Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 207: Forbidden Temptation

Chapter 207: Forbidden Temptation

Islinda tensed at his words, staring at the dark prince wide-eyed. How was he not ashamed to say those words? It was not his words that scared her the most, but rather the certainty in his tone that made her swallow. Surely, he didn’t mean those words, right?

Aldric has always teased, taunted, and seduced her, apparently finding joy in that, but never once did he threaten to have his way with her. Although warning bells went off in her head, Islinda waved them off, choosing to believe that he was bluffing.

This was not the first time Aldric was playing games with her, hence the tension slowly eased from her body. Moreover, he promised not to force her into anything she doesn’t want to. He wouldn’t touch her unless she wanted him to - which was never going to happen. Except for those small kissing escapades, a small lapse in her judgments - and it would never go beyond that, Amen. Not that she was hoping it would happen again, trust her.

"You have a great obsession with sex." She accused him, her once racing heart calm.

Aldric said to her, "I don’t deny my nature, Islinda. Sex is natural. I should be the one saying that to you humans with your modest tendencies. So tell me and stop wasting my time, do you consent to whatever happens between us tonight?"

Islinda shouted, "I thought men are supposed to be chivalrous. It’s not like I expect more from you, order than a warm bed and your presence. Perhaps, if you don’t want me on your bed, I can make things easier by choosing the floor. Trust me, I’ve lain in worse places and I have no complaints."

Aldric placed his hand on the bed and leaned forward, locking his gaze on her, "You forget Islinda that I am not a man, but Fae. A hot-blooded Fae with a ravenous appetite."

He shifted his heated gaze, slowly trailing down Islinda’s body and lingering on her breast, causing her to shiver, her nipples puckering beneath her chemise dress. Islinda knew he saw that very reaction because his eyes darkened that very moment and a huge lump formed in her throat. She hadn’t thought about her appearance before running into his room.

Aldric took his eyes off her breast with great effort, their gazes colliding once more as he continued to speak, although his voice was hoarse with desire, "You come into my room with what you’re putting on, looking like a sexy little thing and tempting my very self-control, yet you expect me to be chivalrous."

He tilted his head to the side, as if pondering her, "Aren’t you heartless, my little human? I am not a dog, yet you swing a piece of meat in my front,"

Except in this case, she was the piece of meat and had unintentionally offered herself up to him.

It wasn’t until a chilled wind nipped her neck that Islinda realized that the windows were open and she rubbed her palms down her arms.

"I’m sorry for being inconsiderate and inconveniencing you in the process. I should have covered up properly and not roused improper desire in you -"

"It’s not improper desires, Islinda. It’s proper and part of you and I. You don’t just want to act on it yet." He admitted with a cocky grin.

By the gods, Islinda lifted her eyes towards the gilded ceiling. What country did she destroy in her past life to deserve this kind of fate? Why did fate bring her to Aldric? Why? Why? Why?!

She went on to say, "However, to remedy the situation, how about I go back to my room and change into something more decent," She added in the end nervously, "That is if you would escort me there." Islinda waited in anticipation for his answer.

He waved his hand, "Don’t bother, I have a retentive memory."

"Huh?" Islinda was confused at first at his words until it dawned on her, "Oh. Sure you do." She muttered slowly, dropping her gaze to the floor, going red in the face.

Islinda lifted her face hopefully after a while, "Does that mean that I can sleep with you - no!" She shouted at once, shaking her head and hands rapidly in explanation, "I mean on your bed, not with you, although it would be with you since I cannot kick you off the bed. But it doesn’t mean I want to -"

"I get what you mean Islinda, I am not dumb," He cut her off, rolling his eyes upwards, "But my answer remains no."

"But why?!" She shrieked in despair, almost throwing a tantrum.

Islinda could not understand why Aldric kept refusing her even when she made it clear she wasn’t interested in jumping his bones and offered solutions to douse out the lust she had intentionally stirred and yet he refused it.

What else does he want her to do? He was her only hope of a night’s rest unless she kept vigil till the morning, which was impossible. Even getting within five feet of her room was enough to give her the chills. She can’t stay there.

Aldric suddenly climbed onto the bed on all fours yet did not move any further, a sudden gleam in his eyes that made shivers race down her spine. She did not like that look in his head. He was plotting something.

"Perhaps, you can stay, on one condition."

Of course, she should have known. There was always a catch when dealing with a Fae. These creatures were incapable of compassion.

"What is it?" Islinda asked, her heart beginning to pound in her chest with anticipation. One thing was for sure, whatever Aldric wanted would not favor her and it would be at her own expense. She has learned enough by now.

"A kiss."

She glared at him.

"Just a kiss and you can spend a night. No, as many nights as you want with me until you recover from this...." He thought of the word for it, "trauma," Aldric said with bemusement.

"No," Islinda refused.

"Think about it, Islinda," He said coaxingly, "Just one simple kiss and the night would be yours. What would it be, little human? Make your choice carefully or you might end up alone in that cold, lonely, frightening room," He faked pity for her and Islinda gritted her teeth, cursing him inwardly.

What was she going to do now? Fight her trauma alone or kiss Aldric and enjoy his comforting company for the rest of the room? Islinda was left conflicted.

The latter sounded easy and simple, but there was nothing simple about kissing Aldric. She had tasted the forbidden temptation before and couldn’t believe she was about to dive into it again.