Page 57 of Cursed Dreams
There, halfway up the steps, adjusting the folds of her robes, was Miryanne.
Thalia didn’t slow.
"Miryanne!" she called, her voice cutting through the peaceful hum of the temple grounds.
Heads turned. Priestesses and temple-goers paused, glancing up from their quiet prayers and conversations, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and mild disapproval at the sudden outburst.
Miryanne stiffened.
She turned, blinking as Thalia practically stormed toward her, breathless from exertion and barely keeping her frustration in check.
The priestess smoothed the front of her robe with a carefully neutral expression, though Thalia did not miss the slight narrowing of her eyes as she stopped before her.
"Thalia," Miryanne greeted, her tone polite, but guarded. "Is something the matter?"
She didn’t waste time. “Where is Vaelith?”
Miryanne’s expression twitched, just barely, but enough. Enough for Thalia to see it.
A flicker of something tense, calculating, possibly jealous.
Thalia clenched her jaw.Goddess, not this again.
She had neither the time nor the patience to deal with whatever ridiculous rivalry Miryanne seemed to be constructing in her own head. This wasn’t about that. This was important.
“I need to speak with him,” Thalia pressed, trying to keep the urgency in her voice controlled. “It’s important.”
Miryanne tilted her head, feigning nonchalance. "I'm afraid I wouldn’t know,"
"Miryanne." Thalia cut her off sharply, stepping closer, her patience snapping. "This is life or death. Tell me where he is."
Miryanne faltered, the confidence in her expression wavering.
Thalia saw the brief hesitation, the way the priestess chewed her bottom lip before exhaling through her nose. She smoothed her hands over her robes again, a nervous tick, before relenting.
“He doesn’t always stay at the temple,” she admitted, crossing her arms. “He prefers to reside in a boarding lodge in the city, not far from the Temple of Eshu.”
Thalia nodded sharply, already turning to leave. “Thank you.”
Before she could tear off down the steps, Miryanne’s voice stopped her.
“Why are you looking for him?”
Thalia turned back, irritation flaring when she saw the way Miryanne’s gaze flickered with suspicion.
For a moment, she considered lying. Brushing her off. She didn’t have time for this pettiness.
But then she saw the way Miryanne’s arms had tightened around herself, the barely hidden bitterness lurking beneath the surface, and Thalia couldn’t stop herself.
With a pointed look, she said flatly, "Not for the reason you're thinking."
Miryanne’s lips parted slightly.
Thalia didn’t let her respond.
She turned and ran.
She raced through the streets, weaving between bustling merchants, horse-drawn carts, and temple-goers dressed in their finest robes. The city was alive with activity, street vendors shouting their wares, children darting between stalls, the scent of fresh bread and roasted nuts mingling with the crisp afternoon air.
