Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 267: Aldric’s Karma

Chapter 267: Aldric’s Karma

"Tell me, Princess, did you miss me? Because I did."

That confession felt like a thunderbolt struck Islinda on the head and her senses began to reel. Her eyes widened to the size of the moon while her mouth fell open, completely stupefied.

No way! Islinda quickly lifted a hand to her mouth to keep herself from screaming. This has got to be a dream. Aldric did not just say that to her!

"Why are you not talking?" He asked with his brows furrowed, staring down at her.

Islinda had to calm her racing heart by reminding herself that this was not the real Aldric. It was merely his personality. A piece of him that was weirdly open to affection. She had a hard time wrapping her head around that.

"Aldric...." She breathed, placing her hand on his chest to create space between them because his closeness was having a weird effect on her. But his damned alter ego would not budge and stand as firm as a rock.

Islinda’s hand remained on his chest as she questioned him, "Where have you been?"

Aldric chuckled as if her answer was amusing. He then slid a finger beneath her chin and lifted it until they were at the same eye level. Her breath hitched. Islinda couldn’t look into the dark prince’s bottomless dark eyes, it felt as if he was stealing pieces of her soul.

"Amusing tactics to evade answering my question," His gaze flickered down to her lips and it sent a shiver through her, "However, I would answer your question anyway considering it involves you."

Islinda’s heart skipped a beat and she told herself that it was out of anticipation and not his thumb lightly stroking her face. She desperately needed an answer, not more of his erotic touch.

"My host tried to keep me away from you by running away. But then, here we are. Mission failed. " He announced proudly.

"Your host?" Islinda breathed, realizing that he was speaking about the main Aldric. To be honest, she still had yet to accept that his mind was split.

"Of course, we are one and the same, and can’t do without another. However, our motives are different and this is a battle for survival."

Islinda gulped, having a bad feeling about this. Sure, she liked this version of Aldric that was more warm and... trusting even though he was oddly intense. But Islinda knew she wouldn’t be pleased if a part of her personality tried to take the reins, pushing her aside. Aldric wouldn’t be complete without Aldric. This was a whole lot complicated and Islinda did not know how to feel about it.

"I was not pleased with what he did to you," Aldric muttered, his hand gliding down to her neck, his long fingers wrapping around the column of her throat.

Islinda sucked in a shaky breath as she recalled him trying to squeeze the life out of her and goosebumps sprang up all over her bare arms. But the same hand was caressing her skin and she couldn’t suppress the shiver from the sensual contact.

Her mouth suddenly felt dry as the familiar tingling sensation came to life underneath his fingers and across her skin. Her heart raced unevenly and her breath seemed to drag with the effort.

The air was thick with sexual tension, and Islinda could not even breathe anymore. When she did breathe, his dangerous and alluring scent like the night, unlike his usual crisp and sharp winter smell wafted into her nose. It sent heat straight to her core and Islinda shuddered. This couldn’t be all her, what spell has Aldric cast on her?

He continued this time with a husky seductive voice that made her legs weak, "I knew I had to punish him for what he did and that is why I’m giving him a time-out."

"T–time out?" Islinda blinked up at him in confusion. What was he talking about?

"You would have me for as long as you want..." Aldric’s face lost concentration as if he was thinking hard, "At least for two days. I would fight him off for that long and stop him from resurfacing. He has to realize that he can’t treat you the way he did and go free." He smirked devilishly, "I’m his karma."

By the gods, Islinda stared at him gobsmacked. What in the world of Fae has she gotten herself into? This was even worse than getting involved with Valerie. Aldric and his alter ego would rip her apart.

"I–I don’t think Aldric would be pleased when he surfaces. I mean why would you even do that for me? I’m nobody." She tried to ease out of his entrapment but should have learned enough.

His hand on her waist tightened and hauled her to his chest, saying confidently, "Don’t worry, princess, he wouldn’t be touching you again, trust me. I’ll prove to him that you’re not a danger to the both of us. Not to mention...." Aldric leaned closer and pressed his lips to her forehead, kissing her lightly, "You are worth so much more, princess."

Trust? Islinda shouldn’t believe a word he said, but this Aldric already carved her heart open without even trying hard. His heart-stirring words already moved her.

"Why do you keep calling me, Princess? I’m not a real human princess." She snorted, finding the endearment hilarious. His host called her "little human" as a daily reminder of her limitations as a human and because it amused her. So why was his alter ego romantic? Islinda hated to admit it but her heart raced whenever he called her that.

Aldric chuckled, the deep sound reverberating through her and sending a thrill through every sensitive part of her body. By the gods, he would be the death of her.

"I am a prince and you are mine, that makes you my princess. " He smiled delightfully as if he didn’t just lay a claim to her. She was not a property to be owned.

Islinda bristled, "I am not yours. I’m my own being. Nor am I in any relationship with you to establish that. I’m just your captive, remember?"

"Oh, princess, if only you know that you are so much more than that."

"What?"

"I don’t need to be in a relationship to own you, princess. Your body already responds to me." He looked down, ogling the swell of her breast, and a flush rushed to her cheeks.

"But to be on the safe side, why don’t we establish that fact?" His mouth descended on hers before Islinda could think of escaping.