Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 102: Logs That Burned All Night

When Ruelle’s eyes opened, she was met with darkness. She remembered lying down on the bed briefly while the light outside the window had still been pale and the birds had been chirping.

She felt the dull ache bloom back through her shoulders. Her hands felt swollen and stiff, each finger protesting even at the smallest thought of movement.

When she turned on her side, her heart almost jumped out of her chest upon finding herself staring straight into a pair of red eyes.

"What are you—" her voice came out hoarse. She swallowed and tried again. "Mr. S...?"

For a brief, ridiculous moment, she wondered if this was a ghost. The thought made her brow crease faintly as she stared at him.

Dane hummed, evidently amused and leaned back in the chair that was pulled close to her bed. He replied,

"I just returned from a soiree and found the room occupied," after a pause, he added, "If I’d known you were going to end up like this, I would have spared us the trouble and kidnapped you this morning. Worked well enough last week."

Ruelle managed a small smile, more out of habit than humour. When she tried to sit upright, pain flared through her shoulder and she wobbled. Dane rose at once, steadying her with his hand at her back until she was properly supported.

"I would have asked how you are doing, but I already have the answer," the smile on Dane’s lips turned grim. "For now, I am glad you are still breathing. It would have been difficult if you didn’t."

"I have a roof over my head tonight. It is better than I thought," Ruelle assured him. She didn’t know how things would have turned if she had managed to go to Sexton to spend the remaining weekend by herself.

"You should stay here until your bruises disappear," Dane offered and Ruelle looked up to meet his eyes.

"I wouldn’t want to impose," she replied softly.

"Ruelle," Dane interrupted gently, raising a hand. "You’re welcome here." He paused, watching her carefully. "You may stay as long as you need. But only if you include me as family."

Ruelle’s eyes widened in surprise, not knowing why her instructor would go that far. Her lips pursed before she replied, "But you already have one. A very good one..."

"I once had a little sister who followed me everywhere. She found it hard to sleep unless I stayed with her. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time together. I miss her, which is why you can call me Brother Dane."

"Brother...Dane?" Ruelle repeated, staring at the log of wood next to the fireplace. She had never thought about how it would feel to have a brother. To think he was offering to be her family when she was alone...

Even though Ruelle tried hard not to think about it, her thoughts drifted to her family. She wondered what they were doing now.

She could picture her parents, Caroline and Mr. Henley having a good time while no one spoke a word about her existence. Perhaps they were better without her, she thought to herself.

But what Ruelle did not know was that the Belmont family’s misfortune had not ended with her departure. It had only begun.

Far from the Slaters’ mansion and away from the village of Brackenwell, Mr. and Mrs. Belmont continued to run.

The couple stumbled on a deserted road in their blind attempt to escape. Mr. Belmont staggered, his steps slowing until he stopped altogether.

"How could you—how could you wager our house?!" Mrs. Belmont gasped, fury cutting through her exhaustion. They stood beneath the open night. "We should have taken the carriage."

you bring the money I gave you?" Mr. Belmont wheezed, his body bent as he

annoyance as she turned to him. "I was busy locking and opening the door on your word!

the sound of distant

"Stop! Stop the carriage!" Mrs. Belmont joined in by waving her hands as the carriage slowed.

quickly. "We need to get home. Please help

to give them a ride and an hour later, the carriage halted in front of the Henley

evening he had endured, with Caroline’s sobs still ringing in his ears. His eyebrows

are you doing here

threshold, "have a physician summoned. Your father-in-law has broken his hands. Also due to certain... developments, we’ll be staying

less than that of a thief. Ezekiel remained

tone casual even though he glanced

Belmont clicked his tongue. "Our ties with her

those words. What

the place had turned quiet. Ruelle was in the room

before nodding

will help you with whatever you need,

fingers rested below her knuckle. He was still looking at her fingers when

dark hair dishevelled, as though he had not bothered to put himself back together. His gaze moved to her hand, which was held by

through Lucian’s eyes, gone almost as soon

curled without thinking and only then did Dane

her hand carefully, turning towards the door and frowning. He

of the charred wood. It clung to Lucian as he entered, stronger than the smoke in the fireplace. She blurted her

Lucian did not answer.

does," Dane said lightly. "Most vampires do. It curbs the urges." He tilted his head as he explained, "Though I suppose you stopped sometime in the

"Dane."

chuckle. He then informed them, "I just

the door. As he passed Lucian, he caught the whiff of something else burn. He lowered his voice with

if you want. You should find them outside," Lucian replied calmly. Dane

make his way

him, clinging to his clothes. His gaze dropped to her hands at once, lingering on the swelling along her fingers. His

"Open your mouth."

guard. For a moment, she wondered if he intended

white ball from his pocket and paused for a second before he placed it in her mouth. "It’s a medicine," he informed, already withdrawing

at the side table and brought it up, holding it

sips, her eyes met his in silence. Once she was finished, he

she murmured. After a moment, she added, "Did you... finish

the glass down on the side table before refilling it from the pitcher. The sound of water being poured filled the room. He replied, "It’s half done. The

pillows and guided her back until the mattress supported her. She let herself sink into it, the dull ache in her

needs to be

house...?" Ruelle echoed quietly. "I can’t