Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 209: Invitation To The Night

When it was time to leave the Elder Minister’s mansion, they gathered beside the waiting carriage. Carnifex informed them,

"I’ll see what else I can find about the Mirror Portal. Until then, it would be best not to let word of the fragment spread. There are people who would go to great lengths to find something like that."

Ruelle nodded. "I won’t." She was about to turn towards the carriage when Carnifex called her name.

"Ruelle," just when she turned, Carnifex stepped forward and hugged her. For a heartbeat, she was rigid. Not out of discomfort, but because she didn’t know how to be held by this man.

When Carnifex released her, Ruelle’s hands remained awkwardly at her sides for a moment. There was something in his expression that made her think he wanted to say more, but whatever the words were, they never came to his lips.

They climbed inside the carriage finally and left the mansion behind. Ruelle now leaned back against the seat, the tension in her shoulders eased with every mile away from the mansion. Turning to Lucian, she asked,

"Could we head to see the seamstress? I need to give him something to sew into the wedding gown."

Lucian knocked twice on the carriage wall. "Head to Noah’s shop," he ordered.

"Yes, Master Lucian," Claude’s voice came from outside, followed by the flick of reins and the clatter of hooves against cobblestone.

As her fingers traced idle patterns against the fabric of her skirt, she said, "Lady Amelia was surprisingly nice."

"She’s known to be an amiable lady in society." After a pause, he asked, "Were you worried she was going to chew you out?"

A small, reluctant smile tugged at Ruelle’s lips. She had prepared herself for her father’s wife to treat her with indifference, perhaps even quiet resentment. Instead, Lady Amelia had been surprisingly thoughtful.

"Carnifex and his wife have maintained neutrality for years. It’s why the lands haven’t tipped into chaos. And Lady Amelia was my mother’s friend," Lucian let her know. At this, her eyebrows rose in surprise, while he continued, "When my mother left the castle she went to live with my aunt—Maxine’s mother. Lady Amelia’s family were their neighbours."

"It feels like a small world," Ruelle murmured as everyone seemed to know someone.

The steady rattle of carriage wheels filled the silence as they travelled, accompanied by the sound of horses’ hooves against the road. She was watching the streets blur past the window when Lucian spoke again.

"I know you prefer dealing with things yourself rather than letting anyone know you’re in trouble," his dark red eyes were fixed on her when she turned to look at him. "But before you start experimenting, I want you to know which kinds take from you. And which don’t."

She immediately understood that this was about what Carnifex had explained about her mother exhausting her life force. Wanting to ease whatever worry had taken root in his mind, Ruelle reached for his hand. She replied,

"I’ll be careful. I won’t do anything that puts me in danger."

Lucian’s fingers closed around hers. "I mean it, Ruelle." The intensity with which he looked at her made her smile fade. He continued, "Many witches don’t live past thirty."

Ruelle’s eyebrows drew together. She replied, "I don’t think that’s true. The witch I met in Aunt Imogen’s town must have been fifty or sixty."

"And do you know what she did to live that long?" Ruelle fell quiet. He asked, "Would you be willing to sacrifice other people’s lives if it meant extending your own? Because I wouldn’t object if you did."

There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation in his expression. Ruelle searched his face, half expecting something there to soften the meaning of his words. If the choice were between her life and that of a stranger, Lucian already knew whose he would choose.

Ruelle swallowed. "I... no. I couldn’t do that."

Lucian’s eyes dropped to their joined hands. His thumb traced the line of her knuckles, slow and deliberate, as if memorising the shape of them. He replied,

"Then don’t touch magic that requires something you aren’t willing to give. Magic doesn’t create something from nothing. If you force the world to give you what it wouldn’t naturally give, it takes something in return."

The thought of her mother’s slow decline settled in Ruelle’s chest like a stone. A future already rewritten before she’d even drawn her first breath. Her fingers twitched against Lucian’s, the pressure of his grip a silent, unyielding anchor.

"I’ll learn before I use anything," she said, voice steady.

Lucian didn’t move but the fingers around hers finally eased, just enough for her to realize how tightly he’d been holding her. Not painfully. Not even possessively. Just... inescapably. As though some part of him feared she might disappear if he loosened his hold.

The realisation sent a strange, warm pulse through her veins.

"Perhaps the witch I borrowed the books from might know something about it," she offered, forcing her voice lighter. "She was helpful last time. I could take Hailey with me—"

"Why?"

Ruelle turned toward him. Lucian’s dark red eyes were fixed on her, unreadable as ever, but the space between them had shrunk. When had he leaned in? Her gaze flickered, traitorous, from his eyes to the cruel curve of his mouth.

Just for a second. Just long enough to forget what she’d been saying.

"Why Hailey?" he repeated, slower this time.

Oh, that was what he’d asked, Ruelle realised. A laugh bubbled up in her throat, nervous and bright.

"I thought you’d be busy," she replied before she could stop them. "You’ve had so much to take care of lately. I didn’t want to trouble you." She amended, "We could go together."

A quiet hum of approval left Lucian, and then he finally leaned back.

Ruelle turned to the carriage window so fast it should’ve been comical. Her eyelids fluttered shut. When she opened them again, the world outside was a blur of green. Her gaze flicked to the window’s dim reflection—her own face, flushed and wide-eyed and then to him.

