Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 741: Trusting A Demon

"That won’t be necessary," Aldric snapped, his patience wearing thin. "I’ll bring her to the palace myself. "

The officer remained unfazed, shaking his head slowly. "You know the rules, Prince Aldric. You’re bound from entering the palace unless summoned. But in case it comforts you, then you should know that tomorrow is the death duel—the only time you can enter the palace without restrictions."

The comment only seemed to fuel Aldric’s anger. His breath came in short, sharp bursts as he closed the distance between himself and the officer. His intentions were clear. "You think I care about your rules? I’ll—"

"Woah, Woah, Woah, " Issac said, stepping between Aldric and the officer. He placed a firm hand on Aldric’s chest, pushing him back gently but firmly. "Easy, my prince," he continued, his voice low and steady. "This isn’t the way."

Aldric’s eyes locked onto Issac’s, wild with anger and frustration. "Get out of my way," he hissed, but Issac didn’t budge.

If anything, Issac pulled him to the side with strength that he didn’t know that he was capable of. He whispered into his ears, his tone measured.

"You know the rules, losing your temper won’t change anything. Neither can we fight against them. It’s the king’s army we’re talking about here. Think clearly. Getting yourself killed or thrown in the dungeons won’t help Islinda. You wouldn’t even be there to protect her. " He added at the last minute, "And Valerie wins."

Aldric’s breathing was heavy, his chest heaving with suppressed rage. But Issac’s words slowly seeped in, and the wild look in his eyes dimmed slightly. He took a step back, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Although they whispered, the Fae still had incredible hearing. The officer watched the scene with a mixture of disdain and amusement. "Listen to your friend, Your Highness. You wouldn’t want to make things worse for yourself—or for Islinda."

Aldric glared at the officer. He was lucky to have the protection of the king else his head would be rolling in the ground by now.

"Fine," Aldric muttered, the words forced through gritted teeth. "You can wait here, I’ll bring Islinda out. "

The officer gave a curt nod, a slight smirk on his lips. "A wise choice, Your Highness. We’d wait for her right here, but don’t keep us waiting for too long." He warned.

Aldric’s eyes flashed with anger. How dare that nobody speak to him that way?! However, Issac was right, fighting or killing his father’s army would not make whatever intention king Oberon has for Islinda any easier.

With that, he turned and left with Issac, leaving the officer and his army standing in the courtyard.

"We cannot send Azula to them," Aldric said the moment the officer was out of earshot. "Can you imagine the chaos she would cause in the palace? And what they would do once they find out what she really is?"

"We don’t have any choice. Azula has to go," Issac replied firmly.

Aldric stopped in his tracks, staring at Issac as if he hadn’t heard correctly. "What?"

Issac sighed, meeting Aldric’s incredulous gaze with a steady look. "Give the demon some credit, Prince Aldric. She’s stuck in Islinda’s body and knows what would happen if she draws the wrong kind of attention in the palace. She’s spent twenty-two years in that body. She isn’t prepared to return to the void anytime soon."

"You want me to risk Islinda’s body? My mate?" Aldric’s voice rose, a mixture of anger and fear coloring his words.

"We have no choice but to risk it!" Issac countered, his voice calm but insistent. "There’s no time to come up with a new plan, nor can you hide her from the King. You’ve used up your saving graces with the King already. If you disobey him now, it’s as good as slapping him in the face. Your enemies are all around, waiting for any misstep to bring you down. Even your father’s patience has limits. They would seize on this, and you could lose everything. But Azula has been with Islinda all along. She can act as her. If we come to an agreement with her, we might just survive this."

Aldric stared at Issac, his expression darkened with the anger and fear battling within him. He knew Issac was right, but the thought of exposing Islinda to such danger was unbearable. It pissed him off the most he had no idea what his father had in store for her.

