Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 489: Be Rid Of You

Chapter 489: Be Rid Of You

For over a minute, Islinda stood frozen in shock as she stared at the sword protruding from Aldric’s chest. The dark Fae prince, equally stunned, looked down at the sharp object impaling him, spitting out a mouthful of blood that splattered on Islinda. Involuntarily, he released the Wrry cat, which gracefully leapt to the ground.

Islinda struggled to comprehend the scene unfolding before her, eyes widening with disbelief as the attacker finally emerged from behind Aldric. Her jaw dropped open, her shocked expression unable to fully grasp the reality of what she was witnessing. How was this possible? It was Maxi.

Fuck.

With trembling hands, Islinda brought a hand to her lips, her breath catching in her throat as she tried to process the impossible sight before her. Maxi, who was supposed to be Aldric’s trusted aide, had just stabbed him in the back, both literally and figuratively. Islinda was rendered speechless by the shock of the moment, her mind flooded with questions and confusion.

Why would Maxi do such a thing? Everything around Islinda seemed to blur as she grappled with the unfathomable truth in front of her. However, Islinda soon realized the answer to her question as she saw the mixture of determination and concern contorting Maxi’s face.

"Maxi..." Aldric managed to utter, his shock palpable as he staggered backwards, clutching his chest wound with clenched fists. He appeared pale and close to death, yet he made no move to remove the sword.

Breathless, Maxi hurried over to Islinda and ignored Aldric completely. Her voice strained with urgency, she asked, "Are you alright?"

Islinda could only nod, her voice failing her in the midst of the surreal revelation unfolding before her eyes. Maxi had stabbed Aldric to protect her. The realization brought a new light to her perception of Maxi, the horse shifter whom she had considered a sister.

Despite Islinda’s strange looks, Maxi disregarded it and carefully examined Islinda’s body for injuries. Aside from the bruises caused by the shadow attack, Islinda appeared unharmed. However, even the smallest injury made Maxi growl in anger.

"I’m so sorry," Maxi expressed her regret.

"There’s nothing to be sorry about," Islinda replied, her cheeks flushed.

But Maxi firmly placed both hands on Islinda’s shoulders, making her look into her eyes. "I was a coward. When Aldric told me he was going to kill you..."

"Wait—what?!" Islinda interrupted in disbelief, her thoughts filled with shock and betrayal. They had discussed her death; even Maxi knew about Aldric’s plan to murder her and did nothing?! Islinda felt a sense of betrayal, questioning their sisterhood.

"Listen to me!" Maxi growled, her voice raising a notch. "I have no excuses, nor do I expect your forgiveness anytime soon. But thankfully, you held your own and I arrived in time to save you."

"If only you knew," Islinda thought to herself sarcastically.

"But I’m here now and I won’t let him lay a hand on you. Technically, you still belong to him, Islinda. You are his slave..." Maxi’s words stung, reminding Islinda of her status, but she knew there was nothing she could do about it, at least for now.

"But this freedom you seek will be short-lived. However, I will make sure you have that space a little while longer. As long as I am here, you are leaving this place tonight."

Islinda’s heart raced as she processed Maxi’s words. It was hard to stay angry at someone who was risking their own life to help her. Aldric would hold a grudge, and Islinda knew it would not be easy for Maxi after this act of betrayal. Maxi, the dark Fae horse shifter, was risking it all for her. Islinda smiled and nodded, understanding the risks involved, just as they heard a groan behind them.

Aldric had his hand around the hilt of the sword from behind, about to pull it out, when Maxi warned, "I’d be careful if I were you, Aldric. That sword is made of iron, and I intentionally stabbed just inches away from your heart. I’m sure you’re already beginning to feel the poison seeping into your veins."

"Why?" Aldric rasped, his face contorted with pain. "Why would you betray me like this? I thought you understood. Do you forget what all this is for?!" he added, raising his voice in frustration.

