Islinda woke up that morning with a sense of great tension, half-expecting to find herself changed in some bizarre way—perhaps growing a tail or something equally strange. The dream about the demon Azula was beginning to get to her. But to her surprise, everything felt normal. Too normal, in fact, for her liking.
Today was her birthday, a day that had loomed over her with an unsettling feeling for weeks eversince the revelation she wasn’t fully human. She had gone to bed the previous night with Eli’s reassurances echoing in her mind. "Nothing is going to happen," he had promised. "It will work out well."
Despite his confident words, the foreboding she had felt was hard to shake. But now, as Islinda luxuriated in the bath, everything seemed almost eerily calm.
"My lady, you have great tension in your shoulders, one would think that with the night well spent with his highness, Prince Aldric, you would be completely relaxed," Ginger said, kneading the tensed spot on her shoulder.
Islinda fought the blush from rising to her cheeks. Although Eli had left her bed before the morning spell, they could tell what happened when she requested for her usual brew - the one she drank against pregnancy. She was not taking any chances here.
In one word, pretty much everyone in the winter palace knew that she and Aldric were doing it. She was his exotic companion aka human lover. Thanks to that, it was not uncommon for her now close maidservants to remark about their relationship, most especially Ginger. She had pretty much gotten used to it.
"That is not your business, her ladyship private life is not privy to your opinion." Ailee grumbled.
Ginger turned to her with a surly look, "Her ladyship is not complaining!"
"Just because her ladyship is not talking, does not mean it doesn’t bother her." Ailee retorted.
"Urm, guys..." Islinda tried to intervene, but obviously the females were determined to argue it out this time.
"Contrary to your thoughts, our ladyship is happy she has someone to discuss her private moments with," Ginger argued.
"You are simply being nosy!"
"Or maybe you’re just jealous of me, you cranky, rigid Fae!"
"What?"
"Just admit you envy the fact I click with people faster than you do."
Anger flashed in Ailee’s eyes, "You must be out of your mind!"
While all this was going on, Prince Wayne, the silent observer who had been locked out of the bathing area stealthily pawed inside.
And there she was, his betrothed. However, his nose wrinkled in disgust when he was still able to smell Aldric off her. Even the floral scented soaps couldn’t get rid of the dark Fae’s scent as if it had burrowed deep into Islinda’s skin, their skin mingling together. Much to his annoyance.
Perhaps he should bath her himself and lick his scent off her with his tongue. Not to mention, he would have a nice bath with his princess. Prince Wayne had a twisted glint in his eyes at the thought he was soon to carry out.
So while Ginger and Ailee argued with Islinda looking helplessly, unable to interfere, he took advantage of that moment and leaped into the bath.
"Ahh!" Islinda screamed, startled. "Get off! Get off this bath you mischievous, little minx." She flapped around in the water, trying to find Prince Wayne who seemed to easily maneuver her reach, swimming in the bath.
Ginger and Ailee stopped their argument instantly, turning to the bath alarmed. By the gods, what have they done? This wouldn’t have happened if they had not been busy arguing.
Ailee was the one to successfully snatch Prince Wayne out of the bath and she stared at the cat with such livid look in her eyes it looked like she was about to murder the poor, scratch that, mischievous cat. Except Ginger quickly came to the point, taking him from her embrace.
"He’s just a cat." Ginger protested upon the glare Ailee sent her way.
"I think I’m done here." Islinda stepped out of the bath, covering her nakedness with a towel. She was done here before prince Wayne attempted a second leap. On the bright side, he broke up the quarreling Faeries.
Islinda would love to have a one on one conversation with Andre about what he found out about her, but she would have to be smart about it so as not to upset him. They had to meet before the meeting. Islinda recalled Andre pointing out that if she were a half-breed, then her powers were sure to reveal itself today.
If that were to be true, then she would love to be in control and not reveal herself to the Faeries during the meeting.
"Are you okay?" Gabbi touched Islinda, startling her.
"I’m good." Islinda smiled at her.
"Let’s go!" Ginger declared, unaware of the thoughts running through Islinda’s head.
At the same time...
"So what do we do now?" Issac asked his genius mate who led the both of them here. They were hidden away meters away from Aldric’s winter palace and they apparently couldn’t get in because the dark Fae prince had given them an order not to come in. Disobeying that would be disrespecting him. Unfortunately, Islinda was in trouble and they were to save her, regardless of the consequences.
"We wait." Maxi announced, undeterred, "Haven’t you heard the human saying, ’the patient dog eats the fastest bone’. Trust me, in situations like this, an opening normally comes up..."
Maxi was still saying when the palace doors and a carriage drove out yet with her incredible sight, she was able to make out Islinda’s form.
A smirk formed on her lips, " Speaking of openings, one just presented itself. Come on, let’s go say hello to Islinda." She kissed Issac on the lips, then vanished before he could recover from it.
What a mate. Issac sighed blissfully, then went after her.
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