Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 241

Chapter 241: Epilogue

Carriages enter through the tall iron gates of the Slater mansion, with guests stepping outside wearing expensive clothes that glided across the path where snow had been shovelled out of the way, allowing them to make their way towards the back of the mansion where the ceremony was going to take place. High-ranking ministers, pureblooded vampires and distinguished humans who were close to the Slaters and Carnifex came to attend the much-awaited wedding.

The Slater mansion was decorated with flowers leaving a sweet scent to drift in the air, along with a gentle melody from harps and violins that floated down from the covered terrace.

"Congratulations, Lord Azriel. Elder Minister Carnifex," one of the guests wished while offering a bow along with his wife and daughter.

Lord Azriel acknowledged them with a slight nod, while Carnifex responded,

"Thank you, Mr and Mrs Beckett, for joining us."

"It is our pleasure. How could we possibly miss such a grand occasion?" Mr Beckett remarked, his eyes wandering over the old mansion that stood sturdy and proud of its old bloodline.

"This is our daughter, Alanna. She was Lucian’s classmate at Sexton, Lord Azriel," Mrs. Beckett introduced.

The young vampiress offered him a deep bow before lifting her head with a sweet, almost innocent smile, clearly meant to leave a favourable impression on the lord. But unfortunately for Alanna, Lord Slater had never been particularly susceptible to such displays. The only woman capable of softening his otherwise nonchalant air with a smile was his wife.

Mrs. Beckett went on to speak, "Alanna has always spoken very highly of your family and she is very fond of Ruelle. I was thinking that it would be rather lovely if such an old acquaintance were to become a closer connection between our families someday," she laughed, her hand settling lightly against her daughter’s arm.

"What a lovely thought, Mrs Beckett."

Lady Irina came to stand beside her husband, and her husband’s hand settled naturally against the small of her back.

"Though I do believe the sort of connection you are speaking of is something we elders ought to leave entirely to our children," she continued in a pleasant voice. "Azriel and I have never had any desire to decide whom our sons should marry. Even with the treaty, it still was Lucian’s choice and it turned out wonderful."

Her eyes moved briefly towards Alanna. "Besides, familiarity alone has never been enough to consider someone well suited, can it?" Lady Irina smiled.

Mrs Beckett’s smile faltered for only a fraction of a second. She wanted to say something when her husband interrupted, "We should go take our seats."

"Please," Lady Irina smiled at the family, watching them make their way to the back of the mansion.

Lady Irina had heard more than enough stories involving Alanna Beckett to know what sort of person hid beneath that agreeable smile. Though Mr. Beckett remained useful, usefulness wasn’t enough to allow his daughter anywhere near her family.

Then again, Irina doubted she would have to interfere much where her eldest son’s matters was concerned.

Dane had always worried her in an entirely different way. At times, she wondered if he had inherited more than a passing resemblance to her late mother-in-law. For all the polish and elegance he carried in public, he sometimes returned home reeking of blood... and so far no bodies had been found. His interest burned quickly and disappeared just as easily with women, leaving Irina with the uncomfortable impression that none of it ever filled him the way a connection was supposed to.

That made the idea of Mrs Beckett quietly arranging her daughter around him almost amusing.

"Has the person officiating the ceremony arrived yet?" Lady Irina asked with a touch of concern in her voice. And before she could look into it, Lord Azriel stopped her.

"I will send someone to see where the person is. You should sit down a little," he assured her.

"The ceremony is supposed to start in twenty minutes. I can’t believe he is late," Carnifex looked down at his pocket watch before snapping it close and slipping it into his coat. "If only Father Anthony were in good health, this wouldn’t have been an issue."

"Father Anthony is a good man. But he has been ill for quite some time now and it is a pity that the others aren’t willing," Lady Irina murmured.

Nearly every human-run church they had approached had refused to officiate a marriage between a pureblooded vampire and a human. Father Anthony had been the exception. But with his health preventing him from attending, he had arranged for his apprentice to conduct the ceremony in his place.

"If we hadn’t found one, I was prepared to point a gun at the first priest who refused," Carnifex muttered. As far as he was concerned, no one had the right to object to his daughter’s happiness.

Lady Irina smiled. "It is good that we didn’t have to go that far. I will go see how the children are doing."

Inside the mansion, the winter atmosphere was replaced by the crackle of massive hearths and the rich, intoxicating aromas of spiced wine, roasted meats, and sweet glazed pastries.

"Mr. Hendrick’s son is allergic to nuts. Keep in mind not to serve it to him," Maude instructed one of the servants who carried the tray outside the mansion.

The head of the housekeeper smoothened down the front of her dark apron, her eyes scanning the corridor. The moment she spotted Lady Irina approaching, the housekeeper bowed.

"Milady. Everything is proceeding as it was decided. The fireplace has been stoked in the south wing as you asked, and most of the family members have been sent out to the back garden."

"Thank you, Maude," Lady Irina said before she climbed up the grand staircase with the back of her dress trailing behind her.

Entering the corridor, she walked down the quiet wing of the mansion, she finally paused in front of a room. She knocked gently against the wood.

"Come in," came Lady Maxine’s voice from the other side.

When Lady Irina stepped inside the room, her breath caught softly and she paused in the doorway. Standing before the full-length mirror was her youngest son. Lucian was adjusting the silver cuff of his black coat.

"Mother," he murmured.

Irina closed the distance between them, and as she came to stand before him, Lucian leaned down slightly to press a tender kiss to her cheek.

