Her Immortal Mate (Brides of the Vrakken #3)

14. Eike

14

EIKE

T he forest thins as Mae and I emerge near the makeshift camp. Dozens of vrakken and humans scatter between the trees, dismantling tents and loading supplies onto floating platforms held aloft by magic. The morning sun filters through the canopy, making me grateful for the sun glamour still holding strong.

"We need to move faster." I scan the clearing, noting the organized chaos. "The dark elves won't stay distracted for long."

Mae nods, her copper hair catching the light. "I'll help the medical team pack up."

"Be quick." I watch her weave through the crowd before turning my attention to the guards posted at the perimeter.

The next few hours blur together as we shepherd people east, having them follow the convoy Brinda and Raziel lead. My wings itch to stretch, but I keep them tight against my back as I walk alongside the group. The humans tire quickly, unused to the pace, but none complain. They know what awaits them if we're caught.

Soon, I spot our destination. The cave entrance appears unremarkable – a jagged slash in the mountainside barely wide enough for two to walk abreast. But I feel the magic humming beneath my feet, calling to the power in my blood.

"Single file through the portal," I command, positioning myself at the entrance. "Keep moving once you're inside. You will be directed to your assigned sectors."

The humans gasp as they pass through, the wildspont's magic washing over them. The cavern beyond sparkles with veins of pure magic threading through the stone walls, casting everything in a soft, pulsing glow.

"It's beautiful," Mae whispers as we pass through, her green eyes wide and able to take the space in this time. "Like the northern lights trapped in crystal."

Some people collapse against the walls in exhaustion while others immediately begin unpacking. The air thrums with possibility, with the promise of safety.

"Welcome home," I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.

I lead Mae deeper into the tunnel system, our footsteps echoing off crystalline walls. The magic-infused veins pulse brighter as we pass, responding to my presence.

"These chambers branch out for miles," I explain, ducking under a low archway. "Natural formations carved by the magic flow."

The space opens into a circular room with smooth walls and a domed ceiling. Crystalline formations jut from the ground like natural columns, their faces reflecting the magical light.

"Perfect sight lines." Mae walks the perimeter, her nurse's eye assessing. "High ceiling for air circulation. Those crystal formations could work as privacy screens between beds. We'll need to figure out storage though."

"The back wall." I press my palm against the stone, feeling the thrum of magic. "We can shape small alcoves for supplies."

She raises an eyebrow. "Shape them?"

I demonstrate, channeling magic through my hand. The rock softens like clay, allowing me to carve out a deep shelf. "The stone here responds to our magic. Makes it easier to create living spaces."

"That's... incredibly useful."

We continue through a twisting passage that opens into an even larger cavern. A waterfall of pure magic cascades down one wall, casting rainbow reflections across the chamber.

"This could be the main hall," I say. "Communal dining, meetings, gatherings."

Mae spins slowly, taking in the vast space. "The acoustics are incredible. And that magical fall – it's like liquid auroras."

"It also purifies the air." I stretch my wings slightly, enjoying the open space. "The magic saturates everything here. Makes it easier to maintain glamours, heal injuries."

"It's perfect." She peers down a side tunnel. "How many more chambers are there?"

"Dozens. Some natural, some carved out over centuries. We'll need them all."

"Show me more?"

I nod, gesturing toward another passage. The magic pulses brighter as we walk, welcoming us home.

I lead Mae down another crystalline corridor, mapping each turn in my mind. The passages twist upward, following natural fissures in the rock until we reach a chamber that makes my tactical instincts sing.

"This one." I step into the high-ceilinged space, my wings finally spreading to their full span. The chamber sits like a crow's nest, with three separate tunnel entrances providing quick escape routes. Magic-infused veins pulse across the curved walls, stronger here than in the lower levels.

Mae walks the perimeter, her fingers trailing along the glowing stone. "It's right above the medical ward."

"You noticed."

"Of course I did." She taps the floor with her boot. "We could probably hear if there's an emergency below."

I press my palm against the wall, letting my magic seep into the rock. The stone softens, and I carve out a series of deep alcoves. "Storage here. Weapons cache in the back corner."

"Already fortifying?" Her lips quirk up.

"Always." I move to the opposite wall, shaping a raised platform that could serve as seating or sleeping space. "The elevation gives us advantages. Clear sight lines down all approaches. Multiple exit points."

"And the magical current is stronger." Mae closes her eyes, and I wonder if she can feel it yet – that electric hum in her blood that comes with being near a wildspont. "It's like standing in a stream of pure energy."

I shape another alcove, larger this time. "The height concentrates the magic flow. Like wind through a mountain pass."

"Speaking of wind..." She points to a natural chimney in the ceiling, barely visible in the crystalline glow. "Natural ventilation. And another escape route, I'm guessing?"

"If needed." I test the rock beneath the opening. Solid. Defensible. "It leads to a series of smaller caves near the surface."

"Perfect for a paranoid ex-military vrakken and his human healer?"

I grunt in response, but she's not wrong. The chamber hits every point on my mental checklist – defensible, accessible, close to medical support. The strong magical current is an unexpected bonus, one that will help maintain my sun glamour and speed healing if needed.

Mae claims one of the carved alcoves, already planning how to organize medical supplies. I watch her work, noting how the magical light catches in her copper hair.

I step behind Mae as she organizes supplies, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her against my chest. The magic pulses stronger through the stone walls, responding to the surge of energy between us.

"Finally." I bury my face in her hair, breathing in her scent. "No more running. No more looking over our shoulders every second."

She melts back against me. "You sure about that? You've been scanning exits since we walked in."

"Old habits." My lips brush her ear. "But down here, we're safe. Protected. Just you and me, without dark elf patrols breathing down our necks."

"Mmm." She turns in my arms, sliding her hands up my chest. "And what exactly do you plan to do with all this peace and quiet?"

"I have ideas." I cup her face, tracing my thumb across her cheekbone. "Starting with properly claiming this space. Making it ours."

Her pulse quickens under my touch. "That sounds promising."

"No more cramped tents." I back her against the crystal-veined wall, caging her with my body. "No more keeping quiet. No more rushing."

"Eike..." Her fingers tangle in my shirt.

"I want to take my time with you." I lean down, letting my lips ghost across hers. "Want to learn every inch. Want to hear exactly what sounds you make when there's no one around to hear."

The magic thrums through the stone against her back, making her shiver. Or maybe that's from the way I'm looking at her, like I want to devour her whole.

"I love you," she whispers against my mouth.

"And I love you."