Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

The following day, Ruelle could hear the faint sound of birds chirping nearby as she smoothened the front of her dress while standing in front of the mirror.

"You didn't have to wait," Ruelle said, catching sight of Lucian's reflection in the mirror. He had leaned casually against the doorframe and his eyes were fixed on her.

"Where else would I be?" Lucian asked, tilting his head with a ghost-like smile touching his lips.

Ruelle felt the tips of her ears warm.

"Do you think I should have worn something old?" she asked in slight worry that it would draw attention in a place like the harbour. "I might even get charged more."

"No merchant will dare cheat you while I'm standing beside you," Lucian remarked and Ruelle nodded with a smile.

"Whom do you go to usually? Any favourite?" she enquired as she picked up her handkerchief.

A thoughtful expression fell on Lucian for a second before he said, "There is one who sells ropes. Some call him old sailor Joe. He is a fairly reputable man."

And he had never been caught dealing in forbidden items? But then again, people with reputations rarely were caught and it was always the ones that had very little who fell into traps, thought Ruelle.

"Master Lucian," Maude's voice came from the doorway. Lucian turned, his expression changing as she informed, "Minister Gaile is here. He wishes to speak with you urgently."

Hearing that the minister Lucian worked for was here, Ruelle wondered if something significant had occurred.

They made their way to Lord Azriel's study as the minister was talking to him and Dane was present too. Once they arrived, Minister Gaile turned before standing up and offering a bow to Lucian and Ruelle, which they returned.

"I thought I made it clear that we wouldn't be working for the next few days." Lucian's voice was dry as he stared at the man.

Minister Gaile began to explain, "Pardon me for interrupting. If it weren't urgent, I wouldn't have come. We have caught four humans involved in both the previous rebellion and the present one. But the vampire responsible for turning humans into corrupted vampires is still hidden somewhere among the human towns. Your ability is the only reliable means we have of seeing through his camouflage."

"Funny that the courthouse didn't consider it an ability when he was first corrupted," Dane remarked dryly from the side, his arms crossed.

At that, Minister Gaile offered a weak smile. He said, "Only in the beginning."

When Lucian's corruption had first taken hold, the very same high-standing officials who had once sought to execute him had abruptly changed their tune the moment they discovered his corruption had twisted into a rare ability instead of mindless ruin.

Blinded by greed, they had attempted to replicate the phenomenon. But the results had been in vain. Countless humans, halflings, and even several pureblooded vampires had lost their lives in the process, and the experiment finally came to an end.

"Ruelle and I already have plans as I promised to take her out today," Lucian stated in a nonchalant tone.

Seeing the minister's shoulders droop, Ruelle said to Lucian, "We can go tomorrow or the day after. There's no hurry."

Hearing her words, Minister Gaile's face brightened and he said, "It is just today, I will have someone follow the trail once you find it. We need to cut this off before another rebellion grows in its place. The last thing we need is another hydra."

On the side, Lord Azriel who had stayed quiet, finally spoke, "Minister Gaile is right, and you have been part of the case before you began working for the courthouse, Lucian. This way other families will not suffer like ours..."

Lucian's lips thinned at those words.

"How about you go finish the job and I will take Ruelle out to shop?" Dane offered with a smile. "To make it safe, Peyton and Lachlan can accompany us."

Ruelle gave a nod at this. She knew how important and urgent the matter was, and the only reason Lucian was pushing it away was for her. Her hand reached for his and squeezed it.

Lucian's gaze dropped to where her hand held his. He remained silent for a moment before his fingers closed around hers in return. He answered,

"A few hours. I will join you soon," and with those words, he left with Minister Gaile.

Once Ruelle stepped out of the study, Dane joined and asked her as they walked, "Where were you planning to shop?"

"I wouldn't call it shopping. It was to the harbour," Ruelle's reply received a look from him.

"Quite a romantic place for a new couple to take a walk around," Dane teased her.

"I need to look for some items for the spell." Ruelle knew it likely wouldn't be that simple to find what she was looking for, but it was still worth the effort of searching.

As they made their way further, Ruelle caught sight of Hailey and Edward on the other end of the corridor who were in a heated disagreement. Nearby, Hermes stood with his attention on the wall when the prince waved his hand near his own neck, the gesture almost theatrical in nature as he turned to the older vampire.

Ruelle glanced at Dane and asked, "Should we ask them to join us?" The more, the merrier, she thought with a smile.

