Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 104: There Is No ‘We’

Almost a week passed in the Slaters’ Mansion and Ruelle spent most of her time in the library. As if idleness might invite fate to notice her and take back the peace she had received.

There had been hours when she followed Maude through the corridors while trying to be helpful. Right now, the housekeeper wore a stern expression and said,

"Miss Ruelle, please sit in the drawing room. The back of the kitchen is unsuitable for you."

"But I am used to that side. I used to work back at home," Ruelle reasoned.

"If you require anything, I will bring it," Maude said firmly. The housekeeper guided Ruelle toward the other wing of the mansion and had the young woman sit on a plush chair beside the tall window where she could admire the garden.

Ruelle added, "But Brother Dane said I am family."

Maude paused with her mouth pressed into a thin line as if she could tell what Ruelle was trying to do. She replied,

"Then that is more the reason to avoid it." After a pause the housekeeper informed her, "Lord Azriel will not be returning until night. If you wish to walk in the garden please wear a shawl before stepping out. The wind today is chillier than it was two days ago."

Maude must have noticed her slipping away whenever she heard Lord Azriel’s heavier footsteps echo through the halls.

"That won’t be needed as it is time we will be heading back to Sexton," Dane informed, standing at the doorway with his warm and bright smile that made one forget the gloominess that had settled outside the walls of the mansion.

Maude lowered her head in a respectful bow.

"Ready to leave?" Dane asked Ruelle to which she nodded.

The bruise along her cheek had faded to a faint shadow, and the deeper aches that had once throbbed through her shoulders and ribs now lingered only as dull reminders when she moved too quickly.

Finally it was time to return to Sexton.

When her trunk was loaded at the back of the carriage, Maude brought Ruelle a little box of snacks to eat on the way. The gesture warmed her heart.

Ruelle had known more comfort here than she had expected, and she was grateful for their hospitality, even though Lord Azriel’s words sounded like a warning. Once they sat inside the carriage and it began to move, Dane asked her,

"You look troubled. Something on your mind?"

a few days ago, Lord Azriel said something to me. I think he meant

looked at her quietly before bursting into laughter. He

not laughing at you. I’m laughing because that sounds exactly like my father." He shook his head, still smiling as he tried

She hadn’t seen Lucian in days, as he had returned to Sexton. She asked, "Then, did you inherit

with a thoughtful expression. "I think I am more like my paternal

been a charming and kind woman," Ruelle guessed, because that’s how Dane

of Dane’s eyes crinkled with quiet amusement. His paternal grandmother was a person, who had a habit of feeding until a human was at the brink

by talking about the most mundane things. When the carriage finally arrived at Sexton, the horses came to a halt and they stepped

be taken to

him a small smile.

to attend to. I will see you

Recommendation: Never Meant to

she stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing Caroline standing a couple of steps

"Ruelle!"

Caroline doing in Sexton at

stretched too wide across her face. Her eyes flicked left and right before settling on Ruelle, relief

arms around her elder

good to see

She continued, "I was so worried when you didn’t come to Sexton or didn’t see you in any classes. I thought—" She reached for Ruelle’s hands, but Ruelle pulled them

asked. Her voice was calm but the softness Caroline had grown up with was gone. It was the tone used for acquaintances and

off by the distance more than

for almost a day and made to scrub their mess. I couldn’t catch hold of Ezekiel—" Her eyes darted over her shoulder. "And after that vampire said I had to be bought because of these earrings—if it weren’t

continued, tumbling over itself in complaint and fear, but the words

I am telling you?"

or words purely out of the love she had for her. But she didn’t

I am thinking

here, Caroline," Ruelle murmured

Caroline blinked. "But you’re the one

given to me, yes. I brought them home," Ruelle said, holding her sister’s gaze. "Like I said before, Mother took them without asking and you chose to wear them. If

letting out a tired sigh and agreed, "Fine. My fault. Mother’s fault. Whatever you want to call it. But

Ruelle muttered, interrupting her