Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 815: Power Over Azula

All eyes were on Islinda and Aldric as they were led down the palace hallways, flanked on all sides by what seemed like a hundred soldiers. It was a sight no one had ever seen before—not even King Oberon, who commanded immense respect and power, had ever walked with such a contingent of guards.

Yet, here they were, escorting Aldric and Islinda as if they were prisoners of the highest order. But for Aldric, the dark Fae prince, the king had deemed it necessary. There cannot be a chance of escape.

As they walked, servants who happened upon them quickly turned away, avoiding eye contact and retreating to the shadows. Those who had no time to flee pressed themselves flat against the walls, giving the pair and their guards a wide berth.

They had their eyes averted, as if making eye contact might bring down Aldric’s wrath upon them. It might have been a comical scene, like a parade of fear and awe, but Aldric was in no mood to laugh. Not with Islinda’s life hanging in the balance.

After what seemed like an eternity, they stopped at a large, ornate door. The captain of the guards, standing ramrod straight, commanded, "Go in."

Aldric did not so much as glance at him. He simply took Islinda’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly, and led her inside. The heavy door swung shut behind them with a resounding thud, sealing them in a gilded cage.

Silence fell, heavy and suffocating.

The room they entered was luxurious, more opulent than anything Islinda had ever seen. Rich tapestries lined the walls, and the furniture was crafted from the finest materials. A large bed, draped in silk, dominated the center of the room.

It was a room meant to impress, perhaps even to comfort, but the opulence did nothing to ease the knot of dread in Islinda’s stomach. She knew without a doubt that they were prisoners in all but name, and that the next few days—or hours—would determine their fate. Her fate.

Aldric sensed her anxiety through the bond that connected them. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close as though his embrace could shield her from the world. Islinda buried her face in his chest,trying to find solace in the steady beat of his heart.

"Don’t worry about a thing," Aldric murmured into her hair, his voice a low rumble. "I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt you. Like I promised, this kingdom is done for if anything happens to you."

Islinda sighed, breathing in his scent, finding it oddly calming. "You’re only one person, Aldric. You can’t kill every single Fae in Astaria."

Aldric growled, his voice full of dark promise. "They should try me and find out. They call me a monster—they’ll see what a monster is truly capable of." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there as if to seal his vow. "I’ll let the world burn and build a paradise from the ruins for you, my little human."

Islinda chuckled softly, lifting her head to meet his gaze. "You do know I’m no longer a human, Aldric. What’s all this fuss about then?"

"I don’t care," Aldric said, reaching out to lift her chin with a crooked finger. His eyes bore into hers, fierce and unwavering. "You will always be my little human."

The gods help her, this Fae would be the death of her. Islinda felt her cheeks heat up, blushing hard. What happened to the ruthless Aldric? This couldn’t be him. The love and adoration in his eyes were so overwhelming that she wanted to look away, to hide from the intensity of it.

But Aldric wouldn’t let her. He leaned in for a kiss, his lips almost touching hers when, suddenly, he was shoved back with a force that sent him crashing against the wall. A furious Azula stood before him, her eyes blazing with rage.

"How could you ruin everything? How dare you bind me to you?!" she snarled, her voice dripping with venom. The fury in her face was like nothing Aldric had ever seen before. She looked like she wanted to kill him on the spot, but she couldn’t. Not now, not when they were bound together.

The reality hit Azula like a punch to the gut. The reason why Aldric had been willing to throw everything away for Islinda was because she was his mate. Azula had no way of knowing because Aldric had never told Islinda the truth. If she had known then, she would have killed Aldric before he had the opportunity to mark her. But now, it was too late.

Aldric blinked, momentarily dazed by the sudden attack. Then, slowly, a wicked grin spread across his face. The idea had crossed his mind once—marking Islinda while Azula was in control of her body—but it had seemed too risky. Yet now, by sheer luck or fate, it had happened. And now, Aldric held power over Azula, a power that he was eager to exploit.

He pried Azula’s hands off his neck with ease, flinging them away as though they were nothing. Azula’s heart pounded in her chest as she realized just how much power Aldric now had over her. The tables had turned, and Aldric’s wicked grin made it clear that he knew it.

Aldric began to move toward her in a slow, predatory manner, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight. Azula took a step back, and then another, her bravado faltering. But Aldric was relentless, his gaze never wavering as he advanced, forcing her back until her legs hit the edge of the massive bed in the center of the room.

The atmosphere shifted, the fury and threat morphing into something far more dangerous and thrilling. There was a sizzling tension in the air, and despite herself, Azula felt a twisted anticipation rising within her. The bond between them flared to life, and she could feel Aldric’s presence deep in her bones.

She crawled back on the bed, her movements slow and deliberate, until her back pressed against the headboard. Aldric climbed onto the bed after her, hovering over her like a predator savoring his prey. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, the tension thrumming in the air. Her heart pounded, delicious warmth pooling in her core.

When Aldric leaned in, Azula closed her eyes, expecting the kiss that had been interrupted earlier. But instead, Aldric’s voice cut through the haze of desire like a blade. "Give me Islinda."

Disappointment crashed down on her like a tidal wave, and she clenched her teeth in frustration. "No," she hissed, defiance in her eyes.

But Aldric was in no mood to be denied.

He repeated. "I said, let Islinda in!" His tone was commanding, and as her mate, Azula had no choice but to obey.

The command washed over her, leaving no room for resistance. In an instant, Azula was gone, and Islinda was back in control.

"Aldric," Islinda breathed, her eyes fluttering open. She felt herself being pulled out from the void Azula had trapped her in. Relief and warmth flooded her as she looked up at him, smiling.

But Aldric wasn’t in the mood for conversation. He captured her lips in a bruising kiss, his hands tangling in her hair as he pressed her back against the bed. There was a fierce urgency in his kiss, a desperate need to claim her completely, to finish he had begun earlier.