Page 6 of Condemned to Love

I want to hunt freely again, to feel the wind against my wings without fear or constraint. I want my people to thrive, not merely survive in these dark tunnels.

The Council's deliberations grow heated, voices clashing like swords in the air. I stand at attention, fists clenched at my sides, my jaw set in a rigid line.

Brinda slams her hand on the table. "We cannot afford to delay! The dark elves have already breached our defenses."

One of the elder members scoffs. "Rushing into action will only lead to more losses."

"We need more information," another interjects. "We cannot send our people into a battle blindly."

"And how do you propose we gather that information?" Brinda retorts, eyes flashing. "Wait until they attack again? Let them dictate our every move?"

I can't help but agree with her. My blood burns with the need to act, to strike back at those who dared to defile our sanctum.

"The scouts," one Council member suggests, voice strained with desperation. "Send more scouts to the surface. Gather intel before we commit to any large-scale actions."

"We've been sending scouts for years," Brinda snaps. "And what have we learned?"

I want to speak up, to tell them that waiting will only give the dark elves more time to prepare, to strengthen their forces. But I hold my tongue, knowing my place in this room.

Another elder raises his voice, cutting through the noise. "We must consider our resources. Our numbers are not what they once were."

My muscles tense, every fiber of my being ready for battle. I think of the comrades I've lost, the base that now lies in ruins. We cannot afford hesitation.

Brinda's gaze sweeps over the room, landing on me for a moment before moving on. "We've built as many numbers as we can. It's time for us to get ready to retaliate. We nearly defeated them before," she finally says, her voice steadying the room's tumultuous energy. "It's time we finish what we have been planning for all these years. "

The room falls silent as her words hang in the air.

One of the elders sighs heavily. "And if we fail?"

"We won't," she responds without hesitation, her eyes moving to look at me.

The Council exchanges glances, their frustration palpable but mingled with a grudging respect.

I nod slowly, seeing her decision made. "Very well," she declares. "We prepare for war."

4

ELOWEN

Iplunge my hands into the soapy water, scrubbing the grime from another set of armor. The repetitive task soothes my restless mind, a small reprieve from the storm brewing inside me. The memory of my family's screams, the dark elves' laughter, it all haunts me. I work harder, faster, trying to outrun those ghosts.

A sudden commotion breaks through my thoughts. Raised voices and hurried footsteps echo through the base. I drop the armor, water splashing onto my boots as I wipe my hands on a cloth. Curiosity prickles at me.

I step out of the dimly lit storage room into the courtyard outside the main hall, catching sight of Selene's striking white-blonde hair. She stands beside Raziel, his dark wings folded tight against his back. But it’s not them who hold everyone's attention.

Two strangers stand beside them.

The first is a man with long black hair cascading down his back, his skin pale as moonlight. His wings—massive and dark—flare out slightly as he surveys the room with intense amber eyes. Next to him is a woman with tan skin and curly dark hair braideddown her back. She’s muscular, with sharp features that lead me to believe she's a vrakken even without the wings.

“Who are they?” whispers dart around.

Raziel’s voice cuts through the noise. “We have new allies.”

Allies. That word excites me. We need all the help we can get if we’re to stand against the dark elves.

I edge closer, wanting a better look at these newcomers. The man stands tall, exuding an air of authority that’s impossible to ignore. The woman beside him mirrors his confidence but carries something more—determination etched into every line of her body.

Selene’s honey-colored eyes catch mine briefly before she turns back to address everyone. “These two have valuable skills that will aid us in our fight.”

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