Page 43 of Condemned to Love

"Enough talk," the leader barks. "Get back to the main camp. We have preparations to make."

I hear the crunch of boots on grass as they move away. Slowly, carefully, I peer around the rough bark of the tree trunk, my fingers digging into the wood.

The dark elves are heading towards a clearing in the distance. I can just make out the shapes of tents and the flicker of magical lights, their eerie glow making nerves curl in my stomach.

My heart thunders in my chest as I creep after the dark elves, each step careful and measured. The forest floor is damp beneath my feet, and I have to fight the urge to run.

As I near the edge of the clearing, my breath catches in my throat, strangled by the fear clawing its way up. The sight before me is terrifying, worse than anything I could have imagined.

Hundreds of dark elves mill about a massive encampment, their tall, lithe forms moving with an otherworldly grace that makes my stomach churn. Tents stretch as far as I can see, magical lights bobbing between them, casting long shadows that trick my eye. The air thrums with power, making my skin prickle and my hair stand on end. It's like the very atmosphere is charged, ready to ignite at any moment.

Warriors sharpen blades that gleam with an unnatural light, the sound of metal on stone setting my teeth on edge.The sheer number of them is overwhelming, a sea of potential destruction that threatens to drown me in despair. How can we possibly stand against this?

This isn't just a raiding party. It's an army.

And they're only sending a fraction of their forces to attack our base.

My mind reels with the implications. If we somehow manage to fend off this attack, there are hundreds more waiting to take their place. The enormity of what we're up against hits me like a physical blow.

I can't stay here. We need to prepare.

Turning, I sprint back towards the portal, my feet barely touching the ground. Branches whip at my face, but I ignore the sting. Every second counts.

I burst through the shimmering air, stumbling as I cross back into the wildspont. For a moment, I'm disoriented. Squeezing my eyes shut, I picture my base, Aldric, the forest I am desperate to be back into.

Then my feet hit the ground and I recognize the familiar forest around our base, and relief floods through me. The wildspont can be fickle, the portals connecting throughout Protheka.

Without pausing to catch my breath, I run. My lungs burn, but I push harder. The base. I have to warn them.

As I near our hidden entrance, I see a figure emerge from the shadows. Tall, pale, with wings folded against his back. One. I would know anywhere.

"Aldric!" I gasp, skidding to a stop in front of him.

His silver eyes narrow as he takes in my disheveled state. "Elowen? What?—"

"Dark elves," I pant, grabbing his arm. "Hundreds of them. They're coming. Two days."

Aldric's grip on my shoulders tightens, his silver eyes boring into mine. "Slow down, Elowen. Take a breath."

I inhale shakily, trying to calm my racing heart. His steady presence grounds me, and I force myself to focus.

"Now, tell me everything," he says, his voice low and urgent.

I nod, swallowing hard. "I saw them, Aldric. Dark elves. They used a wildspont portal, just beyond our perimeter. I followed them through."

His eyebrows shoot up, but he doesn't interrupt.

"There's an army," I continue, the words tumbling out. "Hundreds of them, maybe more. They're planning to attack ourbase in two days, at dawn. They're sending at least a hundred soldiers."

Aldric's jaw clenches, his wings rustling with tension. I watch as his expression shifts, the warrior in him taking over. His eyes harden, calculating.

"You're certain?" he asks, his voice clipped.

I nod emphatically. "I heard them planning it myself. Aldric, they have no idea we know. We have to warn the others, prepare?—"

"You're right," he cuts me off, his grip on my shoulders loosening slightly. "We need to tell Raziel and the others immediately."

He takes my hand, his larger one engulfing mine. The gesture is firm, purposeful, but I can't help the flutter in my chest at his touch.

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