Page 48 of Cursed Dreams
She glanced sideways. “Why?”
He met her gaze without flinching. “Because I you want to.”
That shouldn’t have made her heart do what it did. She looked away.
“Alright,” she said, nibbling the edge of her lip. “When I was ten, I faked being sick to get out of going to a naming ceremony in my village. I spent the full day reading under a blanket and had zero regrets.”
He blinked, then huffed a quiet laugh. “menace”
“You asked.”
“I was expecting something a bit more... scandalous.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
He tilted his head, watching her. “You don’t disappoint me, Thalia.”
Her breath caught. That wasn’t teasing. Not entirely.
“Your turn, tell me something I couldn't find out about you in the records held in here “she gestured round them.
Vaelith considered this, tipping his head. “I hate the cold.”
She blinked. “That’s your great confession?”
“I’m serious. It makes me grumpy.”
“You’realwaysgrumpy.”
He feigned a wince. “Cruel. And here I was thinking we were becoming close.”
Her gaze dropped instinctively to his hands, resting on the table. She could stillfeelthem—strong, demanding, knowing. A wave of heat rushed up her spine.
He must’ve noticed her look because his mouth curved slowly.
“Thinking about something, Thalia?”
“No,” she said too quickly, reaching for her notes. Her hands trembled slightly.Gods, he saw.
“Right.” He stretched lazily, and her eyes followed the ripple of muscle beneath his shirt.Unfair
When her gaze lifted again, he was still watching her. Not smug. Not smiling. Just... watching.
“What?” she asked, her voice too soft.
“You’re not what I expected.”
Her lips parted slightly. “Is that... good?”
He gave her a small, half-smile. “I’m still figuring that out.” He stood then, slowly, like he wasn’t quite ready to leave but knew he should.
“Goodnight, little menace,” he said gently, and with one last glance, turned and disappeared into the shadows between the shelves.
Thalia exhaled, leaned back in her chair, and stared at her notes without seeing a single word.
Gods help her, she was in trouble.
Chapter 14
