Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 889: Poisoned

Aldric and Azula lay on the ground, still catching their breath, their eyes locked in a knowing, smoldering gaze. There was an undeniable pull between them, a raw, magnetic force that neither could ignore.

Aldric felt it too, that pull, an irresistible bond that made it difficult to think of anything but her. Azula, biting down on her lower lip, looked just as hungry. Though she had fed earlier, that had been nothing more than a tease—an appetizer. Aldric had jump started her heart, brought her back from the brink, and now, with him so close, the urge to take more was overwhelming.

The mate bond tugged at Aldric, urging him to lean in. His gaze flickered down to her lips, and without hesitation, he closed the distance between them, their mouths colliding in a heated kiss.

He moaned softly, the sound vibrating against her lips as they kissed with an intensity that threatened to consume them both. They threw caution to the wind, giving in to the bond between them, the outside world forgotten.

Azula’s hands roamed over his back, pulling him closer, as Aldric’s grip tightened on her waist. This time, there was no restraint, no hesitation. It was as though they were the only two beings left in existence, and the bond between them demanded to be sated. They might have taken things further right there if it hadn’t been for a familiar voice cutting through the moment.

"I didn’t know live porn was this hot."

Andre’s teasing tone pierced the air, startling Aldric out of his trance. He looked up, his chest still heaving from the intensity of the moment, and bared his teeth in a dangerous snarl. The sight of Andre standing there, having clearly witnessed their intimate moment, set off his protective instincts. Mates were naturally territorial, and Aldric didn’t appreciate the intrusion. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Andre, always quick to read the room, raised his hands in mock surrender and took a cautious step back.

"Easy there, brother. She’s all yours," he said, his tone light but cautious, clearly knowing he’d pushed too far.

Azula’s eyes flicked between the two brothers, watching carefully. The tension in Aldric’s body gradually eased, his shoulders relaxing as Andre made no further move to set him off.

Aldric’s gaze then shifted back to Azula, and though the moment had been interrupted, the bond between them still thrummed with energy. He ran a thumb along her cheek, his touch gentle but possessive.

Andre announced when they made no move. "Well, as much as I would love to pretend I didn’t see anything and leave you two lovebirds alone. We have a situation. Valerie is back."

Aldric frowned when he remembered his lovely brother. Great. Then his focus shifted back to Azula once more. The interruption had quelled the fire between them, but the connection lingered, electric and strong. They shared one more lingering look, knowing that this was only the beginning.

"Next time," he murmured, his voice low and full of promise. "No interruptions."

Azula smirked. "I’ll hold you to that."

When Azula stood up, Andre instinctively stepped back. His eyes widened slightly, catching the sight of her blackened, soulless gaze. He had never forgotten how Azula had manipulated him during their last encounter. The memory of that trauma was fresh in his mind.

Azula’s eyes shifted, and just as quickly, Islinda was back. She let out a heavy sigh, brushing off the dirt from her clothes.

"That’s something I’ll have to get used to," Islinda muttered, shaking her head. This time, unlike before, she knew Azula had been in control.

The deal with Aldric had brought significant changes. No longer was Azula using her body for nefarious purposes without her knowledge. Islinda had been aware of the shift, had allowed it, and yet it still felt strange.

She turned toward Aldric, her expression softening. "Are you okay?"

Aldric gave her a nod. "I’m fine," he reassured, though his voice carried a hint of exhaustion.

Andre interrupted their quiet exchange. "We need to get back to the others. Also who knows what Valerie is up to now." he said with a sarcastic edge, his distaste for their brother evident.

The open battlefield was dangerous, especially after the brutal fight they had just endured. Being cut off from the rest of the group made them vulnerable, and they needed to regroup quickly incase another attack came.

Together, Aldric, Islinda, and Andre made their way back, moving swiftly through the ruins of the arena.

When they arrived, they found Theodore already confronting Valerie. Tension crackled in the air between the two of them.

