Page 54 of Condemned to Love

"We dumped the bodies on the other side," Raziel continues. "In Protheka, but far from our portal. They'll be found. A message. But hopefully not turning more toward us quite yet. I'll have to send scouts soon."

I nod again, a grim satisfaction settling in my chest. Our battle was a success, but the cost... I look at Elowen, her face still pale but peaceful in sleep.

Raziel's hand on my shoulder startles me. "She's strong, Aldric. She'll pull through."

I meet his gaze, seeing understanding there. "And if she doesn't?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shakes his head. "She's a fighter. You have to believe in her." He shifts, and then adds, "I've been there. With Selene. Seen her hurt and thought she would never heal. It's painful."

I can hear it in his voice. "How did you get through it?"

He sighs, pulling up a chair beside me. "It wasn't easy. Loving a human... it goes against everything we've been taught. I'm not blind to the fact that I can withstand anything and she cannot. But Selene..." A smile touches his lips. "She changed everything.She makes it worth it. So I clung to hope and prayed like I never have because the other option…it wasn't one I would take."

"Elowen's different," I admit. "She's not like anyone I've ever known."

Raziel nods. "I see the way you look at her. It's the same way I look at Selene."

I run a hand through my shorn hair, frustration bubbling up. "What if I'm not strong enough? What if I can't protect her?"

"Aldric," Raziel's voice is firm. "You can't protect her from everything. And she wouldn't want you to. She's a fighter, just like you."

I look at Elowen again, remembering her fierce determination in battle. "Yeah," I say softly. "She is."

Raziel's words linger in my mind as he leaves. I settle back into my vigil, watching Elowen's chest rise and fall with each breath.

The room grows darker as day turns to night, but I don't move to light a lamp. My eyes, accustomed to the years of darkness in our underground home, have no trouble seeing her.

A soft knock at the door breaks the silence. Nikolai and Jessa enter, their faces etched with concern.

"How is she?" Jessa asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I gesture for them to come closer. "Stable. Her fever's down. No signs of infection."

Nikolai nods, his eyes scanning Elowen's form. "She's tough. I've seen her fight."

"Any news?" I ask, realizing I should be more concerned about our defenses, our warriors. Nikolai has been working closer with the warriors in my absence, and it is important that I do not forget my men.

"The base is secure," Nikolai reports. "Our warriors are healing quickly. Some wounds, but nothing life-threatening."

Jessa adds, "No sign of retaliation from the dark elves. We're hoping it stays that way for a while."

I nod, processing the information. It's good news, crucial even. But as I look back at Elowen, I realize something that shakes me to my core. The safety of our base, the state of our warriors - it's all secondary now. What matters most is right here, fighting for her life in this bed.

"Thank you," I say, my voice rougher than I intended. "For everything."

Jessa places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. "We're here if you need anything. Both of you."

As they leave, I'm left with the weight of this realization. My priorities have shifted, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. I've always put my duty first, but now...

I lean forward, my elbows resting on my knees as I watch Elowen's still form. The room is quiet except for her soft breathing. My heart aches with a pain I've never felt before.

"Elowen," I whisper, taking her hand in mine. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I need you to fight. I need you to come back to me."

My thumb traces circles on her palm, memorizing every line and callus. "I've been such a fool. I thought I knew everything about strength, about what it means to be a warrior. But you... you've shown me there's so much more."

I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "You're the strongest person I've ever met, Elowen. Not just in body, but in spirit. You've faced so much pain, so much loss, and yet you still fight. You still hope."

Emotions slam into me. I've spent so long ignoring them, so long burying them that I'm stunned with the wave of them. But I can no longer ignore them. Not with the intensity they are coming.

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