Mated To The Cruel Prince

"Get away from her, Aldric!" A familiar voice called and it was Valerie.

Islinda’s heart stuttered out at the sight of the summer Fae. How had he gotten here? Clearly, he had not followed her to the market. Unless of course, Derek must have sent for him with the chaos that ensued.

Valerie’s eyes narrowed into slits, studying the both of them and Islinda became self conscious, recalling the intense kiss between her and Aldric, and realizing how close they were. She took a step back from him, her cheeks flushed red. She was unable to look both Aldric and Valerie in the eyes, her gaze fixed to the ground.

But for such a small instinctive move, Aldric read a lot of meaning into it. His brows furrowed and his lips were pressed into a thin line, displeased with her action. Was she ashamed of him? His feature hardened with determination. Fine, he would remedy that.

Without warning, Aldric reached out and pulled Islinda to his side, pressing her flush against him, drawing a startled gasp from her lips. She looked at him, wide-eyed. Her panicked gaze darted from Aldric to Valerie and then back to him again, her mouth opening and closing helplessly. What in the Fae was Aldric doing?!

Aldric was pleased with her reaction and he said with a cruel curl of his lips. "I didn’t realize you were the type to use and dump, Islinda."

"W—what?" Islinda gulped.

"You kissed me and then you pretend as if nothing happened between us." He said sardonically, enjoying the way she fidgeted nervously in his embrace.

"Aldric, stop it." Islinda whispered with a pleading look.

But the dark Fae prince was obviously not done. "Why?" He smirked, exposing razor sharp teeth, "Because you don’t want dearest brother Valerie to know how much you enjoyed kissing me?"

"Aldric!" Islinda said firmly this time, her face flickering over to Valerie.

The summer prince was rooted at the spot, his expression unreadable. However, although Valerie looked uncomfortable, the temperature was beginning to rise and the air was hotter which was unusual and Islinda could bet that it was Valerie’s doing.

"Why don’t just admit you are ashamed of me in front of Valerie." Aldric challenged her.

Islinda glared at him. "This is not the time or place to argue about this." She spoke through gritted teeth and tried to pull out of his grasp but Aldric held tight, his expression dark and dangerous.

"Aldric!" She hissed, he was hurting her. Islinda knew she would find a bruise there if she looked before it healed.

While Islinda and Aldric were engaged in a silent exchange, Valerie walked over to the spot and commanded authoritatively. "I believe she said let her go."

Aldric abruptly let go, pulling Islinda behind her and closed the distance between them, staring Valerie dead in the eyes. "And what would you do if I don’t let go." He snarled, challenging him.

The tension between the both Fae was so thick that Islinda believed they sucked the air out of the place. She had forgotten how to breathe; there was no air. To make it worse, the carnage around them made the confrontation more tense and ominous. If the dark Fae prince and the summer prince had been making idle threats all this while, Islinda was sure they would make true of it this time.

Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding as she witnessed the intense face off. Although Aldric had more height on Valerie by mere inches and rippled muscles, Valerie was more lithe yet capable of massive destruction. His powers were rising to his command in his hand, the same way Aldric’s rune glowed much brighter.

Fuck. They would really kill each other.

Without second thoughts, Islinda quickly moved and put herself between both brothers. If they planned to end each other, they should first kill her. That was not happening. Not on her watch.

"That is enough!" She thundered, gesturing with her hand. "I would not stay right here and condone such nonsense. The both of you are brothers for crying out loud, how can you be fighting over me! A mere human!"

"I’m afraid this is no longer about you, Islinda." Valerie said to her, his voice laced with disdain, "And I don’t have a monster for a brother."

"Good." Aldric acquiesced, shockingly not offended by his words. He said, "I don’t need such a prude for a brother either."

"This is outrageous!" Islinda cried out, close to stamping her feet and throwing a tantrum like some child. Why were such grown Fae behaving like children? Why couldn’t they talk this out like adults do? And if frustrated Islinda the most knowing that this was all happening because of her.

