Page 31 of Cursed Dreams
As Thalia stepped into the room she would be calling home for the foreseeable future, she took a deep breath, taking in every detail. The space was simple yet elegant, built with the same smooth white stone as the rest of the temple. The ceiling arched gently above them, creating a sense of openness, while the large window let in streams of warm, golden light, illuminating the room with a natural glow.
Two beds sat neatly on either side of the room, each covered in soft, cream-colored linens with thick blankets folded at the foot. A wooden desk stood against the far wall, well-crafted and sturdy, with neatly stacked parchment and an inkwell already prepared. Between the beds was a small, round table with a simple vase of fresh lavender. The scent was subtle, calming, and reminded Thalia of home.
She sighed, setting down her satchel at the foot of her bed and stretching her arms over her head.
"Not bad," Nyla said, tossing her bag onto her own bed with little ceremony. She flopped down beside it, bouncing slightly on the mattress. "Could be worse. At least the beds don’t feel like rocks."
Thalia smirked, running a hand over the soft fabric of the blanket. "I was prepared for something much rougher. I thought they might make us sleep in the infirmary."
"Now, that would be cruel." Nyla grinned. "Though, it’d be one way to test our patience, and our gag reflex."
They both laughed at that, and Thalia felt another wave of relief.
She had spent the last few months dreaming about this place—about leaving behind the forests and rivers of her home, about proving herself among the best healers. And yet, there was a part of her that suddenly felt small standing in this grand temple, in this new world where everything was bigger, brighter, and more intimidating than she had imagined.
She swallowed, pushing the thought aside.This is what you wanted. What you worked for.
Curious, she moved toward a side door, peeking inside. It led to a bathing chamber, and her breath caught at the sight of it.
The room was spacious, with softly glowing sconces set into the walls, filling the space with a golden warmth. The floors were polished white marble streaked with veins of pale gold, and in the centre sat a large sunken bath, its surface steaming faintly. The water was crystal clear, infused with dried herbs floating delicately on top, rosemary, chamomile, and hints of citrus peel. The scent wrapped around her like a gentle embrace.
Along one wall, a row of smaller basins was set up for quick washes, and above them, mirrors framed in intricate silverdesigns reflected the dim light. Plush towels were stacked neatly on a shelf, and bottles of fragrant oils lined a small stone ledge near the bath.
“You go first” Nyla smiled at Thalia. She smiled in return suddenly desperate to was off the dirt from days of travel.
She quickly undressed, stepping into the bath and sinking beneath the water with a relieved sigh. The warmth immediately eased the tension in her muscles, washing away the grime and the lingering embarrassment from earlier. Her thoughts drifted back to Vaelith, how closely they had been pressed together, the warmth of his body, shaking her head she shut down those thoughts. He was fae noble, and not someone she should be tangled up with. Instead, she scrubbed herself clean, rinsed her hair, and when she finally stepped out, she felt refreshed, renewed. Ready.
After drying off, she padded over to the closet set into the wall near her bed. She opened it to find neatly folded sets of apprentice healer robes, all in variations of soft blues, greys, and pale whites. The fabric was light yet durable, meant for long hours of work. She pulled one on, fastening the silver clasps at her shoulders, and examined herself briefly in the mirror.
She looked… different. Moreofficial, as if just wearing the robes transformed her into something greater than herself.
With her damp hair left loose down her back, she turned toward the large window, pushing the curtains aside. The view was breathtaking.
From here, she could see the hospital wing, its vast entrance bustling with healers moving in and out in swift, graceful strides. The gardens were situated to the left of it, she could see both humans and earth fae tending to the colourful array of herbs,plants and flowers. Something about it reminded her of home, of her mother's well loved well-tended garden, it somehow made her feel reassured.
The door behind her creaked open pulling her gaze, Nyla entered, now dressed in her own apprentice robes, her hair tied into a simple braid over her shoulder.
"You ready?" she asked.
Thalia turned, smiling despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach.
"As ready as I’ll ever be.
The main hall was nothing short of breathtaking.
Thalia and Nyla walked side by side through the arched entrance, the vast space opened up before them, a room of grand pillars and high vaulted ceilings, adorned with intricate carvings of sacred sigils and celestial patterns. A massive, circular skylight at the centre bathed the space in soft golden light, illuminating rows upon rows of wooden benches arranged in neat lines.
At the far end of the hall, a long stone table sat on a raised dais, where the High Priestess Elara and a gathering of priestesses, healers, and scholars overlooked the crowd of apprentices with calm, assessing gazes. Behind them, a massive mosaic mural adorned the wall, depicting the Goddess of Love and Light, hands outstretched as if offering her blessing to those gathered.
The hall was already alive with chatter, apprentices, both Fae and Human, filled the seats, some looking excited, others anxious. A sudden wave from the middle of the hall caught her eye. Cellen, already seated, was gesturing wildly, trying to gettheir attention. "Ladies! Over here! Saved you the best seats, closest to the exit in case we need to flee. "Nyla snorted. "Good thinking. Never know when we’ll have to make a dramatic escape. "Thalia shook her head with a small smile as they made their way over, slipping into the empty seats beside him.
As soon as they settled, a soft chime rang through the air—magically amplified—silencing the room in an instant. All eyes turned to the High Priestess as she gracefully rose to her feet.
"Welcome," she began, her voice clear and steady with authority. "Each and every one of you has done exceptionally well to be here. The road to mastery in healing, whether through magic, study, or skill, is not an easy one. But you have proven yourselves worthy of this opportunity."
Her piercing gaze swept across the room, landing briefly on Thalia, before continuing.
"You come from different lands, different backgrounds, Fae and Human alike. Some of you have trained your entire lives for this, while others have had to fight for the chance to sit where you are now. But here, you are all the same. Here, you are healers. And you will be expected to act as such."