"Where the hell were you when we needed you?" Theodore’s voice was sharp, and his eyes burned with anger.

Valerie growled, folding his arms defensively. "I went to bring reinforcements! Someone had to! You should be thanking me for finding a way out."

"You couldn’t have fought with us?" Aldric snarled, joining in. His disdain for Valerie had only grown, and now, standing here after nearly losing everything, his patience was thin.

"What good would that have done?" Valerie shot back, his voice rising in frustration. "We didn’t need all of us in one place. I knew you, Aldric, and the general could handle the battle here. Someone had to think ahead."

Aldric’s lip curled in disgust. Valerie’s words might have sounded reasonable, but deep down, they rang hollow. It was cowardice disguised as strategy.

Before the argument could escalate further, Islinda’s eyes widened as a strange feeling washed over her. Her senses flared with warning. "Look out!" she screamed.

But it was too late.

A spear came hurtling through the air, lodging itself deep into King Oberon’s side. Chaos erupted instantly as the king crumpled to the ground, gasping in pain. The sound of his fall sent a shockwave of panic through everyone present.

"No!" Aldric roared, his rage blinding him as he turned toward the ogre responsible.

The beast had hidden in the rubble, waiting for a final chance to strike. Without hesitation, Aldric lunged at the creature, his fury manifesting in raw, brutal violence. He tore the ogre apart with his bare hands, not stopping until its body was reduced to a pile of mangled flesh.

Meanwhile, Theodore was already at his father’s side, kneeling beside him. His hands trembled as he pulled the spear from Oberon’s side, tossing it aside. Blood poured from the wound, and Theodore immediately began to channel healing magic into the king, but his efforts seemed in vain.

"It’s not working," Theodore whispered, panic lacing his voice. "I think he’s poisoned."

Valerie stepped forward, his face ashen. "We need to use the medallion. We have to get Father to the palace. It’s the only place he can be saved."

Aldric growled, still bristling at the thought of taking orders from Valerie. But the situation was dire, and the need to act quickly was undeniable.

"Fine," he muttered, wiping the blood from his hands. "The general and I will hunt down the remaining monsters in the city."

Valerie nodded, giving orders to the others. "Take the king to the palace. Everyone else, gather the people and get them there too. The palace has the strongest barriers. It’s the safest place for now."

The Faeries and witches who had survived the battle quickly moved into action, eager to follow Valerie’s command. The natural barrier surrounding the palace had kept it free from the onslaught of monsters, making it the last sanctuary in the city.

As the group began to disperse, Aldric turned to Islinda with a firm expression. "You’re going to the palace," he said with a tone that left little room for argument. "It’s safer there."

Islinda raised an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest. "You expect me to hide away while you go off to hunt down the rest of those monsters?" she asked, her voice calm but defiant. "Aldric, I’ve held my own in this battle. I’m not some damsel that needs to be locked away."

Aldric’s jaw tightened, and he stepped closer to her, his frustration barely contained. "It’s not about you being a damsel. It’s about keeping you safe. I just found you—found us—and I’m not risking losing you again. You’ve done enough for today."

Islinda’s eyes flashed with stubbornness. "I saved all of our asses out there, Aldric. That storm I summoned took out more enemies than anyone else. You can’t seriously expect me to stand down now."

Before Aldric could reply, the general, standing nearby, stepped into the conversation. "She has a point, Aldric. Islinda’s power was crucial in taking down those monsters. We could use her out here."

Aldric glared at the general for a moment before turning back to Islinda. His protective instincts flared even more now that someone else was backing her up. But deep down, he knew they were right. Islinda had proven herself in battle, and denying that would be foolish. Still, the thought of her taking more risks made his chest tighten with worry.

He sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. "Fine," he finally relented, his voice filled with reluctance. "But no more reckless risks. No matter what happens, stick close to me, get it?"

Islinda shrugged casually, a small smile playing on her lips. "Don’t worry. I’m not Azula."

Except Aldric didn’t trust those words. Islinda and Azula were one after all.