Page 31 of Surrendered to Mate

She scoffs. "Please. I'm more worried about you ruining that perfect hair of yours."

I chuckle, running a hand through my long locks. "I'll manage. Besides, I'm sure you'll protect me from any sea monsters we encounter."

Faye rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile on her lips. "In your dreams, vrakken."

As we continue deciphering the tablet's contents, I can't help but notice how Faye leans into me, her warmth seeping throughmy clothes. The lingering effects of my venom and her blood have us both on edge, the air crackling with unspoken tension.

I was careful. I didn't want to cloud her brain — especially with the lust I can see in her eyes every time she looks at me already there — but it seems even the smallest amount is enough to pull that to the surface.

I force myself to focus on the task at hand, pushing aside the distracting warmth of Faye's body next to mine. The tablet's message is clear: we need to find this underwater gate. But getting there won't be easy.

"Alright, my little tour guide," I say, turning to face Faye. "You said there's no beaches near here. So how far away is this gate?"

She leans over, studying the intricate description of how to find the gate. "I think it wants us to go northeast, toward the mountain range. We're on an island so there are beaches, but they are all days' away." She looks up at me. "I'd guess about four days of traveling will get us there, and I'm willing to bet the tablet's magic will only intensify as we get closer — acting as a guide."

I nod, impressed by her knowledge. "Okay. We'll need to move carefully. I can use my sun glamour during the day, but it steals some of my magic. To save it, and hide us better, we'll travel mostly at night, using the cover of darkness."

"And how do you plan on breathing underwater?" Faye asks, raising an eyebrow.

I smirk. "Vrakken have a few tricks up our sleeves. I can cast a spell that'll let us breathe underwater for a limited time. It's not perfect, but it should be enough to get us in and out."

Faye considers this for a moment. "Okay, but what about the 'powerful magic' protecting the gate? I'm not exactly keen on fighting another thlii or whatever nasty surprise is waiting for us down there."

"That's where things get interesting," I reply, tapping the tablet. "The protection spells are ancient vrakken magic. I should be able to disable them, or at least find a way around them."

I hope. But I don't say that out loud. I was able to dismantle the wards to get the tablet in the first place so I just have to hope it will answer me again.

"Should be able to?" Faye repeats, skepticism clear in her voice.

I shrug. "Nothing's certain in this world, sweetheart. But I'm your best shot at getting through those barriers alive."

Faye sighs, but nods. "Fair enough. So, what's our first move?"

"We need supplies," I explain. "Food for you, weapons for both of us. We should split up and hunt while it's daylight. I have my sword and you have your arrows, which will have to do. We can stock up, try to rest up through the afternoon, and then head out under the cover of night."

"And once we reach the gate?" Faye presses.

I lean in closer, my voice low. "We find whatever's hidden there and use it to our advantage. This could be the key to turning the tide against the dark elves."

Faye's eyes meet mine, a mix of determination and something else I can't quite place shining in them. "Alright, pretty boy. Let's do this."

15

FAYE

As soon as night falls, I lead Cassius through the dense forest towards the coastline. The familiar scents of wood and damp earth fill my nostrils as we navigate the treacherous terrain.

"Watch your step, pretty boy," I call over my shoulder. "These roots have a nasty habit of tripping people up."

Cassius scoffs. "I'll have you know I'm quite light on my feet, sweetheart."

"Oh really?" I arch an eyebrow. "Is that why you sounded like a herd of stampeding dae back there?"

He grins, flashing those sharp fangs. "Perhaps I was simply trying to warn off any potential threats."

"The only thing you're scaring away is our future meals," I retort, ducking under a low-hanging branch.

We continue in companionable silence for a while, the forest alive with nocturnal sounds. Cassius's presence behind me is oddly comforting, despite the short time we've known each other.

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