Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 20: Tension in the room

Ruelle stood in the drawing room as she began to tidy up the place before she would leave for Sexton. The guests had decided to return to their houses directly from the church, while her parents were remained with the newlyweds. She was glad that the wedding ceremony had gone smoothly and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The soft creak of the door behind her pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to find Ezekiel standing in the doorway.

"Mr. Henley?" Ruelle looked taken aback by his presence. She glanced behind him, and asked, "Where is Caroline?" There was an undercurrent of nervousness in her voice that she masked behind a smile.

Ezekiel’s eyes locked with hers, and she felt the room beginning to turn constrict as he stepped further into the room. He replied, "She’s talking to your aunt, who is about to leave." After a tense pause, he added with an edge in his voice, "You weren’t at the altar."

"Oh, I was standing at the side with the guests. I got there a little late, but I didn’t miss the ceremony," Ruelle replied, her tone formal and distant—a barrier she’d built between them, though one she wasn’t sure she could maintain for long under his scrutiny.

"Everyone in the family is delighted and eagerly anticipating next weekend. Especially Caroline. She hasn’t stopped talking about it."

"She is a lovely young lady. Then it’s settled. We’ll see this through."

Ezekiel’s jaw clenched slightly. That was not what he meant. Did she not know that he wanted to marry her? He couldn’t believe the blunder that had unfolded. Casually, he asked,

"Did you leave the house last night, Ruelle?"

Ruelle was acutely aware that Mr. Henley, now her sister’s husband, was addressing her with newfound familiarity—as if he knew of her mistake. For a brief moment, the memory of the night before flashed through her mind—his arms around her, the mistake she had been desperately trying to forget.

It was the evening before the wedding, Mr. Henley. We barely had any time to leave the house with all the guests

they would be enough to throw him off. Ezekiel’s expression remained unreadable, but she could feel the weight of his suspicion pressing down on

gaze never leaving hers. He wanted to believe it had been her last night—everything in him

his gaze head-on, hearing her sister’s voice growing louder as she approached the main door. In an attempt to diffuse the heavy

loving and marrying Caroline. Especially knowing you will keep my sister very happy

and Mrs. Belmont appeared at the doorway. Mrs. Belmont’s eyes

help changing

Ruelle replied, more than eager to leave the room and quickly walked away with Caroline towards

it took less than a second for Mrs. Belmont to be slammed against the

smooth surface of the wall behind her as he slammed

rasped, her voice weak. Her hands flew up to grasp his arm, her nails digging into his sleeve as she desperately tried to pry his iron-like fingers away. Her chest heaved, but she managed to draw in enough air to gasp

slightly loosening his grip on her neck without letting her go. He spat in anger, "How dare you trick me into marrying Caroline instead of Ruelle? Do you think I’m a fool?" he

erupt in such anger. Still, she forced herself to remain calm, her wide eyes meeting his as she whispered in

to marry Caroline. There must have been... a misunderstanding." Her tone was carefully controlled, despite the panic twisting in her chest. "You married one of my

a moment. His voice dropped to a whisper, "You have no idea who you’re dealing with,

his eyes shifted to a growing, bright red.

and get away with it?" Ezekiel demanded, as

to danger, and she knew how to play her cards. She whispered hoarsely, "Ruelle wouldn’t be happy if you harmed me. She would never forgive you if something

that why you sent her to Sexton?

was stealing her sister’s happiness. She will never accept you!" Mrs. Belmont said quickly. "She would come to despise you, because she loves her