Page 32 of Surrendered to Mate

As we crest a small hill, I decide to lighten the mood.

"Okay, pretty boy. You're going to have to entertain me. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?"

Cassius groans. "Do I have to?"

"Consider it payment for my expert guide services," I tease.

He sighs dramatically. "Fine. There was this one time during a formal Council meeting..."

As Cassius launches into a tale involving a mishap with his wings and a very important vrakken elder, I find myself genuinely laughing for the first time in years. The sound echoes through the trees, startling a nearby nocturnal creature.

"I didn't know you could make that noise," Cassius quips, a smile playing on his lips.

I roll my eyes. "Don't get used to it. I have a reputation to maintain." Among the forest, but I don't point that out.

"Of course, sweetheart. Your secret's safe with me."

As we continue our journey, trading stories and light-hearted jabs, I feel something shift between us. I'm not sure when I started getting so comfortable around this vrakken. He should be a threat to me…and yet I feel so comfortable with him.

I can't help but steal glances at Cassius as we make our way through the forest. The moonlight filtering through the canopy catches on his pale skin, highlighting the defined muscles of his chest, arms, and back.

The bastard insisted we didn't need to worry about getting him a shirt.

He moves with a fluid grace that's almost hypnotic, each step purposeful and silent. It shouldn't be so mesmerizing to me, but it is.

My eyes trace the curve of his jaw, the sharp angles of his cheekbones. Even in the dim light, I can see the intensity in his dark eyes as he scans our surroundings. It's hard to believe someone so ethereal could be real, let alone walking beside me.

A memory of our earlier encounter flashes through my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. The feel of his cool skin against mine, the passion in his touch... I shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts. But I can't deny the truth – I don't regret what happened between us.

Cassius turns to me, catching me mid-stare. I quickly avert my gaze, focusing intently on the path ahead. My cheeks burn, and I silently curse my body's betrayal. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a small smirk playing on his lips, but he doesn't comment.

We continue in silence, the tension between us palpable. Neither of us mentions what transpired in the cave, but it hangs in the air, unspoken yet impossible to ignore. I find myself hyper-aware of his presence, of every slight movement he makes.

As we navigate a particularly tricky section of the forest floor, Cassius reaches out to steady me. His hand on my arm sends a jolt through my body, and our eyes meet for a brief moment. There's a flicker of something in his gaze – desire – before he quickly withdraws his touch.

Clearing his throat, he starts walking again, and I fall into step beside him. His voice has hardened a bit as he keeps space between us. "So, you think you could tell me a little more about Liiandor now that you know why I'm here?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. Cassius's question brings back memories I'd rather forget, but I know this information is crucial for his mission.

"Alright. But I hope you're tougher than you look." I give him a smirk. "It's not a pleasant story."

He snorts. "You think all the muscles you can't stop staring at are for show?" Cassius cuts his eyes at me. "Hit me with it."

I begin, my voice low, "Liiandor is... well, it's a nightmare wrapped in a gilded package. The dark elves rule everything with an iron fist, and humans? We're nothing but property to them."

Cassius's eyes narrow. "Property? How so?"

I'm mildly surprised by the anger there. I'd imagine if humans are his prey, they aren't treated well. He's clearly a killing machine from what I've seen.

I laugh bitterly. "Take your pick. Slaves, pets, playthings... we're whatever they want us to be. And it's not just Liiandor. The dark elves have their claws in almost every corner of Protheka, except for Milthar. Those minotaurs aren't having any of their shit."

"Impressive," Cassius muses. "And what of their society? How do they organize themselves?"

"Oh, you'd love it," I say sarcastically. "They've got this whole caste system thing going on. Makes them feel all superior and special. The nobles and warriors are at the top, living it up while the rest of us suffer."

Cassius raises an eyebrow. "Us? I thought you escaped."

I shoot him a glare. "Yeah, well, some scars don't fade so easily."

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