Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132: The Ride Back

The black carriage travelled through the forest, its wheels grinding against the dirt road while the horses clip-clopped in a slow, steady rhythm.

Inside, Ruelle sat with her eyes closed beside Hailey. The latter kept a careful hand behind her friend’s back, making sure she didn’t lean too far against the seat where the wooden stake still jutted from her wound.

"She looks in pain," Hailey murmured with a frown, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Was it Orpheus who did it?" she asked Kevin quietly, whose expression tightened.

Lucian didn’t turn towards them as his gaze remained fixed on Ruelle across from him. She had fallen asleep and he listened to the slow, even rhythm of her breathing while the carriage continued to roll through the forest.

"It was me..." Kevin admitted, shifting uneasily in his seat. Hailey’s eyes widened in disbelief as he spoke quietly, "She stepped in front of me suddenly and I failed to stop it."

Hailey exhaled softly and said nothing as Kevin already looked miserable enough.

After a moment Hailey’s eyes drifted toward Lucian and she cleared her throat. "Mr. Lucian... thank you for rescuing us." If it weren’t for him, they would have been dragged back to the den. When he didn’t respond, she added cautiously, "They won’t come after us, will they? I mean after you wa–warned them."

Warned? Kevin thought wearily.

"They will not," came the brief response from Lucian and Hailey nodded with relief.

’It wasn’t the prince. It was Lucian.’

When Ruelle had said it back there in the den, Kevin had wondered why she used Lucian’s name instead of Prince Edward. But after seeing what the pureblooded vampire had done to people for touching or even thinking about harming her, he realised Lucian Slater had indeed been the one who bit her.

The thought made something uneasy settle in his chest. Lucian had stepped in tonight as if she belonged to him.

When the wheels of the carriage rolled over the uneven road, one of the wheels moved against a raised stone and the vehicle suddenly jolted.

While the humans grabbed the edge of their seats to steady themselves, the sudden jolt caused Ruelle’s sleeping body to sway to the side. Her head tilted toward the wall of the carriage, ready to collide with it.

Before it could happen, Lucian leaned forward and his hand came to rest against the side of Ruelle’s head, stopping the movement before it struck the carriage. The young woman barely stirred, her head simply settled against his palm.

"My apologies for the jolt, Master Lucian," the coachman called from the driver’s seat as the horses continued along the forest road.

Across from them, Hailey’s eyes widened. She had never seen someone move so quickly.

"If people like tonight invite you again, there is no reason to follow them," Lucian stated, his hand still cradling Ruelle’s head.

"We wouldn’t have gone if they didn’t threaten our families," Hailey answered, and as the words left her mouth, something seemed to strike her. She whispered, "Orpheus... he knows where my father works. I should go visit my family—"

"You don’t have to worry about him for now, Hailey. He’s out cold," Kevin said, trying to reassure her. "Unless he comes back vindictively..." he muttered, his eyes drifting toward Lucian.

At the same time, the carriage began to slow down as it had entered Sexton and the hooves gradually eased until the horses came to a quiet halt. Lanterns flickered along the stone walls, bringing the humans a sense of safety.

Outside, the coachman climbed down from the driver’s seat and opened the door with practised ease.

"Should we wake her?" Hailey asked, glancing at Ruelle.

"No," Lucian answered, watching the lantern light filter through the carriage window and brush across Ruelle’s face. "Let her sleep."

Hailey nodded. She stepped out and Kevin followed her after a second of hesitance.

Inside the carriage, Lucian slid his arm gently beneath Ruelle’s shoulders, handling her with the same care one might give a butterfly’s wings. His other arm slipped beneath her knees before he rose from the seat, lifting her into his arms. He then stepped down from the carriage with her.

"Miss Elliot, where does your father work?" Lucian questioned, while Ruelle’s head tilted instinctively toward him, settling against his shoulder.

Miss Elliot? Hailey’s brows lifted in surprise as no Elite had ever addressed her that way. She responded, "For Earl Sangery’s nephew."

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