Page 14 of Cursed Dreams (Shadow and Dreams #1)
T he next morning, they set off for their final leg of their journey to Vertrose.
The others chatted excitedly, but Thalia remained mostly quiet, too embarrassed to talk to Vaelith and too focused on what lay ahead to join in with their merriment.
She had avoided his gaze all morning, keeping her attention on the road ahead, her pulse quickening with each passing mile, nerves beginning to get the better of her.
Just as the midday sun was at its peak, she saw them, the first spires of Vertrose rising in the distance, their pale stone glittering under the sun. The sight stole her breath.
The landscape had changed gradually as they travelled, the thick forests of the borderlands giving way to rolling hills and cultivated farmland.
Now, as they neared the city, the air carried the mingling scents of fresh bread, blooming flowers, and the faintest hint of coal smoke from the homes inside the city she assumed.
Roads widened, becoming well-maintained paths lined with merchant stalls, farmers leading carts of goods, and travellers heading in and out of the capital.
Excitement surged through Thalia, as the sheer size of the city began to dawn on her.
The others seemed to share in her anticipation.
"Gods, it's even grander than I imagined," Nyla murmured, her dark eyes bright with wonder.
Cellen let out a low whistle. "I hope they have decent taverns."
Roina rolled her eyes. "You're going to be in training, not drinking yourself into oblivion."
"I'm a man of many talents, I can multi task" Cellen quipped, flashing a grin.
Thalia smiled at this but kept her gaze fixed on the city, drinking in every detail.
Nyla, riding nearby, turned to Vaelith. "You’ve spent time in Vertrose, haven't you? What’s it like?"
Vaelith, who had been riding slightly ahead, glanced back at her and gave a small nod. "I have. It’s a city of knowledge and commerce. The Grand temple sits at its heart, one of the oldest structures within its walls. You'll find scholars, merchants, and diplomats alike walking its streets."
Nyla looked thoughtful. "And the humans? How do they feel about us?"
Vaelith's expression was unreadable, but his tone remained cordial. "Most accept our presence. Some tolerate it. A few… do not."
That sobered the mood slightly, but it didn’t last long. The energy among them was too high, the pull of the grand city before them too strong.
The city gates loomed ahead, towering constructs of pale limestone reinforced with iron and carved with intricate Fae and human script entwined together, speaking of old alliances and treaties that had long bound the two peoples together.
Thalia’s could feel her heart race as they approached, her eyes trailing over the ornate patterns of swirling vines and celestial symbols carved deep into the stone.
It was one thing to read about Vertrose in books, to memorize its history, its laws, its grand significance to both human and Fae alike, but another entirely to see it for herself.
As they passed beneath the massive archway, flanked by human guards in polished steel and Fae wardens clad in deep blue, a strange sensation settled over her—a mix of exhilaration and trepidation.
She was in human lands now. Truly in them.
The moment they entered the city proper; a cacophony of sound and scent overwhelmed her senses.
The streets were alive, merchants shouting to advertise their wares, the scent of fresh bread and roasting meat mingling with the spice of incense burning from shrines scattered throughout the city.
The roads were paved in smooth stone, wider than the cobbled paths of her village, with grand buildings rising along either side, their facades adorned with banners, sigils, and carved motifs of both Fae and human design.
“Ahh, civilization,” Cellen sighed dramatically, stretching his arms as best he could from his saddle. “You can just smell the opportunities.”
Lina shot him a dry look. “That, or the horse dung.”
“Opportunities come in many forms,” he quipped with a wink.
Thalia found herself smiling despite the knot still coiled in her stomach.
The city was beautiful, a stunning blend of Fae elegance and human practicality.
Winding streets wove through towering structures, some were built of pale stone that caught the sunlight, others of dark timber and iron, their rooftops adorned with colourful cloth awnings shielding the storefronts below.
She glanced at the street vendors lining the roads, selling everything from fruits and spices to jewellery and enchanted trinkets, their goods displayed on carved wooden tables or suspended from delicate silver chains. She had never seen anything like it .
