The worst way to wake up from a nightmare would be to find yourself completely drenched, from head to toe, as if you had been submerged in water. And to make matters worse, the entire bathroom was filled with steam, making it impossible to see anything.
Once visibility finally returned, Islinda let out a blood-curdling scream as she laid eyes on Theodore and Andre, and a terrible thought crossed her mind. Had both brothers conspired against her and assaulted her? Was that why she felt like she had been run over by a carriage?
In the midst of her screams, Islinda seized the opportunity to hurl anything she could get her hands on at them, although there wasn’t much within reach.
"Islinda, stop!" Andre called out, narrowly dodging the bucket she had thrown at them.
"What did you do to me?!"
"Nothing! I swear it!" Andre pleaded.
"Then why am I wet... and by the gods!" Islinda screeched, crossing her arms over her chest and realizing the water had made her clothing translucent. Her nipples were hardened from the now cold water, and anyone with decent eyesight could see them, not to mention the Fae, who had perfect vision.
Theodore rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. Don’t act like such a prude. You’re not the only female with breasts. I’ve seen a lot of them in my centuries of existence, yours is not special at all. " he proudly declared.
Andre shot him a warning look, his smile fading instantly. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet and muttered under his breath, "That wasn’t helpful at all."
Islinda fixed her gaze on Theodore, particularly. The last time they had met, he had tried to kill her, and he had never hidden his disdain for her ever since.
"Listen to me, Islinda," Andre said, drawing her attention. "I know you’re confused, but we can explain. Something happened, and we had no choice but to put you in here... to cool down."
Theodore scoffed. "Is that how we’re phrasing it, brother? Because if we hadn’t, that bitch would have set the whole palace on fire."
"Watch your language, brother," Andre warned.
"I don’t care," Theodore retorted. He then faced Islinda, sending her a chilling look. Theodore raised his hand. "Look at this," he instructed.
Islinda examined his palm but saw nothing. "Am I supposed to see something?" she asked, just to be sure.
Theodore threw his head back and erupted in boisterous laughter. "You think this is funny?"
"I don’t understand," Islinda admitted, feeling even more perplexed.
Andre decided to interject. "Maybe, brother, we should give her some time--"
"Hasn’t anyone told you that the Spring Court and Fire don’t mix? It’s our worst nightmare. And yet, I had to lend a hand to help you... calm down," Theodore said, his disgust evident in his curled lips. "Well, now that I know you’re not exactly human, let’s hope you don’t manifest that trick around me, freak," he spat.
"Enough of that," Andre approached him and started pulling him away. Islinda stood there, feeling confused and humiliated. How did Theodore know she wasn’t human? Andre wouldn’t have told him, right? They had made a deal. What had happened while she was asleep?
Andre dragged Theodore out of the bathroom, leaving Islinda alone. There was nothing but silence for the next few moments, and she began to shiver from the cold. How long had she been soaking in that bathtub?
Before Andre could answer, Theodore beat him to it. "You," he pointed at her, "happened."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Mated To The Cruel Prince