Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 55: Falling For A Fae

"I need to go back," Islinda told Valerie, her worry over Eli growing with the minutes. What if the worst has happened? What if, like her, they kicked him out as well?

"What?" Valerie’s face fell and he stepped in her path when she made a move.

He looked at her with a stunned expression, having not seen that coming, "You want to leave already?"

Islinda bit the inside of her cheek, conflicted. She did not want to return to that hell called home, but spend more time with Valerie. But she made a promise to Eli, she needed to know that he was okay.

"You said that your family chased you away, yet you want to go back to them? What if they do worse this time? I barely saved your life, Islinda. "

"A child lives with me and I’m responsible for him. If I have been out for two days, then Eli must be looking for me. I need to get back to him, at least know that he’s okay." She tried to sidestep him but Valerie grabbed her arm and halted her move once more.

"Then stay for today. You can leave tomorrow. Moreover, you need the rest and I need to learn that you’re okay and would not react adversely to the Fae magic used to treat you. How do you think you’re able to move your hands and feet without damaged nerves?"

Islinda stared down at her hands at his words. Earlier, she put on the boot she noticed at the bedside and stepped out. With how snugly it fit her, it was almost as if Valerie made it for her.

"I didn’t know," She muttered under her breath, feeling foolish. Valerie must think she’s ungrateful considering she hasn’t thanked him for saving her life.

"It’s alright," He took her hand and caressed the top of her palm, "The child you speak of should be safe, humans don’t kill their children. It’s time you start thinking about yourself, Islinda."

Islinda gave him a weak smile. Valerie did not know the history of her family and what Madam Alice was capable of, but he was right at the same time. The woman wouldn’t hurt Eli for fear of incurring the villagers’s wrath. Also, Remy seems to genuinely care for the boy, hopefully, her feelings aren’t a pretense and she would care for Eli in her absence.

She imagined Eli crying and missing his big sister. But it would not be for long now and she would be back for him. Valerie was right, she needed to live a little. Islinda wanted to spend time with Valerie knowing an opportunity like this one might not arise again. It would be just the two of them. No worries. No distractions. freёwebnoѵel.com

"I’ll stay," She gave in and his amber eyes lit up.

His lips turned up, "Come, you need your bathe and I happen to chance upon a spring in the woods. It’s so hidden and isolated within the forest I doubt any human has discovered it."

At the mention of spring water, Islinda’s interest was piqued. It annoyed her slightly that she hadn’t been the one to stumble upon the discovery first. But no one was stupid enough to stumble deeper into the woods, especially beyond the cottage. It was a landmark for a reason. Well, except her. Not that she would repeat it. Islinda risked her life that day and was lucky enough to escape with her life. Instead, Fate smiled at her and brought Valerie into her life.

Lucky her.

"Get on." Valerie knelt before her and she arched a brow at his action.

"Excuse me? What are you doing?"

"Get on," He said, tapping his back, "Your short legs would not get us there any faster."

She scowled at him.

"I’m merely saying I’m faster," Valerie tugged her hand, coaxing her onto his back and she reluctantly obeyed him.

Valerie pushed up to his feet and she wrapped her arms around his neck, anchoring herself to him as he piggybacked her.

Islinda buried her face in his neck and asked timidly, "Do I weigh a ton?"

"Yes," Valerie said dramatically, "I feel my waist is about to split into two,"

And for a moment there, Islinda almost believed him until he was unable to keep up with his straight face and burst into laughter, ruining his plans.

"Seriously?" She hit him on the back, yet still smiled at his antics.

"Trust me, Fae creatures are stronger than humans and I don’t feel your weight at all." He sounded

Islinda rolled her eyes, "I’m so jealous."

"Don’t be." Valerie sounded serious all of a sudden, "Don’t envy me at all. You might not know this but your humanity is a charm. The world of the Fae is often brutal and selfish. Moreover..." He glanced over his shoulder, "It feels good to know that I can protect you."

"Your ego is huge enough to build a bridge from my realm to your realm," Islinda teased Valerie, pinching him on the cheek playfully. If only she knew that he was a Fae prince and the likes of her would never get the chance to be involved with him till the end of her fragile human life.

He laughed in response and the sound alone was music to her soul. She was falling deeper for him and while it scared her, Islinda embraced every minute together.

They were just about to leave when she noticed a dead squirrel by the side and asked, "What is that?"

"Oh, that? You didn’t have anything to eat for the past two days and I thought to hunt food for you."

At the mention of food, Islinda’s stomach grumbled. She had been distracted enough and didn’t think about food until now.

"I’ll bathe first. I can’t stand the stink." Islinda said while trying to push away the guilt in her chest.

She had assumed Valerie was angry and left her alone when he had gone to hunt food for her. As a hunter, Islinda knew he must have walked deeper into the woods to stumble upon the animal in this cold season.

Islinda was so touched that a tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it with the back of her hand before he saw it. No one has been this kind to her except her father. For that reason, she would not let go of Valerie. He has won her heart fair and square.

"Let’s go," Valerie told her and took off.

The Fae has stolen the whole of her heart.