Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 342: I Cannot Be Seduced

Chapter 342: I Cannot Be Seduced

Islinda woke up with a sharp gasp, knowing instinctively that something was wrong. Her head felt so fuzzy and heavy. What in the world happened? Unfortunately, she got all of her questions answered when she tried to sit up and could not.

What the hell?

Her heart pounded against her ribcage when she realized her hands were bound to the bed. What was going on? All she could recall was that she changed her mind about escaping from Eli and told Rosalind that it was over only for the Fae to blow something in her face....

Rosalind betrayed her.

She should have known never to trust the Fae. The signs were there, but she had put blind trust in her. Who knew she was so in love with Aldric that she would attempt to put her out of the picture? However, her plan must have failed or something because she was still in her room and the thought alone left her with an uneasy feeling.

Call it weird but Islinda sensed this gloominess in the air and she had a strange feeling it was related to her. The faint sunlight through her window was evidence enough that it was a new day. So what happened last night and why was she in binds? Had they found out what she had done? Her stomach was wound tight with tension.

Suddenly, the door cracked open and her breath hitched. Her fearful expectations were certainly met when the door was pushed wider and Eli — she hoped so — stepped into her room. She didn’t necessarily see him. She knew it. Felt him. Heard his footsteps.

It wasn’t until he walked further into the room that she was able to see him clearly and he wore that unreadable expression. She couldn’t tell anything from his face or his posture. He was neutral. Hope lit inside of Islinda, could it be that she was thinking too much?

She sat up as much as the binds could let her, swallowing slightly when Eli sat on the edge of the bed, looking her over. Islinda scanned him in return and unlike her nervous self, she could not sense the menacing energy that belonged to Eli.

Perhaps, he tied her hands for a whole different reason, Islinda began to make up excuses. She knew Eli was into kinky sex and this could be one of the situations. Islinda tried to convince herself. Were it not for the uncomfortable silence – and her guilty conscience – she would be up for it as well.

She asked hesitantly, "Eli?" Islinda hoped with every fiber of her being. She did not want to give in to the little voice inside of her that told her she was feeding false hope.

He smiled at her, drawing so close that her heart missed a beat. Yes, that was how vain she was. It was so quick how things changed but Islinda was finally able to glimpse that monsters were not gruesome creatures that repelled on sight, but bewitching faces that destroyed without a moment’s hesitation.

"Don’t worry, you won’t be seeing Eli ever again."

That statement resonated deeper than a bass instrument. Islinda’s eyes rounded and her heart picked up speed having recognized that evil curl of his lips. By the gods, she had been fooling herself. It was Aldric. He was back.

"Why do you look so worried, little human? Unless of course, you did something wrong? What a naughty little human you are, Islinda." He taunted her with that cunning smile.

The blood drained from Islinda’s face as it dawned on her.

Fuck. He knows.

Aldric knew what she did.

Islinda had no idea how it happened since she had been unconscious last night but the evidence was right in front of her. Prince Aldric was furious.

Nonetheless, Islinda schooled her expression and demanded, "I need to speak with Eli, let him in."

If there was anyone who needed an explanation, it was not Aldric but Eli. She had used the Fae and needed to apologize to him. Moreover, she changed her mind at the end and did not go through with it. He needed to understand that this was not easy for her, but she was ready now to stand by his side and help him.

However, when Aldric made no move, Islinda repeated, "I said let me speak to Eli. You have no right to keep him away from me!"

Aldric burst into hysterical laughter that left Islinda feeling flushed and furious. She was serious!

But something dangerous flashed in Aldric’s eyes when the laughter came to an end. He pressed her down with his body, snarling in her face, "To think you dare to demand for Eli?"

"You don’t understand, I just need to speak to Eli —"

"And do what?" He smirked cruelly, "So you can seduce him into forgiving you easily?"

Islinda’s ire at Aldric increased. She only wanted to explain things to Eli and confess her feelings. However, If Islinda were, to be honest, seducing Eli into forgiving her did cross her mind. But she wouldn’t do that to him. Eli had the right to be angry at her. She just wanted to ensure he didn’t believe what they had wasn’t real. It was goddamn real.

"I knew what happened between you and Eli...You even named him?" He laughed coldly, "I always knew my alter ego was weak. It was like history repeating itself, he revealed his vulnerability and you took advantage of it like the other before you."

Islinda shook her head, tearing up, "No, you don’t understand. I —"

"Eli or whatever you named him is too angry to care about whatever story you’re about to cook up. In one word, I’m in charge from now and unlike him, I’m not easily seduced." Aldric kissed her on the cheek and got off her body.

Once on his feet, he announced," Lucky you, Islinda. You are too important for me to snap your head for this betrayal. Like I told you, I have great plans for you. But don’t worry, I have prepared a great show."

He clapped his hand and the door opened on cue as servants walked in.

Aldric instructed them," Release her and let her go. She has a performance to watch. Trust me, you would love it, darling. " He winked at her.

The dark promise in his tone left Islinda sickened to the stomach