Mated To The Cruel Prince

Fuck, she has ruined it all!

Islinda yanked on her hair for the nth time as she paced across her room. She could still remember what happened in the dining room as clear as day. The way Aldric had fed her through a kiss. It should have ended there but no her traitorous body demanded more. Moreover, it was not like one could play with flames and expect not to be burned.

She recalled in detail the way her heart leaped and she was the one taking over the kiss from him. Of course, the damned dark prince was no gentleman and should have stopped her in the first place. Aldric should have pushed her away and brought back her senses, but no, he encouraged her behavior instead. He pushed her closer to him, her back arching as he deepened the kiss and she moaned into his mouth.

She could not forget the way electricity crackled across her skin as he kissed her, his hand tightening around her waist possessively as if he didn’t want to let her. His tongue slipped into her mouth and tasted her thoroughly till she was drunk on the kiss. It wasn’t until he took her lower lips between his lips and bit down on it hard enough to draw blood that awareness returned.

Reality hit her hard, especially with the strong metallic taste in her mouth and Aldric relishing the blood. It wasn’t dirty enough that he fed her through the mouth, now he had to taste her blood too? Except it wasn’t as thrilling to Islinda as it was to Aldric and she was creeped out. He was damaged in the head.

Islinda could not help but wonder if this was how it was between him and Rosalind. Does he take her blood too? Does he bite down on her neck and suck on her blood in the middle of lovemaking, chasing the thrill? It wasn’t jealousy, but she felt a huge revulsion at that. It just didn’t feel right to her that he took anyone’s blood readily.

And then, it dawned on her, Rosalind. She just kissed her lover right in front of her. No, Islinda got carried away and returned the gesture. But how was that any different? Nor was the thought comforting. To make matters worse, Aldric grabbed her waist when she squirmed against him and threatened her, "This is what I’ll do each time you refuse me to feed you."

Of course, Aldric was blind to the situation and could not pick up on the rising tension in the air. Nonetheless, to prevent him from making good on his threat - she could not thwart him anymore - Islinda had no choice but to comply.

However, it was the most uncomfortable meal she ever had, even worse than the one with Aldric. She felt daggers digging into her back and heated gaze boring a hole into her head. Islinda was so anxious she could not enjoy the meal one bit and it was no wonder she suffered indigestion afterward.

When Aldric finally released her, her legs felt like lead when she walked past Rosalind. She could not even look her in the eyes, ridden with guilt. Kissing Aldric in the confines of her privacy was one thing, but returning his kiss in the female Fae’s presence was another thing.

Guilty as charged though, Islinda could not understand why Rosalind was still interested in Aldric when it was obvious he didn’t respect her one bit. The Fae she loved kissed another right in front of her without taking into consideration how she might feel about it. That was the highest result that could be given to a lady, Islinda would say if you asked her.

Unless the both of them were in some sort of agreement, say a casual relationship or something and they could be with anyone they wanted while at it. No, Islinda could not entertain such a possibility knowing that would only excuse Aldric’s behavior.

Hence, that was how Islinda ended up in her room trying to find a way to remedy the mess she had made. She can’t get involved with Aldric, not when she barely got over the heartbreak from Valerie. That would only make things worse and complicated. Moreover, Aldric was not her type, not even in the next life to come. She had to make a stand once and for all - after she got through their time in the library today.

And yes, this was the day Aldric was supposed to give her access to the books in his library. But she doubted that was going to happen with what happened between them at breakfast. What if he doesn’t act cool and tease her endlessly about it? She wasn’t sure she could take it.

First thing first, Islinda was determined to find Rosalind. She had to make things clear to her and salvage what was left of this situation before it escalated. So she changed out of her dress and put on her comfy duo of a tunic and pants before leaving for the staff quarters.

Though it was on the first level, this was Islinda’s second time coming here after that tour with Issac. She passed by a few Fae and when she asked about Rosalind, they directed her to the kitchen. True to the Fae’s words, Rosalind was in the kitchen working alone, and though she looked distracted, her expression changed when her gaze fell on her.

Rosalind was kneading a dough on the table but her expression narrowed and Islinda watched with concern as she pounded it with more strength than was required. Islinda grimaced, imagining she was the one being smacked on the surface over and over again. And she had a feeling Rosalind was not far from that imagination as well.

"Rosalind, I –"

"What can I help you with, my lady? If you have the eyes to see, then you would realize that I’m busy here and another Fae can help you with your needs." Though she sounded sweet, Rosalind’s words were hard and etched with tension.

"Look, I’m sorry -"

"I believe you are distracting me from my work, my lady. Lizy can help you with whatever it is that is bothering you." The warmth she displayed on her face did not touch her eyes.

Islinda pinched the space between her brows when she realized Rosalind was giving a wide berth to her; she did not want to talk to her. She sucked in a deep breath. Fine, she would do it this way then.

"I know that you like Prince Aldric," Islinda revealed, watching as Rosalind halted her work at once, lifting her eyes round from the shock.

The Fae looked around her surroundings in a panic as if she didn’t want anyone else to find out the secret, not that anyone was present.

Islinda said, "You see, when you love someone, you tend to act the part and it’s written on your face. In one word, I think pretty much everyone in this Castle knows it except the damn prince of course. He’s the only one who refuses to see what is in front of him." She added, "And I think that I can help you out, Rosalind. "

For over a minute, there was nothing but silence between them as the Fae digested the information until she dropped the dough, washed her hands, and walked toward her. Islinda’s heart leaped in anticipation of what Rosalind might do.

But the Fae simply dragged her out of the kitchen in a hurry saying, "I don’t know what you’re up to, but if it is what I’m thinking, then this is not the place. Hasn’t anyone told you the walls have ears in Astaria?" She gave her an admonishing look.

Rosalind walked briskly and Islinda almost had to take leaps to keep up with her. There were not many Fae on their way and for a moment there, warning bells went off in her head and she imagined Rosalind was taking her to a place where she could end her easily.

However, she could not sense any killing intent from the Fae, hence relaxed a bit, her senses on alert. Rosalind led her to an unfamiliar hall in the castle, reminding her that Issac was not yet done with the rest of the tour.

"What is this place?" Islinda asked, taking in the huge space, the structure looking surprisingly familiar.

"The ballroom, not that there would ever be a ball organized in this place. It’s just for show’s sake and the only place we can have our conversation without fear of being exposed. It’s warded in such a way that sound can’t escape. Many Fae talk a lot while in a merry mood and some secrets can be a huge weapon in the hands of a low Fae, hence the need. "

Rosalind turned around and wrapped her hand across her chest, giving her a stern look, "Now what is it you want from me," She asked.

Islinda rubbed her clammy hands down her pants and said nervously, "I know what you saw between Aldric and me, and I want to assure you that it’s not real. I love someone else."

"Yeah, the great love story of you and Valerie is quite the sensation, my lady." The Fae flung a subtle jibe at her and while Islinda felt slightly offended, she knew this was not the time for it.

"Aldric has this unhealthy obsession with me and believes I’m the key to getting the throne that he was denied." Islinda tried to explain to her.

"Yes, everyone knows that my lady, so please get to the point," Rosalind told her with a tight smile.

"You love Aldric, right?" Islinda asked, waiting for her response since it took her time.

Rosalind retorted, "And what if I do?"

"Good. Then the only way that Aldric can notice you is if I’m out of the picture and that is why you have to help me escape."

Rosalind’s face fell, "You are kidding, right?" The Fae felt she had heard wrong.

"No," Islinda said with a deep breath, "I know that it sounds impossible but two is better than one. Help me leave Astaria, Rosalind and you can have your dark prince all to yourself."