But then Dane placed his hand on her shoulder and he wore an amused look. He stated,

"I believe if you were to ask them out, the prince would insist on making plans to visit the night theatre later. It will be far better if we simply send them there now instead."

"You are right, Brother Dane…" Ruelle murmured in thought. Especially if Edward came along, there was no telling when her intention would be blown out for everyone to hear.

Dane's lips stretched further into the smile and he said, "Why don't you let the guard and your cousin know that we are going out? I will have the carriage prepared."

Ruelle offered a small nod at Dane's suggestion before turning to invite Lachlan, while Peyton didn't need an invitation as she followed her everywhere except for the bedroom, on her father's words.

It took nearly two hours before everyone gathered at the carriage. Ruelle was the first to climb inside, taking her seat as the others followed suit. Meanwhile, Lachlan seemed to avoid meeting Dane's gaze.

As Peyton turned to make her way toward the driver's seat, intending to sit beside Claude, Dane clicked his tongue.

"And where do you think you're going, miss?" he asked, his tone laced with mock scandal. "Don't you know proper etiquette dictates that you're meant to sit inside with the lady, seeing as there are two men present who aren't directly related to her by blood?"

Ruelle, seated comfortably inside the carriage, watched as Peyton briefly stared at Dane, clearly not expecting her own words to be served right back. Without much reaction, she climbed inside and sat on the opposite seat facing Ruelle.

Perhaps it was because Peyton had stopped breathing down their necks that Brother Dane now allowed her to sit with them. But the truth was far from it.

Dane wanted the carriage filled. Because once he and Lachlan climbed inside, they were forced to sit directly across from one another, precisely as the pureblooded vampire had intended.

Soon the carriage moved and left the mansion behind, heading in the direction of the harbour. Inside, Ruelle asked,

"Brother Dane, didn't Lucian hunt down all the people who were involved in the war?"

"He did hunt the ones who were present in the town he and my mother visited, but I wouldn't say everyone. There's always someone left behind to enable the others," Dane explained, watching Lachlan's gaze fixed on the window as if to maintain distance but the movement of the carriage brushed their knees and he heard the heart fumble. "I doubt it will ever go away completely until humans and vampires learn to accept and treat each other well. They are like weeds. Pull one out and eventually another takes root. The most we can do is keep them from spreading."

"That feels tiresome," Ruelle's eyebrows furrowed.

"It is," Dane agreed, his gaze shifting briefly outside. "The troublesome thing about war is that it doesn't end when people decide they've had enough of killing each other. The dead remain dead, while those left behind inherit every reason they were taught to hate."

Across from him, Lachlan's gaze finally left the window and settled on Dane. He had heard how the late Lady Slater had died, but hearing Dane speak of war so casually made the story feel less distant than it had before.

"But then if people do stupid things, the people in the courthouse would run out of work," Dane added with a light chuckle.

"Let us hope that with Ruelle and Lucian's reunion, people will come to accept it," Lachlan commented.

Dane said thoughtfully, "I think it will take more than their union. People often insist on deciding which forms of affection are proper and which are not depending on their convenience."

"That's how society has been for a long time now..." Ruelle agreed, giving the matter a genuine thought. "It shouldn't matter what someone is, should it? If two people care for one another and aren't hurting anyone, I don't see why others should have a say in it."

"I don't think your cousin shares the same thought," Dane hummed and Lachlan looked as though he'd been caught beneath the carriage wheels.

"I didn't say that," Lachlan replied, his eyes narrowing at Dane.

"Then you agree?" Dane grinned as if enjoying the scene in front of him.

Lachlan was silent for a beat and he then spoke, "I think what two people choose to do with their lives is their concern. Not mine."

"How reassuring, Mr Hawksley," Dane murmured with mirth in his eyes.

Ruelle's gaze moved quietly between the two men. Brother Dane had been teasing Lachlan ever since they entered the carriage, but there was something unusual today. It was a good time for them to get to know each other, she thought.

"Lucian and I must seem rather odd to some of the more rigid purebloods," Ruelle said, leaning back against the seat.

To this, Lachlan replied, "You do. We live in a society that isn't particularly kind to unions it considers... unusual."

Dane's gaze shifted to the human and he asked, "And being unusual allows them to be condemned?"

Lachlan's brow furrowed. "I didn't say that."

