Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 918: New Brother-in-law

Zal’therak made it clear to Islinda that she would not be leaving the Tamry Forest, especially not that night.

At first, the decision had enraged Islinda. She had stormed through the crumbling village paths, cursing under her breath and feeling trapped like a caged bird. But as her anger cooled down and logic set in, she realized how foolish her outburst had been.

She had come here as a diplomat, her mission being to prevent a war that could destroy the Fae realm. Letting her emotions dictate her actions wouldn’t help anyone, especially not the faeries. She had a role to play, and she couldn’t let personal grudges, not even against Fayre, cloud her judgment.

Islinda’s heart hardened at the thought of her mother, Fayre. Or at least, the woman who had once been her mother. Fayre had chosen to abandon her, to remain in hiding for years while she grew up thinking she was dead. Hence that Chapter was closed. Her mother had died when she was a child. She didn’t know this Fayre, and she wasn’t going to let her meddle in her life now.

That night, Islinda lay on the makeshift bed in her mudhouse quarters, tossing and turning, unable to find peace. The distress within her was too great, her thoughts racing with the unresolved emotions and frustrations. She stared at the thatched ceiling, her body restless even though she was honestly exhausted.

At that point, Islinda knew she was not getting any sleep that night. Or so she thought. Without warning, a strange heaviness settled over her. Her limbs grew heavy, her breathing slowed, and her eyelids fluttered shut. Before Islinda knew it, the sleep claimed her with an unnatural force.

And it was then that it happened.

Islinda found out that she was no longer in the Tamry Forest but stood in what was obviously a dreamscape. And there he was, making her heart leap at the sight.

"Aldric!" Islinda cried out, her voice trembling with emotion as she ran toward him.

Aldric’s face lit up, his giddy smile more beautiful than she ever remembered. His arms opened wide, and as soon as she reached him, they closed around her in a tight embrace. Aldric held her as if she were his entire world, never letting go.

Islinda buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent, feeling the strong beating of his heart that matched her own. Tears pricked at her eyes as she began to murmur, "I’m so sorry.... I’m sorry ..."

"Shhh, it’s alright... " Aldric whispered, holding her protectively. He no longer cared that he had been burning with fury at her decision and had actually thought of ways of tying her to his side and making sure she never left again. No, it didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered was that she was safe and in his arms.

Islinda looked up and Aldric cupped her face with his warm hands, clearing away the tears that slipped down, the mere contact sending waves of comfort and love through her. Without hesitation, he bent down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Islinda responded instantly, her fingers threading through his hair as she poured every ounce of longing and love into the kiss.

Although it was a dream, everything felt real to the point that Islinda could feel the warmth of his lips, the strength of his arms wrapped around her, and the electric pull of the mate bond between them. Her chest tightened with emotions, the joy of being reunited overwhelming her. The bond which tethered their souls flared brightly at having them together once more, even that fleeting moment. Islinda felt whole again.

When they finally pulled away from the kiss, Aldric rested his forehead against Islinda’s, their breaths mingling together. But suddenly, his eyes widened as if remembering something crucial. His gaze turned frantic, and he placed a hand gently but firmly on her belly.

"Our child," he whispered, his voice tight with fear. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" His eyes flashed dangerously, the mate bond amplifying his emotions to a near feral intensity. "If they laid even a finger on either of you, I swear, I’ll kill every last one of them!"

Islinda quickly placed her hands over his, trying to calm him down. "No, Aldric, stop. I’m fine. The wraith king has treated me well. No one has harmed me or our child." she assured him.

Aldric’s jaw tightened, but her words seemed to pacify him. For the moment.

He cupped her cheeks, his thumbs brushing lightly against her skin as he looked into her eyes with unwavering determination. "I’m coming to get you back. That wraith king or whatever he thinks he is will regret the day he took you hostage!"

Oh fuck.

Islinda’s stomach churned. She could already see Aldric storming into the Tamry Forest and unleashing chaos.

"No, you can’t!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp with urgency.

Aldric’s brows furrowed, confusion and frustration written all over his face. "What do you mean, no? Don’t tell me you actually want to stay here." His gaze scanned her face and body language, trying to decipher her intentions. "Are you kidding me right now?"

"No, that’s not it..." Islinda sighed heavily, knowing she had no choice but to tell him the truth. "You can’t do anything reckless because... he’s my brother. Half-brother, to be precise."

Aldric’s expression shifted from confusion to sheer disbelief. "Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to give me a reason not to destroy those monsters?"

Islinda rolled her eyes, reaching for his hands. "No, Aldric. Just listen to me."

At once, Islinda launched into the story, explaining how Fayre was still alive, and how Zal’therak was her Half-brother and the wraith king. Aldric listened silently, his eyes narrowing at certain points, but one thing was obvious, his disbelief remained clear.

By the time she finished, Aldric’s jaw hung slightly open. "Why would anyone...?" He trailed off, still struggling to comprehend the situation.

"Yeah, I know," Islinda replied dryly, crossing her arms. "Been there."

Taking a deep breath, Islinda added, "Aldric, Zal’therak has good intentions for his people. You should see this place, it’s not livable at all. He just wants to meet you, to talk. Please, just give him a chance."

For a long moment, Aldric was silent, his expression unreadable. Then he finally spoke. "Fine. We’ll see how it goes. But I’m guessing this means I can’t storm in tomorrow like your prince charming and rescue you?" He smirked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Islinda laughed softly, leaning into him. "Unless it’s for talks, you’d only be starting a war. And besides," she teased, "who said I was a princess in distress?" She kissed him slowly this time, as if she had all the time in the world.

But then, while Aldric and Islinda were busy having a good time in the dreamworld, in the waking world, things were far less peaceful.

"Why isn’t he waking up?" Issac asked Ava, his blade pointed at Mother Theresa as per Aldric’s instructions.

"Because he doesn’t want to yet," Ava snapped, her arms crossed defensively.

"Or maybe you’ve harmed him and you’re just delaying the inevitable." Issac moved closer to check Aldric’s pulse, but before he could, Aldric’s eyes opened, and he sat up abruptly.

"He clearly doesn’t seem dead to me," Ava said with a sharp edge of sarcasm, glaring at Issac.

Issac ignored her and focused on Aldric. "Did you meet her? Is she okay?"

Aldric got up from the bed. "I did. She’s fine. For now."

Issac nodded. "So what do we do? Do we march into the Tamry Forest?"

Aldric ignored him, stretching his body. By the time he was done with his little exercise, he then said, "There would be no marching into the Tamry forest. Not until I have a little chat with my brother-in-law. King to king."