Page 121 of The Darkness Within Us

The man crosses his ankles before him. “Eryx Demos is indeed the grandson of the late duke, but his mother—and Eryx by default—was ostracized. She was cut off from his will and money. Eryx paid off Vander with this painting in exchange for writing himback into the willand taking everything else from you. Hewasthe heir, but everything rightfully belongs to you.”

My vision goes hazy, and I see red. Eryx did this. Eryx, who said he wanted no more secrets between us, was actually keeping the most chilling secret of all.

I barely manage to find my voice as I ask, “You have proof of this?”

“Of course, Your Grace.” He stands and reaches for a briefcase I hadn’t noticed earlier. He hands it over to me. “It’s all there. The itemized list of your husband’s belongings, the position of the missing painting in the house. The letters between Vander and Eryx that now read with their incrimination once you have the right context by which to observe them. In there is everything you need to bury Eryx Demos, the pretend duke.”

I clutch the briefcase to my chest.

“Thank you, Mr. Tomaras. I shall fetch the rest of your payment. You’ve done excellent work.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” He bows.

I leave the library, and though I’m weighed down by the evidence of Eryx’s treachery in my hands, I feel lighter than when I entered, for the path ahead is made blatantly clear.

I actually considered giving up everything that I fought so hard for to be with him! I considered not killing him. Of sharing all of this between the two of us. If he was willing to let me have all the things I wanted, then what harm would it do?

But all this damned time he’s been playing me. He was going to let me continue to think he was the rightful duke and what? Let me stay on at his side as his mistress? Is that what he would have proposed by the lake if we hadn’t gotten distracted by kissing?

No more uncertainty. Eryx needs to go, and I now have everything I need to bury him.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING,Ifind Eryx in the study. He holds an envelope in his hands, twirling a corner on the pad of one of his fingers.

Keeping my face calm, I say, “I spoke to Kyros. He has no interest in divulging your secret and being thought of as a madman, but he hasinformed me that he can no longer work under this roof. Since he is my friend, I’m going into town today to help him find a new position. I figure it is the least we can do.”

His eyes widen. “He’s truly going to leave you? I thought the two of you were closer than that.”

“So did I,” I say, letting a tremble enter my voice. “I will miss him and the boy.”

Eryx clenches his teeth together. “I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you. I never meant for you to choose between your friendship with Kyros or our—what we have.”

I nod and step around the large desk to the chair whereIshould be seated. Leaning a hip against the edge of the desk, I take Eryx’s hand.

Why is this so easy? Should it be this easy? And why does my chest feel like it’s full of bricks?

“It is what it is. It cannot be helped now, but I owe him this much. To see him situated in a new place. Him and the child. Writing a letter of reference doesn’t seem good enough. I’m to attend interviews with him in the city.”

“You put that together rather quickly,” he says.

“When you’re a duchess and the sister of the queen, people are more than eager to please.”

Eryx nods.

“I should return late tonight. Don’t wait up.” I lean down and press my lips to his in a quick kiss before heading toward the exit.

“Wait,” Eryx calls.

My body tenses as I turn, but I keep my expression normal.

Eryx rises and hands me the envelope he’d been holding. He won’t look at me as he laughs awkwardly. “I don’t know how to do this.” He swallows audibly, as though nervous.

Even now my heart swells to look at his unruly hair and beautifullips. I have to steel myself.Remember what he did to you.This is all a joke to him. I know too much, and anything he says or does is just to manipulate me. Eryx never cared for me. He thinks me beautiful, of course. But he doesn’t want me any differently than any other man who has. Anything contained in this letter will only prove that. Any declarations of love or poetry will be pointless.

“I understand why we couldn’t speak yesterday, and I don’t fault you for it. You have much on your mind, and you’re losing someone you care so much for. Of course Kyros needs your time right now. I didn’t sleep last night, so I wrote down all my thoughts, everything that’s in my heart. Maybe during your journey you could read it. Take some time to think about it. And then I will abide by anything you decide.”

I take the letter and tuck it into the pocket of my dress.

“I would rather talk,” he continues, “but I realize that the turn of events doesn’t make that possible right now. And… I need to give you space. To think about what you really want. I just ask that you let us speak again before you decide anything.”

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