Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 244: Broken Trust

Chapter 244: Broken Trust

What in the Fae?

Issac stood frozen at the spot, wide-eyed, even as those lips pressed firmly to his. Everything happened too fast for him to comprehend. But he knew her, she was his childhood friend, Anya.

As if finding his bearings, Issac latched onto her shoulder and pulled away, breathing hard. While his eyes were filled with surprise and confusion, she looked fascinated and ecstatic to see him, a flush on her face.

"Issac," Anya chuckled, crinkles forming in the corner of her eyes.

Indeed, someone was delighted to see him. Not that Issac could say the same.

"Anya," Issac said, a knot in his belly. He obviously did not share the same enthusiasm even though he tried his hardest to fake it. He followed it up with a smile that could almost qualify as a grimace.

"A-ha!" Kayla chirped in out of nowhere, coming to stand before them with accusation in her eyes. She pointed at them, "I knew it! Something was going on between the two of you! Both of you thought you could deceive me forever."

Issac quickly stepped away from Anya, creating awareness of space between them, and tried to explain the situation to his sister who was quick to jump to conclusions. However, Anya beat him to it.

"No, it’s not what you’re thinking," The female Fae shook her hands furiously, trying to deny it.

"But you kissed him! I knew what I saw!" Kayla stood her ground.

"I know, but... "Anya’s gaze lowered to the ground and she muttered timidly, lifting her eyes to him at last, a warmth of the blush crawling up her neck, "I was just too excited to see him and couldn’t help myself," She eyed him, chewing in her lower lips.

"The gods help me," Issac breathed, wiping his palm down his face. She just made everything worse and now, his sister was giving him the eye. By the gods, he did not come home for this drama.

How did Anya even know he was back? Well, the answer was obvious. As childhood friends, they lived across from each other, and either his family alerted her of his return during his time in his room or she spotted him across the street. Issac suspected the latter.

With the amount of time spent away from home, Issac suspected his mother would want to spend enough time with him before inviting a third party. But then, why did Anya kiss him if they were friends? Well, it was his mistake.

Issac and Anya grew attached at the hip and the family was so close that their parents, not once nor twice, but over the centuries, hinted at possible marriage ties between them. Arranged or political marriage between Fae was not a uncommon in the Fae realm, but then, the decision would have to come from Issac, because his mother promised not to force him into anything without his consent.

Issac was not unaware of Anya’s unwavering feelings for him, but he does not have such sexual feelings for her nor as a potential mate. Anya was too safe. Too comfortable. Almost like a home that he already has with his mother and sister. Yes, he saw her as his sister from another mother and that was all.

Although Issac tends to play it safe most times, he was raised by a military father and as a warrior, he loved a good challenge and that was not limited to his love life. He would love his mate to be enigmatic, strong, and capable. That was his ideal mate.

Until he made that mistake.

It happened the last time he visited his family. Issac got out for a drink in the local tavern with a few of his buddies and Anya tagged along as usual. It was not a bother since she tended to follow him like a lost pup and he also kept an eye on her that way because of their family’s closeness. He wouldn’t want anything to happen to her and let their family down. Moreover, they grew up together with the friends they were meeting, it was not a huge deal.

As expected at a cheerful tavern, there was lots of drinking and dancing. It was in the middle of the dancing that everything changed. Perhaps, Issac miscalculated the amount of Fae wine he drank which messed with his head but he suddenly found her attractive. Or maybe it was the sweet-smelling perfume she won, but he was overwhelmed with the need to taste her. To have her.

He brushed his lips across her and kissed her. The passion exploded as soon as their lips touched and the next Issac knew, they had booked a room and sealed the need. To be honest, whatever happened afterwards was a blur and it wasn’t until the early mornings that he woke up in bed with her.

Issac couldn’t forget the shock, then confusion before the guilt that filled him, and finally suspicion. Of course, Anya was not the first female he had taken to bed, but the experience with her was the weirdest. The need he felt for her that night was not natural. As his childhood friend, he has seen her in compromising situations (often mistakenly) but he never lusted after her.

Not even a drunken mind could make him take Anya to bed. Issac suspected that she drugged and took advantage of him, and that left a sour taste in his mouth. Issac could not believe it, no, he refused to believe that the Fae he trusted the most would violate him.

Issac had for some time received warnings from outsiders that Anya’s feelings for him were quite intense and dangerous. There were tales that she often went after the female Faeries he had a good time with and warned them off him. Issac never took it seriously, perceiving she was simply concerned about him as a family would. But that was until the incident.

He could not confront her. No, Issac did not want to risk both of their family’s close relationship. He kept denying the truth, even though his instinct told him otherwise. Moreover, both of them had a good time. There was no harm done - except the broken trust and the feeling of being violated. No, something was wrong. He needed to think. Nor was he ready to face her.

Anya had been asleep by the time he evacuated the inn. Issac simply went home, took his things, and left for the palace.

He didn’t return until now.

Nor has he told anyone about the incident, not even his beloved mother.