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“What do you want me to do? Bribe him to stay? To forget what he saw?”

“Oh,nowyou’re open to handing out bribes?”

“Chrysantha, I’ll fix this.”

“No, I will. Do nothing until I talk to him.”

Then I march toward the manor, following after the footman.

CHAPTER 24

“Kyros!” I shout. “Kyros, wait!”

He’s got a good fifty yards on me, and I hike up my skirts to follow after him at a run. I don’t catch up until we reach the manor. Then I grip his arm and haul him up the stairs. His face is set in a stern line, but he follows after me. Clear up until we get to the duchess suite. I shut and lock the door, then pull him far from it so we cannot be overheard.

“Just give me a moment,” I say, panting, trying to get my breathing under control. I’d been breathing quicklybeforeI chased after the footman.

Then Kyros begins talking. “You knew. All this time you knew he was a monster. Was the investigator all a ruse? You already have all the information you need to get rid of the pretend duke!”

I swallow before managing to get out, “I didn’t know all this time. I only just found out!”

“Yet you were kissing him! And getting ready to do far more by the looks of things.” He looks down at my grass-stained dress.

“Jealousy is unbecoming on you, Kyros,” I say, hurt by his words and wanting to inflict pain of my own.

“This goes far beyond jealousy, Chrysantha. He. Is. A. Monster. What the hell was that out there?”

“That was me getting him to reveal all his secrets.” Never mind that I already knew his secrets before kissing him.

“Really? That was the only way you could think of to get that information out of him?”

I hold myself up tall. “Don’t you dare talk down to me like that. I’m not the one who had a child out of wedlock.”

Kyros bites his lip from saying something he cannot take back.

“Just so we’re clear,” I say, “I wasnotabout to do something more than kissing with him. I was pushing him. Seeing what would bring the beast out. How else am I supposed to prove to the Shadow King that he is the monster I claim he is?”

The taut lines on Kyros’s face calm. “Oh.”

The problem is I’m lying through my teeth. I’m not even so sure that I want to go to the king. I’m teetering on an edge, waiting to see which way I’ll fall.

I have no explanation for why I kissed him other than that I wanted to. I like kissing Eryx Demos. I’ve done it three times now, and I’ve not even begun where he’s concerned.

“What’s the plan?” Kyros asks. “And how can I help?”

“Is that your version of an apology?”

His eyes drift close. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I should never have spoken to you like that or questioned you or—”

“You might be employed by me, Kyros, but you know you are my friend most importantly. You always have leave to speak to me as a friend without repercussions.”

“I still overstepped. I should not have shouted at you or doubted you. A friend wouldn’t do that.”

I have to hide my wince. Yes, he should have doubted me. I stilldoubt myself. I have no idea what the hell I’m doing. I just want things to make sense again.

But the only thing I seem to know for certain or want above all else is Eryx Demos.

“I need to think,” I finally say. “Please don’t go anywhere or say anything,” I beg. “I promise that despite what you saw, he’s not dangerous. He would never hurt you or Nico. Don’t do anything rash. Just let me make a plan. Please.”