Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 921: A Sign From The Gods

Finally, Aldric broke the silence, his jaw clenching as he spoke, his voice cold.

"How’s Islinda doing?". His hands curled into fists at his sides, the unease clear in his stance. "You do know she’s pregnant, and should anything happen to her, I’ll—"

Zal’therak’s voice interrupted him firmly. "Islinda is my sister, and your mate. Even my people respect the mate bond. We are not animals, as your people make us out to be."

Aldric’s teeth ground together at the sharpness in Zal’therak’s tone, but his voice remained steady as he replied, "Your people did not give us a chance to think otherwise."

Zal’therak’s eyes flashed, his lips curling slightly. "Your people kept us caged in for a thousand years. Even caged animals would do anything to escape."

Aldric’s nostrils flared, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "Perhaps my people had a good reason to lock you in."

Zal’therak’s eyes glinted with bitterness as he lifted his hand. The bones of his fingers creaked and shifted, his hand transforming before Aldric’s eyes into a skeletal, jagged form. Then, as if to prove a point, it smoothed out and returned to its human shape. "Of course, you court faeries, the hypocrites. You would never accept anything that doesn’t have your kind’s perfect beauty," Zal’therak said, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Not with such a grotesque appearance."

Aldric studied the hand for a moment before meeting Zal’therak’s eyes. "But surely you would know that as well, dark Fae prince," Zal’therak added, the emphasis on the word ’dark’ as he spoke, his gaze unwavering.

Aldric took a breath as he asked, "If I don’t agree to your demand, what would happen to Islinda? Would you kill her?"

Zal’therak’s gaze softened, and for a fleeting moment, there was something almost familial in his expression. "Like I told you, Islinda is my beloved sister. I would not harm her. And should you not agree to giving us a part of Astaria to reside in, she would be returned safely to you. However, there would be war, and there’s no guarantee what would happen then."

"If that’s the case, why isn’t she here then?" he asked, his suspicion growing.

Zal’therak’s lips twitched with something akin to amusement. "I would, but Islinda refused."

Aldric blinked, confusion flaring. "What?"

"She said she trusted you, but not the faeries of Astaria," Zal’therak explained, his tone even. "She insists on staying in the Tamry Forest until the deal is sealed. That’s all."

Aldric groaned, rubbing his hand down his face in frustration. His stubborn mate! He understood her reasoning. Islinda was ensuring that no one sabotaged the truce, but did it have to be her?

There were plenty of important faeries that could have been used as bargaining chips. But deep down, Aldric knew that Islinda was the only one he truly cared about. The rest could go to hell. And she knew that. Damn it.

"If your people are to be given a part of Astaria," Aldric began, his voice turning more critical, "what are the chances your people won’t rise against us in the future? Also..." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "Deny it all you want, but monsters are monsters no matter how much you hide it. What happens if you can’t get your people under control?"

"We would swear an oath. If there’s anybody to be worried about, it should be your people. Your ancestors tricked us, offering a deal only to lock us in the Tamry Forest." His voice carried the weight of bitterness, of long-held resentment. "If there’s anyone with trust issues, it should be my kind."

"My word is my word," Aldric said grimly.

"I believe you. But it’s your people I don’t trust."

Aldric’s lips twisted into a grim smile. "I’ll take care of them."

Zal’therak leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "So, does that mean you’ll agree to the agreement?"

Before Aldric could answer, a sudden commotion broke out, causing both men to spring to their feet in unison. Aldric’s heart raced, a flash of suspicion clouding his thoughts. Was this a trap? Had Zal’therak lied and ambushed them?

But then, a familiar roar split the air and without a second thought, Aldric darted out of the tent, his instincts kicking into high gear. Zal’therak followed close behind, his eyes scanning the scene.

What they found when they emerged was chaos. Straggler, Aldric’s ka’er, and Zal’therak’s beast, Ajah, were locked in a fierce, violent tussle. The massive creatures circled each other fighting with their claws and teeth while the soldiers scattered, shouting in panic as the ground rumbled with the weight of their battle.

Issac rushed to Aldric’s side, saying. "It happened so quickly that we don’t know how it started!"

Zal’therak attempted to reach out through the bond he shared with Ajah, but the creature didn’t respond. Likewise, Straggler ignored Aldric’s commands, both beasts caught in their savage struggle.

The soldiers recoiled as the two creatures collided, their massive bodies shaking the earth beneath them. But then something remarkable happened. As quickly as it began, the fierce combat slowed.

Straggler, once snapping and clawing, now began to nuzzle Ajah’s head, rubbing his face against the creature’s spiny, ridged skin. Ajah hissed in protest at first, but then, to Aldric and Zal’therak’s shock, the tension between the two beasts seemed to melt away. They began to playfully tussle with one another, their aggression now transformed into an odd form of camaraderie.

Aldric stood frozen, his mouth slightly agape as he watched the unbelievable scene unfold. Zal’therak’s eyes met his, both of them struck dumb by the sight.

"By chance," Aldric asked, his voice thick with confusion, "is your beast female?"

Zal’therak blinked, then smirked. "No," he replied, then raised an eyebrow. "Is your beast female?"

"No, it’s male," Aldric replied, the pieces falling into place.

Since they were not mates, this was a sign of that Straggler and Ajah had formed a friendship bond.

"Perhaps this is a sign from the gods after all," Zal’therak mused, the surprise in his voice now replaced with amusement.

Aldric’s lips twitched into a smile. "Perhaps."