Page 2 of Cursed Dreams
"You are ready," Goldora assured her, ladling soup into a bowl with a maternal finality that suggested this was not up for debate.
Before Thalia could argue, the back door swung open, and Rodric strode in, looking pleased with himself. The smell of fresh air and something vaguely burnt trailed after him, whichmeant he’d probably been attempting to “help” with the outdoor fire pit again.
“Thalia! There she is, my beautiful, brilliant, too-smart-for-her-own-good daughter,” he said, clapping his handswith a grin. “Come on, tell me, how does it feel to be the smartest person in the house?"
Goldora arched a delicate eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Rodric cleared his throat. "Uh, I meant second smartest, of course." He pressed a kiss to Goldora’s cheek beforeplopping down at the table. "No offense to you either,Tansy," he added, scratching the family’s cat under the chin. Tansy, smug as ever, blinked at him before turning back to the far more important task of lounging in Thalia’s lap.
Thalia huffed a small laugh, running her fingers through Tansy’s soft fur. "I don't know, Father, I think Tansy might outrank all of us."
Rodric gasped dramatically. "A betrayal! Right in our own home!" He clutched his chest, then leaned toward Thalia, lowering his voice. "But really, you are ready. You always have been."
For the first time that day Thalia felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease, but before she could thank him, Goldora clearedher throat in a way Thalia knew she was about to bring up something she wasn’t going to like.
"You know, Thalia, Marcus came by earlier," she said lightly, dipping her bread into her soup.
Thalia groaned, dropping her head back against her chair. Oh no. Not this again.
Rodric perked up immediately. "Ah, young Marcus! Fine lad. Strong. Ambitious. Bit dull, but in a lovable way."
Goldora shot him a look before turning back to Thalia. "He’s been asking about you."
"Yes, I gathered that from the last five times you’ve mentioned it," Thalia muttered. "What did he want this time?"
Goldora smiled in that way mothers do when they think they’re being subtle. "He was hoping to walk you to the festival tomorrow."
Rodric wiggled his eyebrows. "A bold move. A fine move. And yet," he turned to Thalia, expectant.
Thalia rolled her eyes. "And yet not happening."
Marcus was a water affiliate, which wasn't an issue by itself. The problem was his prominent family made him arrogant. His father was a respected elder, his mother an influential healer from the grand temple of Amara, and Marcus? He knew thisall too well. He acted like a prince,expecting everyone to hang on his every word. Worse, hisnatural charm as a water affiliate meant people actually listened—except Thalia, who knew how dull he truly was beneath that charm.
"Why not?" Goldora asked, her tone deceptively casual.
Thalia threw up a hand. "Because he’s Marcus!"
Rodric snorted. "Ah yes, excellent reasoning, well argued."
Thalia levelled a look at him. "He talks about himself constantly. Last time I spoke to him, he spent twenty minutes detailing how his water wielding enhances his muscle definition. Twenty minutes."
Goldora hummed. "That is fascinating."
"Mother!"
Rodric cackled. "Alright, alright, no Marcus escort. Your mother will simply have to accept your tragic fate of being alone at the festival."
Thalia frowned. "Do I have to go?"
Goldora gasped. "Of course you do! It’s your celebration!"
Thalia sighed. The festival would be bright, loud, and filled with people wanting to talk to her. Goldora would thrive. Thalia would endure.
"Fine. But if Marcus flexes, I’m disappearing."
Rodric beamed. "Ah, spoken like a true daughter of mine."
Goldora just smiled
