Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 881: Surrender

Islinda thought she could bear it, but she couldn’t. Watching Aldric struggle in the arena, her heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. The battle had barely begun, yet Aldric was already at a disadvantage, and Valerie’s power seemed to grow stronger with every passing second.

"He’s not going to make it!" she cried out, furiously wiping at the tears gathering in her eyes. "He promised me... but he’s not going to make it."

Issac, standing beside her, said nothing. He simply gathered her into his arms, holding her tight. Unlike Islinda, Issac believed in Aldric. He trusted that the dark Fae prince would pull through. After all, this was Aldric they were talking about here. He had faced impossible odds before.

"Come on, come on, Aldric. Tell me you have a plan..." Issac muttered under his breath, eyes fixed on Aldric, who was already rising to his feet.

Aldric spat blood from his mouth, fury darkening his expression. He had underestimated Valerie, and the fool thought he had him beat. But Aldric would prove otherwise. He wasn’t weak. No, he was far from it.

Valerie, still soaking in the crowd’s cheers, turned toward Aldric with a crooked smile, certain of his victory. But Aldric’s blood was boiling, and the anger coursing through him pushed him to act. Without warning, Aldric charged at Valerie, his movements fueled by rage. Valerie rushed toward him, flames crackling around his fists.

Just as they were about to clash again, Aldric made his move. He froze the ground beneath Valerie’s feet, trapping his opponent mid-step and preventing him from casting his flames. Valerie’s smirk faltered, his hand frozen before he could summon his fire. Aldric didn’t hesitate; he glided across the frozen ground, closing the distance between them with ease.

Aldric’s fist connected with Valerie’s face, each punch filled with personal vengeance. This was for touching his mate, for kissing Islinda. The blows were brutal, rapid, and precise.

Valerie barely had time to react as Aldric unleashed his fury. The final punch was an uppercut so powerful it lifted Valerie off his feet, blood spraying from his lips as he crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, groaning in pain.

The arena erupted, but this time it was the Winter Faeries who cheered. Their prince had struck back. The Summer Fae’s faces twisted with shock and disbelief, their earlier confidence shattered.

Islinda exhaled sharply, her chest loosening just a little. Relief washed over her, though she knew the battle was far from over. Still, this was something. Aldric wasn’t defeated yet, and his display of strength gave her a glimmer of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, Aldric could win this after all.

When Valerie stood up, his face was a mask of rage, his chest heaving with labored breaths. He spat out blood, the metallic taste fueling his fury. His fists clenched, knuckles turning white.

Playtime was over. This was it—the moment he’d been waiting for. It was time to get rid of Aldric, once and for all. He couldn’t waste this opportunity, not when victory was within his grasp.

Valerie and Aldric clashed again, their weapons ringing out with a brutal force that made the audience collectively hold their breath. It was a savage fight, one that no one could easily predict.

They moved with such speed and fury that it was almost impossible to tell who was gaining the upper hand. Blood spattered across the arena, and both princes bore the marks of a vicious battle. But as the moments dragged on, it became painfully clear that Valerie was winning. The both of them had injuries all over their body, but Aldric seemed to have it worse and that affected his performance.

With a powerful swing, Valerie struck Aldric hard across the face, sending him stumbling back. Aldric retaliated, lifting his fist to deliver another punch, but Valerie was faster. He grabbed Aldric’s wrist mid-air and, with a sickening twist, snapped the bones. Aldric let out a sharp cry of pain, and the crowd gasped in horror.

Valerie wasn’t finished. He grabbed Aldric by the throat and forced him down to the ground. Aldric struggled, but his strength was waning. Valerie’s grip tightened, and with a swift, merciless motion, he shattered Aldric’s leg, the crack of bone audible even over the roaring crowd.

"Aldric!" Islinda’s scream tore through the air as she shot out of her seat. Her heart pounded in her chest, panic flooding her veins. She made to run toward the arena, but Isaac grabbed her, pulling her back before she could do something reckless.

"No, no, no! Don’t!" she screamed, her voice raw with desperation. "Valerie, stop! Don’t!"

Valerie’s cold eyes flicked toward her, and a twisted smile curled across his lips. It was as if he were saying,

See? I told you. You will be mine. He leaned close to Aldric, his voice dripping with malice. "See how your mate weeps for you?" he taunted. "But don’t worry, Aldric. I’ll take good care of her."

With that, Valerie raised his hand, flames bursting from his palm, and hurled a stream of fire toward Aldric. Aldric, though bloodied and beaten, summoned the last of his strength, calling on his ice to block the flames.

For a moment, the cold of winter met the scorching heat of summer, the two elements battling for dominance. But Valerie’s fire burned hotter, brighter, and it was clear that Aldric’s ice was losing ground. The flames crept closer and closer, inching toward Aldric’s trembling hand.

Islinda screamed his name, her voice breaking with every cry. She couldn’t bear it. Her mate was about to be killed right in front of her, and she was powerless to stop it. The arena was tense, every fae on the edge of their seat, transfixed by the sight of the infamous dark Fae prince being overpowered by Valerie’s blazing fury.

Just as the flames seemed to engulf Aldric, a desperate shout rang out, cutting through the chaos.

"I surrender!" Aldric’s voice was hoarse as he shouted. "I retreat!"

A stunned silence fell over the arena.