"You’re back." Azula’s eyes lit up as Aldric entered the room. Her delight seed almost genuine, but Aldric wasn’t fooled. She was a master of deception.
"The king is here for you," Aldric stated bluntly, cutting straight to the point.
"Really? The king is here for ?" Azula’s face brightened even more. "Does he know who resides in this body? Although we’ve never t face-to-face, does he know that I aided in defeating Benjamin? Is that why he’s here? Does he finally recognize my effort?" She continued to babble excitedly, her words flowing in a rapid stream.
Aldric, Maxi, and Issac exchanged glances, all montarily stunned by her wild assumptions. Her delusion that King Oberon, known for his rciless stance against demons, would acknowledge her, let alone reward her, was beyond comprehension. Aldric couldn’t help but scoff at her misplaced confidence.
"You overestimate yourself." Aldric said with a harsh edge to his voice."What makes you think my father is a demon lover?"
"His son is," Azula shot back, her voice dripping with mockery. "Perhaps he should know we fucked already." She reveled in the shock her words elicited, clearly enjoying the discomfort she caused.
Aldric’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Watch your mouth," he hissed, his voice low and filled with barely controlled rage.
It was not easy to ruffle his emotions, but it seems Azula knew the right button to push. It annoyed him to know she had that certain level of control over him.
anwhile, Maxi and Issac exchanged uneasy glances, already wary of the rising tension. It was almost as if one couldn’t leave the both of them alone in a room without the chances of them bringing the roof down.
Azula laughed. "Why wouldn’t you talk? Oh, did I hit a nerve? Co now, Aldric, let’s not pretend there wasn’t sothing between us, however little it lasted. Does it make you feel like you betrayed your lovely Islinda?"
And that was it!
Aldric’s patience snapped and he lunged at Azula. He had to teach the demon a lesson about respecting boundaries.
Not that he got the chance to.
Issac stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Aldric’s arm. "We don’t have ti for this," he said firmly. "The king’s n are waiting outside, and we need to figure out how to handle this situation without making it worse. We need her help."
"Really? That’s an interesting developnt. Do tell, what do you need my help with?" Azula said knowingly, having heard their conversation.
Aldric pointed at her out of frustration, "I am honestly reconsidering that. How do you expect that thing to help ? I’ll rather disobey my father’s order than let her out of my sight. "
"Really?" Azula said, offended by his rude remark. She relaxed into her seat, saying,"By all ans, figure it out. I’ll be here, waiting for your brilliant plan without in it."
"Don’t dwell on it!" Aldric fired back, "You are not as important as you make yourself to be and I’ll be able to figure this out by myself. Just know that you’re not going anywhere," he said, his tone cold. "Not until I decide so."
"I wouldn’t dream of leaving. This is far too entertaining and I can’t wait to tornt you for as long as I occupy this body!"
"Oh well..." Maxi muttered under her breath, watching the tense exchange between Aldric and Azula.
Issac ran his hand through his hair, ruffling it in frustration. He knew convincing Azula would be difficult, but this was turning into a complete disaster. It was only a matter of ti before the king’s army grew impatient and demanded Islinda. They couldn’t send Azula out in this state; it would lead to chaos.
Before anyone could anticipate his next move, Issac dropped to his knees. The suddenness of the action stunned everyone into silence.
"What are you doing?" Maxi was the most shocked, stepping forward to pull him up, but Issac’s gaze t hers, pleading for her to trust him and not interfere.
Maxi paused, her hand hovering in the air. Despite her anger at Azula’s arrogance, she respected her mate’s decision and stepped back, her eyes flashing with a mixture of concern and frustration.
"We need your help, Azula," Issac said, his voice earnest and imploring.
"Get up, Issac. Don’t beg the demon, we will figure out another way,"Aldric commanded, his voice laced with anger and disbelief.
But Issac ignored him. There was no more ti to figure out another way. They were in desperate tis, and desperate asures were required.
