straightened, a single white brow arching. “Was it?”
She smirked. “A little.”
He only gave the smallest shrug before turning and walking away, his long coat billowing slightly behind him.
She called out “Thank you” but if he heard her, he showed no indication.
Instead, she tilted her head back once more, staring up at the constellation he had pointed out.
For the first time since waking, the unease in her chest settled, just a little.
A wry thought crossed her mind; Why does he always seem to be there when I need him?
Finally, she turned and made her way back to bed.
Chapter 9
Thalia sat at the long wooden table in the temple’s dining hall, idly pushing a piece of bread through a small pool of honey on her plate. The morning air smelled of warm oats, baked apples, and freshly brewed tea, a simple but comforting meal before they set off again. The priestesses moved about the hall with quiet grace, their robes flowing like water, their presence calming.
After breakfast, the head priestess gathered them in a semi-circle near the entrance, lifting her hands in a blessing.
“May the Goddess of Light guide your steps,” she intoned, her voice rich and steady. “May your journey be free of harm, and your hearts remain open to the wisdom ahead.”
The air shimmered faintly, as if touched by unseen magic, and Thalia felt the warmth of it settle over her skin. The others murmured their thanks as they turned toward the waiting carriage, as they stepped onto the temple grounds, a sound stopped them.
Chanting.
Low, melodic voices drifted from within the temple, the sound rising and falling like waves, carrying with it something that made the back of Thalia’s neck prickle. It was haunting, ancient, almostfamiliar.
A memory stirred, the whisper on the wind in her dream, calling her name.
She swallowed hard, shivering despite the warmth of the morning sun.
“Creepy,” Cellen muttered. “Beautiful, but creepy.”
Thalia exhaled and forced a small smile. “Agreed.”
As they reached the carriage, Roina sidled up next to Thalia, her brows raised with pointed curiosity.
“So,” she drawled, “what exactly wereyoudoing in the courtyard with Vaelith last night?”
Thalia nearly tripped over her own feet. “What?”
Roina smirked. “I saw you.”
Heat rushed to Thalia’s face. “It wasn’t anything! I just couldn’t sleep.”
Roina hummed, clearly unconvinced. “And out of all the people here,hewas the one you just so happened to run into?”
Before Thalia could respond, Lina joined them, flipping her golden braid over her shoulder. “It’s notthatsurprising. He danced with her at the festival, too.”
Thalia blinked.
Her stomach twisted uncomfortably.
Why did shecare? Shedidn’t.Sheshouldn’t. They were just talking.
But the implication behind Roina’s wordsdidbother her.
