Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 418: Forbidden Thoughts

Chapter 418: Forbidden Thoughts

"Aldric," the woman called his name softly, and he lifted his face to gaze at her. He noticed the furrow between her brows and loved that his annoyance affected her.

He could have left them alone, but Valerie’s presence bothered him. Wasn’t this what he wanted? For Valerie to fall deeper in love with her? So why interrupt their time together? But Aldric reminded himself that Elena occupied his bed, and there was nowhere else for him to sleep. This was the only available bed.

Islinda understood when Aldric was being stubborn, and this was one of those times. She couldn’t forcefully remove the dark Fae prince from her bed; that would be disastrous. Valerie couldn’t stand by and watch her struggle or get hurt either. No, that would trigger him. Islinda had to make a wise choice here.

"There are guards outside my door, Aldric," she pointed in the direction of the entrance.

"And yet he...." The dark Fae prince pointed at Valerie, "managed to gain access to your room," Aldric responded bluntly, his eyes fixed on Valerie. He continued, "His mother could be next, and the so-called guards wouldn’t stop her. After all, what would the Queen Fae have against a mere human? So no, I’m not leaving," he declared firmly.

Valerie hissed, "You are not—"

Islinda silenced him with a glare.

Reluctantly, Valerie backed off. Islinda could tell that he was holding back a lot, with the way his body trembled with the desire to unleash his burning fury on him.

"You can’t sleep on my bed if you’re staying," Islinda suddenly stated, causing Valerie to whip his head in her direction, his eyes wide.

She ignored the looks he gave her and continued, "Your role is to guard me, not sleep. Be on your feet, Aldric. That bed belongs to me. If you get tired, there’s a seat over there where you can sit."

Aldric immediately grinned, his eyes sparkling as if she had given him a gift.

"No!" Valerie roared, about to protest, but Islinda firmly interrupted him. "If you’re so against Aldric staying, either join him and guard me or you can leave." She added under her breath, "I’m very tired right now. Valerie."

At first, Valerie was taken aback and disappointed by her decision, but then his eyes lit up with the brilliance of the idea, until Islinda shattered it in his mind.

"You don’t get to share my bed either."

Valerie’s face fell.

Aldric burst into mocking laughter.

Islinda warned him, "Make another noise, Prince Aldric, and you’ll be guarding me outside the doors of my bedroom."

He immediately stopped laughing but sported a mischievous grin. "You’re quite sexy when you give orders."

Islinda hadn’t expected that, and a blush quickly spread across her cheeks. Valerie’s lips pressed together, clearly displeased. Aldric was flirting with her right in front of him.

The sudden tension prompted Islinda to regain her composure. She could sense Valerie’s anger rising. She knew Aldric was intentionally doing this, but there was nothing she could do about it.

"There will be no fighting here. I mean it. I don’t care about the animosity between both of you, but this room is neutral ground, and it will remain so, even as I fall asleep and when you’re relieved of your duties in the morning. Goodnight, princes," Islinda commanded, her voice authoritative.

"Aye, princess," Aldric playfully saluted her.

Islinda almost stumbled when she heard that. Her head quickly turned in Aldric’s direction. Eli was the only one who addressed her as "princess," and for a moment, she thought he had been released, only to see the wicked smirk on Aldric’s face. He had done that on purpose. Aldric was teasing her.

She returned a cold look and felt a great sense of relief at the same time. She had completely forgotten about her agreement with Aldric concerning Eli tonight and didn’t know how to see him with what was happening between her and Valerie. Her life was a tragic mess of complications, and only the gods could help her.

"Islinda, are you okay?" Valerie asked suspiciously. He didn’t understand what had just transpired, but he sensed something between them.

"I’m fine," Islinda replied curtly. "I’m going to bed now."

Without thinking, Islinda removed the shawl she had been using to cover herself, her back turned to them. A sharp exhale and a change in the air made her turn, and she froze.

Their intense gazes were fixed on her, blue and amber eyes hooded and darkened as they slowly traced over her body. Islinda followed the direction of their gaze, and it landed on her chest. Perhaps it was their heated stare, but her nipples had hardened and were noticeable through her nightwear.

The hungry desire on their faces filled her with both terror and desire. She was alone in a room with two predatory creatures that could ravish her in an instant. Without a second thought, she picked up the shawl and wrapped it back around her body.

She jumped into bed and laid down, pulling the sheet up to her chin. Her back was turned to Aldric and Valerie, and she tightly gripped the sheet, expecting them to forcibly remove it from her.

Suddenly, Islinda became hyper-aware of their presence, realizing what a grave mistake she had made by putting two predators in the same room. When they weren’t fighting against each other, they could easily turn against her.

What if the brothers decided to work together? What if Valerie began touching her while Aldric kissed her neck? If they both desired her, would she be able to resist?

"Ugh!" Islinda groaned inwardly, blaming those naughty thoughts on that book. What was its name again? Morning Glory. Why would Aldric keep such a book in his collection? She couldn’t even remember where the book was.

But one thing was certain now: Islinda would never allow both princes in her room again. It was a catalyst for forbidden thoughts, and she needed to avoid that at all costs.