Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

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."

this weather?" the woman continued

her. Peyton’s eyes slightly narrowed, as if the woman knew everyone here covered up after their pureblooded

Pursing her lips, she turned around and left as

me know Ms. Belmont’s room so I can return to her

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

the officer bowed before giving a short nod to Ruelle. His gaze then returned to Lucian and he informed, "We

to identify, it

kill him? Maybe it was a passing rogue vampire, thought Ruelle to herself. Or maybe

handkerchief pressed tightly against her lips as though holding herself together by

her eyes for a moment before whispering almost to

branches powdered with white and Ruelle watched them without really seeing them. Arriving at the forest which was powdered

the officer explained, joining Lucian’s side. "At first we

animal?" Lucian took hold of the umbrella which Ruelle was about to

Lucian’s action before he answered, "No,

officer deeper into the forest, Ruelle caught sight of men scattered between the snow covered trees, searching through the place. Before they even reached, something foul drifted through the

face lost colour before she hurried past them where some men

making way for them and Ruelle’s eyes followed the gap they

lay on the snow. It wasn’t a body nor was it an animal. It was a glistening mass of pale skin and flesh, collapsed into itself like

broken gasp before turning away and vomiting against the

the first time we had come across something like this," the officer spoke with a frown. "Even the bones look melted so it was hard, but we found clothes which were smeared and dried with this... liquid. Our guess is that

clothes were brought by one of the men, and upon seeing this, Mrs. Belmont cried, "He can’t be dead! This—This cannot be him! Harold cannot

clothes belong to him, milady?" the

Ruelle whispered with a stunned

questioned, "You

sire. Two of them were feeding on it

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

into nothing more than a pile of

serious tone, and this only led to Mrs. Belmont crying harder. "Why don’t we go take a seat in the carriage, Mrs. Belmont?" he guided her

moving the pile of flesh into a container and Ruelle turned her head before she began to walk away as the stench of the flesh bothered

Lucian took her into his arms, while Peyton could only watch from afar. The vampiress couldn’t interrupt them,

weak smile appeared on her lips. "I

She then whispered, "To die like this without

buried her head in Lucian’s arms, heard him speak,

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

hesitation. "I settled every debt he owed you, every scar he left on you before

him. Lucian had killed her father? But he had never left her side yesterday...

"I don’t understand."

second time he died. I don’t know how

even possible? Ruelle asked

would it be sent to the courthouse for

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

Ruelle had seen enough to know that when Lucian promised someone would pay, they

in the

expecting a hare to dart through the snow. Instead, one of the guards straightened from behind the shrubs. He dusted the snow from his sleeve before bending to pick up a

no one in particular before walking back

she and Lucian had stepped away from

hands curled. How much did the guard hear

between the trees, Ruelle watched the guard walk away as though nothing had happened. He didn’t glance and simply bent to

beneath her skin that had nothing to do with the winter. 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