"No," Dane agreed pleasantly. "Society did. People have always been remarkably generous with rules for lives they will never have to live. Apparently, anything that fails to resemble their own choices must be wrong. I find it to be rather ridiculous."

Ruelle only smiled at those words, while Lachlan's lips pursed.

After several minutes, the carriage finally came to a stop near the harbour.

Getting down from the carriage, Ruelle pulled her cloak around her head to prevent cold wind from entering into her ears. The harbour stretched out before them, alive despite the cold.

Ahead of them, merchants had set up their stalls while covered in thick coats and scarves. The fishermen sold their catches at a rate higher than usual because of the weather. People moved through the place while the place was filled with merchants shouting and the air carrying a mixture of scents.

"The ships should start moving soon with the weather changing," Lachlan murmured, noticing rows of wooden ships tied to the docks.

"Do you really need to leave that soon?" Ruelle asked her cousin, as they walked side by side.

Lachlan nodded, a smile on his lips and he said, "Uncle Robert has taken a new construction project and he will need me there. Now that you have a partner, I will be at ease there and we can always visit each other. I am sure you will get busier once you are married."

"I will miss you," Ruelle said softly.

"Me too, Ruelle."

One merchant waved the fins enthusiastically in both hands as Ruelle and the others passed by his stall.

"These are the fins of a mermaid, fresh from the east seas! Rare, magical properties, guaranteed to bring you strength. Interested, my lord? My lady?" he asked Ruelle and Lachlan.

That didn't look like a mermaid's fin… Ruelle thought to herself.

"Quite rude of you to pass off a regular fish's fin as a mermaid's, Mr. Critter," Dane remarked dryly from behind the group, his sharp eyes catching the obvious dye job staining the edges of the scales an unnatural shade of red.

The merchant's wide grin faltered upon recognising the voice. He hastily bowed and stammered,

"M-Master Dane! Forgive me, I didn't realise they were your people. I was only trying to make a living," he sheepishly smiled. "Nobles always like trinkets and tales," he said as he quickly stuffed the fins back beneath his stall to avoid any further embarrassment.

Dane's eyes moved around the merchants before he turned and asked Ruelle, "Do you know what exactly you are looking for?"

Ruelle nodded at it. She said, "It was a type of moss."

Bloodmoss was something that grew in the dark forest where witches were once sacrificed. From what she read, people were often bitten to death before they could fetch it.

"If you are looking for something like a plant, I think you will find it where the vegetables are sold. Come," Dane led her away from there, while the other two followed.

"Did you acquaint yourself with a witch too, Brother Dane?"

Dane chuckled lightly, the sound carrying an edge of amusement. He responded, "I did but not how Lucian did. My approach is a little different."

The moment they arrived at the vegetable stall, Ruelle noticed the canvas above flap weakly against the wind. Vegetables were stacked in the front.

"Do you have any moss with you?" Ruelle asked leaning a little forward.

The merchant, an older man with weathered, sun-worn hands, didn't even glance up from arranging his stall. "What kind are you looking for?" he asked absently, shifting a crate of turnips into place.

"Like Muss," Ruelle answered, and this caught the man's attention as he stopped and turned to look at her. "Something a vampire might enjoy but maybe only in the beginning."

Before the merchant could respond, a woman stepped up in a rush, her shoulder brushing Ruelle's and Ruelle caught the scent of grass clinging to her worn shawl.

The woman who had pressed against her and apologised to her. She then turned to speak to the merchant,

"I need four potatoes, one whole pumpkin, and a few bean stalks."

The merchant began packing the said items, and when he handed it to the woman, Lachlan came to stand between the two women, and he said,

"Ruelle, you should wear your gloves. It's far too cold to be going without them."

"I thought the weather was easing and didn't want to dirty them," Ruelle replied.

The pumpkin which was being transferred slipped from the woman's hand and fell, splattering on the ground. "Where are you looking, woman? I am going to charge you for that," the merchant huffed. The woman only stared before taking another pumpkin and leaving from there.

"You can have these, Miss Ruelle," Peyton offered her own gloves, to which Ruelle shook her head.

"I really don't need them," she insisted, for the vampiress to give a nod.

But Dane caught her hand and slipped his large gloves over hers before she could protest. He said in a pleasant tone,

"I promised my brother I'd keep you safe and sound. It would be rather embarrassing to return you to him with even a scratch." Dane finished fastening the glove around her wrist, then gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. "There. Much better."