Lucian was devastating. Even in the dim carriage, with little more than pale daylight catching the sharp planes of his face and the way his black strands of hair wavered, Ruelle found it difficult to look at him for too long without becoming painfully aware of herself.

She didn’t realise her fingers had tightened around his until his grip firmed in response.

it to his lips. He kissed the back of

your

the answer slipped out before Ruelle could

Lucian turned it slightly in his grasp. His

ran straight down Ruelle’s spine. Her breath caught, and whatever answer she might have given disappeared entirely. The faintest hint of amusement touched Lucian’s eyes, as though

were saying?"

considerably worse condition than before. She murmured, "I

"How unfortunate."

melted into town and the carriage rolled over cobblestones. The carriage came to a stop in front of the seamstress’s shop. A moment

Lucian said, his voice a touch rougher than before. Ruelle wondered

"Ruelle!"

caught Hailey standing beside Edward, but there was no sign of her cousin. Her eyes briefly searched

are you two doing

off abruptly when Hailey’s foot connected with his ankle

good time to take a stroll, and His Highness decided to bring me here." A place

the coachman. I knew you had to

had to hand in something," Ruelle

could have sent a maid instead of coming all the way here," Edward

made her slow. She glanced over her shoulder and the

glimpse of Lucian still seated inside, one arm

steps faltered. Wasn’t

appeared in front of her, completely blocking the carriage from view. He said, "You and Lucian left so abruptly. I even caught

blinked, her attention snapping back to the prince. "Oh,

said with a nod as they reached the shop. "By the time we return to the mansion, it should be ready to serve." He pushed the door farther

chasing away the chill that had followed them from the street. Her attention was soon drawn towards the seamstress who stepped into her view

raised her eyebrows at

taking immediate offence at the look.

"You do know that’s a closed door,

do you take me for? I know when my feelings aren’t reciprocated.

head snapped towards

to come into town. She had originally hoped Mr. Hawksley would accompany her, only for him to say that he needed to rest. Edward, upon discovering her failed plans, had apparently decided

a quiet glare in his direction, only for the prince to raise his eyebrows "Did you just

expression changed with impressive speed and she offered him a small bow. "Of

Noah, who entrusted it to an assistant before it disappeared into the back room. It didn’t take long for the seamstress to get occupied with Edward, before moving on to

was a woman who brought a brief gust of cold air with her. She wore a fitted black dress beneath a dark coat, the neckline cut low enough that Ruelle’s eyes were drawn there before she could

woman’s face, feeling faintly embarrassed, and she met the woman’s eyes, who smiled at

"Good afternoon."

but he was occupied on the other side of the shop. The woman’s attention

woman smiled before her gaze shifted to the prince

didn’t know who the woman was, simply stared at the person with

My name is Lyra Parish and I work in the theatre that you visited a few days ago. We couldn’t help but think what a lovely couple you two made and it is a pity

complimented the woman, "It was a wonderful performance, even if

noticed Lucian step inside with his coat hanging on his shoulders. His gaze found her almost

replied, remembering the evening he had

should come attend tomorrow night. The evening performances are considerably more interesting than the rehearsals you saw last time. I assure

that is different from what was practised," Edward said with a

intended for couples," the woman

she noticed Ruelle’s attention drift past her shoulder. Curious, the

Lucian Slater." Her smile brightened with recognition. "What a pleasant surprise. It has been some time since we last had the

inclined his head

must bring your bride to tomorrow night’s performance. We should very much like to meet the fortunate lady who is going to be your

Lucian replied, his gaze shifting to

expression flickered with surprise. She looked from Lucian to Ruelle before her eyes

afternoon together at the theatre, so

Somehow, it felt as though she had done something wrong simply by

understandable mistake. Miss Ruelle has a habit of putting people at ease. It’s one of her more dangerous qualities.

addressed even though

to relax, the fleeting worry that she might have offended the pureblooded vampire

time she had tried to avoid Lucian, glanced at Lucian. When their eyes met, a small smile found

is that, Lucian? Ruelle visited the theatre for the first time thanks to

rehearsal hardly qualifies as seeing the theatre," Lucian

attend the theatre play with Lucian, Ruelle proposed, "Everyone

Nevertheless, she recovered with practised grace. She said, "As it is only performed once a week and the tickets usually sell out rather quickly, I would be delighted

level overlooking the stage. During her previous visit with Edward, they had remained on the lower

to a theatre before," excitement brightened Hailey’s face. "We

fabric against Hailey’s shoulder, paused

call that particular performance a family outing," he murmured, which went unheard by most of them. It was more suited to begin

him of our visiting the Slaters’ Mansion beforehand," Hermes said, attempting to steer the prince away from the

waved a dismissive hand. He spoke to the woman, "We’ll need seven tickets." He glanced across the room before

Her gaze drifted briefly towards Ruelle and Hailey, and for a

said, offering

softly. "If I may make a suggestion. It would be best enjoyed if one came with their partner. Very well. I shall reserve the best seats in the gallery." She bowed her head into a graceful curtsy before adding with a playful smile, "I only hope you’ll reward us generously afterwards... or perhaps beforehand." With that, she walked to the