Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 91: Do You Fear Me

Chapter 91: Do You Fear Me

The cold didn’t come from the night air but from a certain Fae seated across from her in the carriage. A cold silvery mist seemed to emanate from Aldric and chilled the space.

He was wielding the cold and didn’t seem to care about her comfort. Islinda wondered if she had done anything to provoke him but aside from the small argument back at her room, nothing happened. His gaze was not stormy either, if anything it was clear and blank, as usual.

His arm was propped up on the window sill as he peered out, occasionally brushing his knuckle across his lips. Islinda wondered what he was thinking - and not his sensual lips. She shuddered at the vivid image of his lips, blaming it on the cold.

"Stare at me any longer and I would begin to think you’re fascinated with me." His voice broke through her thoughts.

She stared at him and his teasing gaze dared her to deny the accusation.

"Yes, I’m fascinated with you," Islinda admitted to his surprise.

Aldric’s brow lifted, he had not seen that coming. The human was full of surprises. Interesting.

But she added, "I can’t help but think what a waste of a handsome face."

His face fell and there was charged tension between them, the galloping horses and her racing heart the only sound that could be heard. Islinda anticipated darkness to brew in his gaze but mirth appeared instead.

"You think of me as handsome,"

Of course, that was the only word he heard.

"It doesn’t matter whether you are handsome or not, it is merely enough proof that physical attractiveness is not everything, because all you would ever be is a monster."

Another stretched silence ensued.

There was no change in Aldric’s expression except the temperature in the carriage dropped further. Islinda breathed out mist and had to rub her palms together to relieve the cold.

The bastard was trying to kill her, and the funny part was that Islinda doesn’t care. He could harm her flesh and try to break her spirit, it wouldn’t change her impression of him.

"Do you fear me?" His voice was deadly taut, his cold gaze boring into hers and startling her with the intensity.

Islinda swallowed, however, defiance burned strongly inside of her, and she would not be intimidated.

"No," She said, staring back into his stormy eyes and his expression shifted.

Releasing a misty breath, Islinda told him, "Just as you have no heart, I have nothing to lose."

"Wrong. You have Valerie." He reminded her of the cold truth, holding her gaze while his lips curled up.

He thinks he won.

"You’re right. You hold Valerie over me. However, you forget one thing...." She leaned forward, her expression now hardened, "I care little about my life, so don’t push me too hard, Aldric, else, you might wake up one day to discover that your leverage is gone, forever."

Aldric’s eyes widened at the threat but only for a moment. He leaned forward as well, "And I would work hard to keep you alive by all means. It’s a promise made by a Fae, Islinda." He said firmly.

Her heart stuttered and she bit down on her lips nervously, the both of them stared each other down. Her eyes filled with tears but Islinda refused to back down. It was petty of her but she would not give up even in the smallest of fights. Aldric had to know the extent of her determination.

In the end, Aldric looked away first but with a cocky laughter that made Islinda flush with embarrassment. It almost sounded like he indulged the whims of a child. At the same time, the cold vanished all at once and his bubbling laughter continued even as he returned to staring through the window.

The silence continued as Islinda swayed side to side in the carriage. The road was so smooth compared to her village’s bumpy and dusty ones. It nearly rocked her to sleep with its gentle rhythm, not that she could catch a wink with the monster across from her.

Her gaze locked onto him again, not that one could blame her. The ride was boring and he was unfortunately the only company she had until they reached the doomed party.

"Valerie could only manipulate fire, but you are imbued with evil darkness and seem to be able to control the cold as well. How is that possible? Are you an abnormality?" She asked.

He smirked, "Curiosity, another level of attraction."

"By the gods," Islinda rolled her eyes upwards, "Are you this conceited?" She sighed exasperated.

"There are many sides to me, the question is are you patient enough to peel them off layer by layer?" He asked with a gleam in his eyes.

Islinda gave him a long look, what was he talking about?

Then it hit her.

She frowned at him, "Are you saying that I should like you?"

Aldrich laughed, shaking his head,

"Oh, don’t like me, Islinda, that’s going too far. However, I can offer you pleasure, one that I bet you wouldn’t even find in the arms of my brother, Valerie. Trust me." He grinned, showing off white predatory teeth.

Islinda went red in the face, how did their conversation move in this direction, she had only been interested in his ability.

"No, thank you. I’m good." She answered hurriedly, her heart racing in her chest, "I’m satisfied enough, trust me."

But he didn’t believe her.

"Are you sure? Because it seems to me that my brother dearest wouldn’t have left you if he had fucked you thoroughly. You see, a woman’s legs are quite a honey trap."

Islinda gasped at the crudity of his words, a tinge of red spreading across her face. However, anger flared at the thought of him reducing her venerated bond with Valerie to this, a mere boink.

"Don’t... " She warned him, an edge to her voice, "Don’t ruin what I have with Valerie because you would never have one. Nor do I expect a monster like you to develop a bond either."

Her biting words cut through Aldric and the temperature in the carriage dropped again. His expression darkened and she swallowed, bracing herself for the worse.

But he suddenly smiled brightly, "So how does it feel to finally know me? "

"W-what?" Islinda was confused, raising a hand to her throbbing head. Aldric blew hot and cold at the same time, leaving her exhausted.

Before Islinda had the chance to ask more questions, the carriage came to a halt and Aldric announced with questionable excitement.

"We are finally here."

Islinda gulped.