Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 51: Saving Islinda

Panic.

That was all Valerie could feel as he struggled to save Islinda’s life. He did not expect to see her on his doorstep, not like this. Something must have happened - something that made her trek all the way to the cottage without any form of protection against the cold.

Valerie was enraged at her. But the need to save her life was far greater than the anger directed at her. Human lives were fragile and short-lived. While Valerie was aware of that, he did not think about it while spending time with her. He fooled himself into thinking that they had much time together when she could easily be eliminated from this world.

It didn’t help matters that she had fallen unconscious. He had no idea how to cure humans. This was winter and he was a summer Fae. Fire and ice are natural enemies and some of the lower Fae are susceptible to frostbite.

As a high Fae, Valerie generated enough body heat to keep him from the cold, but some summer Faeries aren’t powerful enough to summon enough warmth. Hence they usually sulk during the winter season and compared to the other seasonal courts, summer Fae pay the most visit to the healers.

Healers.

The thought came to him quickly. The healers could save Islinda’s life. But Valerie’s face fell when he remembered that he couldn’t return to the Fae realm. Not yet. If he left now, he wouldn’t be able to come back. He was the crown prince and had many responsibilities back home. It would seem suspicious if he were to get Islinda treated in his realm and return with her to the human realm again, his father King Oberon would know something was up.

Faeries were not like humans whose decisions were influenced by emotions, his father honed him from birth to lead. He would not accept his frolicking with a mortal human. No, he wouldn’t mind killing Islinda to eliminate her influence on him. King Oberon was not kind, but a just and traditional king.

What was he going to do now?

Perhaps, fate must be on his side because someone came in through the opened door and Valerie was relieved to see that it was the Fae his father sent to look after him. He stopped short when he saw the human in his arms and Valerie recalled he had been hiding Islinda from him. But not anymore.

Before Issac had the chance to say a word, Valerie slipped the medallion from his neck and tossed it to him. He caught it in the air instinctively.

"Get me a healer Fae quickly!" Valerie barked an order, urgency in his tone.

"Yes, your highness," Isaac bowed his head and left without asking questions.

Traveling through portals was the fastest and all Valerie had to worry about was how long it would take to find a Fae willing to cross over to the human realm. After the wars and the truce was made between the humans and Faeries, both sides were expected to keep to their realm. Sadly, rules were made to be broken.

The main purpose of the great divider was to keep monsters in the Fae realm from accessing the human realm where they could decimate the weak creatures in massive numbers. Moreover, Fae magic made the divider, how could it keep them out?

Not to mention some humans were stupid enough to cross it. The walls of the divider stood as a warning, not to deter any human from crossing over. Everyone had freedom but should bear the consequences.

Some Faeries were traditional and would rather remain safe in their court, seeing humans as barbaric considering what they did to their brethren during the war. While a Fae could kill a human with a mere flick of a hand, Faeries were difficult to bring down and humans had to develop creative ways of killing them and none of it was gentle.

Valerie knew he couldn’t sit around and do nothing, having no idea when Issac would arrive with the helper. So he carried Islinda over to the cot and laid her down. Over the past few days, he has had the chance to transform the little cottage and it was no longer as grotty as before.

Unlike the ruined cot that once stood in its place, the current bed was comfortable and luxurious. He had stolen it from a store in the village at night. Well, not exactly stolen, since he had dropped enough silver coins worth its price for the trader. At least, he would not get any judgemental look from Islinda when she wakes.

Speaking of Islinda, Valerie had to get her into warm clothing. Thankfully, they were together hence it did not feel like an assault when he undressed her, yet he was respectful by not looking too much. Valerie dressed her in a cloak that was too times her size. He did not steal female clothing for her. Yet.

Valerie let out a curse when he felt her forehead and she was burning up. He suddenly regretted having not visited the sickhouse often, else he would know what to do. However, common sense told him that Islinda needed warmth. Thankfully, heat was all he had.

Islinda’s feet suffered the worst attack, the skin turned blue-gray and felt hard and frozen. He summoned flame to his hand and brought it close to her feet when Islinda flinched from him and a loud whimper drew from her lips.

He frowned deeply, why does it seem like he was hurting her? But she needs the heat. The human body was confusing. Or perhaps it was too much heat. Valerie considered that and reduced the intensity of the flame this time.

He tentatively brought both hands to her feet and while she murmured incomprehensible words, she didn’t flinch from him. He warmed her feet until the skin became its normal color. And while it seemed like he reached a milestone, the worst was far from over because Islinda was shivering.

The fever increased and she was delirious. Valerie quickly climbed into the bed and snuggled close to her, keeping her warm. He controlled the amount of heat running through him, the energy filling up the room greatly.

What was taking Issac too long? Valerie knew if Islinda was not treated, the affected tissues would turn black and hard as it died. What if Isaac could not find a willing healer? Anger coursed through him. if Islinda dies, all the healers in the Fae realm would incur his wrath.

As if he had conjured them from his thoughts, a portal opened in the middle of the room and Isaac appeared alongside an older Fae. Valerie saw the way the woman’s eyes widened, and he did not doubt it was the shock of seeing their lovely prince in bed with a human.

Not everyone was open to Fae and human relationships yet. Especially not with royalty. Valerie had no idea how to deal with the aftermath.

The lithe Fae woman managed to compose herself and bowed low, "Your Highness."

Valerie stood from the bed and went to her, "Thanks for coming. As you can see, this is an emergency and I need your help."

"As you wish, your highness," The healer Fae answered and went to bed, assessing Islinda’s condition.

She tutted, "Frostbite. Humans, such fragile creatures."

Valerie watched as the woman took off the small bag she had with her and stood over the delirious Islinda. She then stretched out her hand and pure green magic flowed from her hands and wrapped around Islinda like a cocoon. Aside from a small whine from her lips, Islinda did not react adversely to the magic which was a relief. Not all humans took well to their magic, especially one reviving her body.

The healer Fae said to him, "Humans are weaker and I have to use my magic in trickles else I overwhelm her body and cause more damage. So this would take more time. But she will be fine."

"Thank you," Valerie answered, letting out the breath that he had been holding in.

The healer Fae focused on Islinda and Valerie decided that it was better to give her room to work. She was shocked to see him with a mortal woman and must have many questions, yet kept it to herself. Also, Valerie needed to speak to Issac alone.

So they went outside and once the door closed behind them, he asked Issac, "Did you tell my father?"

"If that is what you’re worried about, then you should be assured there was not enough time to find a willing healer and speak to the king at the same time. Moreover, this is your secret to tell, not mine, your highness."

"Why would you keep this from my father, aren’t you loyal to the king?" Valerie asked, looking at him closely and searching for lies.

"The Fae realm is prosperous under the rulership of his majesty king Oberon, but he would relinquish the throne one day, and here stands the future king before me." Issac hinted that he was on his side.

Valerie breathed, he can trust the Fae.