Page 8 of Condemned to Love

Selene nods, her expression softening. “Yes, it's the one we went to visit a few months ago. We helped restore order and sent some recruits to build the temple. But we went back for Nikolai and Jessa’s mating ceremony.”

Her words sink in slowly, and I find myself processing each piece of information. The idea of them all working together to build something sacred is foreign yet fascinating. But before I can delve deeper into that thought, something else she said catches my attention.

"That's not what brought us here, though," Jessa mutters, and something in her voice catches my attention. I turn to look at Selene, who is exchanging a look with Raziel.

It's not the first time I've felt like an outsider. I can still see a bit of a divide between the two. Raziel is a vrakken, and I can tell that while he loves Selene, he doesn't share her affinity for every human that is brought into this place.

But Selene tilts her head, giving her mate some look that must convey I'm worthy of whatever they were talking about. Because Raziel then gives a nearly imperceptible nod, and Selene turns back to face me.

“A few days ago, we heard rumors of an attack from the dark elves,” Selene continues, her voice lowering. Jessa nods, looking tense. “But we haven’t received any word from the other bases confirming a problem. We don't know where it was.”

My heart skips a beat, dread pooling in my stomach. “An attack?” I whisper, barely able to form the words.

Selene nods again, her eyes serious. “Yes. That’s why we came back here—to strategize and prepare.”

The room seems to close in around me. The memories of my family's death, my time as a slave—it all rushes back with a vengeance. I thought I had escaped them, left that nightmare behind. But it seems the dark elves are never far away.

I clench my fists, trying to steady myself. “What do we do now?” I ask, my voice steadier than I feel.

“We plan,” Raziel says firmly. “We fortify our defenses and prepare for whatever comes next.”

Nikolai steps forward, his presence commanding attention. “We have strengths they underestimate. Our knowledge of magic and the wildsponts gives us an edge.”

Jessa nods in agreement, her fierce eyes meeting mine. “We’re not alone in this fight.”

Their confidence is reassuring, but the fear gnaws at me nonetheless. The dark elves are relentless, and I know all too well what they’re capable of.

But as I look around the room at these determined faces—Selene’s warmth, Raziel’s resolve, Nikolai’s intensity, Jessa’s quiet strength—I feel a spark of hope ignite within me.

And this time, I won’t be running from the dark elves.

I’ll be ready to fight back.

5

ALDRIC

The Council chambers hum with tension. I stand tall, my wings folded tightly against my back, listening to the heated debates and whispered arguments. The attack on our surface base has shaken them to their core, and they know we can't afford to be caught off guard again.

Brinda's piercing green eyes meet mine, and she rises from her seat, her fiery hair catching the dim light of the chamber. "Aldric," she calls, her voice commanding attention. "You must return to the surface," Brinda continues, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Warn the other bases. Prepare them for what's coming."

"Understood," I reply, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Brinda's wings unfurl slightly as she approaches me, her expression fierce yet calculated. "This isn't just about survival, Aldric. We need to show strength, unity. The dark elves can't see us falter."

"I won't let them," I vow.

"Good," she says, a hint of approval in her eyes. "You have proven yourself as a strong warrior. We need you to be more than that now. Be a leader. Rally our forces."

I nod, the responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. The Council members murmur their agreement, their faces etched with determination and fear.

"And you must leave at once." I've rarely seen her so serious. "Time is of the utmost importance."

My mind races with the enormity of the task ahead. The surface is dangerous, unpredictable. But there's no time for hesitation or doubt.

"Consider it done," I say firmly.

As I turn to leave, Brinda places a hand on my arm, her grip surprisingly gentle for someone so fierce. "Remember your training," she says softly. "And remember why we fight."

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