Although Islinda hid in her room for the rest of the day, it still didn’t stop her from hearing the news of Aldric’s carnage. Her two maid servants were great gossip and they did not hesitate supplying her with the information. Once they were done with the news, they had this expectant look on their faces as they stared at Islinda, as if waiting for her to do sothing about it. And Islinda did do sothing.
She sprang up to her feet, her heart pounding in her throat. What was going on? Why did Aldric go on a killing spree? Not that the assholes high Faeries didn’t deserve it for what they put the winter court Faeries through, but then, Aldric did say he was taking her advice into consideration — violence was not the answer to his every problem. Perhaps he only considered her advice whenever it fitted his purpose or perhaps sothing did happen.
Islinda wondered if it had to do with the incident this morning. She felt bad that she had left Aldric hanging with blue balls. What tornt he must be in. Not to ntion she had broken the promise by coming into his bed first. But what could she do? Everything was confusing recently.
Sothing was going on with her. Islinda could feel it. An instinct. Like an itch on her skin. One that she couldn’t get her hands on even if she wanted to. Only if there was a way to contact Andre, perhaps then, he could have found sothing out and offered a solution to her problem. Or in the worst scenario, take out this parasite that was festering the goodness inside of her. Islinda felt it deep down; she was turning evil.
Islinda made up her mind to go see Aldric. Although it was technically not a good idea considering the attraction that flares between them whenever they were in close quarters. Not to ntion, the embarrassing incident that morning. However, Islinda wanted to ensure that he was okay. And perhaps apologize for that incident, reminding him again that it was a mistake. It would never happen again. She would make sure of it. So help her God.
Aldric’s living quarters was just a few rooms away and Islinda’s heart pounded the entire ti. There was not one guard at the door, not that it surpised Islinda. Aldric didn’t need protecting. If anything, Karle and the others needed protection from him.
Islinda took a deep breath before knocking on the door twice and when no response ca, she pushed it open. As expected of a high lord, his quarters was luxurious and enormous, but that was the least of Islinda’s problems — she was already used to the grandeur of the Winter court.
"Hello? Aldric? It’s , Islinda," she called out tentatively, her voice echoing softly in the empty room. Her eyes swept over the familiar surroundings, searching for any sign of him, but the space remained eerily quiet.
"I know you must be angry with for what happened this morning, and perhaps you don’t want to see right now. I failed to keep my promise not to seduce you, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I understand if you don’t want here, but I just wanted to make sure you’re okay."
Islinda paused, hoping for a response, but only silence greeted her. Disappointnt weighed heavy in her chest as she let her head slump, a resigned sigh escaping her lips. What had she expected? Aldric had every reason to be upset with her.
"Fine, I should have never bothered you in the first place," Islinda said, her thoughts weighed down by disappointnt and uncertainty, already making up her mind to leave when she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
Without warning, a presence materialized behind her, causing her to tense up with apprehension. Slowly, Islinda turned around, her eyes widening in shock as Aldric erged from the shadows, his figure bathed in crimson.
Blood streaked across his form, darkening his clothes and staining his hands, a grim testant to the horrors he had witnessed or inflicted. His eyes was intense and piercing, making it hard for Islinda to breathe. At the sa ti it held a haunted look, reflecting the weight of his actions.
For a mont, Islinda was frozen in place, her mind struggling to process the sight before her. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken questions and unease, broken only by the sound of her racing heartbeat.
As Aldric’s gaze t hers, she saw a mixture of emotions flicker across his face – anger, sorrow, and a hint of vulnerability. It was a side of him she rarely sees, a reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath his enigmatic facade.
Despite the shock coursing through her, Islinda found herself reaching out to him, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Aldric, what... what happened?" she asked with concern.
But to Islinda’s dismay, she watched as Aldric walked past her without so much as a word, as if she were invisible. The dismissive gesture felt like a knife through her heart, leaving her feeling utterly rejected and insignificant.
A lump ford in Islinda’s throat as she struggled to hold back tears, her eyes stinging with unshed emotion. She had hoped for nothing but his well being in this mont of distress, but instead, she was t with silence and indifference. But then, she deserved it. Islinda told herself even as the rejection stung deeply, causing her heart to ache with pain.
Islinda’s heart felt like it was breaking as she fought to hold back the tears, her emotions trying to overwhelm her. She turned to leave, wanting to cry in the comfort of her room, only to walk straight into a firm chest and strong arms wrapping around her.
"I’m sorry," he murmured softly, his breath warm against her ear. "But I couldn’t touch you with my bloody clothes." Aldric’s voice, though tinged with apology, carried a soothing warmth that eased so of the ache in her heart.
As Islinda looked up at him through tear-blurred eyes, she noticed he was shirtless, his torso sared with less blood. Aldric’s attempt to shield her from his own darkness, stirred a tidal wave of emotions within her.
The floodgates opened, and Islinda’s tears flowed freely as she buried her face in Aldric’s chest, her words choked with emotion. "I’m sorry," she repeated, her voice muffled against his skin.
All the pent-up emotions, the fear, the frustration, and the longing, Islinda poured them out in a torrent of tears, each drop carrying the weight of her remorse and a deep longing for connection with Aldric.
As Islinda’s tears continued to flow, Aldric held her close, his embrace offering a sense of warmth and security in the midst of her emotional turmoil.
"Shh, it’s okay," He whispered soothing words, his voice a gentle lody that wrapped around her like a warm embrace.
Aldric’s presence was a source of strength and Islinda felt a sense of calm wash over her, like a balm to her wounded soul. His fingers traced gentle patterns on her back, a silent reassurance that she was not alone.
Slowly, the intensity of Islinda’s sobs began to subside, her tears easing into quiet sniffles until she could not cry anymore. In the stillness of the room, Aldric’s arms was a sanctuary where Islinda found solace. She found peace in him. With Aldric by her side, she knew that she could weather any storm, no matter how fierce.
"By the gods, this is so embarrassing." Islinda laughed and sniffed at the sa ti, wiping the tears from her face.
"You look cute actually. I don’t know, but I find your weakness adorable. " Aldric said, absent-mindedly picking invisible diets from her hair.
Islinda wrinkled her nose, "I don’t find the blood on your body adorable."
"Well, you could could always wash it off." Aldric said jokingly knowing she could never agree to it.
But instead of Islinda scoffing or even kicking him playfully for making such shaless suggestion, she said instead, "Sure. Why not?"
"What?" Aldric was stunned this ti, taken aback.
"I an I’m going to help you wash your hair, silly," She rolled her eyes upwards, "My hands are not going anywhere else, especially not inside your trousers."
A playful glint shone in Aldric’s eyes and he teased her, "Your hands had no problem traveling south last night."
Islinda’s face beca so red one would think she was about to explode. Aldric chuckled, finding her reaction cute and she glared at him. Islinda tried to find a suitable retort but failed, all she did was stamr and splutter on her words.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get into the bath right now before I change my mind!" Islinda commanded and went ahead before him only for Aldric to pull her back.
She gave him a questioning look, "What is it?"
"That’s not the way to the washroom," Aldric said, fighting the urge to laugh so hard his eyes watered.
But Islinda could sense it and her frustration boiled over as she stord away, leaving Aldric laughing uncontrollably.
Reviews
All reviews (0)