"No. You have strayed from the path, Aldric," Maxi confronted him, her voice steel and protective as she stood tall behind Islinda. "I believe you acted out of fear. Killing Islinda is not the solution. You were simply afraid of your growing feelings for her. Sometimes, emotions don’t make you weak but stronger."

Islinda’s ears rang with Maxi’s words. Aldric felt something for her? It seemed impossible, and she wanted to laugh at the thought. Maxi didn’t know what she was talking about.

Aldric would have denied it, but he couldn’t lie and say he didn’t feel even the slightest emotion for Islinda. He couldn’t twist his way out of this one.

With a cruel curl of his lips, Aldric said, "Well, look who suddenly doesn’t want her dead anymore. Trust me, I have made up my mind to cherish her." He looked directly at Islinda and added, "Islinda, darling, would you go inside now? I promise not to harm you again."

Islinda flinched and took a step back, which Maxi noticed. Maxi interjected, "I don’t think she’s in the mood to go anywhere with you."

"And where would she go then?" Aldric questioned.

"Anywhere but here," Islinda retorted from behind Maxi.

Maxi replied carefully, "If you would be gracious enough to let her leave, perhaps I could make some arrangements for her. She just needs some space, Aldric."

"There’s enough space in this castle. She can take any of the numerous guest rooms and I will keep my distance for as long as she wants."

Maxi face-palmed, muttering profanities under her breath and looking towards the sky.

Growing angrier, she said, "Don’t you understand, Aldric? Islinda wants a break from you."

"A break from me?" Aldric’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You mean she wants to get rid of me? She wants to go somewhere where I won’t be watching her?"

"Exactly," Islinda confirmed. She felt elation at the thought of freedom, without the moody, dark Fae prince with psychopathic tendencies breathing down her neck. She needed a break; he was driving her insane.

"No," Aldric said darkly.

Islinda’s emotions surged like a tempest within her, a tumultuous mix of anguish, frustration, and desperation threatening to overwhelm her fragile composure.

Tears welled in her eyes as Islinda surged forward, shoving past Maxi, and screamed at Aldric’s face. "Don’t you get it, you idiot?! You are suffocating me from the inside, and I can’t breathe. What the hell do you expect me to do? To endure all the bullshit you throw at me and pretend everything is fine? Do you even know how cold, cruel, manipulative, stoic, heartless, and joyless you are? You seem to suck the life out of every room you enter. I have been telling myself that your circumstances shaped you into the person you are today, but now I can’t help but wonder if you’re just evil at your core. You tried to kill me, Aldric!" Her voice cracked with the weight of her emotions as she cried out, her words carrying a potent mix of hurt and fury, her heart laid bare before him.

Her words hung heavy in the tense silence, echoing in the air. Islinda’s chest heaved with the effort of restraining her tumultuous emotions, her fists clenched in frustration as she waited for Aldric’s response.

"No," Aldric said simply, shattering her heart into a million pieces. Islinda felt like a fool for even trying. She had hoped... hoped that he would understand. But he was incapable of it. In the end, he proved that she was nothing more than his captive.

Aldric went on to explain, "You are safer with me, Islinda. You don’t understand my kind; they will descend upon you like a swarm of vultures if I take my eyes off you. Only I can keep you safe." He reached out his hand towards her. "Just come with me. I promise to treat you better."

Islinda shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Maxi stepped forward again, shielding her.

"I’m afraid that’s not going to happen," Maxi stated firmly.

Aldric’s face darkened, and his voice carried a threat as he said, "You seem to have forgotten who I am, Maximus."

Maxi smirked, "I think you should be more scared of what an older, angry horse shifter who has studied your move from over the centuries can do. Moreover," She tipped her head at his chest, "I’m sure you could feel the weakness in your veins by now."

"In that case, we’d see about that." Aldric said, pulling the sword out of him with a pained groan and let the sword clatter to the ground. Then he turned to Maxi, his dark powers crackling with fury.