Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 45: Closed windows

Music Recommendation: The missing piece - Eleftherios

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Inside the room, Ruelle changed out of her dirt-streaked, disheveled clothes with trembling fingers. Her skin felt clammy, the memory of being locked in that dark, cramped cupboard still weighing on her chest. Buttoning up her nightdress to her chin, she felt a flicker of relief knowing Lucian hadn’t seen Ezekiel’s embrace. But why had Lucian assumed she was married?

When a flash of lightning split the night, illuminating the room with harsh light, she jumped on the couch, instinctively pulling the blanket up to her chin as the rumble shook the window.

Then, just as silence settled again, the door creaked open, and Lucian stepped into the room. For a brief moment, he simply looked at her, his expression unreadable. Closing the door, he spoke, his tone even, carrying just a hint of detachment,

"I informed Blake that you are safe. You should go to sleep. It’s late, and we have classes in the morning."

Ruelle nodded. "I...yes, I was about to." She hesitated, then added, "Thank you for letting Hailey know."

He cocked his head slightly before turning away.

Ruelle took her cue to lay down on the couch, while clutching the blanket and her gaze following her roommate. She noticed him sit on the edge of the bed, pulling out the laces of his shoe, before removing it.

His hand lifted toward the candle to extinguish it, but a sudden crash of thunder shook the room, making her flinch, her heart pounding against her ribcage. His fingers paused, curling back before dropping to his side, the candle left to burn.

Just as Ruelle began to feel herself drifting, she heard Lucian say something but didn’t quite catch it. She asked just above a whisper,

"Did... did you just say something?"

Lucian’s voice, low and almost hesitant, broke the silence. "I said I’m sorry." His red eyes flicked briefly towards her, distant yet intense.

blinked in surprise. "Is this...about the

you," he replied, his tone clipped, but

itself surprised her. A

really. I’m just glad the misunderstanding is cleared and we can be friends

his gaze, but it

and I will never be friends," she heard Lucian respond, the words edged with a hint of his usual guardedness. "My opinion of humans hasn’t changed, and I still count your kind to be conniving and traitors, so don’t expect anything from

way his disdain for humans seemed deeply rooted, beyond mere prejudice. As she lay in the couch, she felt an uncomfortable warmth creep up her neck. She shivered, then pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders, as

and Lucian had already risen, moving quietly as he dressed and prepared for the day. He slipped on

Lucian muttered, reaching for the door—but then he

usual cool authority, "if you intend to make use of that diligent reputation of yours, you might

laboured, and his gaze narrowed, noticing the flush in her cheeks and the sheen of sweat dampening her brow.

he called again, his tone more

stir. After a brief hesitation, he reached out, his hand moving reluctantly toward her forehead. His cool fingers brushed

coat as though her very world had crumbled, while she stood close

"How fragile and troublesome."

up. She squinted against the dim light, noticing

with mischief, broke through her fog. Dane appeared, his ever-present smile lifting at one corner. "You might want to take it slow.

S...?" she murmured,

his eyes crinkling with an easy grace. "I’m just here to make sure you don’t get up to any more mischief while

"I—I’m sorry for

me a favour, actually. I had no classes today and was starting to get a bit bored." His

is comfortable," she replied quickly, her face reddening

on her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. After going to tug on the rope to summon some assistance, he settled back in the chair beside