Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67: I’ll Be Back For You

"The ale is on me tonight, Islinda!" A hunter announced, lifting his tankard in the air so the others joined him and there was a raucous celebration.

Islinda had no choice but to give out a smile that did not touch her eyes, lifting her pint glass, cheering with the people and there was more drinking.

One would think that after such a stressful day that Islinda would be left alone to deal with her emotions, but the reversal was the case. She was displayed around the village instead like some trophy. Islinda might as well have become a celebrity because everyone wanted to touch or confirm that she was alive.

From what she learned from all the stories being fed to her all day, Madam Alice and her daughters came under severe backlash for sending her away. Over the years, the village had endured the woman’s brash and obnoxious attitude until the incident. Yeah, the village didn’t react till she was dead, or so they assumed.

However, what shocked Islinda the most was Ryder’s death. She had a tight knot in her stomach the instant it was mentioned that a wild animal attacked him on his way back home, drunk out of his mind.

It was the work of a Fae, that was the first thought that crossed Islinda’s active mind. How was it a coincidence that Ryder was killed barely a day after she was chased away from home? But it couldn’t be Valerie’s handwork. She only told him what happened when she woke from her sleep, which was two days after the incident.

In that case, who killed Ryder? Was it really a wild animal - which wasn’t uncommon - or was there more than one Fae in their village? Had Valerie been the only Fae to cross over to the human realm? If that’s the case, why kill Ryder though? She and this Fae have never met before. Or have they?

The thought of another Fae should scare her, but Islinda was more relieved Ryder was gone, eliminating one problem from her list. There were a lot of things on her mind. But the most important question was, how did the news of a Fae living in the cottage spread in the village? This was no coincidence. Islinda knew she had been careful. Something did not add up.

Islinda had asked around about the rumor and while her investigation seemed to progress at first, she came to a dead end. Just like every typical rumor, everything was exaggerated and no one seemed to know who had started it. On the bright side, the village no longer believed a Fae was around to threaten them, all thanks to her cover-up.

Instead, Islinda was now a brave warrior who had stayed in the abandoned cottage for days all by herself and made history - that the men of her village couldn’t. She was fearless and the young one idolized her now. There was no doubt a few reckless ones would be risking it to the cottage pretty soon. Hopefully, a real Fae doesn’t appear and fulfills their worst nightmare.

If only they knew their fearless warrior was broken on the inside. Islinda had been swept away by the events of the day that she had no time to think about Valerie, but night had fallen and with the alcohol taking apart her defenses bit by bit, the memories and sense of loss returned, beginning to suffocate her.

Yet, she refused to show the pain she carried on the inside, choosing to drown herself with more drinks which the people were willing to provide for her without charge. Tonight was for her, they had said. Nor did Islinda need to return home either, they provided boarding for her. Free boarding.

The music was loud and all around her was laughter and drinking - and flirting. Female entertainment was abundant and the hunters had taken advantage of the celebration to go all out. Not that Islinda was interested. Even with all the people surrounding her, Islinda was alone.

A lot of men had approached her tonight, and when they weren’t asking for a dance, they outrightly flirted with her. But she turned them all down. The thought of laughing and responding to advances from other men with Valerie away made her sick to the stomach. She did not get to say goodbye to him, that paid her most.

"Not even the drink is helping," Islinda muttered in disappointment, slamming the glass down on the table.

She wanted to forget Valerie, at least for tonight, and deal with the emotion tomorrow, but it was not working. Instead, the tightening in her chest increased and she couldn’t breathe. Islinda needed to take off the clothes and see if she could breathe a little - the same clothes he claimed to have stolen righteously, the memories tormented her.

She staggered up to her feet, drawing attention when she stood and began to make her way out of the pub.

"Where are you going, Islinda? The celebration is still not over," One of the men hollered at her, obviously drunk out of his mind.

"Thank you but I think I’ll go in for the night," She said and gave a little ungraceful bow thanks to the alcohol taking effect in her body and left.

The room was on the first floor and she walked into a simple yet comfortable space. The room was two times better than the rat hole she lived in back home. Without a word, Islinda took off her boot and laid down on the soft bed to sleep.

It just never came.

Eli was fine as she had been told. Perhaps, if she hadn’t come back for the boy, she and Valerie would have left together.... And then what? Islinda had no idea how the Fae realm worked and while Valerie was kind to her, it didn’t mean others would be the same. Moreover, what about Eli? She made a promise to unite him with his parents, would she abandon him too?

"I don’t know...." Islinda choked out.

When she had seen the cottage raided by the hunters and no sign of Valerie, it had taken her everything to hold herself together and not break down in front of the hunters. Now that she was alone, the despair took over. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

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