Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 571: The Favour

Chapter 571: The Favour

"It’s not an order. I’m simply collecting on a favor, dearly beloved dark Fae prince of Astaria." Islinda taunted him.

For the first time a look of confusion creased his face. "What are you talking about?"

With her head lifted high, Islinda told you, "You are so obnoxiously smug in your ability of outsmarting others, you don’t realize even realize when you make promises."

"I did not make any promises to...." Aldric looked like he wanted to speak, but his mouth opened and no words were able to leave his mouth. For a Fae could not lie, they could only bent the truth.

A smile curved the corners of Islinda’s mouth knowing she was victorious while Aldric’s face was a mask of confusion.

"Fine, let me take you down memory lane just a little." Islinda was smug now she had the power in her hand, "Have you forgotten about the panicking incident where you promised to owe me a favor if I could answer your question."

[A/N: Refer to Chapter 203 : Endless Teasing]

Of course, Fae had great memories and it was no wonder stiffened at the spot because it all came back to him.

"If I could remember, I never collected on that favor until now." Islinda said knowingly, a menacing smile gracing her features. For once, Islinda could understand why Aldric chose to be a villain. Having power was thrilling and satisfying.

Aldric had a scowl the entire time before letting out a reigned breath.

"Fine." He finally agreed. "I’ll release Maxi."

"Maxi and Isaac." Islinda insisted.

"It is just one favor." Aldric retorted.

He might be able to forgive Maxi, after all, this was her first rebellion and she had done it for his mate, Islinda. But Issac? No. He promised the Fae there would be no escaping if he betrayed him the second time. Aldric had to keep to his promise — and reputation. Issac was not loyal to him at all and there was every tendency he would betray him again.

"You didn’t specify numbers in the context of a wish, Aldric. But if you want clarity, then this is what I desire," Islinda rephrased, her tone firm. "Release the prisoners you’ve kept in the cell where you were once imprisoned. Return them to their roles unharmed. And don’t even think about finding a loophole in my wish because there isn’t one." She lifted her chin defiantly, a smirk playing on her lips. "How’s that for a wish, my perfect teacher?"

Intentionally, Islinda refrained from specifying Maxi and Issac individually, adhering to Aldric’s insistence on the wish’s parameters. Instead, she referred to them collectively, ensuring her intent was clear and precise. This way, Aldric couldn’t manipulate her wish and inadvertently harm Issac.

Aldric let out a frustrated growl, his gaze darkening with anger. As he loomed over her, Islinda swallowed nervously, fearing Aldric had finally reached his breaking point and would harm her. But to her surprise, he stopped short, standing just inches away from her, as if respecting her rule of not touching her. Despite her fear, Islinda couldn’t help but feel a hint of admiration for Aldric’s unexpected display of restraint.

However, despite his respectful distance, Islinda couldn’t ignore the chill emanating from Aldric, causing her to shiver in an unexpected, almost pleasurable way. Heat simmered in the depths of his eyes as he held her gaze, his voice gravelly as he spoke.

"Trust me, my love, you will pay for this," Aldric’s words carried a dark promise.

Islinda gulped, feeling a sudden surge of fear at the intensity of his gaze. Taking a step back, she couldn’t help but be scared of him making true of his intention right there and then.

Summoning her courage, she retorted defiantly, "We’ll see then."

"Indeed, we shall see," he mused, flashing her a predatory grin that proudly displayed his razor-sharp teeth. In moments like this, Islinda couldn’t shake the feeling of being a little fish stalked by a shark in the ocean. Aldric’s demeanor sometimes sent shivers down her spine, reminding her of the depths of his power and the potential danger lurking beneath his charming exterior.

"Come then, princess." Aldric said, his demeanor changing in a twinkle of an eye, "Let’s go release my two not so favorite Faeries right now."

Islinda stared at Aldric mouth agape. With the way he called her "princess" she had thought for a moment that Eli was back in control, but it didn’t seem to be the case when he completed those words. Islinda had to remind herself that Eli and Aldric were the same. Eli was just a part of Aldric, the Dark Fae prince refuses to show. And speaking of Eli, why hasn’t he shown up so far?

