Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 417: Set Violence Aside

Chapter 417: Set Violence Aside

"Your fiancée is lying on my bed right now," those words echoed in Islinda’s head as jealousy reared its ugly head inside her. What was Elena doing in Aldric’s bed? If Valerie wasn’t holding onto her, she would have marched to Aldric’s room to kick Elena out. But where was Aldric’s room located? What was she thinking?

Islinda took a moment to calm the chaos in her head and felt ashamed of herself. She couldn’t let her little attraction to Aldric turn into something more. Plus, she was just as guilty since she was kissing Valerie, Elena’s betrothed. Right now, she had a shot at escaping the entire Fae realm and couldn’t ruin it.

However, the thought of another woman touching Aldric made her see red and she took a deep breath. Patience, patience, patience, Islinda chanted in her head. Once she defeated Aldric in his game and escaped this realm, she would get over these nagging feelings.

Once Islinda was able to think clearly again, she noticed that the dark Fae prince was staring intently at her. She nervously gulped as it was clear that he had caught her with Valerie. But Islinda lifted her head and returned the stare. Elena was on his bed. Who knows what they had been up to? He had no right to judge her. Also, it’s not like they are together.

As if he understood her look, Aldric’s lips curled into a cruel smile, so typical of him. He smirked unkindly. "You forgave him quite easily."

Islinda shuddered, realizing what he was implying. She was always hard on him, but not his lovely brother, not even when he tried to swap her soul.

Valerie noticed her fear and glared at his brother. "You don’t belong here, Aldric. You should leave now."

"Does your woman not have the guts to defend herself? Why do you always speak up for her?" Aldric sneered, hitting a nerve.

Valerie turned to Islinda, taken aback by the frown on her face that wasn’t directed at Aldric. She was frowning at him. Islinda had been holding it in, but she hated when Valerie treated her like a weak, fragile thing in front of Aldric. She could hold her own with the dark Fae prince.

The summer Fae prince blushed with embarrassment, but he couldn’t easily give in to his enemy, his brother. He growled a warning, "Aldric."

"You know I came here demanding answers, but I’ll let it be. This arrangement might not have been my idea, but I think I’ll go with the flow. Who knows, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel," Aldric finished with a roguish smile, implying that he hadn’t initially liked the idea but could make it work.

Honestly, Islinda hadn’t fully understood the reason for Aldric’s anger. But she was smart enough to realize that it wasn’t a coincidence that Elena was in Aldric’s bed at the same time Valerie was in hers. Could it be that Elena rejected Valerie and truly wanted Aldric?

Islinda’s blood ran cold at the thought and her face drained of all expression. She told herself it wasn’t just jealousy. She didn’t want another Fae scheming at such a crucial moment when she had her own plans.

"But Aldric could finally take his eyes off you," a voice whispered to Islinda. But the ugly beast inside her resurfaced and tore the voice apart.

Islinda didn’t want Elena anywhere near Aldric. She didn’t like the Fae. Elena must have ulterior motives for approaching Aldric. No sane Fae would like him. Or maybe Islinda herself was just terrified of someone other than her liking Aldric. She never imagined that someone would genuinely like him without being coerced. Islinda became terrified of her own ugly thoughts.

"What are you doing?"

Valerie’s urgency roused Islinda from her thoughts, and her heart skipped a beat, thinking Aldric was finally ready to fight. But when she looked, her jaw dropped. Aldric took off his jacket and let it fall to the floor, then proceeded to remove his tunic, revealing his muscled torso and the fascinating runes on his body.

Aldric finally looked at them, now shirtless, and flashed his teeth. "What do you think I’m doing? I’m making myself comfortable."

Islinda’s eyes widened as Aldric casually plopped down on the same bed she had been lying on moments ago. He tested its weight before lying down without a care for their presence. He folded an arm behind his head and then glanced at Islinda, causing her cheeks to flush with heat. The sight of a half-naked Aldric on her bed was undeniably sexy, and Islinda had to resist the urge to fan herself.

Valerie must have sensed his allure, as her expression hardened like stone, and Islinda knew without a doubt that he would be the first to attack. Islinda couldn’t let that happen. The king had been gracious enough to give her a room fit for a queen. If they destroyed it, she would be in trouble. Why can’t they communicate with their words and not their powers? This was becoming tiring.

So she stepped in front of Valerie and placed a hand on his chest, calming him. "Calm down, Valerie. I’ll handle this, please."

Handle naughty Aldric on your bed, a voice inside of her teased inwardly.

Islinda stood before the bed, wearing a firm expression, arms folded across her chest. "What is the meaning of this, Prince Aldric?" she asked, visibly annoyed.

Aldric arched an eyebrow. "You belong to me, Islinda. I’m here to ensure my property remains unharmed. Have you forgotten that?"

"What property?" Valerie lunged at him, but Islinda got in his way. Again.

"Valerie?!" Islinda glared at him.

"He—" The summer Fae prince tried to stand up to Aldric’s arrogance, but she wouldn’t let him.

"Please for once, set violence aside. Let me handle this. I’m capable enough!" She pleaded with him.

"Fine," Valerie lifted his hand, begrudgingly conceding.

Islinda inwardly sighed, knowing this was going to be a long night.