Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 727: Kill Her With Kindness

"Where are you taking me?!" Azula struggled against the inky tendrils of Aldric’s shadows that bound her wrists. Despite her protests, Aldric dragged her along with a grim determination.

Azula had anticipated awe or even reverence after she revealed her story, expecting them to be impressed or, at the very least, intrigued by her demonic prowess. Instead, she found herself being manhandled by Aldric like some unruly captive. Damn it!

"Where are you taking her?" Maxi ran up beside them, her voice tinged with alarm. Aldric’s abrupt departure had left everyone stunned.

"To a place where no one will find her!" Aldric growled, his grip tightening as he continued to haul Azula forward. The demon’s defiance only fueled his resolve.

"Let me go!" Azula yanked fiercely against the shadows binding her. It was like a brutal tug-of-war, her struggles meeting Aldric’s unyielding strength.

With a powerful pull, Aldric jerked her forward, causing Azula to stumble and crash into his chest. His skin was warm and bare since he sacrificed his tunic for her. For a fleeting moment, Azula’s face pressed against his chest, feeling the rhythmic pulse of his heart.

A sudden idea sparked in her mind, but Aldric, sensing her intent to charm him, pushed her away roughly before her eyes could flash red. She fell to the ground, glaring up at him with a mix of fury and frustration. "Asshole!"

"Get to your feet now!" Aldric thundered, his voice echoing with the authority of a dark Fae prince.

"Make me!" Azula spat back, her eyes blazing with defiance. She sat on the ground, her posture radiating a stubborn refusal to comply.

Maxi, standing nearby, watched the scene unfold with growing concern. Aldric’s shadowy grip on Azula and his fierce expression left no doubt about his intentions. The tension between them was palpable, a battle of wills that seemed on the verge of boiling over.

Aldric took a step closer, his gaze dark and intense. "I won’t ask again," he said, his voice low and threatening.

Azula’s lips curled into a mocking smile, even as she remained on the ground. "You think you can control me, prince? I’m not one of your obedient little subjects. I’m a demon. People worship me! I don’t kneel to anyone."

Aldric’s eyes flashed with anger, the shadows around him writhing in response to his agitation. "You will obey me, Azula, or you’ll find out just how far I’m willing to go to make you."

Azula’s laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. "Oh, Aldric. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. But go ahead, try me. I’d love to see you fail."

For a moment, the air crackled with unspoken threats, the tension between them almost tangible. Issac, now at the scene, felt the intensity of the standoff, glanced at his mate, wondering what to do as their worry deepened.

Aldric took a deep breath, reigning in his fury. With a swift motion, he extended his hand, and the shadows wrapped more tightly around Azula, lifting her to her feet despite her struggles. "This is not up for debate," he said coldly. "You’re coming with me, and I’m going to find a way to hide you from sight. You survived in the human realm for years and Islinda can pass off as human, you would be safe there."

"No, I am not going anywhere!"

"Azula?!" He growled a warning.

Azula snarled at him too, revealing razor sharp teeth too. This was it! She was done with him. Had she known earlier, she should have just turned him into a fucking musk! Then she wouldn’t be controlled like this! Damn him!

"I am fucking done being gentle with you!" Aldric’s voice thundered as he stormed toward Azula, shadows writhing around him in barely restrained fury.

But before he could reach her, Maxi stepped between them, planting herself firmly in his path. "Aldric! Stop it! Stop it for a minute!"

Aldric let out a feral growl, his eyes blazing dangerously. The shadows around him flickered with his agitation.

Maxi, undeterred, shoved him in the chest. "Fucking calm down for a second before you do more harm than good!" she snapped, her eyes flashing with determination.

"How do I calm down?" Aldric retorted, his voice raw with emotion. "Tell me how to calm down when it’s only a matter of time until Andre finds out what she is. Do you even know what Andre is? My father’s spymaster! They’re already on edge dealing with the dark Fae prince. If they find out there’s an actual demon..."

Aldric’s breath came in harsh gasps, his chest heaving with the weight of his fear. His eyes, usually so fierce, now showed a raw vulnerability that caught Maxi off guard. "Islinda is in there, my..."

Aldric’s voice faltered, and he glanced at Azula, unwilling to reveal too much in front of her. But Maxi had already understood. She saw the torment in his eyes, the fear for Islinda trapped beneath the demon’s control.

"But hiding her isn’t the answer, is it?" Maxi’s tone softened, trying to reach him through his anger. "You can’t hide a fucking demon, Aldric. Look at her." She gestured to Azula, who sat defiantly on the floor, her legs crossed. "You heard her story about Benjamin, your dark Fae ancestor, and how it ended. Do you really want history repeating itself?"

Aldric ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it in frustration. The past few days had been a whirlwind of chaos, from being charmed by Elena to rescuing Islinda and discovering her possession. Not to mention the ongoing war with the Raysin. The weight of it all seemed to press down on him, threatening to crush his spirit.

"Tell me!" He turned to Maxi, desperation in his eyes. "What do you expect me to do when I can’t even exorcize her without sending Islinda to hell? I can’t kill her without harming Islinda. She won’t even let me see Islinda to know if she’s okay!"

"Oh, she’s okay," Azula interjected with a smirk, drawing their attention. "Maybe just a little bit lonely."

Aldric growled at her response, his fists clenching with the urge to lash out. But Maxi stepped in again, her hands pressed against his chest. "Aldric! No! Get a grip of yourself! She’s riling you up on purpose."

Aldric struggled to control his rage, his body tense and hands trembling. Azula’s mocking laughter only fueled his anger, but Maxi’s presence was a grounding force.

"Hey, hey, listen to me!" Maxi cupped his face, forcing him to focus on her. "We’re at war with the Raysin family. They won’t rest until they see either of you dead. So here’s what you’ll do: you’ll take care of Azula—"

"No fucking way—" Aldric began, his protest fierce.

"Hey—" Maxi gave him a stern look, silencing him. "You’ll treat her the way you treat Islinda. To the point..." She leaned in to whisper, her voice barely audible. "Where you kill her with kindness."

Aldric’s eyes widened as he leaned back, staring at Maxi in surprise.

Maxi nodded subtly, her gaze steady. This was their secret code, a plan to handle Azula without letting the demon suspect their true intentions.