Aldric’s lips curled with disdain at the sight of Remy. He had only ensnared her mind and made her compliant to his suggestion, but who knew that her mind was too fragile to accommodate his powers and now, he had a lap dog at his service.
Nonetheless, it worked in his favor, because Islinda no longer suspected him and she had been careless enough to leave clues - the clues that he needed. Even while glamoured to look like a child, Aldric had sensed his brother’s powers tonight.
Valerie was still weak and had not co into his full powers yet, but Aldric tamp down his own ability. Just as humans instinctively suspect so creatures aren’t humans, Faeries can sense one another. It was like a frequency and when his brother ca into that hall, he was able to sense him and saw the both of them leave together.
Everything was going well and it was a good decision to give his human target, Islinda, space. His brother was stupid enough to let a human in and finally showed weakness. Aldric wondered what the honorable King Oberon would think when he discovers that his beloved son and future king of Astaria is involved with a human.
It was not unheard of a Fae having relations with a human but It was frowned upon and would never be tolerated in the royal line. It was usually promiscuous lords and high Faes dallying in such affairs and such humans tended to end up as their mistresses or concubines.
The royal line must remain "undiluted" and pure, hence half-human, half-Fae children are not considered ideal or powerful enough to take the throne. If the King dares to hear of Valerie’s escapade, he could lose his crown. However, Daddy dearest loves and favors Valerie so much that he would not let that happen knowing he - Adric - would have to take the throne. The king would probably kill the stupid human Islinda to cover everything up.
The human was way over her head and should not have gotten involved in their world in the first place. But the good thing is, he was not going to let her die. Aldric had more use for her alive and she was the leverage he needed to deal with Valerie. This was going to be a long ga and his lovely brother would not see what hit him.
The vigil eventually ended and the villagers began to disperse one after the other, sorrow written on most of their faces. It was quite a pity the village chief had to die, but on the bright side, he helped the poor human retire from duty and he must be having a good eternal slumber.
"The vigil is over, where is that good-for-nothing girl?" The nasty woman he ca to know as Islinda’s stepmother spoke up. Aldric was amused because Islinda’s family was just as dramatic as his own with three brothers from different mothers.
Aldric could have ensnared Alice to his will too but that would be too much and draw suspicion. Moreover, people like her with souls as black as charcoal, do not change overnight, that too was clear to Islinda. Remy was the perfect and safest choice, she must feel guilty for hurting a poor child and decided to atone for her sins by taking care of him. Not to ntion, the girl had sway in the family and his child form would not be hurt while under her protection until he was done here.
Either Islinda had perfect timing or the human was damn lucky because she ca running towards them not long after, her breath forming a mist in the air.
"Have you been looking for , mother?" Her words were nearly a pant, evidence of her running from wherever she ca from.
However, Aldric wrinkled his nose in disgust when her scent hit him. It seems soone has been busy because he could sll Valerie off her. As expected, his brother managed to charm his way between her legs, and that elevated and annoyed Aldric at the sa ti.
Things were going well between the human and his half brother which was exactly what he wanted. But then, not that he expected Valerie to keep his hands to himself, Islinda was quite a fine human, why did it have to be him though?
If the human had wanted a good ti, she should have co to him and he would have shown her what it ans to be with a Fae. A real Fae. Well, Aldric couldn’t bla her, not when he was in a child form. That would be considered a cri. Adric was still cross though. Valerie, that Fae whore!
"I’m sorry but I had to answer nature’s call," Islinda said, slipping on a mask that he would have fooled him if he didn’t know enough.
"Nature’s call indeed," Aldric sneered under his breath.
"What?" She turned to him and Aldric realized that he might have spoken too loudly.
At once Aldric shifted into the role of Eli, the sweet, innocent and loving child, glancing up at her with pitiful eyes, "I thought you left , big sister? I was so scared." He appeared downcast.
Adric saw her fractures soften and Islinda crouched down in front of him - and bringing Valerie’s scent with her. This must be a new form of punishnt from the gods for killing the village chief. He couldn’t stand the sll. And he couldn’t react either.
"I’m so sorry, Eli. I only left for a while and trust , I would never leave you. Not until we find your parents." She promised him.
Aldric smiled at him, wondering if she knew it was dangerous to make promises to a Fae. Well, he would spare her since he was living a falsehood.
"Blah, I can’t stand this." Madam Alice looked disgusted with the scene," The gods know I can’t wait for you to get out of our lives. What a burden."
Calling Aldric a "burden" was a sore point because his eyes flashed but he was able to control himself imdiately. He could kill the woman, only that Islinda was not stupid and would know sothing is up. Fine, he has been called worse by his own people, and Aldric decided to endure. He couldn’t ss up this mission.
So he let Islinda take his hand and lead him ho, all the way holding his breath. She better take a bath tonight and remove the stench of his brother on her before getting into the bed with him else there was no guarantee she would survive the night.
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