Thank you Amanda Upton and DaoistRV48bk whose comments added to the development of this chapter!
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It was Maxi, and Aldric eased up a bit, having assumed that Islinda woke up and had come to give him hell. But even the rest of the relief was halted because he saw the turbulent look in the horse shifter's eyes and his curiosity was piqued. What did he do this time? Everyone was coming at him today. It was beginning to get exhausting.
"Islinda is sleeping peacefully in her room," Maxi stated.
"Of course, she's secure," Aldric concurred, keeping his expression blank but his body was full of tension. His brows slightly narrowed, disturbed, "Don't you want her alive?"
"I think that question should be directed at you else you wouldn't go on with the rest of your plan?"
"What?"