Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 13: Veils of Deceit

Ruelle stood at the doorstep, taking in the familiar sight of her father's stern expression.

"Back so soon?" he grunted, his voice a low, dismissive rumble that barely acknowledged her presence. His gaze, tinged with an unsaid air of disapproval, flickered towards her for only a moment before he turned and walked inside.

Her heart pinched slightly, but she stuffed the feeling down. Managing a smile, she replied, "Sexton allows us to visit our families during the weekend, Papa."

"Close the door," he said, before returning his attention to the bills clutched in his hand.

Ruelle shut the door softly. There was a familiar ache inside her, one she had learned to tuck away beneath layers of determination and resilience. On her way here, she had hoped for some sign of warmth, some gesture that she was missed. She then suddenly heard her mother and sister's raised voices greeting her ears.

"Why can't we buy the pearls? They go better with my gown!" Caroline's voice was sharp, her arms crossed defiantly as she confronted their mother.

"Because pearls are expensive, and we can't afford them right now," Mrs. Belmont's voice bore patient firmness, though a hint of exasperation slipped through. "You chose an expensive gown, and although the food and drinks are covered, we still have to host celebrations here before the big day. Not to mention, there's the maids and coachmen that we require."

Ruelle stood there in the living room like a ghost, feeling like an outsider in her own house—until Caroline's eyes lit up with recognition.

"Ruelle!" Caroline exclaimed, a bright smile illuminating her face as she rushed to embrace her sister. "When did you arrive? I missed you!"

Relief flooded through Ruelle at her sister's words, and she returned the embrace warmly. "Me too," she admitted, the tension easing from her shoulders. "I was worried you were still mad at me," she confessed.

Caroline laughed, pulling back. "Well, I was, but it seems fate had other plans for me. I would have loved my time at Sexton, and I'm a bit envious of you attending, but I'm getting married next weekend!"

"Married?" Ruelle's voice choked her surprise as her smile momentarily faltered.

"Yes, to Ezekiel Henley. He asked for my hand," Caroline stated proudly, her voice light with condescension. "Feeling jealous?"

Pausing to absorb the news, Ruelle shook her head with a genuine smile. "Of course not! I'm very happy for you. You said he seemed like an agreeable man."

"He is, isn't he?" Caroline's laughter was filled with delight. "When Mama told me, I was over the moon."

Ruelle mused silently about how swiftly things had progressed with Ezekiel Henley. They had only met him a few weeks prior, and yet, during her brief absence, he had proposed marriage to Caroline. It felt sudden, but given the circumstances—their family's precarious financial state and the mutual fondness between Caroline and Ezekiel—it seemed there was little reason to delay.

voice broke through

and out," though a fleeting look of concern shadowed her face. "Caroline needs her sister next to her with the

back into her present. She scrubbed floors, dusted surfaces, and returned the house to

still clinging to the fabric. Across the room,

how is Sexton?" Caroline asked, her curiosity piqued. "Is it as big

stretch up so high," Ruelle replied. "There are Elites—the vampires. We humans are addressed as Groundlings," she added, her voice soft with the weight

did you meet anyone there you fancy? Or someone who fancies you?" she looked at her older

a small smile,

spinning around on her stool with a

place. You

her expression shifted, tinged with frustration. "You know what's strange? Mr. Henley and I have barely spoken since the wedding announcement. Mama says it

gently. "It's only a week, and then you'll be with him forever," she

right," Caroline conceded, her face brightening. "I can't wait to marry him. It's like the more I think about him, the

a stark reminder of past sufferings etched across her body. The children's voices from her memory echoed cruelly

things

grew up. Some were very old, faded into a part of her skin, while others were fresher, only two or three

took hold. Little Ruelle awoke with a gasp, her heart racing against the cold grasp of the night. The chilling air nipped at her cheeks, and shadows danced mockingly across her dimly lit room, the wind

tentative. When the door

her voice thick

are monsters in my room,' the little girl whispered, her voice trembling like a fragile leaf caught

mother replied, barely hiding her

Father?' Ruelle gazed up with wide,

sighed, her patience dwindling. 'There are no monsters,

hanging in the air like a delicate glass on the verge of

Find somewhere else to sleep. Goodnight,' Mrs.

couldn't withstand the silence. She wandered through the dim halls until she entered

her favourite maid, Ruelle dragged her blanket and settled beside the comforting presence of the sleeping maid. The maid stirred slightly but didn't wake, allowing the little

morning arrived, Mr. Belmont had been reported of

streaming down

as she watched him, trembling, raise the belt again. She huddled against the wall, wrapping her arms around herself, her heart