Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 827

Chapter 827: Family Meeting With Aldric —2

For the umpteenth time in her life, Islinda was grateful that Queen Maeve couldn’t summon her power with just a look; otherwise, they’d be reduced to a smoldering heap by now.

And by "they," she meant herself and Aldric. He wasn’t making things any easier. Of all the seats in the room, Aldric had deliberately chosen the one directly across from Queen Maeve, where he sat grinning at her tauntingly.

The gods help me, Islinda thought, face-palming inwardly. Sometimes she wondered if she was dating a centuries-old Fae or a child. Aldric was unbelievable.

It wasn’t just Queen Maeve who was eyeing them. Everyone in the chamber seemed to be focused on them, as if a spotlight had been fixed on their presence.

When Islinda’s gaze connected with Valerie’s, his eyes were blank and devoid of emotion, yet his stare was so piercing it made her uncomfortable. They hadn’t spoken in a while, and she had a feeling her new identity as Aldric’s mate had shifted their relationship. He probably hated her now as much as he hated Aldric.

Bastard. To think she ever dated him. What had she even seen in him in the past?

His sexy Fae body? A voice bitched inside of her.

Fuck off. Islinda retorted in her head.

Yes, she admitted that Valerie looked good and it might have even been lust, not love as she had done. But none of those physiques could compare to Aldric’s. Her mate had it all. And more — not to sound so cocky.

Unlike Valerie, Andre’s expression was filled with guilt and remorse. When their eyes met, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but Islinda quickly turned away, her face reddening from a mixture of embarrassment and anger. She had trusted him, taken him as a friend, yet he’d tried to force her into marrying him. What kind of friend does that? Besides, this wasn’t the place to talk about such things.

Theodore, just like his mother, looked at her with curiosity, as if seeing her in a new light—as if she finally had value and was worthy of his attention. Queen Nirvana, however, assessed her with a cunning glint in her eyes, making Islinda’s frown deepen. She had never trusted the queen and never would.

"Now that everybody is here—"

"I will not be a part of this meeting," Queen Maeve interrupted Oberon, rising to her feet with regal authority. "Since you’ve decided to disgrace this family, do it in my absence."

She made to leave, but King Oberon’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Sit down, Maeve."

Queen Maeve shot him a defiant look. "I am not—"

"SIT YOUR ASS DOWN, MAEVE!" King Oberon snarled, his voice layered with such intense authority that it felt almost physical.

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