Page 133 of The Darkness Within Us

Kallias looks around the room. “It’s a lovely parlor, Chrysantha. Have a good day.”

The guards follow them from the room, and Eryx and I stare at each other.

“I don’t know which of the gods is looking over you two,” Dyson says, “but by all accounts you should both be dead.”

“I’m still of half a mind to put an end to the lady,” Argus says with venom in his voice.

“Argus,” Eryx says, a warning.

“She turned you in! She brought the king on us. We should leave—”

I stand, releasing my hand from Eryx’s, and walk right up to the man. “Eryx and I have made peace with our pasts. Can you? I’m willing to forgive your part in all of this, so can you find it within yourself to forgive me, too? For I would have you all stay, but you’re both fired as valets. Perhaps we could find more appropriate positions for you.”

Argus and I stare each other down, but the man eventually relaxes.

“I won’t be no footman. You cannot dress me up in that.” He looks over at Kyros.

“What are your skills?”

“Killing.”

“We’ll… figure something out.”

I turn my attention to Dyson, but he already has a grin on his face, so I know there’s no problem there.

That leaves Kyros.

“I’m sorry,” I say as I reach him.

“You made no promises to me,” he answers.

“I know, but I had wanted to try. I started to, but something kept getting in the way.” I dart a glance to Eryx, who looks between me and Kyros with new understanding. “I had meant to go through with all of it. Until I read a note Eryx wrote me. He’s signing over the whole dukedom to me. Making it legal. I no longer wished to have the king hurt him.”

“He’s still dangerous,” Kyros whispers.

“He is.” And so am I, but I can’t very well say that. “But not to me. Not to those who we care about. Eryx has already brought up the subject of hiring a tutor for Nico. I think the idea is grand, and I would love to help him have a bright future.”

I can see the indecision in Kyros’s eyes. While he clearly loves the idea of a better life for his son, he’s still torn about Nico living under the same roof as Eryx.

“Just think on it,” I say. “If you decide you wish to leave, I will of course help you to find a new position.”

Kyros nods.

And that leaves Eryx.

“So what is my new role to be, Duchess? Are you hiring on anyone new?”

I lean forward to whisper lowly in his ear, “I’m in need of a new mistress.”

I hear the faint sound of the door closing, before I realize the other three men have left the room. Perhaps I wasn’t whispering as quietly as I thought.

“I’ll not accept payment for that. You have my services for free.”

“Are you sure? I’d give you a very generous stipend of fifty necos a month.”

Eryx winces. “In my defense, I thought the sum was generous at the time. I had no idea how much money the wealthy were accustomed to having at their fingertips until I pretended to be a duke.”

“I still have much to teach you,” I say as my voice takes on a sultry tone.

---