Page 44 of Eternal Mate

The night melted away, giving birth to a new day filled with anticipation and trepidation. The time had come to put our plan into motion, to challenge the oppressive grip of the Free Kingdom. As we gathered once again, our resolve burned brighter than ever.

The air crackled with urgency as we finalized our preparations. Each member of our small rebellion took their place, armed with determination and a shared understanding of the risks we were about to undertake.

Auren stood at the center, his presence commanding attention. "Remember," he spoke with a steely gaze, "we move swiftly and silently. Our objective is to neutralize Tarragon and Blossom without alerting their forces. We have to protect Lucia and ensure her innocence remains intact so she can take over in the aftermath."

Elias, Ashe, and Sariel nodded in agreement, their expressions matching ones of fierce resolve. Together, we had become a formidable force, ready to challenge a big piece of the darkness that had plagued our lives for too long.

As we stepped through the portal Atlan had created, the world seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the clash about to unfold.

The city streets were cloaked in an eerie silence, as if even the buildings were aware of the danger that loomed.

We’d decided to come in at a distance just in case his magic was spotted so we could cover it up swiftly. Under cover of night, we moved with calculated precision, our shadows blending seamlessly together.

The palace came to loom before us, an imposing fortress of depravity.

I breathed out slowly as I remembered our last escape from here.

My wolf was not excited to be back, pacing back and forth under my skin. It wasn't easy to keep her contained, either; she was shuddering even as Sariel reached out and ran and handed down my black-clad arm.

We continued swiftly onto the palace grounds.

Our team split into smaller groups, each with a specific role. Auren, Elias, and Ashe would infiltrate the palace's security systems, creating a diversion and disabling any traps. Sariel and I would venture deeper into the heart of the palace, seeking out Tarragon and Blossom to deliver the justice they deserved.

Elias had argued to take the honor, but at the deadly look he'd gotten from both brothers, he'd backed down. Nobody was taking that vengeance from them.

As we made our way through the labyrinthine corridors, tension hung in the air. The palace's opulent halls were adorned with extravagant tapestries and shimmering chandeliers, which were a stark contrast to the darkness that pervaded their inhabitants' souls. It looked so different from the last time we’d been here, I almost thought we'd popped into the wrong building.

We navigated the palace's corridors, and the tension in the air suddenly grew thicker. The sound of our footsteps echoed faintly—as did several others at the far end of the hall.

Guardians.

We both frantically searched for somewhere to hide. Unfortunately, we'd landed ourselves in a massive space with no easily accessed crevices to duck into.

When the four Guardians turned a corner, we made the split-second decision to attack.

Claws extruded from my hands as we leaped forward, taking advantage of the surprise on their faces. My training kicked in, guiding my every strike and parry.

I was now acutely grateful that Atlan and Kiran had taken the time to instill martial arts moves into me.

Sariel’s agility and strength were evident with each move he made. He dodged the guards' attacks effortlessly, countering with calculated strikes—all of his movements were fluid and graceful, his every action a testament to his skill.

It was easier to disarm them than we’d anticipated. Grunts of exertion filled the air as Sariel and I fought astride, our movements in sync. We covered each other's backs, anticipating the guards' moves and providing support when needed. Together, we formed a formidable team, our bond and trust evident in our coordinated efforts.

However, amidst the chaos, a sudden surge of magic fire overwhelmed us.

Sariel and I were separated, forced to fend off our attackers individually thereafter. I managed to sidestep the wall of fire, hissing a bit when it caught on my shirt sleeve.

We fought with tenacity, refusing to yield, but the odds were against us. I felt uneasiness enter my gut when the fight kept dragging on.

Despite being separated, I utilized my agility and quick thinking to evade my opponents' attacks, retaliating with swift and calculated strikes. The guards pressed on, but I refused to back down.

As the battle reached its peak, I struggled to maintain my ground. Even though the guards fought ferociously, I refused to falter—I fought for my survival, the freedom and justice I sought to bring to our land.

A flame burned brightly in my eyes, fueling my resolve. I wouldn’t fail here.

Amid the chaos, I saw Sariel momentarily breaking free from his adversaries. I called out to him, my voice filled with urgency. "Sariel!"

He acknowledged my call. His gaze locked with mine for a split second before he slashed out at the guard across from him.

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