Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 841: Control

Aldric decided that it was enough terror for one day after their final trip to the last high lord’s estate. Although they had done no real harm, aside from landing in various high lords’ homes, causing enough commotion to leave several faeries injured, the chaos they left behind made Islinda feel guilty.

The faces of the wounded flashed in her mind, stirring guilt in her chest as Straggler, their monstrous Ka’er, flew them away. She leaned against Aldric’s chest, nestled in his arms as the wind whipped through her hair. Yet, despite her remorse, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sort of thrill. After last night’s dream, this experience made her feel alive.

But as Straggler began to descend into a barren land, any lingering guilt Islinda felt quickly vanished, replaced by confusion.

Straggler landed on the blackened, scorched earth, the massive creature grunting in satisfaction before letting them down.

Islinda stepped off the Ka’er, her boots sinking into the ashy, desolate ground. She blinked, looking around in disbelief. Unlike Astaria’s lush green landscapes or the vibrant colors of Fae lands, this place was dead. A wasteland, devoid of life.

She turned to Aldric with bewilderment. "What is this place?"

Aldric, who had already dismounted Straggler, stood beside her, his expression unreadable. His eyes seemed to harden as he surveyed the land. "This is what remains of the Night Court."

Islinda’s breath hitched, her stomach twisting as her gaze swept across the barren expanse. Charred remains of trees littered the landscape, with not a single sign of greenery or growth. It was as if the life had been sucked out of the very soil, leaving behind nothing but ruin. The idea that anything could once have thrived here seemed impossible.

"This is the Night Court?" she whispered, unable to comprehend the wasteland before her.

A surge of anger flared in her chest. "They expect you to start a kingdom here?" She turned to Aldric, her voice raw with disbelief. "You’d be king of nothing. This land is dead!"

Aldric’s lips curved into a smirk, surprising her. "You think this is the Night Court?"

Islinda frowned, confusion deepening. "I don’t understand."

"This," Aldric gestured around them, his voice taking on a conspiratorial edge, "is merely the entrance, love. It’s a deception, a façade meant to keep others away. Or perhaps remind others what happens when you go down the dark path. Come on, I’ll show you the real Night Court."

Straggler let out a low growl, clearly displeased with being left behind, but Aldric ignored the creature’s grumbling.

"Stay here," he commanded the beast. Straggler huffed but soon busied itself with a small bird it had caught mid-flight.

Islinda followed Aldric and It didn’t take long before the scenery began to change. Slowly, the dark, desolate ground gave way to signs of life. In the distance, tall walls and towering structures began to emerge, hidden behind an illusion that had shielded the true heart of the Night Court.

Islinda’s steps faltered as they entered a bustling town. Her jaw nearly hit the ground. People, homes, market stalls—it was as if they had walked into an entirely different world. This place wasn’t destroyed. It was thriving.

"How is this possible?" Islinda asked in disbelief.

Her wide eyes took in the bustling streets, the Fae milling about, the city that seemed very much alive. It was hard to reconcile the destruction she had seen moments ago with the thriving metropolis before her.

Aldric chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. He took her hand, pulling her forward as she struggled to comprehend what she was seeing.

"It’s called No Fae’s Land now," he explained. "After the dark faeries were destroyed, the high lords seized the lands and divided them. The survivors went into hiding, and the high lords used this space for themselves, creating what you see now."

Islinda’s eyes narrowed as she took in the people bustling around them. She noticed the distinct features of the Summer Court Fae among the crowd, their golden hair and sun-kissed skin. "So... the high lords invested in the Night Court’s remains, and now they don’t want to let go of it."

Aldric nodded, his tone casual. "Exactly. They’ve built this city from the ruins. A mini-Astaria, if you will. The Summer Court holds the most influence here, which explains the population you see."

Islinda exhaled slowly, realization dawning on her. "I think I understand now," she muttered. "They’ve worked so hard for this place. Giving it up would be a huge loss for their business interests."

Aldric burst into laughter, drawing startled glances from nearby Fae. Islinda blushed, feeling foolish. "What’s so funny?" she asked, irritated by his reaction.

"Just because everything in Astaria belongs to King Oberon doesn’t mean he controls every aspect of it. And the same goes for me. Yes, as King of the Dark Fae, this land would be mine, but that doesn’t mean I’m here to seize their businesses. That’s not what they’re afraid of."

Islinda blinked, confusion furrowing her brow. "Then what are they afraid of?"

"Control, little mate, control. They don’t want a king—especially not a dark faerie prince—ruling over them, giving them orders. It’s about freedom, power, and, of course, pride. It’s not about the money for them, not entirely. It’s about submitting to me."

Islinda shook her head, overwhelmed by the complexities of Fae politics. Aldric’s mind worked in ways she couldn’t always follow, and sometimes, it felt like she was a step behind.

If she was to be his queen—wait, queen? She flushed at the thought. Aldric hadn’t mentioned anything about her being his queen, but if he became king, surely, he wouldn’t keep her as just his mate... would he?

She sighed inwardly, pushing the thought aside as they continued through the bustling streets.

As they approached a small stall selling various wares, the owner froze, his eyes widening in fear as they landed on Aldric. His face went pale, and it looked like he might raise the alarm, but Aldric moved quickly. He placed a heavy bag of coin on the table, silencing the stall owner’s protest before it even began.

Aldric then picked up two scarves, one for him and one for Islinda. He carefully wrapped hers around her head and neck, concealing her hair, then did the same for himself. With a wink at the stall owner, Aldric took Islinda’s hand and led her through the market, the two of them blending in with the crowd.