Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397: A Dance With Aldric

Islinda felt like an imposter.

She might have dressed in the finest silk and was all dolled up, but her rounded ears would always set her apart, alongside her humanist trait. She did not have the graceful features and lithe forms that made them inhumanly perfect. No matter how hard she tried to blend, she did not belong in this world.

Right now, she was in a hall full of Fae drifting about on the dance floor and adorned in silks, satins, and velvets. There were just so many Fae, an ocean of colors and varieties. There were Fae with less human features and leaned towards their primal form as some possessed horns, tails, or the wood nymphs whose skins were basically bark.

Islinda tried not to be disgusted or frightened considering everyone was beautiful the way they were, but she was still new at this and wasn’t fully inured to their kind. Not to mention, she was grateful to have been involved with a Fae who looked more human. If there was any Fae who deserved horns on the head, it should be Aldric. Not that it would diminish his beauty, if anything, he would look exotic.... The gods help her, what was she thinking again?

Speaking of Aldric, he lingered behind her like a dark cloud and the cacophony of voices echoing across the ballroom faded out as if death himself had made a presence. No, the warmth and joy was sucked straight out of the hall. The temperature dropped as everyone’s eyes were on them and as much as Islinda loved the spotlight, this was a bad one.

Faes were good at wearing masks and experts in disguising their true emotions because the Aldric in front of him was a far cry from the one who had earnestly pleaded for her forgiveness outside. Islinda had thought and thought hard about it, but she just couldn’t understand him.

Sure, he was an asshole but it was as if Aldric didn’t care about his reputation. He relished people thinking the worst of him. He could change, but he doesn’t want to change. As if it wasn’t worth it. He doesn’t want to change for anyone.

The Faeries of Astaria paved the way for Aldric like a wide ocean and the dark Fae prince did not care about their reaction as he located a seat and sat down, crossing his leg over the other. Islinda stopped short. At this point, she had no idea what to do and felt out of place. Should she remain at his side or find her own way? This was a party after all.

Aldric could kill and protect her at the same time. However, moving around could make her easy prey for any unhinged Fae. During their time together, Eli told her that Fae were apex predators, and certain seasons and events made them return to their base form and they hunted humans as sports. Unfortunately, Islinda was at a party full of probably drunk Fae, so yes, even if she died, let it be for a greater purpose.

Hence Islinda had no choice but to pick a seat and reluctantly moved to Aldric’s side, although she put enough space between them. With her arms wrapped across her chest, she scanned the crowd. Now that Aldric had sat down — and was not terrorizing them — the party had resumed in full wind with the gossip and the band blasting unfamiliar songs that were quite pleasing in Islinda’s ears. Although the Fae still gave them wary looks.

However, no matter how thrilling and soothing the song was, Islinda got bored of sitting in a place. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, only she and Aldric sat miserably. Well, not only, Aldric must have ordered a wine because he was sipping one and looked like he was enjoying himself. In one word, she was the only miserable one here.

Islinda let out an exasperated sigh and turned to him, aggrieved, "Why did the queen even bring me here?" To bore her to death?

"To kill you of course," Aldric said cooly, even winking at her before taking a swing of his wine.

The gods help her because Islinda is utterly stunned. How could he be so casual about death? Her death. He knew how dangerous it was bringing her here and yet he did. Aldric did not care about her one bit. Her hands clenched at her side and angry tears stung her eyes, but Islinda refused to cry. It’s not like she had great expectations in the first place.

"I’m bored." She finally voiced her situation.

Aldric looked surprised at her admission but his expression went back to being neutral.

"There’s me as well, sweetness," He grinned, with all of his teeth showing, "But don’t worry, the fun will start soon."

Islinda shivered at his definition of "fun". She knew he had something planned for tonight, but what was it? She had no idea.

But then, she couldn’t take it anymore. Islinda shot up to her feet and snatched the wine from Aldric.

"What the..... "

He was still saying when she downed the whole thing till not a drop was left in the glass.

"Wow," Aldric breathed in astonishment, watching as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

The wine was so good, tasted shockingly good, and went down her throat like silk, but it rushed to her head and now she felt a bit light-headed. She caught Aldric’s smiling face and he said to her, "Do you know little humans, you’re quite sexy when you’re violent."

Islinda glared at him, turning her face the other way when a flush crept up her face.

However, Aldric took that opportunity to snatch the glass from her, saying, "But as much as that was sexy, remember what happened the last time you consumed a lot of Fae wine, you nearly died. So no, I cannot let that happen again."

He handed the empty glass to a passing servant, rejecting a refill.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify