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

assuming things about you," he replied, his tone clipped, but he averted his

he meant, but the apology itself surprised her. A soft smile formed on her

glad the misunderstanding is

it disappeared as he spoke again, his tone taking

You 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

for humans seemed deeply rooted, beyond mere prejudice. As she lay in the couch, she

He slipped on his coat, casting a

study would get her up on time," Lucian muttered, reaching for the door—but then he hesitated. A flicker of

authority, "if you intend to make use of that diligent reputation of yours, you might consider waking up for

dampening her brow. His eyes flicked back towards the door, instinct urging him to leave, but he found himself

called again, his

hand moving reluctantly toward her forehead. His

back, an image flashed in his mind that belonged to the previous night. Her fingers had clutched to his coat as though her very world had crumbled, while she stood close to

"How fragile and troublesome."

she tried to sit up. She squinted against the dim light, noticing the curtains were still

there, Ruelle." A familiar voice, light yet edged with mischief, broke through her fog. Dane appeared, his ever-present smile lifting at one corner. "You might want to take it slow. Seems you’re a bit

she murmured, her voice

here

flush rose in her cheeks. "I—I’m sorry for causing trouble. I

actually. I had no classes today and was starting to get a bit bored." His gaze wandered

the couch is perfectly fine. It is comfortable," she replied quickly, her face reddening

eyes. After going to tug on the rope to summon some assistance, he settled