"Begging now, are we? Not that you’re the one supposed to do the begging." She taunted, eyeing Aldric.
Aldric growled at her audacity. He was the dark Fae prince! He bowed for no one.
"Please, Azula," Issac continued, "King Oberon wants to see Islinda and that is not possible in this current condition." He hinted at the fact she possessed her body. "We are out of options. You said you have been with Islinda all this while, which ans you can effectively pretend to be her. That way you don’t have to return to the void, however short it might be and at the sa ti, help us."
Azula’s gaze flickered with interest. She slowly approached Issac, her movents graceful and deliberate.
Maxi growled a warning at her and she kept her distance.
Azula tilted her head, considering his words. "Why should I help you? What’s in it for ?"
"I —"
"You should be grateful to be alive," Aldric cut Issac off. He said to Azula, "Who is actually helping who here? You think the king would let you go once he discovers what you are?"
"Sure," Azula admitted it, "I would die and return to my realm while Islinda dies for real. Tell then, dark Fae prince, who actually needs each other here?"
"Make her the deal, Prince Aldric. We don’t have ti for gas," Issac said, his voice steady but urgent. "The king’s n are waiting, and we need her. Please."
Azula lifted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "What are you waiting for, Prince Aldric? Make the deal."
Aldric’s eyes flashed with anger, and for a mont, it seed like he was about to refuse outright, destroying any illusion of a deal. But then his gaze connected with Maxi’s, and she shook her head ever so slightly, her eyes pleading with him to reconsider. The silent communication between them spoke volus as she urged Aldric to see reason.
Taking a deep breath, Aldric forced himself to swallow his pride. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth, his voice low and controlled. "We’ll make the deal. But understand this, Azula—if you betray us or harm Islinda, I will personally ensure you regret it."
"I actually have to hear the deal to make such promises." Azula said, knowing she had the upper hand here.
Aldric’s gaze hardened as he faced Azula. "Alright, here’s the deal, Azula. You pretend to be Islinda flawlessly. No trouble, no danger to Islinda while in the palace. In return, I’ll give you your freedom."
Azula’s eyes glead with triumph, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Freedom?" she echoed, almost savoring the word. "At last!"
But before she could fully indulge in her joy, Aldric’s stern voice cut through. "After a week."
Azula’s smile faltered, replaced by a look of indignation. "A week? That’s not the deal!" Her tone was sharp, a flash of irritation crossing her face. "You said freedom if I cooperate!"
Aldric’s jaw set stubbornly. "You’ll have your freedom after a week. I need assurance that you’ll keep your end of the bargain without causing any chaos."
Azula’s eyes narrowed, her hands clenching at her sides. "Three days," she countered, her voice dripping with defiance. "I won’t wait a week. Give three days, and I’ll do as you ask."
Aldric shook his head firmly. "Five days. That’s as low as I’ll go."
"Three," Azula insisted, stepping closer to him, her eyes blazing with determination. "Or no deal."
Aldric’s gaze locked with hers, the air between them charged with tension. He knew he had to tread carefully; Azula’s cooperation was crucial, but he couldn’t afford to let her dictate terms entirely.
"Four days," he said finally, his tone firm. "And not a mont less."
Azula’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flickering with frustration. She seed to weigh her options, her gaze darting between Aldric and the others.
Finally, she nodded sharply. "Fine. Four days. But I expect you to honor your word, Aldric."
Aldric nodded curtly. "I will. But rember, if anything happens to Islinda and I lose her.... " He took a deep breath, "... there will be no freedom. Only to face ."
"Whatever. Deal," she said, extending her hand.
Aldric hesitated for a mont before grasping her hand firmly, sealing their uneasy pact. "Deal."
Aldric was satisfied to know that she couldn’t break out of it. Unfortunately, he had only four days to figure out a way to exorcize Azula out of this body and have Islinda to himself.
"Let’s get this over with."
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