Page 41 of Rebel's Fated Mate

"Lyra, stop fighting," I urged, stepping closer. "The spirits are helping us. We don’t have to do this."

Her resistance faltered, confusion and exhaustion mingling in her expression. "Why would they help you?"

"Because they know we need each other," I said softly. "And because deep down, you know this isn’t right."

She struggled, cursing, but the vines held tight. "You won't win, Elara!"

The vines tightened gently, immobilizing her. I knelt beside her, placing my hand on her forehead. "Sleep," I commanded, sending a wave of calming energy through her. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she fell into a deep slumber.

The forest spirits hovered around us, their presence a comforting embrace. "Thank you," I murmured, feeling their support.

Gently, they turned me in the right direction. "Run, run, little one and don’t look back."

Guided by the spirits, I made my way back through the forest. They led me with soft whispers and glowing lights, ensuring I didn’t lose my way. The journey back to Aelaria was swift, their assistance invaluable.

As I emerged from the forest, the familiar sight of Aelaria brought a sense of relief. Kael spotted me and rushed over, his expression filled with concern.

"Elara, what happened?" he asked, his eyes and hands scanning me for injuries.

"Lyra betrayed us," I said, my voice steady despite the ordeal. "She wanted to kill me."

Kael's face darkened with anger. "Where is she now?"

"She's asleep, restrained by the nature spirits. They helped me get back."

At that moment, the nature spirits materialized around us, their ethereal forms shimmering in the twilight. The rebels and subjects gasped and Kael's grip tightened protectively around me.

One of the spirits, a gentle light in the shape of a woman, stepped forward. "We are allies now, bound by Elara's plea for help. We will aid you in your cause."

Kael looked at the spirits, his expression softening with gratitude. "Thank you for bringing her back safely."

I held onto him, feeling the safety and warmth of his presence. "We need to be careful. There may be more threats we don't know about."

Kael nodded. "I’ll send a scout to bring Lyra back. She’s not safe in the forest alone."

[MN93]

Chapter 20 The Final Stand

(Kael)

The sound of thundering hooves preceded Annis's arrival as she led a contingent of hardened rebel warriors into the KIngdom clearing. [MN94]Dust churned up from the packed earth trail as they reined in their mounts.

Elara and I exchanged glances. We were relieved the magic map had guided Annis back to Aeloria safely. She’d traveled across the region to find rebels willing join forces with us and end Draven’s reign once and for all.

Annis's eyes were rimmed with fatigue but burned with intense determination as she swung down from her chestnut mare, bark-stained cloak swirling. "Where is Lyra?" she demanded in a voice edged with worry as she glanced over the group.

I stepped forward through the crowd that had gathered, shaking my head slowly, my heart heavy. "She’s not here in camp. She turned on us, and during a fight, she was restrained in the woods. When we went back out to get her, she was gone. We searched every thicket and hollow in the forest but couldn't find any trace of her," I a[MN95]admitted, clenching my fists in frustration. "But we cannot delay any longer. We have to move forward with our plan."Annis's shoulders slumped almost imperceptibly as disappointment flickered across her weathered features. But she gave a resolute nod, her jaw set firmly. "Then we must ensure we finish this."

We gathered in a tight circle around a rough-hewn table someone had dragged out, the faded and cracked map of Aethel spread out before us.

Using my intimate knowledge of the Aethel army's positioning and tactics gleaned from years as a scout, I traced routes with a calloused finger and pointed out key defensive locations and potential weak points. "If we can strike swiftly here and here," I said, tapping the map decisively, "we may be able to disable enough of their defenses to gain a foothold."

The crowd of rebels and subjects leaned in, their expressions filled with grim determination and thinly-veiled fear as the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air.

Elara stood at my side, so close I could feel the warmth of her body, her eyes blazing with the fire of resolve that always gave me strength.

"We'll need to split our forces into three groups," I continued, raising my voice to be heard over the murmurs. "Annis, you'll lead the frontal assault with the bulk of our fighters to draw their forces." I turned to face the grizzled rebel leader, our eyes locking in a look of understanding. "Elara and I will coordinate the southern approach to flank them while a third smaller force creates a diversion from the west."