With a keen awareness of Derek’s intentions, Islinda braced herself as he made his move. As his hand extended towards her, ostensibly to inspect the wound, she swiftly intercepted his hand with her good hand, preventing his grasp.
Derek met her gaze, surprised at her quick reflex. With resignation settling over her, Islinda acknowledged that Valerie and Derek were now on her trail, and their suspicions ignited. Now she stood at a crossroads.
She could either confirm their suspicions, potentially exposing herself, or she could employ intimidation tactics to dissuade them from further probing. Perhaps, she thought, a combination of both strategies would be necessary to ensure they left her alone.
Islinda was done playing.
"You...." Derek frowned now when he sensed Islinda’s grip tightened and he was unable to pull away from her grasp.
A flicker of surprise mingled with fear briefly crossed his expression before he quickly masked it, his training as a soldier kicking in to maintain composure.
Islinda found out that she was able to draw out her supernatural strength when her emotions ran high and right now, she was pissed. If Valerie was curious about her identity, he could have asked, not ordered his second in command to pull such an underhanded method. Not that she would have told him anyway, her trust in the summer prince was quickly fading away.
"Why won’t you continue that speech? Cat got your tongue." Islinda’s taunt dripped with venom as she stared Derek down, a sinister smile playing on her lips. With a calculated move, she applied just enough pressure to his hand to inflict pain without causing permanent damage, testing his resilience. Yet, despite the discomfort, Derek remained stoic, his lips pressed tightly together as he refused to give her the satisfaction of hearing him cry out.
"Islinda?" Gabbi hesitantly called out her name, a trace of fear laced her voice, triggering a sense of déjà vu. Memories of the Incident at Safe Raven flooded Gabbi’s mind, casting a shadow of apprehension over the present moment. Islinda’s demeanor seemed transformed, evoking a sense of unease in Gabbi’s heart.
With a steely resolve, Islinda leaned forward, her voice a mere whisper as she delivered a chilling warning directly into Derek’s ears. "Don’t. Ever. Touch. Me. Again."
In response, Islinda flung Derek’s arm away with force, releasing him from her grip. Derek fought the urge to let out a relieved breath as Islinda turned away, leaving him behind. However, a deep frown creased his brow, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Contrary to Islinda’s expectations, her actions only proved one thing to Derek: Islinda was not human. He had felt her strength. The way she had grabbed him, it was embarrassing to admit but he hasn’t been able to release himself. That must have been the way the Fae guard must have felt before she beat the life out of him.
face.
Derek could take the result to Valerie right away, but he needed more details. Valerie would never take his word until he had proof. Proof he would have gotten except Islinda sensed his plan. She was smarter than he gave her credit for. However, his duty was Prince Valerie and Islinda seemed like a threat and he can’t have the both of them together anymore.
"F-fuck," Islinda muttered under her breath, her voice trembling with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
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