Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 52: It’s Nice To Finally Meet You

Pain.

That was all Islinda thought she would ever feel. It burned so much and for a moment there, the pain was so heightened that she found herself pleading for mercy. Was this what hell feels like? Because it sure felt like one. No wonder, she was dead. But hell? After her good deeds on earth, she never expected to be sent there. That kind of place was supposed to be reserved for the likes of her stepmother and her children. What did she do to be sent here?

The pain lessened and Islinda was able to breathe. Breathe? Does one breathe in hell? Not that she thought about it. Islinda felt feverish and nothing made sense to her anymore. In that state of delirium, all she could think was wishes and her mistakes. She thought of how life would have gone well for her if her father was still alive. There were just so many things to think about.

Then came the cold. It was so cold and she wondered what froze hell over, wishing for the warmth again. As if she had conjured a source of warmth, it warmed her skin and she leaned close to him. More. She wanted more. Islinda wrapped herself around the form, relishing the heat it provided.

But the pain didn’t seem to end and she continued to wallow in the torment until a strange calm washed over her. It was soothing like a cooling balm and soaked into her skin. Strangely, the sensation felt invasive and Islinda wanted to kick back at it, but she was tired and it felt good, so she opened up and let the relief carry her away.

It must have been hours or something because Islinda felt peace like never before. Was she really dead? Islinda opened her eyes and found out that she was in nothing. Yes, it seemed as if she was lost in space and there was nothing but darkness, yet somehow she could make up her form.

Suddenly, a spotlight appeared from above, illuminating a certain figure with its powerful beams of light. The breath caught in her throat and tears rushed in her eyes when she recognized that it was her father.

"Papa!" She shouted and ran into his waiting arms.

The tears streamed from her eyes and Islinda hugged him tighter as if he was going to vanish if she dared to let go. If this was death, then she embraced it. She didn’t want to return to the living room.

"Papa," She pulled back to examine his face. He looked older yet there was this serene look on his face. He looks at peace.

"Islinda..."

"Papa," The tears flowed faster, "I missed you."

"I missed you too, my child," He reached out and cupped her cheek, she closed her eyes and relished the touch.

Islinda said with determination, "I’m here now and would not leave you anymore. Nothing could separate us anymore, papa."

But he smiled wryly, "That’s where you are wrong, my lovely daughter. It is not yet your time to be here, Islinda."

"W-what?! No!" She shouted, shaken, "No, you can’t go! You can’t leave me here! Not again! Please....." Her breath hitched, "You can’t leave me here, it’s too hard without you...."Islinda choked with emotions.

A pitiful look crossed her father’s expression but the spotlight turned off and she was suddenly plunged into darkness.

"No!" Islinda screamed, knowing deep down that she would never see him again.

But another spotlight appeared, this one brighter than the other, she had to shield her eyes with her palm. But when she lowered her hand, a red-haired Fae was standing before her and her heart skipped a beat.

Valerie was dressed in a ceremonial Fae attire which was a long scarlet jacket with an elaborate trim around the edges and buttoned in black which was a match with his fitted pants. His hair was pulled from his powered face into a slow bun and he has never looked so beautiful.

A startled gasp left her lips when Islinda glanced down to discover that she was in a long white flowing gown and a bouquet was held securely in her hands. This was a marriage ceremony and her heart leaped in joy. This was a dream come true. Everything that she could ever wish for.

With pure bliss on her face, she began to saunter towards him and just when she was about to place her hand into Valerie’s outstretched hand, someone suddenly grabbed her with a vice-like grip.

Her eyes widened when she saw it was no one else but Ryder. How did he get here? No, how was this possible?

"Where are you going, my wife?" He snarled, before leering at her in a way that made goosebumps erupt on her arms. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

As if that was not enough, Madam Alice popped out of nowhere, staring down at her with a sneer.

"What a disgrace," She spat.

Lillian appeared, looking smug, "The both of you would make a nice couple."

Remy materialized too, her face distorted with rage, "How dare you steal what is mine?"

Uh no. This was not happening.

"No, let me go!" Islinda began to panic, pulling at her wrist to no avail, "Leave me alone."

"You belong to me!" Ryder staked his claim.

" I don’t belong to anyone, especially not you of all people!" She struggled fiercely.

Lillian laughed, taunting her, " You are weak."

"I would squash your brain once I get my hands on you." Remy threatened her.

Madam Alice tutted, "You’re nothing but a failure, Islinda. No wonder your father died to avoid dealing with you."

"No, that’s not true." Islinda shook her head, her stepmother’s words getting to her. There was no way her father died to avoid taking responsibility for her.

"Come on now, let’s go, my wife. I can’t wait to enjoy you for the night." Ryder licked his lips lasciviously.

Islinda went still in terror, not because of the plans Ryder had for her, but the shadows that began to form above his head. Suddenly, a man, if he was one, towered over him. For a strange reason, Islinda could not make out his face but a great terror washed over her, her feet urging her to run as far away as she could from here.

But his glowing blue eyes met hers and Islinda could not make a move or breathe. Her feet were stuck and all she could think about was she was going to die. But how could die when she was already dead?

"Hello Islinda," His sonorous voice said, before his lips pulled into a cold, cruel smile, "It’s nice to finally meet you."

He wrapped his hands around Ryder’s neck and ripped his head from his body.

She screamed.

"No!" Islinda woke up, screaming with terror, and would have jumped from the bed if it wasn’t for Valerie appearing and pushing her down.

"Islinda!" Valerie called her name but she wouldn’t calm down, now hysterical. With a knee on the bed, Valerie pressed her down but Islinda was determined to escape and clawed blindly at him, almost taking out his eyes in the process and making it difficult for him to pin her to the bed.

Left with no other choice, Valerie did the one idea that came to him, he slapped her on the face. He didn’t even use a quarter of his strength else she would be missing all of her teeth. It worked nonetheless because she broke out of the overpowering fear and was staring at him with clear, wide eyes.

For a moment there, there was nothing but the sound of her heavy breathing until she asked, "Did you just slap me?"

Valerie flinched slightly, an apologetic look in his eyes, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt -"

"That means I’m not dead," Islinda muttered with disappointment, not interested in his apology. She lifted her face, "What happened?"

Suddenly Valerie’s demeanor changed, he was angry. He snarled, "I should be the one asking that question. What were you thinking walking out in the cold without protection? Were you planning on killing yourself?!"

"Oh." Islinda finally remembered the events of the day. That dream or whatever it was, had messed with her head.

She said, "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you like that?"

"You’re sorry? Just sorry?!" Valerie shouted at her and because he kneeled over her, she felt the intensity of his anger reverberate through her.

It startled her.

He pushed away from her upon seeing her reaction and continued, "I could have lost you! You were in my arms and I didn’t know what to do. Do you know how helpless I felt? Do you think the feeling was funny?!"

Islinda lowered her head, biting nervously on her lower lip, "I’m sorry."

Valerie merely scoffed and strode out of the cottage, leaving her all alone. He could not deal with her, right now.

With a deep sigh, Islinda pushed her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around it. Valerie was mad at her and she didn’t know how to calm him. She felt bad. It didn’t help matters that Islinda did not want to be left alone, not at this moment.

The dream still frightened her.