Page 64 of Condemned to Love

We watch in comfortable silence as the sun climbs higher, warming our skin. Elowen leans back against me, completely at ease despite our precarious perch.

"I love this," she says softly. "I could do this every morning."

My heart swells at her words. I press a gentle kiss to her neck, savoring her shiver of pleasure.

"Then I'll fly you up here every morning," I whisper against her skin.

30

CASSIUS

Isprawl across a smooth stone ledge, my wings drooping lazily over the edge. The cavernous space echoes with the soft fluttering of other vrakken soaring overhead, their excitement a stark contrast to my utter disinterest. My muscles ache to stretch, to take flight and join them, but I can't muster the energy to care.

Decades have passed since I last felt a flicker of enthusiasm for... well, anything. The Council's recent push to establish bases above ground holds no appeal. The very thought of the noise, the bustle, the sheer annoyance of it all makes me want to burrow deeper into these familiar tunnels.

A group of younger vrakken swoop by, their laughter bouncing off the crystalline walls. One calls out, inviting me to join them — fledglings and their endless energy. I don't even bother to lift my head, merely waving a dismissive hand. They quickly lose interest and zip away, leaving me to my solitude.

I close my eyes, sinking into the cool stone beneath me. This is where I belong, where I've always been. The tunnels are quiet, predictable, free from the complications that seem to plague our kind on the surface. Here, I can simply exist, waiting out theendless march of time without having to engage with the world beyond.

I need to feed soon, but the hunt has long since lost its luster. Even that fails to stir any real interest. I'll eat when I must, to keep my body from weakening, but the act holds no joy. It's merely another task to tick off in this monotonous existence.

"Cassius," a young fledgling stops beside me. "The Matriarch has requested you."

I groan, knowing for the Council, I must get to my feet. I roll off the rock, my lithe body hitting the ground and standing in a single fluid motion and start down the tunnel, leaving the fledgling behind.

I saunter into the Council room, wings tucked close to my body. The Council members sit around their long table, faces grave. Brinda, our Matriarch, stands at the head, her fiery red hair a stark contrast to her pale skin.

"Cassius," she says, her voice crisp. "We have a situation."

I nod, keeping my face neutral. Another crisis, another day. The cycle never ends.

"You have been informed of the attacks on the above ground bases?" she asks, and I nod. "We have determined that there is a dark elf general, Hodolo Valnu, who is responsible," Brinda continues. "We need you to handle him."

I resist the urge to sigh. More espionage, more danger. What's the point? We've been fighting this war for centuries.

"And why should I care?" I drawl, leaning against the wall.

Brinda's green eyes narrow. "Because I'm telling you to."

I level a look at her. "You have plenty of above ground warriors."

Brinda steps closer, her massive wings unfurling slightly. "I know you're our best, Cassius. We need you on this."

I meet her gaze, seeing the intent hidden behind her stern facade. Part of me wants to walk away, to let them deal with theirown problems. But another part, buried deep beneath layers of apathy, stirs.

"Fine," I say finally. "What do you need me to do?"

I raise an eyebrow at Brinda's words. Attack Liiandor? That's not our usual style.

"You want me to hit the dark elves where they live?" I ask, my voice tinged with disbelief. "That's a bold move, even for us."

Brinda nods, her expression grim. "We've been on the defensive for too long, Cassius. It's time we show them we're not to be trifled with."

I push off the wall, pacing the room. The other Council members watch me silently, their faces a mix of determination and anxiety.

"Liiandor is heavily fortified," I point out. "And Valnu's not an idiot. He'll be expecting retaliation."

"Which is why we need you," Brinda says. "Your skills, your knowledge of their defenses. You're our best chance at success."