"Are you going to come or not?" Aldric asked her.

That was when Islinda noticed Aldric extending his hand toward her. She hesitated for a moment, staring at it with intense scrutiny, as if fearing it was a trap. She couldn’t shake the image of his hand morphing into something hideous and biting hers off the moment she took it. God, her imagination was forever tainted.

"I don’t bite." Aldric said.

Islinda snorted. Only a fool would believe that.

And yet she still placed her hand in his and let Aldric lead her away. The others didn’t follow them, and as Islinda and Aldric ventured further into the quiet and bleak parts of the castle, Islinda couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. What if Aldric tried something?

Something like what? Her mind fired back at her. Something hot and sexy — no!

Islinda quickly dismissed the thought, chiding herself for letting her mind wander into dark places. Instead, she focused on maintaining her footing, acutely aware of Aldric’s presence and the warmth of his strong hand in hers.

"Why haven’t I seen this part of the castle before?" Islinda questioned as they delved deeper, the air growing more humid and colder.

Aldric turned to her, a smile playing on his lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes. The limited light cast a shadow over part of his face, lending him a sinister air. "Do you want a reason to venture down to my dungeons? I could help you out," he offered sarcastically.

Islinda at once minded her business. Although something dawned on her and she turned to him with wide eyes.

"Are you trying to say that this is where I should be as your captive?!" Islinda was horrified.

"And she finally figures it out." Aldric muttered more to himself.

Islinda stared ahead with wide eyes. What in the Fae?

The dungeon was a grim and foreboding place, tucked away in the depths of the castle where she had never visited. The corridors were narrow and dimly lit by flickering torches, air thick with a musty scent, tinged with the metallic tang of iron and the faint odor of decay.

Unlike Aldric’s graceful steps, Islinda’s footsteps echoed off the stone walls, the sound reverberating through the desolate passages and making her heart pound beater. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread creeping over while gazing around the dungeon. It was a place of darkness and despair, where Aldric’s power and authority reigned supreme.

Finally, they reached the cells, small and claustrophobic, with iron bars separating each one from the corridor. The cells were barely large enough to accommodate a single occupant, their floors damp and cold, with straw strewn about as meager bedding. Call it little mercies but Islinda was grateful no one was imprisoned — aside from Maxi and Issac.

"We are here." Aldric announced.

Aldric’s cell stood apart from the others, noticeably different. The door was thicker and stronger, unmistakably made of iron. It exuded an air of intimidation, as if —

"It was designed for a monster like me," Aldric remarked, as if he could sense Islinda’s thoughts.

His words didn’t surprise her; after all, it was no secret that many wished Aldric dead or banished from the Fae realm forever.

"Who built it?" she asked out of curiosity, reaching out to feel the smooth surface of the door.

"I did," Aldric replied casually.

"What?!" Islinda exclaimed, her head snapping in his direction. She was utterly dumbfounded by the revelation.

"Remarkable, right?" Aldric grinned, his expression almost gleeful as he pulled out a glove from his pocket and slipped it on, seemingly unaffected by Islinda’s stunned reaction.

Islinda stared at Aldric, feeling a mixture of disbelief and incredulity wash over her. What kind of person designed their own prison? Only someone as eccentric and unpredictable as the Fae prince before her.

He opened the door, breaking Islinda from her thoughts.

"After you, my love," Aldric gestured gallantly, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

However, in that moment, Islinda’s mind conjured up a dark scenario where she entered the cell only for Aldric to lock her in, laughing sinisterly at her panic. Shaking the thought out of her head, she opted for caution.

"No, you go on first," she insisted instead.

Aldric raised a brow, surprised by her request. If he sensed her suspicion, he said nothing, and gingerly entered the cell. Islinda followed after him, the door locking behind her with a heavy thud.

As soon as Islinda’s eyes adjusted to the dim light within the cell, they fell upon Maxi and Issac, both incapacitated and chained to the ceiling. Her jaw nearly dropped in disbelief.

"Hello, Islinda," Maxi greeted cheerfully, waving despite her predicament. "Nice of you to finally pay us a visit. Although I hate to break it to you, now is not a good time."