Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 827: Family Meeting With Aldric —2

For the umpteenth time in her life, Islinda was grateful that Queen Maeve couldn’t summon her power with just a look; otherwise, they’d be reduced to a smoldering heap by now.

And by "they," she meant herself and Aldric. He wasn’t making things any easier. Of all the seats in the room, Aldric had deliberately chosen the one directly across from Queen Maeve, where he sat grinning at her tauntingly.

The gods help me, Islinda thought, face-palming inwardly. Sometimes she wondered if she was dating a centuries-old Fae or a child. Aldric was unbelievable.

It wasn’t just Queen Maeve who was eyeing them. Everyone in the chamber seemed to be focused on them, as if a spotlight had been fixed on their presence.

When Islinda’s gaze connected with Valerie’s, his eyes were blank and devoid of emotion, yet his stare was so piercing it made her uncomfortable. They hadn’t spoken in a while, and she had a feeling her new identity as Aldric’s mate had shifted their relationship. He probably hated her now as much as he hated Aldric.

Bastard. To think she ever dated him. What had she even seen in him in the past?

His sexy Fae body? A voice bitched inside of her.

Fuck off. Islinda retorted in her head.

Yes, she admitted that Valerie looked good and it might have even been lust, not love as she had done. But none of those physiques could compare to Aldric’s. Her mate had it all. And more — not to sound so cocky.

Unlike Valerie, Andre’s expression was filled with guilt and remorse. When their eyes met, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but Islinda quickly turned away, her face reddening from a mixture of embarrassment and anger. She had trusted him, taken him as a friend, yet he’d tried to force her into marrying him. What kind of friend does that? Besides, this wasn’t the place to talk about such things.

Theodore, just like his mother, looked at her with curiosity, as if seeing her in a new light—as if she finally had value and was worthy of his attention. Queen Nirvana, however, assessed her with a cunning glint in her eyes, making Islinda’s frown deepen. She had never trusted the queen and never would.

"Now that everybody is here—"

"I will not be a part of this meeting," Queen Maeve interrupted Oberon, rising to her feet with regal authority. "Since you’ve decided to disgrace this family, do it in my absence."

She made to leave, but King Oberon’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Sit down, Maeve."

Queen Maeve shot him a defiant look. "I am not—"

"SIT YOUR ASS DOWN, MAEVE!" King Oberon snarled, his voice layered with such intense authority that it felt almost physical.

The command hit like a wave, and Queen Maeve, stunned, found herself dropping back into her chair, her mouth snapping shut.

The intensity of the king’s Alpha command was palpable, and the feral look on his face made him seem dangerous, deadly. It was as though he would have struck Maeve down on the spot if she had disobeyed him.

Queen Maeve, meanwhile, looked as if she’d been slapped across the face. Her expression was one of shock and disbelief. This was the first time Oberon had used such a tone on her, and in front of everyone, no less.

"Unless you want to lose your position as Queen, I suggest you don’t test me again," King Oberon warned with a cold, heavy finality that made Aldric let out a low whistle.

Islinda jabbed Aldric sharply in the side with her elbow, giving him a subtle but clear warning look. He needed to behave.

For the first time, Queen Maeve sat quietly, as if cold water had been thrown over her. King Oberon didn’t stop there; his gaze fell over the rest of his family, his eyes hard and unyielding. It was a warning: he would not tolerate anyone making this meeting more difficult than it needed to be.

Clapping his hands with finality, King Oberon began. "I have called Aldric and his mate here because there will be major changes, not just in the kingdom as a whole but also within this palace. I expect all of you to fall in line."

"For starters, I am here to officially announce that Prince Aldric and Islinda are free from any charges or punishment. As it has been confirmed they are destined mates, we will not go against the gift of the gods. What they have put together, let no Fae, law, system, or practice put asunder."

Though she’d already heard the news, it still felt surreal to Islinda to know they were truly safe. She would not be put to death for being a dark Fae. And, most importantly, she got to be with Aldric. This was the best news she’d had in a long time.

Not everyone was happy, though. Queen Maeve’s face was a mask of displeasure, though she remained silent. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

King Oberon continued, "This was not an easy decision to make, but it comes as a step toward fostering a relationship between the light Faeries and the dark Faeries. Which is why we have decided that Prince Aldric would take up the responsibility of leading the rest of the dark Faeries hiding out there."

Even without the bond transmitting a sudden surge of emotion from Aldric, Islinda could see the moment his body stiffened, his posture going rigid. He seemed to freeze on the spot.

"What did you just say?" Aldric demanded, already rising to his feet, his voice low and dangerous.

King Oberon’s expression remained neutral as he announced, "Prince Aldric will be crowned king of the dark Faeries, and he will be given the resources to create his own kingdom. We will offer support all the way."

Islinda wanted to scream, but the sound got lodged in her throat from the shock. It was unbelievable. Aldric, king of the dark Fae? Wasn’t this what he had wanted all along? A world where dark Faeries could live in peace without fear of capture or death? The dream of dark and light Faeries coexisting—though that one would take a long time to achieve. But Islinda wasn’t complaining. They had to start somewhere.

However, Aldric did not share her enthusiasm. He narrowed his eyes at his father, suspicion evident in his expression. "Just spill it. What’s the catch, old man? You don’t think I’d be easily enticed like a child, do you?"