His destined mate
Chapter 56

Ethan's POV

Just as hoped, the plan started taking shape, the atmosphere in the war room transformed from uncertainty to a charged sense of purpose. We were ready to confront Emily and her manipulations head-on.

"We'll need to act fast," I said, pacing the room. "If she's meeting with those nobles, we can't afford to let her sway them further. We need to intercept her and gather evidence of her deceit."

Bianca nodded, her expression resolute. "We should split into two teams. One to confront Emily directly, the other to gather intel on the nobles she's meeting with. We need to strike before they solidify their alliances." Elara chimed in, "I can coordinate the scouts. We'll have eyes on every meeting. If Emily makes a move, we'll know about it."

"Perfect," I replied. "Bianca, you'll lead the team gathering intel. I'll take the other team to confront Emily."

As the discussion progressed, we solidified our plans. The nobles around the table began to share their resources, creating a network of scouts and messengers. Hope flickered in my chest. Together, we could outmaneuver Emily's darkness. Bianca's POV

After the meeting, I felt the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. I knew what was at stake. If we didn't act decisively, Emily could dismantle everything we had fought for. "Ethan," I said quietly as he prepared to leave, "promise me you'll be careful."

He turned to me, his eyes steady. "I promise. And you watch your back too. We're in this together."

As he left, I gathered my team. We set out to find Emily's potential allies, using every resource we had. I felt adrenaline coursing through me; this was our chance to turn the tide. Ethan's POV

We set off under the cover of night, my heart racing with a mix of anticipation and dread. I led a small team of loyal guards, our destination a rumored meeting place for Emily and her allies-a secluded estate deep in the woods.

The journey felt endless, every shadow amplifying my fears. I thought about the nobles we had worked so hard to unite, knowing that each one could tip the balance. Emily was clever; she knew how to exploit weakness.

As we approached the estate, I signaled for my team to halt. The structure loomed in front of us, dark and foreboding. I could see faint light flickering in the windows, and hushed voices drifted through the air. "Stay sharp," I whispered. "We need to gather intel without being seen."

We crept closer, hiding in the underbrush. I could make out figures through the window, their faces illuminated by candlelight. The unmistakable silhouette of Emily stood at the center, flanked by several nobles I recognized those who had voiced doubts about our unity.

I exchanged glances with my team, knowing this was our moment. "On my signal," I whispered, "we move in."

Just as I prepared to make my move, a sudden noise startled me a branch snapping underfoot. In an instant, the atmosphere shifted. The figures inside turned, and I caught sight of Emily's predatory smile as she locked eyes with me. "Welcome, Ethan," she called, her voice dripping with mockery. "I was wondering when you'd join us."

Bianca's POV

As we traversed the Northern territories, my thoughts remained on Ethan. I pushed myself to focus, reminding my team of our mission. Each step felt heavy with the anticipation of confrontation.

"We need to gather as much information as possible," I urged. "If we can expose Emily's lies, we might still have a chance to sway those nobles back to our side."

The landscape around us shifted as we neared one of the estates Emily was rumored to be targeting. We approached cautiously, keeping to the shadows. Suddenly, a scout appeared, breathless and urgent. "Lady Bianca! I've just received word. Emily has been spotted at the estate near here, and Ethan is with her." My heart dropped. "We need to get to him. If she's got him trapped..."

"Then we can't wait," the scout replied. "We have to act now."

With newfound determination, I rallied my team. "We need to intercept them. If Emily's trying to sway Ethan or the nobles, we can't let that happen."

We hurried through the woods, adrenaline fueling our urgency. The sounds of our approach faded as I focused on the task at hand. I could feel the magic within me, a tether to Ethan, guiding me through the darkness. Ethan's POV

Inside the estate, tension crackled like electricity. I stepped forward, my heart pounding. "What are you doing here, Emily? You think you can sway these nobles with your lies?"

Her smile widened, a serpent poised to strike. "Oh, Ethan, you underestimate me. Fear is a powerful weapon, and I know how to wield it. These nobles are discontented, and I simply offer them a choice."

"Your choice is a path to chaos," I shot back. "You're not uniting anyone; you're sowing division."

The nobles looked uncertain, their eyes flickering between Emily and me. I took a step closer, trying to project confidence. "You all know the truth. We have faced challenges before, and unity has always prevailed. Don't let her manipulate your fears."

Emily laughed, a cold sound that sent shivers down my spine. "What do you really offer them, Ethan? A promise? Your magic is nothing without trust, and you've lost that."

Just then, a noise echoed from outside. My heart raced as I glanced toward the door. Had Bianca arrived? I couldn't afford to let Emily use this moment against us. "Enough of this!" I declared. "You're using these nobles as pawns. If you truly cared for this kingdom, you'd be fighting for unity, not against it."

Her expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of vulnerability. But it vanished quickly, replaced by a fierce determination. "You'll regret this, Ethan." Bianca's POV

As we neared the estate, the tension in the air felt suffocating. I signaled for my team to halt, urging them to listen. "Ethan is inside, but we need to be strategic. We can't just storm in. If Emily has him trapped..."

"Then we'll create a diversion," one of my guards suggested. "We can draw her attention away while we find a way to get to him."

Nodding, I quickly devised a plan. "We'll set a fire at the edge of the property. It'll force her to split her attention, giving us a chance to get inside."

We moved swiftly, igniting a small blaze that quickly began to spread. The smoke billowed into the air, and the sound of commotion erupted from the estate.

"Now!" I shouted, leading my team toward the building.

We slipped inside, the chaos outside masking our entrance. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I could hear raised voices. Following the sounds, we navigated through the dimly lit corridors until we reached the main room. As I entered, the sight before me took my breath away. Ethan stood facing Emily, the nobles around them looking torn between loyalty and fear.

"Ethan!" I called, my voice cutting through the noise. "We're here!"

He turned, relief washing over his features. "Bianca, be careful!"

Emily's gaze shifted, and in that moment, I saw the flicker of panic in her eyes. "You think you can just waltz in here and take control?"

"Yes," I replied, stepping forward. "Because we believe in unity, and you are the one who seeks to tear us apart."

Ethan's POV

The room erupted into chaos as Bianca entered, her presence a beacon of hope. I felt a surge of strength seeing her beside me. The nobles exchanged glances, uncertainty giving way to resolve.

"Emily, your manipulation ends here," Bianca declared. "You thrive on fear, but we refuse to let it control us."

"Control?" Emily sneered, her bravado faltering. "You're the ones trying to take power away from the people. You think you can unite them through empty promises?"

"No," I said firmly. "We've shown them what unity looks like. We've faced challenges before, and we'll face them again, together."

The nobles murmured among themselves, doubt creeping into Emily's narrative. I took a step forward, my voice steady. "This is your chance to choose the future. Stand with us, and we will protect this kingdom. Aligning with Emily means embracing chaos."

Suddenly, one of the nobles stepped forward, his expression conflicted. "We've been fearful, but perhaps it's time to reconsider our loyalties."

Another noble joined him, nodding in agreement. "If we stand together, we can't be easily swayed. We must confront this darkness."

Emily's expression twisted with rage. "You'll regret this! You're choosing weakness over strength!"

Bianca moved closer to me, her presence grounding me. "We choose hope, Emily. And you will not succeed in tearing us apart."

In that moment, I felt the tide turning. The whispers of dissent against Emily's rule grew louder, and I knew we had a chance to rally the nobles against her.