Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 877: A Different Valerie

Islinda hesitated for a moment, scared that this might really be the last they would converse like this. But Islinda knew she had to go, knew that Aldric needed this time to prepare.

With one last look at him, she finally left the dressing room, her heart pounding.

Islinda had barely taken a few steps down the corridor before she collided with someone. Startled, she looked up, and her heart skipped a beat when she realized it was Andre.

For a moment, she stood frozen, her instinct urging her to flee, but as she took a step back, Andre called out, "Wait!"

She hesitated, but finally stopped, ensuring there was enough space between them. Her mind still remembered their last encounter, his attempt to force her into marriage The bitterness of it all resurfaced, but she held her ground.

Andre took a deep breath and began speaking, his voice low and filled with regret. "Islinda, I’m sorry. I truly am. I never should have tried to force you into a fucked up marriageIt was wrong, and I realize now just how much I hurt you."

His apology caught her off guard. She hadn’t expected him to be so forthcoming with his guilt. Her heart softened slightly, but she remained cautious.

"It wasn’t entirely me," Andre continued. "It was Azula’s doing. I would never hurt you like that on my own. We used to be good friends, Islinda. You know me—you know I wouldn’t have done that if I had any control. Please, believe me."

Islinda studied him carefully, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. Slowly, she nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing. "I believe you," she said softly. "I know what Azula is capable of. I’m not angry with you anymore."

Relief washed over Andre’s face, his expression lightening with a small, grateful smile. "Thank you," he breathed. "I know things won’t ever go back to the way they were between us, but... I can wait. I still want to be friends."

Islinda offered him a brief smile in return. Though they would never return to being the close friends they once were, this was progress. It was a small step toward healing.

Andre nodded once more, his gratitude evident before he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the corridor.

As soon as he was out of sight, Islinda leaned against the wall, exhaling deeply. The encounter had left her emotionally drained, but at least it was over. She was about to move on when she felt a shift in the air, a presence lurking not far away.

A figure stepped out from the corner, moving with eerie silence, and Islinda’s pulse quickened as her gaze locked onto Valerie. His eyes gleamed with a strange intensity, and the way he moved toward her—slowly, like a predator stalking its prey—sent a chill down her spine.

Something about him was different, unsettling. Islinda’s instincts screamed that something was wrong. For the first time, she felt genuine fear toward Valerie, the Fae she had never regarded with much concern before. But now, every fiber of her being told her to be wary.

Yet Islinda forced herself to maintain her composure, her voice firm as she asked, "Have you been stalking me?"

Valerie didn’t respond. Instead, he let out a low, unsettling laugh, the sound echoing in the empty corridor. Islinda’s heart pounded in her chest, her unease growing as Valerie drew closer.

Before she could react, Valerie lunged forward, his hand gripping her face with bruising force. His lips crashed against hers in a hard, violent kiss, his breath hot and suffocating. Disgust twisted in Islinda’s gut, and she immediately fought back, her hands pushing against his chest, but it was like trying to move a mountain. He was impossibly strong.

His tongue forced its way into her mouth, and without hesitation, Islinda bit down hard, tasting the metallic tang of blood as it filled her mouth. But Valerie didn’t flinch. He didn’t even loosen his grip. Instead, he held on, his grip unrelenting, his kiss suffocating her.

Islinda struggled to breathe, her lungs burning from the lack of air, and just as she thought she might lose consciousness, Valerie finally released her. Gasping for breath, Islinda staggered back, her mind racing with panic and fury.

Without thinking, she lashed out, her fist connecting with his face in a sharp punch. Her knuckles stung from the impact, but it was nothing compared to the rage burning inside her.

Valerie touched the spot where she had hit him, his lips curling into a twisted smile. "Yes," he said, his voice low and mocking. "Keep that fire inside you for when I defeat Aldric. It’ll be even sweeter to conquer you, Islinda. You like that, don’t you? Isn’t that why you’re with Aldric?" His words dripped with malice, and Islinda’s blood boiled.

"Aldric will kill you," she spat, her eyes flashing with defiance.

Valerie’s laugh echoed through the corridor, deep and unsettling, as if he knew something she didn’t. He stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with a dark, dangerous amusement.

"We’ll see," he said, his voice filled with ominous certainty.

And with that, Valerie turned and walked away, his laughter lingering in the air like a cruel promise. Islinda stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, her body trembling not just from fear, but from the terrifying realization of what this encounter meant.

For the first time, Islinda was truly afraid—not for herself, but for Aldric.

Right now, Valerie didn’t just seem like a threat; he was something far more dangerous, something twisted and hungry for power. And worst of all, he seemed confident that he would win. Almost as if he had a plan.

What if Valerie was not joking around? What if there was some secret, an ace card that he had up his sleeve, one that aid him defeat Aldric?

Islinda’s heart began to race.

For a moment there, she considered going back to Aldric and telling him not to underestimate Valerie. But right now, she smelt like Valerie and God knows what Aldric would do if he found out Valerie kissed her — his mate.

He’d probably lose it.

If Valerie’s tactic was to ruffle Aldric’s emotion, then that will be playing right into his hands. She can’t let that happen.

Aldric needed to win.

He can’t know about the kiss.