Elena and Aldric stood side by side, gazing out into the expansive night sky, illuminated by the shimring stars above. Servants bustled around them, diligently preparing their tents for the night’s rest.
"It’s been centuries since I last graced the Winter court with my presence. I’m eager to rediscover the icy splendor it holds," Elena remarked, her voice filled with anticipation. Her gaze softened as she turned to Aldric, a wistful expression crossing her features. "I’ve heard tales of your mother’s reign, a queen beloved by all accounts. I wished I had t her while she was alive."
Upon her words, Aldric stiffened montarily, a flicker of tension crossing his features before he regained his composure with practiced ease. If Elena hadn’t been observant, she might have missed the mont entirely.
Undeterred, she pressed on, noticing Aldric’s relaxed facade. "The hypocrisy of the Faeries of Astaria is glaring," she pointed out. "They adore your mother yet scorn you. Have they ever considered that a Queen so cherished could never give rise to a monster?"
But Aldric couldn’t suppress a snort of laughter, catching Elena off guard. She turned to him, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "What’s amusing, Prince Aldric?"
Instead of answering imdiately, Aldric tilted his head, studying Elena with an intensity that would unsettle any other Fae. Yet Elena t his gaze without flinching, holding his stare until he was the first to break away.
With a deliberate movent, Aldric slipped both hands into his pockets and took a step closer, looming over her. Despite Elena’s bravery, she couldn’t help but unconsciously swallow nervously. His eyes glead like cold steel orbs, and his swirling shadows danced across his skin, casting an ominous aura over the mont.
Aldric’s voice, deep and seductive yet tinged with danger, cut through the night air as he asked Elena, "Tell , Elena, what is your true purpose here?"
Elena was montarily taken aback by his question, but she quickly gathered herself, inhaling deeply and lifting her chin defiantly. She had not anticipated Aldric seeing through her facade so easily, but she couldn’t help but admire his quick wit and cunning intellect. His reputation truly preceded him.
"What on earth are you implying?" she retorted with a forced laugh, feigning ignorance to his inquiry.
"Don’t toy with ," Aldric warned, his expression growing taut, his smile taking on a sinister edge.
Elena abandoned any pretense, eting his gaze head-on. "I told you what the Queen—" she began.
"Not that excuse!" Aldric interjected sharply, his intensity causing Elena to pause. He reached out, grasping a lock of her red hair and letting it slip through his fingers. "You’re intelligent, Elena. If you truly wished to evade the Queen, you could have done so without involving . Am I wrong?" he challenged, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes, adding to his nacing aura.
"You’re right," Elena admitted, her tone conceding. "I learned of your journey to the Winter court, and I saw an opportunity worth seizing." She held his gaze steadily. "Queen Maeve wouldn’t be able to reach there, affording more ti to ’persuade’ you regarding my proposal," she emphasized.
"I believe that you already got your answer."
"No, Prince Aldric –"
Elena began to protest, but Aldric silenced her by pressing a finger against her lips. The unexpected touch startled her so much that Lola, the witch manipulating her from within, montarily froze in place. Surprisingly, the prince’s touch wasn’t as cold as she had anticipated from a creature rumored to be a monster; instead, it sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her. What was happening?
She took a step back, her breath coming in short gasps. Realizing her facade had cracked, she chuckled sheepishly. "Well, that was unexpected."
Aldric wore a smug expression, clearly aware that she was more affected than she had let on. He spoke with a hint of warning in his voice. "You’re welco to stay as long as you wish. Just rember, don’t cause any trouble or hinder my plans. Follow those two simple rules, and we won’t have any issues."
With his instructions given, Aldric turned to leave, only for Elena to shout after him, "The human, Islinda!"
Aldric stiffened at the ntion of her na, but Elena noticed the tension swiftly dissipate from his fra. The dark Fae prince was adept at concealing his emotions, except when it ca to the human.
Turning back to her with an expressionless face, Aldric issued another directive. "Another rule to follow while you’re here: don’t inquire about Islinda."
As he turned away again, Elena couldn’t resist probing further. "Why?" she asked, lifting a brow. "Because you’re fond of her?"
Aldric slowly glanced at her over his shoulder, his expression darkening and his deanor turning cold. Elena stood her ground bravely, trusting that he wouldn’t harm her. Or at least, hoping so.
"Ask that question once more, and I’ll show you what I do to rule breakers," Aldric threatened, his tone chilling. "I couldn’t be more happy that you ran out of the palace by yourself and I wouldn’t be accused of kidnapping when your body is not discovered."
Elena shivered, nervously swallowing as the gravity of Aldric’s words sank in. Prince Aldric was truly a rebel, showing no regard for authority or the power it held. With that, he left her alone.
Monts later, a servant approached Elena. "My lady, your tent has been prepared," the servant inford her, offering a slight bow.
Without a word, Elena followed the servant to her tent, seeking solace in its comfort. Lola, the witch residing within her, couldn’t fully appreciate the luxurious accommodations, as she was preoccupied with other concerns.
Unlike Prince Valerie, it had beco apparent that Prince Aldric would not be easily brought down. He was too formidable and suspicious. Despite Lola’s attempts to manipulate him using Elena’s charms and allure, it seed futile.
It dawned on Lola, the witch within Elena, that the only way to truly hurt the dark Fae prince and exact revenge for the pain she felt when she killed Dorcas was to eliminate Islinda. The human had to perish. Although Lola couldn’t comprehend how Islinda had survived her previous attempt, she was determined to ensure that Islinda wouldn’t return to Astaria alive.
Yet, as Lola’s mind drifted to the mont when Aldric’s touch grazed Elena’s lips, a thrill coursed through her.
"No," she admonished herself, forcefully pushing the distracting thoughts aside. Those were Elena’s emotions, and nothing would sway her from her mission.
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