Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 105: A Thing You Can Do for Me

Ruelle’s heart felt heavy once she arrived at the room. She stood there for a few seconds, staring at the door while the conversation with her sister replayed in her mind.

Then the door opened from within and her gaze settled on Lucian’s silhouette, a thin line of light tracing the left side of him.

The thoughts that had been racing moments ago went quiet in his presence. She found herself staring into his deep red eyes, as if they could anchor her from slipping away. She never knew a person could have such an effect.

"I am back..." Ruelle murmured.

Lucian pushed the door open further for her to step inside. He remarked, "You’re back later than Dane normally returns," his words casual on the surface.

"You always know everything. Like a lizard on the wall," Ruelle muttered and just in time caught him narrow his eyes. She hurriedly added, "It’s just a saying. For someone who is... well informed."

"Dane has a meeting at six with Mikhael and the other instructors. Every weekend," Ruelle heard Lucian speak, as she closed the door.

Ruelle walked to the couch and sat. She said, "I ran into Caroline and got held back talking with her." That made him look at her. She pressed her thumbs into each other and asked, "Do you ever worry that one day you’ll become someone you never wanted to be?"

Lucian leaned back against the edge of the desk, his hands settling on the surface of the desk, his fingers curling lightly into the wood. His gaze was steady on her as he remarked,

"Some of us spend our whole lives trying not to be what we already are. Because sometimes instincts can outrun intention."

Ruelle wondered if he was talking about the time when he had killed the men in the alley two weeks ago. Chills ran down her spine at the memory of it.

"You don’t have to be guilty of how you feel right now," Lucian continued, pulling her attention out of her thoughts. "Choosing yourself doesn’t make you cruel. It means you finally stopped volunteering to be hurt for people who won’t do the same for you."

His words eased something in her chest and before she realised it, a small smile found its way to her lips.

"Thank you for telling me that," Ruelle thanked him out loud. She added gently, "I wish I could be useful to you too. Is there something I can do for you?"

Lucian went still. His attention fixed on her with an unreadable intensity, which she missed. He noticed a few pieces of her hair brushed against the side of her face when she picked up the blanket.

she turned to look at him, Lucian looked away, staring outside the window as though

let him know,

can do for me," Lucian said, his fingers pressing briefly into the edge of the

replied, leaning forward with

tightened at her response. His gaze returned to her and he reprimanded her, "Don’t say

her lips curved and she gave him an obedient nod. "Alright. I

brief silence in the room until Lucian

want you knitting, not until Christmas is

him? Ruelle tilted her head in confusion, while

needles—the click clacking sound—disturb you?" Ruelle asked him with a slight frown. But then again, she had always knitted away from him. "I can

firm, the look in his eyes sharpening. "Just until Christmas is done.

groundlings complained about how the Elites didn’t let them study, here was Lucian, who didn’t want her distracted. Her expression softened and she

me to

But Lucian said nothing.

touched by his concern. She complied with his words,

into. The same time, Lucian pushed himself off the desk as if the conversation had ended, moving toward the cupboard. She

a pouch in his hand. She asked him, "What

sounding almost indifferent. "You will need fare if you travel. This

a good idea..." Ruelle murmured as she had seen what it

it. You don’t have to use it," there was no hesitation in his tone. He didn’t offer it into her hands but simply held it

She said, "I can’t take this much... But I’ll borrow one coin," and

into Kevin and Hailey in the corridor not far from the dining room. Hailey

asked your sister who joined, but she didn’t know where you were," Hailey uttered in concern, her lips pressing together

gave a small nod, returning the embrace more carefully than she used

As she stood close, her eyes caught the faint, nearly faded mark along Ruelle’s cheek. It was easy to miss unless one looked carefully. And though Hailey guessed what it was, she chose not to mention it. Instead, she looped her arm around Ruelle’s and said brightly, "We’re just glad you’re back. Next

Ruelle answered as they slowly began

Kevin added,

of you, Kevin. I’ll borrow them,"

gaze and spotted Caroline standing some distance away from them and her feet slowed. The Belmont sister’s eyes met before