“Over there.” Vaelith’s voice cut through the bustle, he inclined his head toward a shop with dark wooden beams and a hanging lantern with a glowing blue gem encased within it.
“That’s Edric’s Arcane Emporium. He deals in enchanted objects and rare alchemical ingredients.
Some of the best in the city.” Thalia followed his gaze, eyeing the shop with curiosity.
The windows displayed shimmering vials of liquid, books with thick spines, and small carved figures glowing faintly with magic.
"There are many stores her you will find both helpful and fascinating, but I highly recommend Edric, he is knowledgeable and fair with his prices” Thalia nodded and stored the advice away for later.
The road sloped downward, leading toward a grand square where two temples stood opposite each other, their towering columns reaching skyward.
To the left, the Temple of Iku, the God of Death, loomed in solemn beauty, its dark stone walls etched with symbols of passage—river currents, open doorways, the phases of the moon.
Priestesses dressed in flowing black robes embroidered with silver moved silently through the temple grounds, their faces painted with pale markings, their hair braided with delicate bone charms. A group of mourners ascended the steps, their heads bowed as they carried offerings, bundles of dried herbs, coins, and small effigies to honour their lost loved ones.
Thalia bowed her head in respect.
She had read much about Iku’s priestesses. They were said to guide souls to the afterlife, offering prayers to ensure a peaceful journey beyond the mortal world. The sight of them, so composed and unearthly sent a strange chill through her.
She looked across to the opposite temple, a stark contrast in colour and atmosphere.
The Temple of Eshu, the God of Luck, stood proud and inviting, its grand staircase leading up to doors gilded in gold and red.
Worshippers laughed as they ascended, some tossing coins into offering bowls at the foot of the steps, others pausing to whisper their prayers before stepping inside.
The scent of burning incense, rich and spiced, filled the air, curling in thick tendrils toward the sky.
Thalia felt a jolt of familiarity and warmth at the sight.
Her mother had spoken of this place often, of how she had journeyed here once, 26 years ago, to offer prayers and gifts, asking Eshu to bless her and her father with a child. Eshu had answered.
Thalia swallowed, suddenly overcome with a strange sense of connection, as if she had stepped into a part of her own story rather than just another grand landmark of Vertrose.
“Feeling lucky, Thalia?” Cellen’s teasing voice cut into her thoughts.
She blinked and turned to find him grinning at her, clearly having caught her staring at the temple.
“I—” She hesitated, unsure how to answer. “I was just… remembering something.”
Vaelith’s voice was quieter, but she still heard him. “Eshu’s temple is one of the oldest in the city. Many make pilgrimages here, hoping for fortune or… divine intervention.”
Thalia glanced back at him; his expression was solemn.
They continued through the city, weaving past bustling markets and wide avenues where carriages drawn by sleek horses rattled over the stone.
Vaelith occasionally pointed out landmarks, a grand library, an ancient clock tower, a street known for its fine jewellery.
His knowledge was impressive, and despite herself, Thalia found herself listening intently, absorbing every detail.
She tried to ignore the way Roina occasionally shot her pointed glances, as if still wondering about her relationship with Vaelith.
Tried to ignore the way her stomach flipped when she felt Vaelith’s presence just a little too close as they maneuverer through the crowds.
Tried to tamp down her growing excitement, she was here , in Vertrose, a city she had only ever dreamed of, this was her new beginning, it felt surreal.
As they rounded the final curve of the main avenue, Thalia’s breath caught.
The Grand Temple of Amara was unlike anything she had ever seen.
Towering above the city, it gleamed in the midday sun, its pale stone walls kissed with streaks of gold and inlaid with veins of shimmering blue that appeared to pulse faintly with residual magic.
The structure soared impossibly high, its spires reaching for the heavens, tipped with crystal-like points that reflected sunlight like a cascade of stars.
The temple doors, tall enough to accommodate even the grandest of Fae warriors were carved from a rich, pale wood, etched with ancient symbols of healing and renewal.
They stood slightly ajar, as if always open to those in need.