Ruelle chuckled before saying, "With you three with me, I doubt anyone would even dare. Anyone who tried would only be asking for trouble."

"That's right. My little sister is rather precious, after all," Dane's eyes softened as he met her eyes.

Ruelle smiled at his words.

She wished Lucian were here, as she had begun to miss him already. But she told herself she would see him in a few hours.

The merchant scratched the back of his neck and said, "At the moment, I don't have what you're looking for. It's been quite some time since anyone last asked for it but I should be able to fetch some within a week."

Ruelle gave a small nod as a week felt like nothing at all. She replied, "That's fine. I would like ten of them."

The merchant raised his eyebrows at the number, as if questioning if she was planning to summon a demon with such a large number. Ruelle offered him a polite smile in return.

"It's going to cost two hundred gold coins," the merchant finally said, clearing his throat.

"Isn't that a bit much? Are you selling diamonds?" Lachlan asked after hearing the price.

Ruelle placed a gentle hand over her cousin's arm. "Brother Lachlan, it's an incredibly hard item to find."

"Then tell me where to find it, and I'll fetch it myself," Lachlan stated after hearing the absurd price.

Before the argument could stretch any further, Dane stepped forward and tossed a small leather pouch directly onto the merchant's table. The coins inside clinked heavily against the wood.

"That should cover it, yes?" Dane asked, his tone light.

The merchant hurriedly snatched up the pouch, peering inside to count the contents, his eyes widening slightly at the sight and he nodded.

Lachlan turned toward Dane, clearly irritated at being cut off. He said, "We were still discussing the price."

"Some things can kill you if handled incorrectly," Dane replied, leaning back against a nearby wooden post. "If you're truly so eager to test fate over a few gold coins, I'd be happy to suggest far more efficient ways for you to die."

Lachlan's lips parted, as though he intended to fire back a retort but then they closed just as quickly, and he turned his gaze away.

Dane returned his attention to the merchant and instructed, "We expect it to be delivered to the Slaters' mansion rather than needing to make a second visit here."

The merchant bowed his head immediately. "Of course! I wouldn't dream of making you return for it. I'll visit you in a week's time, without fail."

Ruelle and the others continued through the maze of stalls. Some items on her list were readily available, others, however, seemed to have vanished entirely from the merchants' collective memory.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," the merchant shook his head.

She sighed. It wasn't that she had expected to find every item coming here, but she couldn't help but feel frustrated.

"A lot of folks believe it grows up in the mountains," an old man sitting next to the stall with nothing but a pipe and dragging smoke in from it looked at her. His voice was raspy as he said, "But that's simply not true. Those things wouldn't survive up there—not enough moisture in the air. They need a different soil."

"Do you know where they grew before?" Ruelle asked carefully.

The old man sat still for a moment, his eyes drifting through the crowd. He then answered, "It is where all these officials sit together," and he took another drag from the pipe.

"The courthouse?" Dane asked, but the man didn't utter another word. He turned to Peyton and questioned, "Do you know anything about this?"

The vampiress shook her head. "I will have to check it in the initial records."

"But aren't they all destroyed?" Dane wore a solemn look.

If it was in a place like a courthouse, maybe it was still there? Ruelle doubted there were only a handful of people looking for Belladonna's ingredients. They would need to go visit there and find out. Turning back to the old man, she asked,

"Why that place, though?"

"Because many years ago magic was spilt there," the old man replied, pulling the pipe away from his lips. "It leaves protection from any witches trying to harm them."

"What about boline? They are roots," Ruelle whispered to the man while she had bent her body to level with the old man who was sitting on the ground.

The person shook his head. 'Forget about it," he responded.

"Because it is extinct?" Ruelle pressed and the man sighed.

"Because it is more complicated than you think," the old man replied, taking another slow drag from his pipe. He leaned closer and continued,

"Boline can only grow from the dead, and whoever tends to the plant must have attachment to the dead." His weathered eyes settled on Ruelle. "There's another important condition. The body or the place cannot have been dead for more than ten days." He paused, tapping the ash from his pipe. "Any longer than that, and you'll need a fresher corpse to sacrifice."

Ruelle mulled over the old merchant's words before she straightened herself.

Did this mean she wouldn't be able to complete the spell? And gathering all these items would end up being useless?

It made her question if her mother had been put through the same situation and if that was how the items in the box were passed to her.

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