Page 33 of Rebel's Fated Mate

I acted swiftly, reaching out with my mind to the stones beneath his feet. They shifted just enough to make him stumble, and I darted past him, using the brief moment of confusion to my advantage.

More guards appeared, alerted by the commotion. I continued to manipulate the runes' magic, disrupting the ground beneath them, causing small rocks to fly into their paths. It wasn't much, but it slowed them down.

I turned another corner and saw a window at the end of the hallway. Freedom was so close. I sprinted towards it, but the guards were gaining on me. Just as I reached the window, a hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

"Got you!" the guard snarled; his grip tight.

I twisted, using the suppressed but present magic to loosen the stones under his feet. He slipped, his hold on me weakening, and I broke free, diving through the window.

I landed in the courtyard, rolling to absorb the impact. More guards rushed towards me, their shouts filling the air. I scrambled to my feet, ready to fight, when suddenly, the gates burst open.

Kael and the rebels charged in, [MN72]their weapons drawn and determination etched on their faces. Kael's eyes locked onto mine, a fierce protectiveness shining in them.

"Elara!" he shouted, rushing towards me. "Hold on, we're here!"

The rebels engaged the guards, the clash of steel and the cries of battle echoing through the courtyard. Kael reached me, his presence a calming force amidst the chaos.

"We need to get out of here," he said urgently, his hand gripping mine.

"Agreed," I replied, feeling a surge of hope and strength.

Together, we fought our way through the guards, Kael's sword and my magic working in perfect harmony. The rebels formed a protective circle around us, pushing back the empire's forces with relentless determination.

As the battle raged on, the path to freedom began to clear. I could see the promise of escape just beyond them. But more guards poured in, and the fight was far from over.

Kael and I stood back-to-back, ready to face whatever came next. With our combined strength and the rebels' support, we would break free from the empire's grasp. The fight for our future had only just begun.

Chapter 16 Choosing Sides

(Kael)

I crouched behind a large boulder, my eyes fixed on the heavily guarded entrance of Aethel. The palace loomed ahead, its dark spires piercing the night sky. [MN73]

I had told the rebels to stay behind, but as I scouted for a way in without being seen, I heard soft footsteps beside me. I turned, ready to confront whoever had followed me, and saw Lyra and the rebels.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice low. "I told you to stay back."

Lyra grinned, her eyes gleaming with determination. "The guardians of Aeloria gave us magic so we moved as fast as you. We're here to help."[MN74]

I sighed, relief washing over me. "Fine. But we have to be quick and quiet. Follow my lead."

We moved swiftly and silently towards the entrance, the magic coursing through us giving us speed and agility. The guards were numerous, but we had the element of surprise.

I signaled to the rebels, and we spread out, disabling the guards one by one. Lyra took down one with a swift blow to the head, while I incapacitated another with a precise strike to his knee. The rebels moved efficiently; their movements synchronized with mine.

As we approached the entrance, I whispered, "Now."

We stormed the gate, taking down the remaining guards with swift, silent strikes. The path was clear. We hurried inside, moving through the dark corridors of the palace, our senses heightened by the urgency of our mission.

We navigated the palace with practiced stealth, avoiding traps and ambushes. The corridors twisted and turned, but the layout was familiar enough from my time as a captain. We encountered several patrols, but the rebels and I dispatched them quickly and quietly, leaving no room for alarm.

"We're getting close," I murmured to Lyra, my heart pounding with anticipation.

She nodded, her eyes scanning the shadows. "Stay sharp. Corvus will be expecting us."

We reached a large, ornate door, guarded by two heavily armed soldiers. I motioned for the rebels to spread out. On my signal, we attacked. The guards barely had time to react before we overwhelmed them. [MN75]

The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit corridor leading to a small palace courtyard. I knew Elara was there .