Page 53 of Surrendered to Mate

I keep walking, passing through the massive cavern where Faye tilts her head up to watch the fledglings fly. As we approach the Council chambers, I feel a knot of tension form in my gut. I've broken protocol by Changing Faye without permission, and I'm not sure how the Council will react.

"Remember," I say, pausing outside the ornate doors. "Let me do the talking. The Council can be... unpredictable."

Faye nods, squaring her shoulders. "I'm ready."

I push open the doors, and we step into the cavernous room. The Council members sit in a semicircle, their faces impassive as they watch us approach. Brinda, the Matriarch, sits at the center, her fiery hair a stark contrast to her pale skin.

As we draw closer, Brinda's eyes narrow, focusing on Faye. Before I can speak, she rises from her seat, her massive wings unfurling behind her.

"What have you done, Cassius?" she demands, her voice echoing through the chamber.

I open my mouth to explain, but Brinda cuts me off with a sharp gesture.

"Get her out," she hisses, pointing at Faye. "Now."

I stand my ground as two guards flank Faye, escorting her out of the chamber. Her eyes meet mine, a mix of confusion and worry clouding her features. I give her a subtle nod, silently promising to handle this.

As the doors close behind her, Brinda's attention snaps back to me. Her wings quiver with barely contained rage.

"What were you thinking?" she snarls, her voice low and dangerous. "You Changed a human without Council approval? Have you lost your mind?"

I straighten my spine, meeting her gaze. The Council has been growing more and more irritable about the amount of humans that vrakken have been Changing, mostly because some have been draining them and leading bodies.

I knew this. And yet, I still did it.

"I made a calculated decision based on the circumstances."

Brinda scoffs, her eyes flashing. "Calculated? You weren't sanctioned to take a human or Change her. You were supposed to gather intel, not to be seen."

"I wasn't," I argue, my own anger rising. "Faye has already proven her worth. She's undergone trials that would break most vrakken, let alone a human. And she needed to be Changed."

"Trials?" Brinda sneers. "What could a human possibly endure that would warrant such a rash action?"

I clench my fists, fighting to keep my voice steady. "She survived years of enslavement by dark elves. In Liiandor." I pause letting that sink in. "She has firsthand experience, and was living on her own. No one will know. It will be just as Raziel's mate was."

Brinda waves her hand dismissively. "Pretty words for a pet you've grown fond of."

"She's not a pet," I growl, taking a step forward. "Faye is a valuable asset to our community. She has knowledge and skills we can use, not to mention she helped me uncover valuable intel."

"And what knowledge might that be?" Brinda challenges, her eyes narrowing.

I take a deep breath, knowing I'm about to play my trump card. "I have critical information about Liiandor and beyond. Information that could change everything for us. And I couldn't have obtained it without Faye's help."

Brinda's wings twitch, a flicker of interest crossing her face before she schools her expression. "What information?"

I shake my head. "I won't discuss it until you acknowledge Faye's place among us. She's earned it, Brinda. More than you know."

I clench my jaw, weighing my options. Brinda's not going to budge, and I need her support if Faye's going to have any chance here. Fuck.

"Fine," I growl, my wings twitching with irritation. "But I want your word that you'll consider everything before making a decision."

Brinda's lips curl into a smirk. "You have it. Now talk."

I take a deep breath, pushing down my anger. "There's an underwater gate off the coast, protected by powerful magic. It leads to a volcanic island that's not on any map we have."

Brinda's eyes widen slightly, but she remains silent.

"The gate was guarded by some kind of sea monster," I continue. "Massive tentacles, unlike anything I've seen before. It nearly killed me." I gesture to the wounds along my face and arm that still haven't recovered, which speaks to their severity. It's draining my magic, too, which means I haven't been back.

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