Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 25: The caring brother-in-law

Ruelle sat rigid in her seat, her gaze flitting between Ezekiel and Hailey. She wasn’t the type to seek attention, and she prayed Ezekiel wouldn’t treat her differently because she was his wife’s sister. But then his eyes shifted from her to Hailey.

"Miss Elliot, if you would be kind enough to join me," Ezekiel said, his voice assured. Hailey, with a mix of nerves and excitement, rose from her seat. The room was filled with curiosity, with every student—including Ruelle—wondering what this exercise was going to be about.

Ezekiel’s smile was calm, almost disarming, as he turned to address the class. He said, "Today’s exercise will focus on something simple but often overlooked: the way a pair greets each other in formal settings. There is always an unspoken exchange—a delicate balance of power."

He extended his hand towards Hailey, his movement slow, drawing every pair of eyes in the room. His fingers were steady, waiting for Hailey to place her hand in his, which she did, though her fingers trembled slightly at the touch.

"The key," Ezekiel continued, his gaze sweeping over the students before settling on Hailey, "is control. There’s a balance between dominance and respect, an unspoken negotiation in every touch. It is to know how much to give, and just when to pull back." He lifted Hailey’s hand, just enough to bring her knuckles close to his lips, brushing them with the faintest kiss—a mere whisper of contact.

The gesture was elegant and controlled. The subtle tension in the room increased, the girls watching with a mix of envy and fascination. Hailey’s face flushed a deep red, the heat in her cheeks visible for all to see, but she held her composure, her smile shy as she stepped back.

"A woman’s response dictates the course of the interaction. She must accept the gesture, but not at the cost of her own agency. Vulnerability, when wielded with awareness, is not weakness—it’s a form of power," Gemma added to the class.

Hailey’s nod was faint; her face was still flushed, but her smile was more confident than before as she took her seat.

try?" Gemma asked, her tone

closest to the front, each one looking to be chosen for their own moment under Ezekiel’s steady gaze. One by one, they each took their turn,

the students began stuffing their notebooks and quills into their bags, the room gradually filling with the shuffle of

collecting the written

Ruelle replied softly with

in Ezekiel’s direction. They whispered to one another, their words barely audible but filled with admiration for the new assistant instructor. One of the

nod, but his expression remained

her. By now, all the students and the head instructor had left the room. She noticed him give her an apologetic smile

shifting to something more intimate. "I didn’t want the other students to think I was showing favouritism towards you." His words were deliberate, carrying

blinked, momentarily taken aback by the change in his demeanour. A

said, his voice softening. "It’s important to keep things

his fingers gently brushing against hers for just a moment. The contact

didn’t know you worked here," Ruelle said carefully, her curiosity getting the better of her as she straightened her posture. "Did you tell Caroline about this? I thought you were more involved

course she knows. Caroline and I discussed it before I started working here. She understands it’s just a job—a necessary step before I can move up. Some of us don’t have everything when we start out and need to work hard for it. In fact, she said she feels better knowing I’m here to keep an eye on you; to make sure you’re alright." His voice held just the right amount

I went home we were busy with the wedding preparations," Ruelle

and said, "I’m sure that’s all