Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14: What was left behind

"Ruelle, isn't it stunning?!" Caroline's voice rose in excitement as her reflection in the mirror gleamed with the promise of the future in her ivory gown.

Ruelle, standing in the seamstress' shop, smiled softly. She watched her sister fondly, a warmth filling her voice as she responded, "You look beautiful, Caroline. Truly."

"Miss Caroline, if you would just hold still for a moment," Mrs. Seymour warned gently, adjusting pins with practiced precision. "The dress won't fit right if you keep moving."

"Oh, pardon me, Mrs. Seymour. I just can't help it!" Caroline's laughter filled the shop.

The seamstress glanced at Ruelle with an observant eye and remarked, "It looks like life at Sexton has been kind to you, Miss Ruelle."

Ruelle's smile tightened ever so slightly. "It is certainly a world of its own," she admitted. She then made a request, her tone hesitant. "Mrs. Seymour, do you think I could borrow some wool threads you no longer have any use for?"

Mrs. Seymour nodded warmly. "Of course, dear. There's plenty in the backroom."

As the conversation about the architecture of Sexton continued, Caroline, who had been watching Ruelle's reflection in the mirror rather than listening, interrupted impatiently, "Mrs. Seymour, the veil? You promised it would be ready," she added, brushing aside their conversation as if swatting at an insignificant fly.

After spending three more hours in the seamstress' shop, assisting Caroline with wedding preparations, Ruelle finally embarked on her journey back to Sexton. Clutching the coins for the local carriage fare, she navigated through the village's cobblestone streets.

Upon arriving, she stepped down from the carriage, her breath misting in the cool afternoon air.

Before Ruelle could cross the heart of Sexton, she spotted someone—Lucian, perched on the parapet next to a towering pillar.

Her footsteps slowed.

One of his legs hung lazily over the edge, the other bent in repose, supporting the weight of his quiet contemplation. His attention seemed to be absorbed by the pages of the book in his hands. His form was elegant, almost deliberate in its nonchalance, and as if he were the place's rightful owner. There was a cool detachment around him, yet he exuded an intense presence.

Other girls caught sight of him as they passed, their eyes instinctively drawn to him, as if he were the embodiment of their daydreams, yet he remained beyond their reach.

Ruelle watched from a distance as the vampiress who had previously harassed her made her way over to where Lucian sat. Alanna sidled up to him with fluid grace.

"Lucian, you vanished from the soiree last night. I was hoping you'd stay a bit longer," she teased, her tone light yet carrying a suggestive undertone.

Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned a page of the book resting on his knee, its importance clearly outweighing her social pleasantries. "I don't recall committing to such trivial festivities," he replied, his tone clipped, discouraging any further conversation.

Undeterred, Alanna leaned in. "I just thought you might have preferred... better company for the evening. So many of the Elites left early," she placed one hand near him. "We had some Groundlings over—it was a wonderful hunting game. You would have liked it. The audacity of these humans to be walking these grounds. I was thinking of inviting you to..." she continued to chatter.

Before Lucian could respond, his eyes shifted beyond the vampiress where Ruelle moved through the courtyard, her golden hair catching the late afternoon light as she walked with her eyes fixed downward.

Ruelle felt the unrelenting gaze of unseen eyes upon her, unsure to which owner it belonged to.

Lucian's irritation, previously only simmering, transformed into a piercing glare as he shifted his focus back to the vampiress. With a swift motion, he closed the book and placed it sharply on the parapet, near where her hand lingered, prompting her to withdraw immediately.

"Perhaps it's your persistence that drives people away," Lucian remarked, with obvious annoyance.

The vampiress blinked, her confidence wavering under the weight of his unexpected intensity. Her posture faltered, and a nervous edge crept into her laughter, diluting her former bravado with uncertainty. "Oh, Lucian, I didn't mean to—" she stammered.

Lucian's eyes, cold as steel, effectively silenced her protest. "You are wasting my time now. Leave," he snapped.

Alanna recoiled, quickly regaining her composure and offering a tight smile, her earlier bravado now tempered by caution. "Enjoy the daylight," she murmured before retreating hastily.

Ruelle, witnessing this exchange, couldn't help but feel a wave of wariness wash over her as she neared the area where Lucian sat. She tried to pass by unnoticed, repeating to herself, Just keep walking. Don't look at him. Don't look at him, she mentally chanted.

However, despite her best efforts to avoid him, Ruelle's eyes involuntarily drifted toward Lucian, as if drawn by an invisible thread. The moment their gazes locked, a chill ran through her. His stare was intense and calculating, as though it could strip away her every defence.

Lucian's voice cut through the silence, smooth but edged with an unmistakable bite. "If I recall correctly, weren't you leaving Sexton?"

Ruelle halted mid-step, her heart stuttering at the cold reminder of their last conversation. The memory of her own naive confidence in leaving Sexton now stung.

"I tried," she said softly, her voice a fraction quieter than she intended. She didn't elaborate—because he knew the reality.

In one fluid motion, Ruelle saw Lucian jump from the parapet, landing in front of her with a predatory grace. His presence loomed over her, causing her heart to leap into her throat. As his body straightened, it seemed to loom over her once more. His gaze was steady, and the weight of his scrutiny made her fidget. She took a tentative step backwards.

He then stepped aside, moving past her with a dismissive air, as though the conversation held no further interest for him. Yet, just as Ruelle thought the encounter had ended, his words cut through the silence like the coldest winter chill.

"You don't belong here."

Ruelle's cheeks flushed at the harshness of his words.

She shook her head, resolving not to let his words deter her from her goal of improving life for herself and her family. Just because he looked down on her didn't mean she lacked the power to effect change.

When she turned, she noticed Lucian had disappeared from the corridor.

"Ruelle! You're back!" Hailey exclaimed cheerfully as she and Kevin approached Ruelle, before quickly wrapping her in a warm hug.

"Hailey," Ruelle responded, her voice lifting. "Hello, Kevin."

"Are you okay?" Kevin asked Ruelle with concern. "I saw Lucian walk past you..."

"Did he say something?" Hailey asked as she pulled away from the hug.

"It was nothing. I'm fine," she said, forcing a smile, but her voice wavered slightly.

Kevin lowered his voice, as if even speaking any Elite's name aloud might draw unwanted attention. "Since I started working for the Elites, I have come to hear stories—things he's done. Apparently, even other vampires keep their distance from him and try not to offend him."