Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 64: Supposed To Be Dead

The morning came much quicker than Islinda wanted. No, she dreaded the moment she would have to leave Valerie. Perhaps that was why both of them went at it like rabbits last night to the morning. For once, Islinda was grateful she had the herb that prevented pregnancy else she could be with child already.

But even with a few hours of sleep, Islinda was strong on her feet and was simply wary of leaving Valerie. Sure, this was not the last time she would visit him but it strangely felt like one. Perhaps it might have to do with the both of them being together yesterday. Everything had been perfect and gave her a peek at what her future with him could look like. But now that it was time to wake up to reality, it was scary.

"While I love putting on pants, this sure feels weird," Islinda commented as she took in her appearance in the clean masculine clothes he had given her to change into.

To be honest, Islinda could have left an hour ago but she was intentionally procrastinating her departure.

"You look good in everything, Islinda," said Valerie, leaning forward to place a kiss on her forehead.

Islinda sighed, leaning into him and relishing the moment knowing it could be a while before they see each other again.

Valerie was just about to pull away when she wrapped her arms around him and held him firmly. He did not complain and let her be, Islinda laid her head on his chest.

They stood that way for a while until Islinda broke the silence by saying, "Promise me that you would not leave me. That this would not be the last time between us."

Valerie pulled back, staring down at her, "I would not leave you, it’s a promise."

Her heart warmed at his words and she smiled at him, standing on her tiptoes to meet his kiss halfway. Their lips molded against each other perfectly and happiness burst in her heart. She slid her hand into his hair, clenching a fistful of it as he deepened the kiss, their tongues sweeping together and teeth clashing.

It wasn’t until a growl rumbled in his chest and his hands were almost bruising her waist that Islinda returned to the present and ended the kiss before it evolved into something she wasn’t ready for at the moment. She was still sore, so no more.

"Valerie...." She backed away when his lips chased after her, giving him a gentle push on the chest, "It’s time."

There was a bitter-sweet smile on his face but he acknowledged her desire to leave and instead draped the cloak on her body.

"You should take it. I can keep you warm but my powers won’t last forever and this will keep you from the elements."

"Thank you," She put on the cloak properly, her affection for the Fae growing.

Valerie took her shoulder, trailing a caress down her arm and she felt the familiar tingle spread through her body. Islinda was enveloped with warmth courtesy of his power. Although, she was beginning to think he purposely caressed her arm to seduce her - and it was working.

Together, they walked out of the cottage hand in hand and none of them said a word throughout the journey as if afraid to ruin the journey. It wasn’t until a while that Valerie stopped walking and she halted with him.

"I can’t go any further, Islinda. This is the point where we parted ways. Any further and I might be seen by any human roaming around," Valerie reminded her they were no longer in the thick of the forest and approached the clearing.

Islinda swallowed, she was not ready to let go yet, but what choice does she have? Hence she gave him a quick hug and said under her breath,

"Please stay safe."

"I would."

Without a word, Islinda turned and continued the rest of her journey, afraid that her resolution to leave would weaken if she dared stare back at Valerie. She had to remind herself she was going back for Eli, the adorable, sweet child she had promised to reunite with his family.

She followed the familiar track back home aware of Valerie’s gaze on her. The fae was looking out for her and it melted her heart more. Islinda was a hundred sure she loved Valerie. She would just have to tell him the next time they meet.

Thanks to the cloak Valerie gave her, no one was able to recognize Islinda when she arrived at the village. Nor does she want to be noticed. Islinda had a plan and it was to return to the family and leave for good - with Eli.

She would have to be brave this time and face all three of them. Thanks to Madam Alice, she came close to shaking hands with her ancestors in the underworld, what else could she be scared of? They’ve already done their worst.

Islinda bravely knocked on the door when she got home, bracing herself for whoever would answer. But she was in for a big surprise because the door opened on its own with an eerie creak and that was when she realized that no one was home.

Where could they have gone with Eli? Nonetheless, it was a good opportunity for Islinda who thought of another plan as she went into the house and straight to her room. She stooped down and lifted her old rustic bed, propping it against the wall.

Islinda then removed the old clothes she used to cover the hole under her bed, retrieving the box hidden there. The siblings considered her room a rat hole, which it was exactly, except it gave her the chance to hide her money without them finding out.

She took every dime she had saved up and transferred it to her coin purse before putting the bed back in place. But it was not enough and Islinda knew what was missing when her eyes landed on her weapon.

Yes.

With her quiver and bow slung across her shoulder, Islinda left the house. There was only one person who could tell her about the whereabouts of her family, Islinda made a move for the marketplace.

It wasn’t until Islinda arrived at her store of her favorite trader that she pulled down her hood and one should see the look on Belinda’s face when she saw her. frёeωebɳovel.com

"Islinda?" The woman blanched,

"Yes, it is I," Islinda shrugged, wondering why the woman behaved as if she was a ghost.

Belinda took a hesitant step towards her, "How Is this possible?"

"What is impossible?" Islinda chuckled, beginning to find her reaction hilarious. Was this one of her usual shenanigans or what?

"You are supposed to be dead. The Fae should have killed you."

It wasn’t the fact that Belinda mentioned she was supposed to be dead that made the blood drain from Islinda’s face, but that she said the word, "Fae"

"What are you talking about?" Islinda asked seriously, shifting from one foot to the other and finding the sudden tension in the air uncomfortable.

"The hunters assembled to go and hunt down the Fae in the woods who we believed killed you. "

By the gods, no....