Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 248: Knowing A Faerie

Chapter 248: Knowing A Faerie

There was nothing for Islinda to do with everyone going on their "trip" and leaving her all alone, including Maxi. She had gone to find her earlier in her stable, hoping that the horse shifter would keep her company, as well as answer the numerous questions she had about the dark prince, Aldric.

But her hope shattered the instant she saw her empty stall. Islinda didn’t need to question Maxi’s whereabouts, Aldric must have taken her along. Had he done so to spite her? After all, the dark Fae did know about her and Maxi’s special relationship.

Maxi should have stayed behind and rebelled against Aldric, Islinda wished she had done so. It was the unwritten rules of their female code. They were supposed to have each other’s back, no matter the situation or circumstance.

However, Islinda was not without blame either, she should have sought Maxi out before now, instead of getting self-absorbed in her problems. In one word, she couldn’t entirely blame Maxi for not going against her owner, Aldric. Maxi had a purpose to serve him not just as part dark Fae, but as a horse. She guessed.

Islinda headed to the library, hoping to the gods that Aldric had not removed her access to the books else she might as well die of boredom. And did she forget to add as well that she was avoiding Rosalind? Instincts told her Rosalind was aware of her problems and was awaiting her to come up with a solution. Islinda did not want to deal with her; she hated being pressured.

The library looked the same, the mythical space still housing thousands of scrolls, tomes, and volumes on most subjects imaginable. Since it was not her first time here, Islinda was able to navigate the vast collection easily. Islinda did not have a precise book in mind but she hoped to learn about dark Faeries. Although she doubted Aldric’s secret would be out there in the open. Or were there really records of other mad dark Fae’s in here?

Islinda leaned against a shelf, pulling out a book one after the other, relieved to see that she could still read them after all. Aldric did not turn out to be a complete dick. She went through books after one, returning to their space, dissatisfied until she came across one and hesitated. Perhaps, all she needed to do was learn from scratch.

"Beginners Guide To Knowing The Fae"

That was the title of the book and Islinda did not doubt that this was written for the sake of humans. So she picked it with interest and walked over to the alcove, settling down. Having grown accustomed to having a bowl of snacks by her side while she studied, Islinda was tempted to call for Aurelia but changed her mind in the end.

This was the only place that she could be free from Aurelia’s wary supervision. It greatly bothered her that Aldric commanded the Fae to keep an eye on her while he gladly vanished to God knows where. Islinda didn’t like the power Aldric had over her. But what was she expecting anyway? She was his slave, after all.

With a little bit of a disgruntled sigh, Islinda flipped to the first page,

"To the human, may you find happiness even in the darkest places," Islinda read the dedication aloud, awed.

By chance, could it be this book was written by a human who once lived in the Fae realm? Islinda’s interest was piqued now. There was no way a Fae creature was kind-hearted enough to provide such critical information to an ignorant human like her. Perhaps, she will ask Aldric about the author later - if such an opportunity comes up. Probably in her next life.

"What is a Fae?" Islinda murmured, beginning to go through the information.

The book claimed that the Fae Folk, otherwise known as the fair folk, fairies, or Faeries, are otherworldly creatures, greater than mortals, but less than gods. However, humans do tend to see them more as a god because of their superior abilities. Fae are immortals, living long lives spanning millennia, yet are not indestructible. They are vulnerable just like mortals.

"As a human, never call the Fae a Fairy. It is offensive and the outcome might turn out destructive," Islinda arched a brow at that paragraph, "Differences between a Faerie and fairies?"

The origin of the word fairy is from the Latin word "fatum" which means fate, whereas the origin of the word faerie is from the Gaelic "fear shide" which means man of sheer. Fairies are usually small human-like creatures with thin,

membranous wings while Faeries are considered to be evil, horrifying, and terrifying creatures.

Faeries are not the winged creatures that live at the bottom of the garden in the human realm and befriend lonely children. No, These are tricksters, evil queens, bad bargains, and duplicitous lovers. They are the ones with faces and features so keen, it’s blinding. The kind who steal children, trap mortals in their realm and offer bargains for a cost so steep that only the desperate ones would pay. And they have various powers to carry out such actions.

Fairies are often celebrated because they are good-looking, handsome, pretty, kind, and pure-hearted mythical creatures, while the humans believe that Faerie are evil and terrifying mythical creatures. Most of all, they think the creatures have a horrid appearance.

But foolish mortals they are!

Faeries are not monsters with a gruesome appearance that repels on sight. No, they are beautiful, bewitching creatures that arrest on sight and take from their enraptured humans until there’s nothing to give at all.

A shudder ran through Islinda at the end of that sentence, two names coming to her mind at once.

Valerie and Aldric.

One had come to her with his true form, and the other through deceit. Islinda couldn’t forget how captivated she was with Valerie the instant she set her eyes on him. By chance, it couldn’t be that she was infatuated with Valerie, right?

Her blood ran cold.

No way.

This wasn’t some Fae effect! Her feelings for Valerie were real.

She hoped so.