Page 29 of Condemned to Love

"Don't think so hard about it." I open my mouth but she shakes her head. "I know it's easier said than done. But focus on what's important. Don't let him distract you from your training. And if you find more than one way to get your cardio in…" She winks at me. "Take it."

"It was supposed to be a one time thing," I mutter.

Selene holds her hand up in defense. "I'm just saying don't force anything. Train. Fight. Fuck." Her pale skin turns pink at the word, reminding that she was once not part of such a vulgar world. "Let the rest fall into place."

The next morning, I wake before dawn, my body always aching from my lack of rest. I managed a solo training session without running into Aldric. I needed to clear my head, and I've finally got myself focused.

For the most part… Sometimes, the memory of his hands holding me up, firm and gripping me, start to creep in…

But I push those thoughts aside. I can't let my confusion about our encounter distract me from why I'm really here.

Throwing on my training clothes, I head to the sparring grounds. The base is quiet, most still asleep. Perfect. I need this time alone to center myself.

I begin with stretches, feeling the pull in my muscles. Then I move to the practice dummies, my fists flying as I imagine dark elf faces. Each punch is fueled by memories of what they did to my family, to me.

"You're up early."

I whirl around to see Nikolai watching me, his expression unreadable.

"Couldn't sleep," I mutter, turning back to the dummy.

He nods, stepping closer. "Your form has improved. But you're telegraphing your moves too much. Here."

Without warning, he throws a punch. I barely dodge in time.

"See? You tensed before moving. In a real fight, that split second could cost you everything."

For the next hour, Nikolai drills me relentlessly. By the time others start trickling in for morning training, I'm drenched in sweat, but feeling more focused than I have in days.

As Aldric arrives to oversee training, our eyes meet briefly. My heart races, but I force myself to look away. I'm here to become a warrior, to fight the dark elves. I can't let anything - or anyone - distract me from that goal.

Throughout the day, I throw myself into every exercise with renewed determination. When Jessa knocks me down during a sparring match, I get right back up, ignoring the bruises forming on my ribs. When my arms shake from holding a heavy sword, I grit my teeth and keep swinging.

By nightfall, every muscle in my body screams in protest. But as I collapse onto my bed, exhausted, I feel a sense of grim satisfaction. I'm getting stronger, faster, better. And no matterwhat happens between Aldric and me, I won't let it derail my purpose.

Tomorrow, I'll wake up and do it all over again. Because I have to be ready. The dark elves are coming, and when they do, I'll be prepared to face them.

I can't help but replay my conversations with Selene and Jessa in my mind. They've both been with vrakken men, experienced the intensity and passion firsthand. And it's clear they see right through me when it comes to Aldric.

Maybe they are right, though. Jessa encouraged me to go after what I wanted. And fuck, I am glad I did.

Selene said the same thing. Focus on the things that matter. Don't give up other things just because I feel like I should. There is so little to enjoy now. Why not find happiness where I can?

Their words echo in my mind as I lie awake, staring at the ceiling. No matter how hard I try to focus on training, on preparing for the coming war, my thoughts always circle back to Aldric. The memory of his touch, his kiss, the way he made me feel... it's burned into my very soul.

I close my eyes, remembering the heat of his body against mine, the flash of desire in his silver eyes. My heart races, and I know sleep will elude me tonight. Aldric has awakened something in me, a hunger I never knew existed. And now that I've had a taste, I'm not sure I can ever go back.

15

ALDRIC

Istretch my wings, feeling the tension in my muscles as I face off against Nikolai in the dim light of early morning. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of dew and earth.

My mind should be focused on our sparring match, but instead, it drifts to Elowen. Her fiery hair, those piercing green eyes, the taste of her on my tongue… I can't shake the need I have for more, to truly taste her and pierce her flesh...

"You're distracted," Nikolai's voice cuts through my thoughts. His fist connects with my jaw, snapping me back to reality.

I growl, shaking off the blow. "Just warming up."

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