"Moreover..." Issac added, "I can’t help but think if the king had bad intentions towards Islinda, his soldiers would be dragging her out of the palace, not wait patiently to escort her to the palace. Your father is old and bored, perhaps he’s curious about her just like the last time." He hinted at the time King Oberon treated Islinda like a Queen.

Unfortunately, the attention bothered Aldric. Although he had not sensed any ulterior motive when King Oberon treated Islinda like an important guest, it still made him uncomfortable. His father King Oberon, was unpredictable and if he dared to covet his mate.... Aldric’s eyes flashed at the thought. He would rent this kingdom into two.

"You’re asking me to trust a demon," He reminded Issac what he was asking him to do. It was worth knowing that demons were the least creature to trust. They would commit to their deal, yet ruin and fuck you over. Just the same way they had done to the Night Court thanks to their greed.

"I’m asking you to make a calculated risk," Issac replied, his eyes unwavering. "For Islinda’s sake. For all our sake."

Aldric clenched his fists, staring at the ground as he wrestled with the decision.

The thought of sending Azula to the palace, trusting Islinda’s body in her hands had to be the most ridiculous move he had done in his life. But Issac was right. They were out of options and time.

Finally, Aldric looked up, a hard resolve in his eyes. "Fine. But if she does anything to put Islinda at risk..."

Issac nodded, understanding the unspoken threat. "I know. But for now, we need to trust her. It’s our best shot."

"Let’s go," he said, his voice grim. "We need to talk to Azula."

Meanwhile....

Maxi and Azula were left alone, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. However, Azula, being Azula, couldn’t resist breaking the silence with her usual provocative demeanor.

She leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You know, Maxi, I’ve been thinking."

"Oh, this should be good," Maxi muttered, crossing her arms and watching her. She had been waiting for this moment all this while.

Azula said with a smile. "You once made an offer, remember? About making me yours. "

"What?"

"I told you, Islinda might have been the one conscious, but I have been around." She explained, "I could remember the night vividly. It was the first time we snuck out of the palace. You and I, together."

"Oh shit...." Maxi remembered. And Yes, she just fucked up. What in the world came over her at that time? Well, she had been without a mate and having the time of her life.

"I’ve had some time to think it over, and I’ve decided I wouldn’t mind taking you up on that offer now." Azula winked at her.

Maxi rolled her eyes, exasperation evident in her expression. "Is sex all you ever think about?"

Azula chuckled, the sound low and sultry. "Pretty much. Pleasure is the zenith of living, darling Maxi. There’s nothing quite like it. It’s the ultimate form of escape, of connection, of living in the moment."

"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk." Maxi clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "And you wonder why you don’t have any friends when you sleep with them all."

"I don’t. I simply keep all my friends satisfied." She stated proudly.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Maxi’s lips despite herself. "You’re unbelievable."

"And you’re curious," Azula purred, leaning forward, her gaze never leaving Maxi’s. "I have both male and female in my harem. You’d fit in perfectly. Why deny yourself the pleasure?"

Maxi said to her, "It’s hilarious you know, what makes you think that Aldric would let you use Islinda’s body to service both male and female in your harem?" She tried not to be judgemental..

"He doesn’t own me. Sooner or later, I’ll be free." Azula said, lifting her arm to flaunt the rune on her hand.

Strangely enough, the rune was quite captivating and Azula couldn’t help but run her hand around the intricate design and watched it light up with a golden glow. It felt invasive. Like there was something beneath her skin. Like she was wearing a part of Aldric, not that it sounded bad now she thought about it. Azula grinned at the silly thought in her head.

Maxi’s mouth twitched as she fought the urge to tell her that Aldric owned her. Islinda was Aldric’s mate. And now, Maxi couldn’t help but wonder if the bond affected Azula with the way she touched that rune with this strange affection in her eyes. If that was the case, then it was best they kept the secret of Islinda being Aldric’s mate from the demon. Something told her they would need to play that trump card in the future.

The door opened at that moment and they both looked up to sse Aldric and Issac walk in.

"We need to talk, Azula."