Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 133: A Moment Too Close

Music Recommendation: A simple dance lesson - Kris Bowers

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Ruelle watched as Lucian drew her leg closer and rested her heel against his knee. His fingers worked the buckle loose before he slid the shoe carefully from her foot.

Her eyes lingered on him.

The seriousness on Lucian’s face had none of the temper he had carried back in the den. The darkness in his eyes that had worried her was gone, replaced now with quiet patience.

Lucian set her foot back on the floor. Then, without looking up, his hand reached for the other.

The firelight from the hearth flickered across his features as he worked, the warm glow catching in the dark strands of his hair and along the sharp line of his jaw. His movements were precise and unhurried, as though the small task before him required all of his attention.

Something about the quiet care of it squeezed painfully at her heart.

Ruelle felt a small jolt run through her when Lucian’s fingers pressed lightly against her ankle. When he looked up, the steadiness in his gaze made her breath catch.

"I thought we discussed this at noon. About you and carriages," Lucian murmured. He then set her foot back on the ground. "Come to me if something like today happens again. I will take care of everything."

Ruelle gave a nod before replying, "Okay." After a pause, she asked softly, "But there will be repercussions for what happened in the den... won’t there?"

"Perhaps," Lucian replied, his tone unconcerned. The calm in his voice eased the tightness in her chest. "But nothing worth worrying about."

Lucian rose and drew the small side table closer to them.

He crossed to the cupboard, retrieving a bottle of liquor along with cotton and a clean cloth. He pulled his drawer and picked up something before he poured a glass of water. Stirring it, he returned to sit in front of her on the bed.

handed it to

done drinking, he placed the glass aside

move. I need to open the back

blush rose quickly to her cheeks and her gaze drifted away. She asked in a whisper, "Isn’t it going to be uncomfortable for you to work

dagger. She heard the fabric tear softly behind her and

moved back slightly to look at him, perplexed. "Are you asking

Lucian’s expression remained perfectly straight. "It seemed reasonable after dragging you out of that

arms around his torso. As she did, she caught the faint scent of wild pine and something

in her back, she flinched as if her soul had nearly left her

other hand settling against her lower back to keep her from moving. "I’ll count. Take a deep

you are going to take

"One."

she could finish her words, Lucian pulled the wooden piece

from Ruelle’s lips as the excruciating pain shot through her body. Tears filled her eyes as she clutched onto him, her

it," Lucian let her

head against his chest, tears

do that—It will heal fine—You didn’t even count properly!" Her

blood had begun to fill the

injured before, but never like this. She knew what pouring alcohol on the wound would

"Please don’t—"

against her back. His thumb pressed lightly against her spine, grounding her. "The wound needs to be cleaned. It will hurt for a moment," he said calmly.

his torso and her eyes squeezed shut, Lucian poured the alcohol over the wound on her back. The moment it touched her skin, her nails dug into his back as another wave

He pressed a

God..." Ruelle said as she breathed harshly. "Thankfully I didn’t turn and get stabbed in the front," her friend would have staked her heart

slightly cold at her words and the cloth in his hand pressed a little firmer against her back before easing again. He proposed, "Jinxy trains some of the Elites after the regular hours. I can put in a

away with her cheeks flushed. "That would be helpful," she replied, knowing Kevin would appreciate it as he wanted to join the