Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 737: Body To Hold At Night

An awkward silence fell over the room.

The tension was palpable, and for a few moments, no one moved or spoke.

Azula stood there, her gaze flitting from one face to the next, waiting for a reaction, but none came. Her amusement slowly faded as she realized no one was going to indulge her further.

Aldric, Issac, and Maxi instead stared at the demon in unison, shook their heads and then looked away. Azula’s eyes narrowed, clearly displeased with the lack of entertainment.

She crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back as if daring them to break the silence. "What?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the stillness. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Maxi finally broke the silence, exhaling a long, weary sigh. "You have your hands full with that one," she said, her tone a mix of pity and amusement. "Good luck to you."

Aldric’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Thanks," he muttered, though his tone was devoid of gratitude.

His gaze shifted to Azula, who simply smiled wider, clearly enjoying the chaos she had sown.

A look of irritation crossed Aldric’s features. Azula was a wildcard—unpredictable and potentially dangerous — he had to be careful around her.

However, to think one day he would meet his match. Especially one that bore the face of the woman he loved. This was all the signs — the gods were definitely messing around with him

Aldric’s jaw tightened, but he decided against engaging further. Instead, he shot a final, warning glance at Issac and Maxi. "This conversation isn’t over. "

"Yes, it isn’t." Azula repeated after him, giggling .

"You, come here!" Aldric’s voice was a low growl, and his shadow wrapped around Azula’s hand seemed to come alive, and tugging on her wrist with force. She stumbled, her eyes widening as she was pulled to her feet.

"Aww, be gentle!" Azula protested, though her voice held more curiosity than fear. She was practically dragged toward Aldric, the shadow releasing its grip just as his hand clamped around her wrist.

For a fleeting moment, Azula seemed to savor the brief freedom, but then Aldric turned her hand and brought his other hand to it. Maxi and Issac watched in stunned silence as one of the familiar rune on Aldric’s arm vanished, reappearing on Azula’s wrist.

Azula yelped, her eyes darting to the unfamiliar symbol now etched into her skin. She frantically tried to rub it away, but it remained stubbornly in place.

"What in the damnable magic did you do to me? Don’t tell me you—" Azula started, her voice rising in alarm.

Aldric cut her off sharply, "Now, let’s see where you can go without me." His voice was cold, his eyes narrowing with grim satisfaction.

Maxi and Issac exchanged shocked glances. Maxi, recovering first, pointed at Aldric’s arm, now free of that one rune. "You’ve learned how to use your rune?" Her voice was a mix of admiration and disbelief. "That’s... quite an admirable feat."

Aldric’s gaze remained fixed on Azula, who was still staring at the rune on her wrist with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "It’s about time I did," he said, his tone devoid of any pride. "I have a demon under my roof. It’s either I put her under her control or she lands me in hot trouble. "

Perhaps Aldric should have been grateful he got a succubus instead of an Imp else he couldn’t imagine the number of troubles he would be now.

Azula’s lips curled into a begrudging smile. "Well, this just got more interesting. I could make do with a little obstacle. However..." Her smile faded, replaced by a serious, almost sinister look. "My kind are responsible for these powers you wield so expertly. It won’t be long before I get my freedom, and you will be sorry."

A tense silence stretched between them, the threat hanging heavily in the air. Aldric’s eyes narrowed, unyielding. "Until then, make yourself comfortable." His voice was hard, devoid of humor or warmth.

Turning away, Aldric announced, "I’ve exhausted myself enough. I’m going to rest."

Just as Aldric moved to leave, Maxi interjected, "Whoa, why are you leaving Azula behind?"

Aldric glanced back, irritation flickering across his features. "You handle her."

Maxi crossed her arms, her expression resolute. "No way in hell am I dealing with that troublesome demon. She’s your problem."

Aldric’s jaw clenched. "She’s a female. She should work together with a female."

