Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 200: The Blood Between Us

Carnifex’s expression barely changed at the question and he walked to the stand, picking up the coat that hung there. He remarked, "For someone who doesn’t care about gossips, you seem rather interested in mine."

"I usually don’t," Lucian agreed. His gaze remained on Carnifex as the older vampire slipped his hands into his coat. "But Ruelle isn’t just another matter. I thought Sylvan had arranged the mansion. Then I realised it couldn’t have been prepared in only a few days and it would need to be approved by you."

At first, Lucian had dismissed it as another of Carnifex’s calculations. But the more he considered the treaty, the less it resembled politics. A treaty meant to unite two people had no need for a condition of chastity.

"Am I wrong?" Lucian asked, his eyes narrowing.

For a brief moment, the two men stared at each other. Carnifex looked like he regretted the decision of inviting him into his chambers. The Elder Minister then said,

"I am not obliged to tell you anything, Lucian. This is something between me and her. Also, I noticed that the scar on your neck hasn’t healed. Is something wrong?" He walked to the door with one hand on the handle of the door.

Lucian’s hand reached for the front of his neck and a slight smile appeared on his lips. "It is a gift," he replied.

Carnifex only frowned before he dismissed it. "Whatever it is, it is between Mira and me, or if Ruelle is my—"

"Achoo!" someone sneezed behind the door.

When the minister opened the door, Ruelle stood before him. She offered him a smile and said, "I—I was going to ask about Mother’s belongings... but... another time." Offering a bow, she turned and hurried out of there with her eyes going wide.

Carnifex’s face hardened and he glared at the pureblooded vampire in the room.

Lucian met the older vampire’s gaze without the slightest hint of remorse. He remarked, "It is better for her to know through your mouth than mine. After all, it is between you two." Without waiting for a response, he stepped past him. "I’ll see you later."

In the courtyard, Ruelle had climbed inside the carriage while her hands pressed on her lap. Her thoughts felt as though someone had scattered them across the snow. She would have considered it to be a joke or something she had imagined. But she had seen Carnifex’s face turn slightly startled.

She had only meant to ask about the mirror when she had overheard something that was not meant for her ears.

It didn’t take long for Lucian to enter the carriage and take a seat beside her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. To fill the silence once the carriage door closed, she asked, "Did they find Ezekiel in a... pile too?"

"Not yet, but if they don’t, a warrant will go out for his arrest," Lucian replied and when he knocked on the side, the carriage began to move. "Your sister is back and there are enough statements. With his disappearance it will solidify the case."

Ruelle gave a nod, even though her attention wasn’t completely there.

about it?"

replied, "No. I think it is fine. Even Caroline

around her. Her eyes briefly glanced at her hand that disappeared behind his. He then said, "I meant about what you

slightly furrowing. "I am still

closed her eyes for a moment and then shook her head

is just—it’s a lot of things I found in a day. Father died. Then you said you killed him, but maybe it is a good thing you didn’t kill my father now. The actual one," she rambled while Lucian didn’t interrupt her. "How—How is it possible? I don’t know what to think..." she confessed, meeting

she knew he wasn’t, it somehow didn’t reduce

it right now. Or if you don’t want to see Carnifex, that can be arranged." Lucian tucked a piece of her hair behind

when it comes to having a father," Ruelle

share mine with you," Lucian answered and it brought

his shoulder, she asked,

Belmont had never known. Because if he had... she couldn’t imagine him raising another man’s child. Not him. He would have

deny her

affection. The couple have never had children in their marriage, but no one knows if it was due

way. Yet she couldn’t forget the look that had crossed Carnifex’s face. She was curious to know his reasons but not right away, as she needed time to process

have turned into a vampiress?" Ruelle asked as she pulled her head

at her for a moment, as though he had expected that question. He noticed her eyes had turned clearer compared to when he had gotten into

precedes a human during reproduction. But it doesn’t have to be the same for a witch, because it depends on which lineage

the uneven ground with the neighing of the horses as it continued to move through

good things was that, now that Carnifex and Peyton knew, it wouldn’t be too hard to move around without being questioned.

and she said, "Maybe

he briefly glanced at the passing trees. "He’s grown

old. I thought that was my mother’s type," and she saw one corner of his lips

comes and goes in your life, you will always have me," Lucian promised her

and

without Peyton’s watchful eyes on them now that the vampiress sat beside Claude, Ruelle allowed herself to relax into him. The steady sway of the carriage should have quietened her thoughts, yet they drifted back to Elder

heart? To spend a lifetime beside one person while loving another... Ruelle couldn’t imagine

hand and brushed his lips against her fingers. The simple gesture drew

carriage disappeared further into the forest, far away from it, in the witch’s cottage, the witch said, "I need something that belongs to the girl. It needs

Ruelle. One that he had taken several months ago from her house. The witch took it in her

who looked frail with the amount of blood he was losing from his nose,