"This fight has been long due." Valerie said, his eyes darkening as his stared at the bodies of the slained soldiers. Pain flashed in his eyes as he mourned his people. His voice was sorrowful as he said, "You now even murder your own people."

"I only slained the people who were audacious enough to lay a hand on a prince of Astaria and try to take what belongs to him."

Valerie laughed. "What belongs to you?" His eyes turned cold. "Nothing belongs to you because you deserve to have nothing. Father made the mistake of keeping you alive, I would not do the same."

"Valerie!" Islinda cautioned him."Don’t say that."

"Get out of the way, Islinda." Valerie told her without emotion.

But Islinda remained on the spot, tears threatening to spill as she pleaded with him. "There is still hope for the both of you. Aldric is not that bad. He’s just so broken and angered inside that the only way he expresses it is by hurting others. He needs someone to see him —"

"I did not ask for a spokesperson, Islinda." Aldric growled, a warning note in his voice. He does not need to explain himself or his action to anybody, not even his brother. And the way Islinda explained, made it seem as if he was pinning for affection. He does not need anyone’s fake sympathy or love. He simply loved being a villain.

"Really? You speak for that?" Valerie pointed at Aldric in disgust, shaking his head in pity.

He went on."What do you even see in him, Islinda?" Valerie’s expression looked pained, "I could have given you everything. I would love you till the day I breathe my last and that is a long time for a Fae like me, Islinda. I could have treated you ten times better. Sure, I have my flaws, but eveything I have done so far is for you, Islinda. Yet, you choose him. "

Islinda felt her throat clog with emotion, knowing deep down that every word Valerie had uttered was true. But then, she couldn’t help it. How had she fallen in love with Aldric? She had no idea. It just happened out of nowhere. All this while, Islinda had thought that it was her hate speaking, who knew, she had simply been falling and falling till she couldn’t find a way out anymore.

But then, Aldric was not that bad. Sure, he was wicked, but in rare times, she had seen that goodness in him that she had never seen in anyone else. He was capable of light, if only he would open up his heart. If only he would love her. She could show him the way.

"What a great poet you are, Valerie," Aldric taunted him, laughing fiendishly. "You love her so much and yet you wouldn’t put down the crown that stands between the both of you."

"And what?" Valerie retorted, "Give it to you and plunge this realm into darkness? That would never happen! I would protect this realm from you and Islinda as well."

"In that case, let’s get this over with then. You talk too much." Aldric jibed.

"Aldric!" Islinda scolded him but the dark Fae prince was the worst Fae she could get through to.

"Good. It’s hightime this realm stops being scared of you when you are nothing but a bully!" Valerie said firmly.

Valerie would have lunged at Aldric but Islinda got in his way again.

"Please Valerie." She begged.

Valerie, the soft hearted Fae gently grabbed Islinda on the shoulder with the intent to get her out of the way. However, Aldric did not see such love as innocent and his eyes flashed red when he saw Valerie touch her shoulder. How dare him?

Aldric punched Valerie on the face. Islinda screamed, startled and finally got out of the way. When Valerie looked up, his eyes glowed golden and his face turned feral, baring razor sharp teeth at his brother. The summer Fae prince was pissed off.

And just like that, the fight between brothers began. As brave as Islinda was, she didn’t dare get between them anymore, not when tempers were flaring high and their dangerous powers have come out to play. She quickly found a place to hide while her heart pounded hard in her throat. At that moment, Islinda prayed to any god that was available to answer because the brothers were about to tear each other to pieces.

_________

Hello, my wonderful readers! Thank you for embarking on this thrilling journey with me this month. As we approach the new month, I’m excited to continue the adventure with Aldric and Islinda. What can you expect in the upcoming Chapters? Well, brace yourselves for a death duel between Aldric and Valerie. Who will emerge victorious, and who will meet their demise? And let’s not forget about Islinda—her heritage will be further explored, revealing more captivating secrets. Stay tuned for all the excitement!

As a reminder, it’s best to purchase privileges at the beginning of the month rather than the end. Thank you for reading "Mated To The Cruel Prince," and here’s to hoping for the success of my new book!