Maxi shook her head, her tone firm. "I’ve made plans tonight with Issac. I don’t need a disturbance."

Azula’s eyes lit up with mischief. "Oh, I could join you! I love a good party."

Maxi rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Not a chance." ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Before Aldric could respond, Maxi grabbed Issac’s hand. "Handle your own issues, Aldric," she called over her shoulder, pulling Issac along as they made their exit, leaving Aldric standing there, momentarily stunned.

"Looks like it’s just you and me," she said, her tone teasing.

Aldric sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Lucky me."

He could already tell how tonight would be and the challenges Azula would bring. It was as if the demon relished joy in tormenting him. Well, she was a demon, tormenting was their thing.

"Follow me," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

Azula, still rubbing her wrist where the rune now marked her, tilted her head curiously but obeyed. She fell in step behind him, her eyes scanning his back with a mixture of intrigue and wariness.

Aldric led her down the hallway, the silence between them tense and loaded. The echo of their footsteps against the floor was the only sound, reverberating through the long, empty corridor. .

They arrived at a door and Aldric hesitated for a moment, his hand resting on the door handle. He took a deep breath, the weight of his decision visible on his face, before pushing the door open.

Inside was Islinda’s room, preserved exactly as she had left it. Her bed draped with fine silk, a vanity laden with jewelry, and a bookshelf filled with her favorite books. If Aldrc inhaled deeply, he swore he could catch her faint scent which still lingered in the air, mingling with her memory.

Aldric’s jaw tightened as he stepped aside to let Azula enter. "This is Islinda’s room," he said, his voice thick with emotion. Aldric hoped the familiarity might... trigger something. Perhaps bring her back somehow.

Azula’s eyes roamed the room, taking in the personal touches which was honestly not her thing. But now she was around, she wood switch some things up.

As she looked around the room, she noticed Aldric’s forlorn expression and stated. "You miss her,"

Aldric’s eyes flickered with a mixture of anger and hope. " Would admitting it bring her back?" He changed his question at the last minute,"Would you bring her back?"

"No." Azula said

"Thought as much."

"I wish I could but I am sorry dark Fae prince but I have stayed in the void for so long and I don’t intend to return." Azula replied, her demeanor uncharacteristically subdued as she continued to explore Islinda’s room.

"Thought as much, why did I even bother." He said and stormed out of the room.

Entering his own room, Aldrc stripped off his outer clothes and slipped into the comfort of his bed. He turned from side to side, trying to find a position that might bring rest, but his thoughts refused to settle.

The plan to rescue Islinda, the methods to send Azula back to where she belonged—it all swirled together in a relentless cycle in his mind. His eyes, though closed, refused to let him escape into the oblivion of sleep.

Minutes turned into hours, and just when he thought he might never find peace, exhaustion finally dragged him into a restless slumber.

He didn’t sleep long. Aldric awoke with a start, a strange sensation pricking at his awareness. His instincts flared, and his eyes snapped open to the dim light of his room. He felt a presence close by, too close for comfort.

Turning, he found Azula lying beside him, her figure a shadowy outline against the sheets. His pulse quickened with a mixture of alarm and irritation.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice a harsh whisper in the stillness of the night.

Azula shifted slightly, her expression untroubled. "Your room was more comfortable," she said simply, her tone casual as if her presence there was the most natural thing in the world.

Aldric’s jaw tightened, his frustration barely contained. "This is not your place," he growled. "Get out."

Azula propped herself up on one elbow, her eyes glinting in the dim light. "I didn’t think you’d mind," she said, a hint of mischief in her voice. "And besides, I cannot sleep alone."

Aldric’s hand clenched around the edge of the blanket. "This isn’t a game, Azula," he said, his voice dangerously low. "Get out of my bed. Now."

Azula sighed, her demeanor shifting to one of mock disappointment. "Fine," she relented, slipping out from under the covers with fluid grace. "I’ll just have to go find another warm body to hold me tight tonight."

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