Page 6 of Cursed Dreams (Shadow and Dreams #1)
T he festival was alive with light and laughter.
As Thalia stepped into the village square, she was struck by the soft glow from the golden lanterns hung between the trees, their light shifting and dancing with fae magic.
Tiny motes of luminescent energy flitted in the air like fireflies, some drifting lazily, others bursting into brief, shimmering patterns before fading away.
It was as if the stars themselves had descended to join the celebration.
The scent of roasted chestnuts and honeyed pastries filled the air, mingling with the crisp autumn breeze.
The sweet aroma of spiced cider drifted from wooden stalls, where villagers gathered, laughing and sharing drinks.
Everywhere she looked, people were dressed in their finest, wrapped in warm fabrics dyed in the colours of the harvest, deep oranges, golds, and rich greens.
This festival was more than just a night of revelry.
It marked the turning of the seasons, the Autumn Equinox, transition from the warm abundance of summer to the quiet preparation of autumn’s harvest. More importantly, it was a celebration of the young apprentices who had completed their exams, honouring both their dedication and the esteemed examiners who had travelled from the temple to oversee them.
Thalia watched as a group of children darted past her, their hands full of woven wreaths of flowers and wheat stalks.
They raced toward the grand stone statue of Amara, the goddess of love and light, which stood proudly at the heart of the square.
The statue, carved from luminous white stone, depicted Amara with arms outstretched, head tilted toward the sky, her expression eternally serene.
The children laid their tributes at her feet, offerings of gratitude for the season’s bounty and prayers for the new healers across the land, that they may carry her light into the world.
Thalia swallowed, a strange weight settling in her chest as she took in the sight.
It was tradition to honour Amara during this festival, but tonight, it felt different.
More personal. I’m one of them now, she realized, her fingers tightening slightly around the folds of her dress.
I’m no longer just a girl from the village—I’m a healer.
A group of musicians had gathered near the village fountain, their instruments weaving together a lively tune. The melody was light and warm, the kind that invited people to dance. Already, villagers had begun to pair off, twirling beneath the lantern light.
Thalia stepped further into the crowd, the hum of conversation and laughter wrapping around her. Voices called out in joy, old friends reunited, and families gathered to celebrate the night.
Despite the warmth of the festival, she felt a familiar unease prick at the edges of her mind.
She had never been one for large gatherings, always preferring the quiet of home or the pages of a book over the bustle of social events. Even now, with the village in celebration, she couldn’t quite shake the feeling of being an outsider looking in.
She had hoped tonight would be different. That the knowledge of her success, of her impending journey, would make her feel like she belonged. But as she watched others laugh and embrace, she couldn’t help but feel a lingering sense of distance.
She forced herself to breathe in the moment, the scent of festival food, the golden lights reflected in the faces of those around her, the gentle warmth of magic woven into the very air.
This was her last night here before leaving for Vertrose.
If nothing else, she would try to enjoy it.
Thalia had just managed to find a quiet corner near the festival square, letting the hum of celebration wash over her, when a familiar presence sidled up beside her.
“There you are, darling,” Goldora said, her voice warm and full of barely concealed emotion. “I was beginning to think you’d hidden yourself away already.”
Thalia turned, already suspicious of her mother’s unusually sweet tone—only to find that, of course, Goldora had brought reinforcements. A trio of village women, all longtime friends of her mother’s, beamed at her, their eyes alight with excitement.
“Thalia, dear, congratulations!” chirped Mistress Olyne, a stout woman with perpetually rosy cheeks. “You must be over the moon. Passing your exam and heading off to Vertrose, oh, how exciting! I always knew you’d make something of yourself.”
Yes, because clearly, before today, I was just a lost cause, Thalia thought dryly, but she forced a polite smile. “Thank you, Mistress Olyne.”
“Oh, it’s just marvellous,” another woman, Lissandra, added with an approving nod. “You’ll be in the capital! Such an opportunity. You’ll meet all sorts of new people. Maybe even a nice young male . You are getting on dear, why I was almost 5 years married by your age!”
Thalia barely resisted the urge to groan. There it was. The inevitable ‘when will you settle down’ conversation.
“Or female,” chimed in Selva, the youngest of her mother’s friends, with a knowing wink. “Just someone who sweeps you off your feet.”
