One problem was averted, but then came the other. Where was she going to sit?
Aldric sat all alone at the head table, the seat behind him empty, but Islinda didn’t know if she could take that without him trying to blow her head off. He still hadn’t looked at her since that scene earlier and that made her nervous about her decision.
Theodore sat three seats away from him and for someone who looked like he would murder her with his gaze alone hours ago, his gaze implored her to come sit with him.
No, Islinda turned him down by looking away. The Fae looked like he was emotionally unstable and she didn’t know how to behave around him. At least even as sullen as Aldric was, keeping her alive was his priority.
And there was Andre. No, Islinda did not consider him. If earlier was a taste of what he could do, then she would be a fool to sit by him, asking for more. Moreover, she wouldn’t know what Aldric would do next.
So Islinda took the risk and sat down beside the dark prince. He did not talk to her, rather spared her a look before turning away, but Islinda could have sworn she saw a ghost of a smile on his lips.
"What a disappointment," Theodore did not bother to hide the fact he was displeased with her choice.
"Do not fault her, brother, after all, she now belongs to Aldric even though she holds affection for our brother, Valerie. Isn’t that so, Aldric?" Andre asked intentionally, his gaze boring into his brother’s.
Aldric goblet halted in midair as their eyes clashed and they stared each other down.
"You are quite nosy, brother," Aldric chuckled mirthlessly, being the first to take his eyes off. He drank his wine thoughtfully.
"Of course, I’m curious about the affairs of my baby brother. After all, we wouldn’t want a repeat of that incident right?"
Islinda sensed Aldric stiffen beside her at those words and she knew instinctively she was missing out on something. There was a story she was unaware of and her interest was piqued.
Aldric rigidly lowered his goblet onto the table, "There is only so much my courtesy goes, brother, I advise you to tread carefully," There was a threat in his voice.
"Is that why you picked her?" Andre discussed her as if she weren’t even present, "As vengeance against Valerie, are you returning the favor?"
Islinda frowned, what does Andre mean by returning the favor? What did Valerie do? What is she unaware of?
Aldric burst into laughter, "You think I brought her all the way here for that? That’s a relief then. I thought you knew too much and I would have to negotiate with you at a great cost. But in case it pleases you to know, they found each other, I didn’t plant her."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Mated To The Cruel Prince