Page 80 of The Darkness Within Us

My stomach drops, but I offer Alessandra an encouraging smile. Why was she watching me? Why is the king staring at Eryx? Did he see? And if he did see, why isn’t he doing anything?

When the song ends, I usher Eryx from the room before anything else can happen.

CHAPTER 17

In the carriage, I realize something is missing for the first time.

“Where are Argus and Dyson?”

They escorted us to the wedding. They waited with the staff during the ceremonies, and I remember them tailing us inside the ballroom. Where did they go after that?

“They wanted to stay in town overnight to enjoy the city.”

“Hmm. That’s the best one.”

“What?”

“The best of the lies you’ve told this evening. That one was almost believable.”

Eryx massages his temples as the carriage takes off. “And why are you so sure it’s a lie?”

“I’m to believe they left you alone during the middle of a public event where you could have exposed yourself, which I might add, you nearlydid, to enjoy the city? After they’ve been trailing you around your own home, protesting the few times you’ve requested to be alone with me? No, you’ve all been up to something tonight. Something illegal, I might guess, considering the fact that you disappeared from the ballroom for over ten minutes and returned with blood on your sleeve—and Argusand Dyson didn’t return at all.” My voice takes on a teasing lilt. “Are they disposing of a body for you?”

Eryx’s whole body freezes in place, and my eyes widen at his reaction.

“I was joking!”

But it’s too late. He’s given away the truth, and he knows it.

He turns murderous eyes on me. “You. Need. To. Go.”

“As in out of this carriage?”

“As in out of my life. You’re going to ruin everything.”

I lose it. For a while, all my schemes fly from my mind, and I am helpless to do anything but give that accusation the response it deserves.

“Oh,I’m going to ruin everything? Did you forget the part where you strolled into my life, stole my home, my money, and my peace of mind? I tutored you for months on etiquette! Helped you find decent clothing! I just put in a good word with the king on your behalf! What more do you want from me? You don’t have to trust me, but what else do I have to do for you to finally respect me?”

He doesn’t soften the slightest at the rebuff.

He turns his head to look out the window, signaling he’s done with the conversation.

It’s only as the carriage pulls back into the manor that I realize I didn’t bring up the fact that he’s a monster, and I’ve kept that secret, too.

Curious that it didn’t even cross my mind at all.

IHADN’T ANTICIPATED THEconsequences of attending my sister’s wedding. Apparently, people had avoided calling on me directly because they thought I might still be grieving my husband. But showing up to a social function and dancing with two different young men proved to be all the invitation my would-be suitors needed.

Everyone in the blasted country seems to think that the mysterious Duke and Dowager Duchess of Pholios are taking callers.

The day after the wedding, Damasus finds me reading in the garden. “Your Grace, there is a Lord Varela here to see you.”

He hands over the earl’s card, and I don’t even glance at it. I refuse to entertain gentleman callers. Best to stop these habits right from the get-go. This is my home, and I will not have it soiled by the presence of overeager dandies.

“I’m out of the house today, Damasus.”

“You certainly are. I shall inform him at once that you are not at home.”

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