Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 92: What she leaves behind

Ruelle's heart hitched at the look in Lucian's eyes, more than at the words he spoke or the grip on her hand, which had tightened and gone unnoticed by both of them.

Having spent enough time together in the same space, it was rare to see Lucian's eyes carry such an intensity that she couldn't look away. And though she seemed to be drawn towards it, she felt like if she got closer it would burn her.

"You don't…" Ruelle swallowed the tension forming in her throat.

Lucian's gaze did not leave her face. When he spoke next, it was low and controlled, too calm.

"Is that so?" he asked quietly. "Then tell me. Do you reach for anyone whose hair is wet?"

Ruelle finally realised how she had stepped into his space without his consent. She apologised, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable—I just saw the water dripping—"

"Uncomfortable?" Lucian repeated, his eyes darkening slightly.

Pureblooded vampires didn't like to be touched by humans and Ruelle had seen it enough to know. She didn't know what had overcome her for creating that mistake and making him angry. She tried to shift her wrist, but it only drew his attention. It was subtle, but his fingers tightened.

She whispered, "My hand… Lucian."

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" Lucian questioned, and Ruelle's eyes widened before she shook her head. The grip of his hand loosened, but he didn't let go.

"I never said that," Ruelle said softly. She noticed his wet shirt sticking to the planes of his muscles. Her fingers curled against her skirt, and she murmured, "Sorry."

His eyes never moved, but there were fractions of changes like the grim expression and he asked,

"Do you know what you are apologising for?"

"I…I thought I had upset you for touching you…" Ruelle replied.

Lucian released her wrist at last, and only then did she realise how warm her skin had turned beneath his fingers. She then heard him speak.

"I am not upset," a faint frown drawing between his eyebrows, his words steady against the pitter-patter of rain. Then his gaze sharpened, "But never do that with others. Not with men who will misunderstand it. Not every man will stop to consider that it was kind."

Ruelle drew in a slow breath. The rain softened outside, the steady sound filling the space he had left open. He wasn't scolding or angry at her. Instead, he was warning her. It was just that she had grown comfortable with him.

Lucian was Lucian to her.

She lowered her gaze in thought. Then she nodded before replying, "I wouldn't do that with others."

"Good," Lucian replied.

Ruelle rose and turned away with the towel.

"I cannot imagine how this evening would have ended," Lucian muttered under his breath, "had that idiot not been buried in assignments."

Ruelle climbed onto the couch and drew her legs beneath her. She watched Lucian move about the room after he set the fireplace.

And without notice, he shrugged off his wet shirt before dropping it on the floor. She quickly looked away. Usually they weren't this close to each other when they changed, and if it was her, she always stepped behind the wooden divider.

on the crackle of the fire and the room warmed by

beneath his skin still slick from the rain. Water gathered briefly along the ridge of

the sort of figure artists dreamed of capturing. She looked away before she could be caught staring, she

following morning, a letter was delivered to the room addressed to Ruelle. It was from her mother. She unfolded

My dearest Ruelle,

finds you well. The season has grown cold and with Christmas drawing near,

we have decided to hold the celebration here instead. It has been far too long since we last saw you, and I hope to see you this weekend, if

With love,

Mother

and then again. She folded the letter and looked up to catch Lucian watching her

explained with a smile. "They miss

then acknowledged, "You haven't returned home

smile touching her lips. She then murmured, "I should leave early on Saturday." The last time she had delayed and had ended up not

this weekend

briefly. He responded, "Most likely. It doesn't appear

corner of his mouth tugged. It wasn't quite a smile but it was close enough to count as one in Ruelle's eyes. He gathered the parchment

second to understand his words. Then she let out a quiet laugh and

Lucian replied at the door. With that, he closed the

of the final-year Elites were absent as well, their empty seats lending the hall a

a hand down his face. Ruelle glanced

"You didn't sleep well?"

rubbed the back

doing what?" Hailey asked, cheeks already full

his seat.

they rude," Hailey clicked her tongue. She then said, "They should have just included you to

and turned her

flushing red. "No! God, no.

food, very focused on not looking at either of her friends. She fixed her hair as her gaze drifted across the hall it caught Dane's. He lifted a hand and waved with his usual bright enthusiasm. She offered

seated in front of

have Maude pack her things. We could have her sit here permanently. After all, Edward has

for her." Lucian did not look at Dane as he

the smile on his lips widening. "Is that why you made sure the trouble

are none," Lucian

ignored him. The older brother chuckled

were right about the one whom I

you find?" his thoughts briefly moving to yesterday's

Techniques class, Mr. Henley demonstrated

hands at the

this class with the first years,' an impatient Edward tapped his foot with

'My apologies, Your Highness. The first years have not yet begun the physical portion

Ms. Gilbert nodded

the discussion carried on, Lucian's gaze was fixed not on Henley's face, but on his hands. More precisely, on the faint

immaculate care. Ezekiel's always neat hands bore the marks of soil. He recalled that the

home but briefly," Dane confirmed. "He went to a town afterward and then came straight back to Sexton." A faint smile curved his lips