Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Harold Is Dead

The morning light was a traitor even though it was pale from the winter. It slipped through the curtains of the bedroom like a thief, stealing the last remnants of darkness.

When Ruelle’s lashes fluttered open it took her a moment to realise where she was. As warm breath feathered the back of her neck, soon she became aware of the arm resting securely around her waist. Holding her close enough that she could feel the slow rise and fall of Lucian’s chest behind her.

The quiet was shattered by a knock at the door and Ruelle stiffened. Peyton.

As if sensing her panic, Lucian murmured, "Breathe."

Ruelle let out the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. She pushed herself upright and beside her, Lucian did the same. Another knock followed which was firmer this time.

"Master Lucian, the minister’s assistant is looking for Miss Ruelle," it was Maude, who stood on the other side of the door.

She watched as he moved to the door, his movements fluid, and he opened the door. Maude stood on the other side of the door, her expression unreadable as she held out a tray that carried freshly squeezed juice.

"How long?" Lucian asked as he glanced back at Ruelle, whose hair was tangled and her brown eyes wide.

"Should be no longer than thirty seconds," Maude answered, while briefly turning in the direction of the faint noise that came from below.

Ruelle’s eyebrows knitted and she whispered, "I should go." Not to mention with her father, who had disappeared, she didn’t want her stepmother tightening things along with Peyton.

"You should stay," Lucian insisted as he picked up his coat to leave.

But this was his room and her eyes wandered over it. He had already made space for her and this morning she was already asking him to make more. Ruelle shook her head.

"I know a way out," she said, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt. She made her way to the balcony and she swung her leg over the railing, and his eyes narrowed.

Ruelle jumped, the rush of wind stealing her breath as the frozen earth rushed up to meet her. For a heartbeat, she was weightless and free. Then the ice below cracked and turned liquid.

The same time, thick green grass sprouted in an instant, just as Lucian’s arms wrapped around her, yanking her against his chest. They hit the ground together, the impact absorbed by the sudden cushion of grass.

Ruelle blinked up at Lucian and said, "You didn’t have to jump too." Her palms resting against his chest felt his heart beating.

"You..." The word died somewhere between exasperation and relief. A quiet breath left him before he rested his forehead against her shoulder.

She had only tried to find a quick solution, not realising Lucian wasn’t familiar with such things when it came to her. Wrapping her arms around him, she whispered, "I didn’t mean to scare you. I... I’ve jumped before. Sexton made us climb and jump often."

In the past, Ruelle had to jump to get away from Alanna and her minions who were after her in Sexton. Only that this time, she was able to land without pain, unlike then. It was a mystery that she hadn’t broken any bones so far.

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes searching hers. "Then Sexton failed to teach you one thing," he murmured, his voice rough. "That I would jump after you."

Ruelle felt her heart turn full and she then replied, "Then... I’ll explain better next time?"

Before Lucian could respond they were interrupted.

"Morning, birdies," it was Dane who had spoken. Upon turning, Ruelle caught the window open and he was already dressed and now sipping on blood tea from his teacup. He asked amused, "Enjoying the day?"

At the same time, she heard voices come from Lucian’s bedroom.

Peyton and Mrs. Belmont, had arrived at the door, while Maude continued to stand with a glass of juice in her hand. The vampiress’s eyes skimmed quickly through the room, while Mrs. Belmont questioned,

"Where is my daughter?"

Maude stared at them for a second before she answered, "They went on a morning walk."

Mrs. Belmont looked confused and asked, "This early in the morning?"

"Yes."

the woman continued

housekeeper with her. Peyton’s eyes slightly narrowed, as if the woman knew everyone here covered up

forehead, not knowing if she should even worry about something like this when her husband had disappeared. Pursing her lips, she turned around and left as if she didn’t have the energy for this. But Peyton on the other

me know Ms. Belmont’s room so

person out of

front of the mansion when a carriage came rolling through the gates. It belonged to the courthouse because of the little blue flag it waved. Once

informed, "We have found something in the forest. I think you should come take a look at

was asking to identify, it only

a passing rogue vampire, thought Ruelle to

her handkerchief pressed tightly against her lips as though holding herself together by sheer force. Every few moments, her fingers trembled before tightening

her eyes

bare trees slipped past one after another, their branches powdered with white and Ruelle watched them without

it snowed in the night, it made finding the trail harder," the officer explained, joining Lucian’s side. "At first we thought it was just a

by an animal?" Lucian took hold of the umbrella which Ruelle was about to open. Opening it, he held it

officer’s thoughts seem to falter at Lucian’s action before he answered, "No, it doesn’t look mauled. It’s more like

through the place. Before they even reached, something foul drifted through the cold air. The stench hit the back of her throat and she instinctively raised her sleeve

Belmont’s face lost colour before she hurried past them where some men were

them and Ruelle’s eyes followed the

body nor was it an animal. It was a glistening mass of

broken gasp before turning

spoke with a frown. "Even the bones look melted so it was hard,

clothes were brought by one of the men, and upon seeing this, Mrs. Belmont cried, "He can’t

these clothes belong to him, milady?" the

Ruelle whispered with

and he questioned, "You said it snowed yesterday. How did you find

them were feeding on it when we discovered it," the officer answered

felt was hollow, like a room after someone has stopped screaming in it. She had imagined her father’s death when he had last raised his

had turned into

isn’t all of him then," Dane remarked in a serious tone, and this only led to Mrs. Belmont crying harder. "Why don’t we go take a

before she began to walk away as the stench of the flesh bothered her. Unlike her stepmother, she didn’t cry. But she found

her into his arms, while Peyton could only watch from afar. The vampiress couldn’t interrupt them, as if the human needed time

weak smile appeared on her lips.

"To die like

had buried her head in Lucian’s arms, heard him speak, "He paid

his gaze and a small smile touched her lips but it didn’t reach her eyes. She asked, "You mean when

came without hesitation. "I settled every debt he owed you, every scar he left

Lucian had killed her father? But he had never left her side yesterday... Her thoughts tangled in her mind before she

"I don’t understand."

to her, "This is the second time he died. I don’t know how he returned, because Dane

that even possible?

there’s half a bone here, would it be sent to the

will explain the rest later," Lucian informed Ruelle before he walked to where the officer was to

she didn’t have to know more. Ruelle had seen enough to know that when Lucian

in

expecting a hare to dart through the snow. Instead, one of the guards straightened from behind the shrubs. He

one in particular before

way since she and Lucian had stepped away from the others. Then... How long had he been

hands curled. How much did the guard hear of what

to drift down between the trees, Ruelle watched the guard walk away as though nothing had happened. He

If it had been a human hiding there, Lucian would have heard the heartbeat behind the bushes. But vampires and halflings didn’t have a heartbeat. Her eyes remained fixed on the guard, waiting for anything

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