Page 54 of Surrendered to Mate

"And how did you discover this gate?" Brinda asks, her voice sharp.

"An ancient tablet," I reply. "Half was hidden in the forest, the other half Faye had obtained during her escape from Liiandor."

Brinda's eyebrows shoot up at this, but I press on before she can interrupt.

"As for Liiandor itself, Faye provided crucial intelligence. She knows how the dark elves function, especially these dark elves. She used to live in a lord's house."

I fall silent, watching Brinda process the information. Her face remains impassive, but I can see the gears turning behind her eyes.

"This is... significant," she admits finally. "But it doesn't change the fact that you acted without authorization."

I bite back a retort, knowing I need to tread carefully. "I made a judgment call in the field. Faye's knowledge was too valuable to lose, and her life was in danger. I stand by my decision."

"A decision you had no right to make."

I take a deep breath, steadying myself for what's to come. "Brinda, I propose a compromise. Let me take Faye as my mate. It'll legitimize her position among us and ensure her loyalty."

Brinda's eyes narrow. "A mate? You've known her for how long?"

"Long enough to know she's worthy," I counter. "She's proven herself time and again. And you know as well as I do that finding a compatible mate is rare for our kind."

The Matriarch studies me for a long moment, her wings twitching slightly. "And what does she think of this arrangement?"

"She'll agree," I say with more confidence than I feel.

Brinda sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. If she agrees to be your mate, we won't punish her for the unauthorized Change. But Cassius," she leans forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "if this backfires, it's on your head."

I nod, relief washing over me. "Understood."

"Now," Brinda continues, leaning back in her seat. "You need time to recover from your injuries and bond with your new... mate." She says the word like it leaves a bad taste in her mouth. "You can use one of the aboveground bases for now."

"Thank you," I say, bowing my head slightly. "But there's one more thing. We need someone to continue investigating the underwater gate while I'm recovering. I'm worried I woke something with me going down there."

Brinda raises an eyebrow. "And who would you suggest for such a delicate mission?"

I straighten up, meeting her gaze. "There's only one vrakken I would trust to send in my place."

26

FAYE

Iwander through the dimly lit corridors of the vrakken base, my new senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of magic pulsing around me. The stone walls shimmer with an otherworldly energy, veins of pulsating light running through them like living arteries. I brush my fingers against the cool surface, gasping as I feel the raw power thrumming beneath my touch.

"This is incredible," I whisper, my voice echoing softly in the cavernous space.

Every step I take sends ripples of magical energy through the floor, and I can sense the ebb and flow of power all around me. It's as if the entire base is alive, breathing with an ancient, arcane force I never knew existed.

I pause at an intersection, closing my eyes and letting my heightened awareness guide me. The air itself seems charged with potential, tiny sparks of magic dancing across my skin. I can smell the rich, earthy scent of the underground mixed with something else – a crisp, clean aroma that I can only assume is pure magic.

As I continue my exploration, I come across a large chamber filled with swirling, iridescent pools. The liquid within them defies gravity, floating in mesmerizing patterns that shift and change before my eyes.

I'm drawn to one particular pool, its surface a deep, midnight blue. As I lean closer, I see fleeting images dancing across its surface – glimpses of far-off places and times I can't comprehend.

"Careful," a voice behind me warns, and I turn to see Cassius watching me. "Those scrying pools can be addictive to the newly turned."

I grin as I walk toward him, already eager to be back into his arms. He must feel the same because he wraps an arm around my waist, tugging me against him and dropping a head on my kiss.

Even my emotions feel more explosive down here. Everything feels more vivid, more alive than I ever thought possible. It's as if I've been living in a world of muted colors and dull sensations, and suddenly someone's turned up the intensity to its maximum.

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