Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 759: The Pull

Islinda arrived at her destination in the blink of an eye, stumbling a bit as she landed, still unsteady with the medallion’s power. She looked around, her eyes wide with surprise as she took in the familiar details of Aldric’s garden.

When she had imagined home, it had been inside Aldric’s castle, not exactly in his garden. Although, now that she thought about it, she hadn’t been precise about location. What was it about the garden that drew her here, anyway?

Regardless, she was here. Away from the palace and in Aldric’s domain, and that was all that mattered. She lifted her skirt, preparing to make a run for it and hoping not to trip when she felt a strong presence. It was visceral, so intense that she practically froze on the spot.

He was here. Aldric was here.

Islinda had no idea how she knew, but she just knew it. There was an unmistakable energy in the air, one that she had come to recognize as his. Dark, mysterious, dangerous, and alluring—everything that could be attributed to Aldric. She had never felt it this acutely before, but now she was more than glad to be able to recognize his signature energy.

Heart pounding, she took a hesitant step forward, her eyes scanning the garden for any sign of him. The darkness seemed to move and shift, almost as if they were alive, and Islinda couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Every rustle of the leaves, every whisper of the wind, seemed to hint at his presence.

And then, he appeared from the shadows. Their eyes locked instantaneously and Islinda forgot how to breathe. He had that angelic coldness to him, as if he were to be revered yet feared at the same time. He was so beautiful he looked like he was sculpted from the finest mold, and Islinda wanted to treasure him forever. There was not an ounce of a smile on his face, the intensity of his gaze sending shivers down her spine, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through her veins.

He stopped just a few meters before her, but Islinda could feel his intense perusal, his gaze narrowing with suspicion. Realizing she was still covered, Islinda took a deep breath and pulled off the cloak, tossing the veil that covered her face aside. For the first time, she saw an emotion flicker in his otherwise emotionless eyes.

Aldric’s eyes widened ever so slightly, a flash of surprise and something else she couldn’t quite decipher crossing his face. He took a step closer, his eyes scanning her face, taking in every detail as if to confirm she was real.

"Islinda?" he called, his voice low and smooth.

"Aldric," Islinda replied, her voice trembling slightly. She took a deep breath to steady her beating heart.

He closed the distance between them in a few swift strides, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. The touch was electric, sending a jolt of warmth through her body. Aldric’s eyes bored into hers, filled with such deep disbelief and hope, it almost broke her heart. What had Azula done to make him this way?

"How did this happen?" Aldric asked curiously.

Islinda couldn’t tell if he was asking for details on how she defeated Azula and her sudden emergence or the marks on her body with the way he raced them with such profound fascination and emotions in his eyes. He looked so proud? Did he like them? The thought strangely thrilled Islinda.

Neither did Islinda acknowledge the tingling sensation that rushed through her whenever he touched her, heat raging through every part of her body. This was not the place or time for any thought her sinful mind was projecting.

"I was lucky, Azula got cocky." Was all she was able to say, feeling a little bit out of breath as Aldric clasped both of her cheeks now. His touch was reliving like a balm. As if this was what she has been waiting for since forever.

"Cocky, huh?" Aldric chuckled, the rich, bubbling sound that came from his tasty looking lips traveling straight to her core.

Okay, perhaps, "Cocky" was not the right word to say in a situation like this when she was feeling a bit... overwhelmed.

Aldric had a small smile on his face while he stroked his thumbs along her cheeks, the gesture making her heart beat out of rhythm. Then he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the featherlight sensation of his finger on her skin almost felt scalding. It was so pleasant that she shivered.

Aldric must have felt encouraged by her reaction that he threaded his fingers through her hair and boy, did it feel like heaven. Islinda closed her eyes, relishing the feeling. Aldric took it up a step by scratching his nails along her scalp, and she actually purred like a satisfied cat, leaning into him.

"Please don’t stop." She begged, holding onto him.

A small chuckle escaped Aldric’s lips, finding her reaction cute. Of all the ways Aldric imagined he would meet Islinda again, this never came close to his imagination. This was his Islinda for sure, but he could sense there was something different about her. She seemed more Free. Light. More confident. More powerful. And he couldn’t have liked her better.

His mate was back to him.

Aldric indulged her, combing his hands through her hair again and again till she was ultimately satisfied. Islinda had pretty much forgotten her purpose for coming, distracted by his magic hands. She wished this could last forever. .

Islinda was practically sagging against him, her legs weakened from the pleasure coursing through her. She buried her nose in his chest, catching his familiar cologne, crisp and clean like the winter snow. Sharp and engulfing like his darkness.

Islinda finally opened her eyes, and to her surprise, she found Aldric staring intently back at her. She didn’t break the contact; instead, she held his gaze, feeling an unexpected pull between them. There was an almost tangible energy humming in the space between them, drawing them closer with a magnetic force. And did she give in to the feeling? Islinda sure did. Or was it Aldric who moved first. Or perhaps, both of them.