Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 567: Shame On Her

Chapter 567: Shame On Her

"Fuck," Islinda muttered under her breath, cursing her own forgetfulness. Aldric’s cunning and his ability to hold onto every advantage never ceased to amaze her.

Valerie’s sharp gaze bore into Islinda, disappointment evident in his eyes as he sought confirmation. "Is that true?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. She should have known better than to make a deal with him.

"It’s true," Islinda confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper, her head bowed in shame.

Aldric’s smirk widened, his satisfaction evident as he reveled in his victory. "See? I can’t lie," he boasted, his arrogance palpable.

Islinda’s heart sank as she realized the truth of Aldric’s intentions. Despite her hopes that he had changed, he remained the same manipulative and power-hungry Fae prince she had always known. He had used her to his advantage, drawing Valerie into a duel that he was sure to win. In that moment, Islinda understood that no matter how much affection Aldric claimed to have for her, his thirst for power would always come first. She would forever be relegated to second place in his heart.

"You shouldn’t have agreed to this fight either," Islinda admonished Valerie, her voice tinged with sorrow. "It was a trick. This was what he wanted all along, even without me being in the picture. A chance to draw you into a legal fight where he can tear you to pieces, and no one would stop him."

Valerie’s jaw clenched, his expression resolute as he met Islinda’s gaze. "You should have faith in me, Islinda. I wouldn’t be crown prince if I were so weak."

Islinda wanted to believe him, she truly did. But after witnessing Aldric’s sinister and ruthless nature, doubts gnawed at her. While Valerie had his flaws and moments of darkness, they paled in comparison to Aldric’s malevolence. The dark Fae prince was a monster, one who devoured without mercy.

"Fine," Islinda conceded. "I believe you." Although doubt still gnawed at her heart, she would be strong for the both of them.

As soon as Islinda spoke those words, she noticed Valerie’s expression brighten with relief, a sharp contrast to the anger that flared in Aldric’s eyes. His mate was smiling and offering support to another male, and it irked him to no end. If Aldric were a bull, he would have charged at Valerie with his horns aimed for his heart.

"Enough!" Aldric’s voice sliced through the moment, his grip on Islinda’s wrist tightening as he intervened. He shot a glare at his brother. "I’ll take it from here."

As Aldric attempted to move, Valerie blocked his path once more, prompting him to lift his head defiantly, his eyes ablaze with fury. The runes adorning his body shimmered dangerously, and Islinda’s heart raced with apprehension. She desperately hoped to avoid another confrontation.

"Move," Aldric commanded, his teeth bared in a display of aggression. "Your tricks have run their course, and you will not detain her any longer."

Valerie stood firm, undeterred. "You murdered your own people," he accused, referring to the soldiers Aldric had slain. "You should answer for your crimes before leaving for any court."

As the two princes faced off again, the tension in the air was palpable, crackling with the volatile energy of their combined presence.

Aldric’s voice cut through the silence like a blade, "I am more concerned about a prince who fails to recognize his own people. Those slain Fae were not soldiers but mere pawns, manipulated by someone with authority Perhaps an attempt to arrest Islinda under false pretenses, only to have her silenced by the real assassins masquerading as soldiers. It’s all too convenient to chalk it up to a tragic accident. Humans are fragile creatures, after all," Aldric sneered, the contempt evident in his tone as he emphasized the last part, masking the fear that flickered in his eyes at the thought of such a scenario unfolding.

Islinda shivered, her arms breaking out in goosebumps as a mask of horror settled over her face. She couldn’t help but imagine the grim fate that awaited her had Aldric not intervened. Valerie’s reaction mirrored her own, though he maintained a facade of composure, betraying little of his emotions.

"Which is why I need you to send a message to your mother, dear brother," Aldric said, suspicion evident in his tone.

Valerie growled, "My mother would never....." His voice trailed off as realization dawned upon him. He understood the extent to which his mother might go to rid herself of Islinda, the implications sinking in. A soldier wouldn’t dare collude with assassins and frame it as a royal decree to eliminate a mere human unless there was powerful backing, especially from royalty.

The summer prince froze in place as the connections formed in his mind. The gods. What has his mother done?

Seizing the moment, Aldric delivered his ultimatum. Valerie’s gaze flickered to his brother as Aldric declared, "Tell your mother, ’Fool me once, shame on her. Fool me twice, shame on her. Fool me three times, shame on her. It’s an eye for an eye."

Valerie shuddered, his gaze locked with his brother’s in a silent exchange that spoke volumes. Islinda observed their silent communication, grateful that Fae couldn’t weaponize their eye contact. Except Aldric of course. Valerie was right, his dark powers were too lethal.

Aldric’s smirk widened as he stepped back, taunting his brother with his words. "Time to go, dear brother. Islinda and I have a date with the Winter Court, and we wouldn’t want to keep them waiting."

There was a flicker of concern in Valerie’s eyes as he moved to respond, but before he could utter a word, Islinda felt herself being pulled into a swirling vortex, cutting off Valerie’s response.

When Islinda’s feet finally found solid ground, she wobbled, but strong arms caught her, steadying her. She shot Aldric a glare, cursing him silently for using the medallion without warning her, knowing the dizzying effect it had on her.

As her racing heart calmed, Islinda became aware of their close proximity. Aldric, always one for taking advantage of a moment, leaned in closer. However, Islinda turned her face away at the last minute, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a kiss.