Goldora cleared her throat, clearly trying to steer the conversation back to any topic that wouldn’t result in Thalia bolting into the night. “Now, now, let’s not overwhelm her. This is a big step. She needs time to adjust before we start planning her wedding.”
Thalia shot her mother a grateful look, but Goldora was barely holding back a fond smile.
Mistress Olyne waved a hand dismissively. “Of course, of course. But you must be looking forward to the city life, dear. So much to see! So much to do!”
Thalia nodded, though inwardly she was far less enthused than the women seemed to expect. She was excited, yes , but also utterly terrified. The thought of navigating a bustling city full of strangers, of having to prove herself among experienced healers, it was daunting.
But she was looking forward to the libraries, the new opportunities for learning. And, she reminded herself, the chance to make real friendships, ones that don’t revolve around my mother’s friends cornering me at festivals.
“I’m sure it will be an adjustment,” she said instead, keeping her voice light. “But I’m eager to learn as much as I can.”
Lissandra sighed wistfully. “Such a bright young woman. Your parents must be so proud.”
Goldora, who had been watching the exchange in quiet adoration, sniffled suddenly, dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “Oh, we are ,” she said, voice trembling slightly. “So, so proud.”
Thalia immediately felt a lump rise in her throat.
Her mother was proud of her. Of course, she knew that, but hearing it spoken so openly, so earnestly , made her chest ache.
She reached out, squeezing Goldora’s hand. “I’ll be back to visit,” she murmured, hoping it would ease whatever sadness was creeping in.
Goldora smiled at her, teary-eyed but glowing. “You’d better.”
The other women cooed at the exchange before launching into further talk about Vertrose, where to go for the best market stalls, what sort of shoes to wear on cobbled streets, and at least three horror stories about pickpockets.
Thalia nodded along, offering the occasional polite response, but she couldn’t help the flicker of amusement .
I’m about to become a healer in one of the most prestigious cities in the realm and shoes are what's important . she tried not to chuckle.
But what if my light wasn’t strong enough, what if the pulling feeling from my assessment was because my well just wasn’t deep enough, what if there is something wrong with me, if it were anything truly terrible… they wouldn’t have let me pass, would they?
She swallowed the doubt creeping in at the edges of her mind. No, stop it. You’re overthinking again.
Still, the memory of Vaelith’s reaction, the shock, the way his gaze had sharpened with something close to suspicion, lingered like an itch she couldn’t quite scratch.
But she had passed.
So it couldn’t be anything serious.
Still, she let them talk, if only because her mother looked so happy. And if putting up with a bit of over-enthusiastic advice made Goldora’s last night with her a little brighter, then Thalia could endure it.
At least for a little while longer.
Just as Thalia was about to escape the clutches of her mother’s friends, a familiar voice cut through the festival noise.
“Ah, there she is! The woman of the hour!”
Thalia stiffened. No. No, please, anything but this.
She turned just in time to see Marcus approaching, his ever-present smirk firmly in place.
The torchlight cast a golden glow over his sharp features, highlighting his strong jawline and the arrogant tilt of his head.
His orange tunic, embroidered with silver to proudly display his family’s wealth, only made him look more insufferable.
His dark curls were effortlessly tousled, like he needed any more reason to think highly of himself.
Goldora practically beamed, her expression turning jubilant as if she’d personally summoned him from the heavens. Oh, of course, she had planned this . Of course, she did.
“Marcus, dear!” Goldora greeted him, her excitement far too evident for Thalia’s liking. “How wonderful to see you.”
Marcus, ever the charmer, took Goldora’s hand and kissed it gallantly. “How could I miss celebrating our brightest healer? And, of course, it’s always a pleasure to see you, Lady Goldora.”
Thalia barely suppressed a groan. She could already tell where this was going.
“Congratulations, Thalia,” Marcus said, turning his full attention to her. “It’s a tremendous achievement. You must be overjoyed.”
“I—”
“But then, I do know how it feels,” he interrupted smoothly, puffing out his chest. “When I won the Spring Tide Water Trials, the entire village celebrated me as well.”
Thalia’s smile became brittle. Ah, yes. The Trials. The one thing you bring up every single time we speak.