Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 431: Islinda’s Life Is In Danger

Chapter 431: Islinda’s Life Is In Danger

Islinda was not afraid of the dark, but there was something unnerving about this particular darkness. It seemed to slither and whisper across her skin, causing goosebumps to erupt on her back. It was at that moment that Islinda realized Eli hadn’t magically stolen the light from the massive hall; this was the work of Aldric’s shadows.

Islinda felt her heart lurch to her throat. She hadn’t realized just how powerful Aldric was until now. The hall was enormous, and for him to cover up the natural light in a matter of seconds required great skill. And his shadows, moving like living beings, had the potential to harm anyone at his command.

In one word, Aldric could wipe out everyone in the hall if he wanted to. His shadows had that much power. Chills washed over Islinda as she finally understood why everyone wanted him dead. This level of power in one person’s hands was too dangerous.

The dark Faeries who had turned Aldric into one of them might have done so to get back at King Oberon, but they had inadvertently created a weapon that could destroy both realms. Queen Maeve must be panicking wherever she was. All this time, she had been daring Aldric to kill her, but if he truly wanted to, she would have been dead long ago.

Screams and squeals filled Islinda’s ears as pandemonium broke out. Aldric hadn’t done anything besides cover the hall with his shadows, but the Faeries already held a negative opinion of him. Now that he had displayed his terrifying power, it was enough to rattle some of them. But something must be wrong with Islinda’s brain because she found herself still seated amidst the chaos. However, her respite didn’t last for long.

A massive blast of flame burned through the shadows, and Islinda’s eyes widened as she saw it heading in her direction. She cursed internally, unable to move her body. Thankfully, someone practically yanked her from her seat, and she stumbled to her feet.

"Don’t worry, you’re not dying soon, princess," a voice whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver.

It was Eli.

"Unfortunately, you should find safety. My family are sore losers, and they’ll be looking for revenge. I wouldn’t be surprised if they took it out on you. Find Andre!" He pushed her away.

Islinda fell but quickly regained her footing, aware that staying down would mean being trampled to death. The shadows were beginning to recede, turning the hall into a literal battleground. Faeries were running in all directions, and Islinda had to dodge stray elemental attacks. They were out to get Eli, and Islinda turned around just as the shadows finally disappeared.

They had found him.

Eli stood in the middle of the room, his hands clasped behind him, grinning at the aftermath like a fool. Islinda’s stomach sank as she saw the murderous looks in the guards’ eyes. Queen Maeve was being led away through the front entrance by Valerie and the captain of the guards, who commanded, "Take him down!"

Islinda wanted to scream a warning to Eli, desperately wishing for him to run, but the sound was stuck in her throat. He didn’t even fight back, and Islinda watched with her heart in her throat as they shoved him to the ground. One guard pinned his neck with his knee while another snatched his arm, causing him pain. They treated him like an animal, and the scene hurt Islinda so much she wished she could hurt them too.

But even with the mistreatment, Eli laughed through it like a maniac. Islinda saw another guard put handcuffs around his wrists. Iron. That was the only thing that could cancel out his powers, Islinda sensed. The fear in the guards’ eyes eased, as if they knew he could no longer harm them.

They dragged him to his feet and began to pull him away. But Aldric struggled, his eyes scanning the hall for something, someone. And then his eyes locked on her, filled with anger and frustration.

"Run!" He mouthed to her as they dragged him away.

Islinda knew she should obey that command, but her feet refused to move. What were they going to do to Aldric? Would they kill him? He had caused a disaster, true, but what was he thinking? If he had been in control, he wouldn’t have done this. He wouldn’t have fought for her.

She had to go to him. She had to plead with them, make them understand that he didn’t mean to hurt anybody. They couldn’t kill him. As Islinda took a step, someone grabbed her arm. She turned and saw that it was Andre. Relief washed over her.

"Andre, they’re taking Aldric away. I don’t know what they plan to do to him. I have to reach him. I can explain to the king that he didn’t mean to harm anyone..."

"Think about yourself first! Aldric can take care of himself!" Andre growled, pulling her away.

"Why are you taking me?" Islinda asked as they left the hall.

"To my living quarters."

"What?!" Islinda pulled away from him, suspicion furrowing her brow.

Fae were still running around them, some returning to their rooms while others scattered to unknown destinations. But Andre taking her to his quarters when the cause of this chaos was their betrothal felt like a trap to Islinda.

He grabbed her arm, hissing urgently, "Listen, I don’t like this either, but Aldric called in a favor, and I’m as good as dead if anything happens. So either you move, or I move you. We have to do it before more guards surround this area and recognize you."

Islinda frowned. "I don’t understand why I’m in danger. I didn’t do anything. It was all Aldric’s doing."

Andre explained, "No, you didn’t attempt to attack Queen Maeve, but Aldric did. Unfortunately, Queen Maeve dislikes you, and she’s so enraged right now that she might use any excuse to execute you, knowing it would hurt Aldric."