"Look at you," Irina whispered, her voice wavering with emotion. She reached up with both hands, gently smoothing down the lapels of his heavy dark coat and brushing away an invisible speck of dust from his collar. "My little boy, about to take a wife." She then picked up the small blossom before pinning it into his lapel.

Lucian’s eyes remained on his mother as he said quietly, "I owe you and Father so much. For bringing her to me."

Irina smiled warmly. "We may have placed you two in each other’s path."

"Well, I think we should all be grateful he didn’t frighten her off with that charming expression of his," Dane drawled as he entered the room, smiling at his younger brother. "Though, now that I think about it, he very nearly did."

Lucian rolled his eyes. "I didn’t frighten her."

"Mother, you should have seen him when I first suggested they share a room at Sexton. He looked at Ruelle as though he were deciding which coffin would suit her best." Their mother’s lips curved, though she didn’t comment. He stepped farther into the room, adjusting the cuff of his inky-blue coat. "Though I must say, jealous Lucian was much more entertaining."

"It won’t be nearly as entertaining when it’s your turn," Lucian remarked.

"You’re assuming rather a lot about my future, little brother," Dane’s lips tugged in amusement. "Though my future does look bleak with how I will be part of the courthouse."

"This is why you should find a bride. The perks of marriage are a lot," Maxine chuckled before questioning, "How far is the summer house?"

"It is eight hours away. The servants have been sent beforehand to prepare the house, so you should have everything you need," Lady Irina said, turning to look at Lucian.

It was better to give the newlywed couple complete privacy, far removed from the watchful eyes of anyone. The Slaters owned a secluded estate nestled along the quiet northern coast, which was isolated, heavily protected, and had a beautiful view.

Lucian couldn’t wait to see Ruelle.

It had been four days since they had last seen each other. Four days of an old, inherited tradition that dictated the bride and groom remain apart before the ceremony, a custom that came from pureblooded vampire side. He had agreed to it with great reluctance and almost immediately regretted it.

Just a few more minutes, he thought.

"Where are Sawyer and Angelina?" Maxine asked, as she hadn’t seen them since early this morning.

"Angie was in the bride’s room, but she left with Oliver. I haven’t seen Sawyer since the last hour, "Dane’s brows drew together as one of the bridesmaids was missing too. Interesting.

Lady Irina took a peek at the window and exclaimed, "Finally! Looks like the officiant is here." She began to head towards the door and said, "Come down in five minutes."

"I should go check where my daughter has wandered off too," Maxine excused herself, leaving the Slater brothers alone in the room with the door closing softly.

From the tall, arched window overlooking the rear grounds, Lucian watched as the seats were filled by the guests. His eyes drifted past the ceremony pavilion, scanning the perimeter where men had been stationed in and around the estate at precise intervals.

Today was the exact date they had been meant to marry in the life before, which was previously filled with grief.

But this time it was different. It was the last wave of their old life left to ride, and when it passed, this date would no longer belong to tragedy.

When the last few guests were still walking, Lucian caught sight of someone and his eyebrows furrowed. He questioned,

"Who chose the officiant?"

Dane hummed, turning away from the mirror he had been standing in front of. "Carnifex did. Why, what happened?"

The older Slater brother walked over to where his brother stood, moving closed to the tall window and leaning one shoulder against the frame to casually look down below. Down along the shovelled path, flanked by two guards, the man wearing ceremonial vestments made his way toward the altar, holding the leather-bound book of scripture against his chest. The smile that was on Dane’s lips faded, and his relaxed posture turned taut.

Someone knocked on the door and informed, "Master Lucian, it is time."

While the lower halls buzzed with excitement, the floor above had been reserved exclusively for the bride.

Inside one of the rooms, Ruelle stood in the centre before a tall mirror, her chest rising and falling with quiet, baited breath.

The back of the wedding gown was crafted from delicate sheer fabric that revealed the soft curve of her spine, while intricate, lace-like embroidery tapered into full-length sleeves that hugged her slender arms down to her wrists. Below the fitted waist, the skirt cascaded into a river of heavy, smooth silk that pooled around her feet in graceful, undisturbed folds. Running down the centre of her back, perfectly aligned from the base of her slender neck to just above her waist, was a line of pearl buttons.

Her hair had been swept up and secured at the back with an ornate, pearl-like pin. A few soft, loose curls had been left free to frame her face, brushing gently against the line of her cheekbones when she moved.

"Do you need me to fetch you a glass of water, Miss Ruelle?" Peyton inquired.

The vampiress had stayed behind alongside Lady Amelia, while the others had hurried down only moments ago as the swell of music shifted outside, carrying the deep, melodic notes of the wedding about to commence.

"I am fine. Thank you, Peyton," Ruelle replied, offering her a warm, reassuring smile.

Her friend Hailey, who was there earlier to help her get ready, had to be pushed earlier so that she could get ready herself. Though a vampiress now, she had turned close to Ruelle. Seeing how her friend hadn’t returned, Ruelle assumed that she had been called down to take her position as the bridesmaid.

She now pressed a palm lightly against her midsection, exhaling a soft, trembling breath. "I feel like there’s a storm in my stomach..." she murmured.

She had waited for this day through two lifetimes. She had dreamed of standing beside Lucian without fear, without blood on the snow. And now that the reality was only a flight of stairs away, it made her knees weak.

"You are nervous because the moment matters to you," Lady Amelia said gently, stepping forward. Her touch was tender as she adjusted the mist-like veil draped over Ruelle’s head, ensuring the sheer fabric fell flawlessly over her shoulders. "All that remains is to walk out there."

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