Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 46: Aldric Was Misunderstood

"You don’t have to do this," Islinda whispered to Valerie as they walked through the track to her place.

It was about three in the morning and while no one should be awake by now, she still couldn’t help but be cautious. Some villagers were early risers and Islinda did not want them to see him. Although Valerie wore the cloak securely, questions would surely arise when they see her with a man and she did not want the attention.

"You said something followed you earlier, I need to make sure it doesn’t repeat a second time," Valerie told her, checking around the environment and did not notice Islinda staring at him.

It was so sweet. Islinda never thought she would find a man worrying over her heart-stirring. So she reacted on impulse by raising to her tiptoes and pecking him on the cheek. Valerie was startled by the suddenness, but his golden flared up with interest and dimmed before a smile crossed his lips.

He pulled her into his arms and embraced her tightly before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"We would make this work out somehow," It was a promise and a Fae does not go back on his sworn oath.

They continued with their walk and at last, Islinda arrived at her destination.

"You should go now." She said hurriedly, having this irrational fear that the door would open and her stepmother and any of her evil daughters steps out and sees her.

"I’ll send word again," Valerie told her, then snatched a quick kiss before zooming off. He was gone.

To be honest, the cottage felt claustrophobic and Islinda would have stayed outside for a while to catch her breath if it wasn’t for the fear that the creature might track her again now that Valerie was gone. So she took a deep breath, and pushed the door open, relieved to see that it was just the way it was. They were still asleep.

Once inside, she turned and bolted the door agonizingly slowly, hoping she had not made a noise. Islinda waited and when she didn’t pick up a sound, carefully took off her boot and began to tiptoe into the house.

She was about to pass the living room when a voice asked, "Where are you coming from?"

A squeak left her mouth but she quickly cupped her lips else she woke the rest of the family. Standing right in front of her was Lillian, the last person she expected to see.

Islinda wanted to tell her that she went to check up on her traps until she remembered this was Winter. The whole family knows she doesn’t set a trap during wintertime. Her throat dried up at once, what was she going to do? freёnovelkiss.com

"I went for a little walk to clear my head," Islinda gave her the most plausible excuse she could think of. It was obvious Lillian bumped into her, she had no idea how long she had been out. The situation worked out for Islinda.

"That’s new," Lillian said, her eyes roving and scanning her for a trace of whatever she had been up to but Islinda schooled her expression, giving out nothing.

When she found nothing, Lillian crossed to her and they stared at each other until she spoke up," I know you are strong, but you should be careful, after all, there are still dangerous creatures out there. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to the breadwinner of the family, would we?" Her tone was taunting.

Anger coursed through Islinda’s veins. To think that Lillian finally admitted that she takes care of the family and yet they treat her like a slave. They only wanted her around for what she could do. For what they can’t do.

Provoked by her words, Islinda lifted her head high and stared down at her, "In that case, I would be careful. After all, I wouldn’t want my dear family to starve to death in my absence." She retorted.

The tension between them heightened and Lillian narrowed her gaze at her, realizing that she was standing up to her. However, Islinda backed down, knowing this was not the time or place for a fight. After the time spent with Valerie, she was dead tired. Nor would she ruin the memory of the night by getting into a fight with her. She would lose anyway; Islinda was outnumbered.

"I’ll go back to sleep now that my head is cleared, sister." Islinda gave her a smile that didn’t touch her eyes and walked past her.

For a moment there, Islinda envisioned that Lillian would reach out and pull her by the hair, but she didn’t. That was more Remy’s style and she would plan her payback later. Lillian loved putting her in line and Islinda would surely pay for her little sass.

Once inside her cramped room, her gaze went to Eli and the weight around her chest shifted at once. At least, the little one was safe and even if the only thing she does is reconcile him to his parents, she would be proud of it.

Taking off her coat, Islinda climbed into bed with him, careful not to wake him up. Even though it was in the middle of winter, the room was stuffy enough that it was warm for them. Islinda stared at Eli’s sleeping form, refusing to believe that the innocent child was a trickster Fae.

Perhaps, she should have asked Valerie if there were chances of Fae parents abandoning their child in the human realm. It didn’t make sense. Unlike the human realm where there was hunger and famine, it was said that the Fae realm prospered.

If that were the case, why would they get rid of Eli? To let him die in the hands of humans? That is if her suspicion was right and Eli was a Fae child.

She couldn’t help but remember Valerie’s words about his mysterious brother, Aldric. Could it be that Eli was like him? That he too was evil? Yet, Islinda could not sense anything evil about the boy.

What if like Eli, Adric was misunderstood too?