Aldric’s rage intensified, his eyes burning with a mixture of betrayal and fury. "Maxi, what is the meaning of this? I asked you not to come to the winter court..." His eyes narrowed as it dawned on him. "So this is it—you and Islinda, both in cahoots. How was I so blind not to see her turning everyone in my household against me?"
"Oh God, no," Maxi groaned dramatically. "I liked you more when you were a heartless bastard than this doubting fool you are right now."
"What? A doubting fool?"
"Yes, that’s exactly what you are—not seeing Elena clearly manipulating you. How the mighty have fallen. I always told you your cockiness would be your downfall one day."
"Stop trying to make a fool out of me!" Aldric said, feeling a cold fury settle in his chest. "You have betrayed me twice now, Maxi. You and Islinda have always been friends, and you expect me to believe that she did not manipulate me, twisting my mind to suit her needs."
Maxi lifted a brow. "Really? You truly believe that Islinda is a witch?"
"There have been so many weird things about her lately. That could only explain it."
"And you think what? That I would support a witch? And for what? To what end? You should hear yourself, Aldric. You sound very stupid right now," she insulted him.
"Enough!" Aldric thundered, her insult now getting to him. He was considered the realm’s smartest villain, and now Maxi was pointing out that Elena, the one he trusted, had bested him. And that Islinda was innocent. Aldric did not know what or who to believe anymore. Either one side was telling the truth or both sides were fooling him for their own agenda.
Maxi shook her head, a look of genuine pity crossing her features. "Aldric, you’re lost in your own paranoia. You don’t know who to trust anymore, do you? But ask yourself this: why would Islinda gain from allegedly manipulating you? Furthermore, what would I even gain from supporting her?"
Aldric sneered, "The human realm, have you forgotten? I’m the only thing standing in the way of her return to where she belongs. And you, haven’t you lost faith in me already? You don’t think I embody our vision anymore. I am too lost in my ambition. In my anger! You wouldn’t hesitate to choose a new champion if one appeared!" He threw his head back and laughed bitterly, "Is that why you’re here? To set Islinda free? What has she promised you? To manipulate and turn me into a puppet that perfectly carries your vision! Tell me, what is it, Maxi?" He shouted at her.
"Yes, you’re right!" Maxi countered, "You’re right that I’m here to free Islinda. But that’s not all I’m here for. I’m here to free you from whatever charms that Elena has used on you. Because I swear to the gods, you’re beginning to annoy me. But don’t worry, the witch we’ve employed will undo whatever Elena has done to you."
"What? What witch?" Aldric’s face darkened when he realized what she was up to. "You must be dreaming if you think I’m going to let anyone lay a finger on me. I am done with all of your manipulations," he said, his body already poised for a fight.
"Well," Maxi sighed in disappointment, "not that I thought you would come willingly and we’d do it the easy way." A slow, twisted smirk graced her features, thrilled at the offer. "A fight it is then."
Aldric’s features hardened upon recognizing that sickly delighted look on Maxi’s face. She was not giving up. Well, he was not going easy on her either.
The air crackled with tension as Aldric and Maxi locked eyes, their intentions clear. Maxi, with her piercing dark blue gaze and lopsided grin, had no interest in killing Aldric. She wanted to incapacitate him, to take him to the witch who would help bring him to his senses.
On the other side, Aldric, his face bearing a mixture of anger and determination, had no intention of losing to Maxi. His powers surged within him, ready to be unleashed. With a swift motion, he brought his winter ability, to the surface.
Shards of ice materialized before Aldric, taking the form of wickedly sharp icicles. He hurled them toward Maxi with lethal precision, each icy projectile whistling through the air, ready to strike its target.
While Maxi as a horse shifter may lack their fancy powers, she was skilled and the most flexible. She dodged, somersaulted, and cartwheeled with deft ability, narrowly avoiding the icy onslaught.
Their fight intensified as Maxi retaliated, utilizing her agility to launch an offensive counterattack. She moved swiftly, her every movement with precise intention. She strategized and adjusted her approach, finding gaps in Aldric’s icy attacks.
With smart maneuvers and quick reflexes, she managed to evade the worst of the onslaught and land a few solid blows on Aldric. Blood trickled from Aldric’s nose as Maxi’s fist connected with his face, briefly stunning him.
Anger burned fiercely inside of Aldric. It was as if he was losing his touch lately and now he was being bested by Maxi. While both of them might seem evenly matched, it was only because she knew most of his moves having followed him for centuries long. But in the end, he was still stronger.
And Aldric retaliated with renewed ferocity. Summoning his winter ability once more, he created a massive icicles storm and sent it raining on Maxi.
Maxi tried her best but could not dodge all, some pieces pierced through her, injuring her and she faltered. Aldric took that opportunity to use his shadows to pin her to the wall and she couldn’t move.
"How dare you?!" He raged, holding her hostage.
But to his surprise, Maxi began to laugh.
"What is funny?" Adric growled.
"Really? You think this is just the end?"
Aldric’s hackles rose as he got the message, but he was too late. Before he could brace himself against the intruder he hadn’t noticed until the last minute, he was already gasping for air.
Issac emerged from his hiding place, manipulating the very air that Aldric was breathing.
"Y—you... !" Aldric managed to say, clawing at his throat as if that would stop the air being stolen from his very lungs.
Maxi, now free, took advantage of the situation, and knocked Aldric out cold. He fell to the ground in a heap.
"That was close." Maxi said, stepping over to Issac and planting a firm kiss on his lips before they pulled away.
"We should make a move, there’s no more time." Isaac said.
"Of course, let’s kidnap the dark Fae prince." Maxi concurred happily, putting on the device that let her take on Elena’s appearance.