Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 563: Awareness Lost

Chapter 563: Awareness Lost

"So you are the one who interrupted my kiss?" Aldric cut in, his voice low and menacing, his eyes fixed on the captain with a cold intensity that sent shivers down the fae’s spine. They had dared to disrupt a rare moment of peace and intimacy with his mate, Islinda —when she was cursing or fighting him for abducting her. Aldric’s fury simmered beneath the surface, he was not forgiving them.

"W-what?" The captain stumbled over his words, taken aback by Aldric’s accusation. He quickly composed himself, adjusting his uniform with false bravado as a show of authority.

Straightening up, he spoke, attempting to regain control of the situation. "I understand that the human is under your rule, Prince Aldric, but she is needed at the palace to answer for her crimes. I advise you not to interfere—"

The captain’s words died on his lips as a whip of darkness extended from Aldric, swift as a striking viper. It pierced through the captain’s chest with merciless precision, leaving a gaping hole where his heart should have been. The Fae’s eyes widened in shock and agony as Aldric’s shadowy appendage tightened its grip around his still-beating heart.

"With the investigation, right?" Aldric finished for him, his voice dripping with chilling finality. Crimson blood stained the captain’s chin as he choked on his own blood. With a flick of Aldric’s wrist, he released his hold on the captain, who crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Islinda’s gasp was choked with horror as she witnessed Aldric’s brutal display of power. She knew he was capable of cruelty, but this surpassed anything she had seen before. It sent shivers down her spine, leaving her trembling with fear.

The soldiers stood frozen in disbelief, their minds struggling to process the shocking turn of events. But amidst the chaos, one of them regained their senses and barked out a command, "Fire!"

Islinda took cover behind a pillar, at the same time Aldric’s form blurred into motion, his cloak billowing behind him as he darted towards their assailants with supernatural speed. In a matter of seconds, he closed the distance between them, his movements fluid and lethal.

The guards stood no chance against the fury of the dark Fae prince. Swiftly, he rid them of their weapons and when Islinda peered out from her hiding place, she was surprised to see that he had not laid a touch on them or worse killed them.

But the guards, undeterred, seized the opportunity to unleash their diverse Fae abilities, each one summoning their powers in a display of readiness. Despite Islinda’s confidence in Aldric’s formidable abilities, her heart fluttered with uncertainty as she watched the soldiers surround him, their powers poised like drawn bows, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

How would Aldric evade the onslaught of their combined attacks? He was outnumbered and facing adversaries who were determined to subdue him by any means necessary.

As the guards unleashed their fury on Aldric, his darkness formed a protective dome around him, rendering their attacks futile. The soldiers recoiled in shock as their assault failed, realizing the true extent of Aldric’s power. In that moment, fear flashed in their eyes as they understood why even the king was wary of his own son. Aldric was far more powerful than they had anticipated.

Confusion gripped the soldiers as they hesitated, unsure whether to continue attacking or flee while they still had the chance. Some, driven by bravery or foolishness, persisted in their assault, while others turned and ran. But none were spared as Aldric’s darkness surged forth, taking on a tangible form and striking down each of his assailants with lethal precision.

In a macabre display, the shadows pierced through their chests, leaving behind gaping wounds. One by one, the guards dropped to the ground with sickening thuds, their lifeless bodies littering the alleyway. Aldric willed his shadows to release their hold on the guards’ hearts, allowing the organs to fall to the ground like discarded playthings.

Islinda stared at the heart lying on the ground, a wave of nausea washing over her, and threatening to overwhelm her senses. The sight was too gruesome, too reminiscent of her past. She had been accustomed to hunting and killing animals, but the brutality of this scene was beyond anything she had experienced before.

Involuntarily, Islinda’s mind drifted back to the day she had taken Remy’s life. The memory was vivid and haunting, the weight of guilt and remorse heavy upon her shoulders. She remembered the accusing gaze in Remy’s eyes as the light faded, a burden she would carry for the rest of her days.

Yet, mixed with the guilt was a perverse sense of satisfaction, a darkness within her that relished in the knowledge that she had brought an end to Remy’s tyranny. She felt exhilarated by the act, empowered by the knowledge that she had finally stood up to her step-sister’s cruelty and delivered justice.

It was still that darker part of Islinda that was not scared when Aldric began to walk towards her, his face and clothes splattered with blood. Bodies were strewn all around her but Islinda seemed not to mind the carnage anymore, a twisted smile played upon her lips.

To Islinda, Aldric was a mesmerizing enigma, a captivating blend of beauty and darkness that she found irresistible. He was hers, and hers alone. The thought of anyone else laying claim to him filled her with possessive determination.

Islinda was no longer herself. She took Aldric’s face in her palm and kissed him. In that moment, all the pent-up desire and longing surged between them, igniting a fire that burned with intensity.

But Aldric’s gaze flickered with surprise and he pulled away slightly, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of something.

"Did you dye your hair?"

Islinda stumbled away from him, her head spinning, looking disoriented. "What?" she rasped, bewildered.

Aldric grinned, "I always knew you had that rebellious spirit in you. Have I told you I like the color blonde?"

"What?" Islinda was still baffled, wondering how they’d veered into this conversation. One moment she’d been thinking of Remy, and the next, it was as if time had slipped away, or perhaps her awareness.

Then it struck her. Did Aldric just mention blonde? It was then that Islinda noticed her hair cascading freely, freed from its braid during the fight. Her hand instinctively went to the white streak, only to find another blonde strand catching her eye.

What in the Fae? Islinda was flabbergasted, another blonde streak amidst her dark locks. How was this possible?

She glanced wide-eyed at Aldric, who now regarded her with suspicion, sensing something was amiss.

Just then, a familiar voice pierced the silence. "Get away from her, Aldric!"