Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Logs That Burned All Night

When Ruelle’s eyes opened, she was met with darkness. She remembered lying down on the bed briefly while the light outside the window had still been pale and the birds had been chirping.

She felt the dull ache bloom back through her shoulders. Her hands felt swollen and stiff, each finger protesting even at the smallest thought of movement.

When she turned on her side, her heart almost jumped out of her chest upon finding herself staring straight into a pair of red eyes.

"What are you—" her voice came out hoarse. She swallowed and tried again. "Mr. S...?"

For a brief, ridiculous moment, she wondered if this was a ghost. The thought made her brow crease faintly as she stared at him.

Dane hummed, evidently amused and leaned back in the chair that was pulled close to her bed. He replied,

"I just returned from a soiree and found the room occupied," after a pause, he added, "If I’d known you were going to end up like this, I would have spared us the trouble and kidnapped you this morning. Worked well enough last week."

Ruelle managed a small smile, more out of habit than humour. When she tried to sit upright, pain flared through her shoulder and she wobbled. Dane rose at once, steadying her with his hand at her back until she was properly supported.

"I would have asked how you are doing, but I already have the answer," the smile on Dane’s lips turned grim. "For now, I am glad you are still breathing. It would have been difficult if you didn’t."

"I have a roof over my head tonight. It is better than I thought," Ruelle assured him. She didn’t know how things would have turned if she had managed to go to Sexton to spend the remaining weekend by herself.

"You should stay here until your bruises disappear," Dane offered and Ruelle looked up to meet his eyes.

"I wouldn’t want to impose," she replied softly.

"Ruelle," Dane interrupted gently, raising a hand. "You’re welcome here." He paused, watching her carefully. "You may stay as long as you need. But only if you include me as family."

Ruelle’s eyes widened in surprise, not knowing why her instructor would go that far. Her lips pursed before she replied, "But you already have one. A very good one..."

"I once had a little sister who followed me everywhere. She found it hard to sleep unless I stayed with her. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time together. I miss her, which is why you can call me Brother Dane."

"Brother...Dane?" Ruelle repeated, staring at the log of wood next to the fireplace. She had never thought about how it would feel to have a brother. To think he was offering to be her family when she was alone...

Even though Ruelle tried hard not to think about it, her thoughts drifted to her family. She wondered what they were doing now.

She could picture her parents, Caroline and Mr. Henley having a good time while no one spoke a word about her existence. Perhaps they were better without her, she thought to herself.

But what Ruelle did not know was that the Belmont family’s misfortune had not ended with her departure. It had only begun.

Far from the Slaters’ mansion and away from the village of Brackenwell, Mr. and Mrs. Belmont continued to run.

The couple stumbled on a deserted road in their blind attempt to escape. Mr. Belmont staggered, his steps slowing until he stopped altogether.

"How could you—how could you wager our house?!" Mrs. Belmont gasped, fury cutting through her exhaustion. They stood beneath the open night. "We should have taken the carriage."

"Did you bring the money I gave you?" Mr. Belmont wheezed, his body bent as he fought for air.

Mrs. Belmont’s eyes flashed in annoyance as she turned to him. "I was busy locking and opening the door on your word! Trying to get us out before we were burnt alive thanks to you!" She hit his arm and he yelped.

Soon they heard the sound of distant wheels before a carriage appeared in sight.

Mr. Belmont shouted, "Stop! Stop the carriage!" Mrs. Belmont joined in by waving her hands as the carriage slowed. A man leaned out of the window with a wary expression.

"My husband is injured," she said quickly. "We need to get home. Please help us!"

After a brief pause, the man decided to give them a ride and an hour later, the carriage halted in front of the Henley residence.

When the door opened, Ezekiel Henley stood at the door. His expression was strained from the evening he had endured, with Caroline’s sobs still ringing in his ears. His eyebrows furrowed and he asked,

"What are you doing here at this hour?"

"Ezekiel, dear," Mrs. Belmont said politely, already stepping past the threshold, "have a physician summoned. Your father-in-law has broken his hands. Also due to certain... developments, we’ll be staying here," she continued. "After all, family supports family. Especially in difficult times."

Mr. Belmont followed close behind, his expression nothing less than that of a thief. Ezekiel remained where he was, watching them enter uninvited. His jaw tightened before a thought surfaced.

"Where is Ruelle?" Ezekiel asked, his tone casual even though he glanced to look for her.

"She will not be coming," Mr. Belmont clicked his tongue. "Our ties with her have been severed."

Ezekiel’s eyes widened at those words. What did they mean by that?!

Back in the Slaters’ mansion, most of the lanterns had dimmed and the place had turned quiet. Ruelle was in the room with Dane, giving her company. Right now, she caught him staring at her swollen hands. He asked, "May I?"

Ruelle hesitated before nodding slightly.

He then took her hand to examine it. He let her know, "Maude will help you with whatever you need, so don’t be shy to ask her for help."

He adjusted her hand slightly, checking another finger, while his fingers rested below her knuckle. He was still looking at her fingers when she sensed a presence at the door.

She lifted her eyes toward the door and found Lucian standing at the doorway. His sleeves were rolled untill his forearms and his dark hair dishevelled, as though he had not bothered to put himself back together. His gaze moved to her hand, which was held by Dane right now.

Something sharp passed through Lucian’s eyes, gone almost as soon as it appeared.

Ruelle’s fingers curled without thinking and only then did Dane seem to realise they were no longer alone.

Dane released her hand carefully, turning towards the door and frowning. He asked, "Did you bathe in cigar smoke?"

Even Ruelle caught the faint scent of the charred wood. It clung to Lucian as he entered, stronger than the smoke in the fireplace. She blurted her thoughts, "I have never seen you smoke."

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