Aldric wasn’t kidding when he had called this place "mini Astaria."
As Islinda walked through the streets, she marveled at how similar everything was to the grand city she had grown accustod to.
The architecture, the layout of the streets, even the energy in the air, it all mirrored Astaria so closely that if soone had told her they were back in the capital, she might have believed it.
Yet, this place was supposed to be the Night Court, or at least what remained of it. If the Night Court had ever had its own distinct culture, it was nowhere to be found now, buried beneath the influence of the other courts, especially the Sumr and Spring Fae.
Islinda’s heart clenched. The Night Court was gone forever, unless Aldric brought it back. But how could he? Aldric might be a prince by birthright, but he was only half Winter Fae and had spent his entire life in Astaria or on the battlefield. He’d never known the Night Court. It had never truly belonged to him.
"It’s not all bad," she thought, rembering the last ti she and Aldric had snuck away like this. That ti, they had ended up buying Prince Wayne. Speaking of Wayne, Islinda suddenly realized she hadn’t seen him in a while. She had been so caught up in recent events that her mind had barely registered his absence.
Well, he must be around the estate sowhere, surely being spoiled by Ginger or Ailee. When they returned, she would make sure to ask.
For now, though, Islinda pushed the thought aside and allowed herself to enjoy the mont. With their identities hidden, she and Aldric were free to enjoy their date like any other couple.
Islinda had the chance to taste more Night Court delicacies, though most of the ti Aldric stole bits of her food from her plate or playfully from her mouth. She pretended to be annoyed, but deep down, she loved his teasing.
As the evening wore on, they stopped by an open-air theater where a small play was being perford. Islinda had been excited, but as the play unfolded, her excitent gave way to unease. The story was eerily familiar. It was about a fae who had stumbled into the human realm and fallen in love with a human woman. It didn’t take long for her to realize that the play was inspired by her past relationship with Valerie.
Oh boy.
It seems this unfortunate romance of theirs would follow her forever. On the bright side, she was famous.
Except it didn’t sit well for a certain Fae.
Beside her, Aldric stiffened. His eyes darkened with jealousy, his jaw clenched so tight she feared it might crack.
Islinda reached out to squeeze his hand, trying to reassure him, but it was too late. She felt the shift in the air as Aldric silently summoned his shadows.
A sudden commotion erupted near the stage as the shadows caused one of the sets to collapse. The actors scrambled in confusion, and the performance ended abruptly.
Islinda shot him a look. "Really?"
Aldric just smirked. "What? The play was boring."
"Asshole," she muttered under her breath, though she couldn’t help but smile.
Now that Islinda was half Fae, she was free to experint with all kinds of Fae drinks, and she eagerly tried a few in a local bar while a band played a soft love song in the background. Aldric watched her with dark, hungry eyes, always finding so excuse to touch her, a hand on her lower back, fingers brushing her arm, lips grazing her neck.
As they sat together, a young couple passed by, holding hands with their child walking between them. Islinda’s eyes followed the little family, a soft smile on her lips, until her gaze dropped to her own stomach.
Her hand moved instinctively to rest there, and a cold shudder ran through her as the mory of that dream, the nightmare, ca flooding back. The dream of Azula possessing her child haunted her and she shivered. That damn Succubus wanted her child.
Aldric noticed imdiately. He always noticed. Gently, he turned her to face him, his hands cradling her face. His thumbs brushed over her cheeks as he looked deep into her eyes, his expression serious but full of warmth.
"You have nothing to fear," he whispered. "We’ll deal with this together. Azula won’t touch you, or our child. I swear it."
Islinda’s breath hitched, the sincerity in his voice cutting through her fear like a knife. It comforted her and she believed him. She always did.
And when she nodded, Aldric kissed her softly, the kind of kiss that was ant to seal promises and banish nightmares.
The band playing in the bar took note of the intimate mont and, as their lips parted, the other patrons began to clap and cheer.
Islinda blushed furiously, but Aldric just chuckled, pulling her close and letting her hide her face in his chest. The applause faded into the background, leaving only the warmth of Aldric’s arms and the quiet rhythm of their hearts beating in ti with one another.
Despite the lightness of the date and the joy she felt, Islinda couldn’t ignore the undercurrent of tension that simred between them. The playful teasing, the stolen kisses, and the touches heightened the desire that had been building all evening. By the ti they left the bar, the tension was palpable, electric.
The date ca to an end and they returned Straggler to the wild where Aldric discovered him. He was much safer there than in the open where Queen Maeve’s people might pull a secret attack. Then they returned ho.
They barely made it back to the palace before their need for each other overtook them. As soon as they stepped through their door, Aldric’s lips were on hers, his hands in her hair, and Islinda responded with equal fervor, tearing at his clothes as they stumbled towards the entrance. Her heart raced with anticipation, every nerve in her body alight with fire.
But the mont they crossed the threshold, Aldric froze, his body going rigid. Islinda blinked, her breath still coming in gasps as she tried to steady herself. "What is it?" she whispered.
Aldric didn’t answer right away. His eyes darkened, shadows flickering in their depths as he stared straight ahead. Following his gaze, Islinda turned around and nearly scread.
Soone was in their room.
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