Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 76: This Was Not Freedom

Chapter 76: This Was Not Freedom

It wasn’t just the menacing grin that carved his sharp jaw but the dark promise in his voice that made Islinda realize that she was in deep shit. A tiny voice told her she would rather be dead than stay alive to uncover what plans the mad Fae had for her.

So without a second thought, Islinda picked up the arrow by her side and stabbed her neck. Or attempted to because Aldric’s movement was a blur and the next she knew, a strong hand had clasped around her wrist and pressed down so hard she whimpered in pain and dropped the arrow. He almost broke her hand and he didn’t even seem to care.

Unlike Valerie, there was not a bit of humanity or chivalry in him. Islinda felt a great discomfort in her chest at the thought of her beloved Valerie. But the thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind when she was pulled up to her feet and pushed up against the wall with a furious Fae snarling in her face, "How dare you?! What makes you think that I would let you escape your fate so easily?"

"Let me go! I owe you nothing!" Islinda spat out, trying to push him away but he was an impregnable wall and her panic heightened. What has she gotten herself into?

"Oh, ignorant human," He said mockingly, "You owe me everything. I saved you from your family, remember?" He reminded her.

"No," The blood drained from her face, shaking her head furiously, "You didn’t help me! That was no help! You murdered them."

"Humans." He tutted," You asked for my help and I delivered. It’s no fault of mine that you did not specify the type of help you wanted and I only did what I’m good at, slay. When do humans ever learn to table their requests carefully?"

Islinda looked as pale as a ghost and for a moment there, she looked like she had resigned to fate only to slam her palm on his chest, shoving him furiously,

"This was your plan all along! You intended to trick me from the start! I treated you kindly and this is how you pay me back. I do not accept this, let me go!"

But Aldric grabbed both of her hands, his expression suddenly darkened, "You think I do not deal with you fairly? The fact I kept you alive is enough payment for sheltering me during my stay in your realm. But that is as far as my kindness runs and I need you for a greater purpose."

He grabbed both of her wrists with a hand instead and lifted them above her head before crooking a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face. Islinda swallowed as she stared at his wild, predatory gaze. She flinched when those runes crawled down to his hand and almost made contact with her face. Who knows what it would do to her?

There was nothing natural about the shadows trapped in his body and when he leaned closer, she inhaled his scent. Unlike Valerie who smelled like a bonfire on warm nights, this cruel creature in front of her smelled like the sharp winter. No, it was subtle. He carried the scent of darkness itself.

A fist in her hair yanked her back and roused her to reality. What was she thinking? She was dealing with a monster, a psychopath if he were human. He was not gentle with her and tears stung her eyes but Islinda refused to show it. He does not deserve to see her cry.

Aldric lowered his head and whispered into her ear, "Perhaps, we should start where all of this began."

Before Islinda had the chance to ask what he meant by that, he grabbed her tight, and a tingle spread over her skin. The sensation felt a lot like those times Valerie performed magic on her. Oh no, her stomach sank. What was he about to do to her?

She realized a little too late that he had summoned a portal and dragged her through it. Islinda had always heard about the Fae’s efficient means of transportation, but seeing was another thing and when they arrived at their destination, her head was reeling and bile rose to her stomach. But no matter how much she retched, there was nothing to throw up.

"Humans are so weak," Aldric muttered more to himself but Islinda glared at him from the corners of her eyes.

Then she lifted her head and saw where she was. The cottage. By the gods no.

"Please, don’t do this." She begged him.

"Do what?" He pretended to be oblivious amid the knowing look in his eyes.

"Don’t pull me through the walls. I don’t want to go to the Fae realm." Not like this. If she crossed over that divider, she would end up being his slave. She would never get to be with Valerie again. Not that such a future was possible anymore, she was doomed with this monster.

"What can you offer me then, little human," He grinned, slow and cruel. She would make such a wonderful plaything.

"Please," She begged him, tears now gathering in her eyes, "Just let me go."

"Fine," He shrugged as if it was an easy request, "You can go."

"W-what?" She croaked, finding it hard to believe.

"Little human, you would find out my mind changes very easily." Those words sounded merciful yet she could sense the threat beneath.

But did he really mean?

Islinda didn’t sit around to find out as she broke into a sprint. If there was even the slightest chance of him changing his mind, then she would take it. She would not give up hope yet.

She didn’t know why but Islinda spared a look over her shoulder after a while and the blood drained from her face at what she saw coming.

Oh no, she just made a terrible mistake.

This was never freedom.

It was a hunt.

And she just became the prey.