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I bunch my fingers in my skirts, only to feel a rustle of paper. I reach into my pockets before remembering the note that Eryx had slipped me. I turn to Alessandra.

“It’s from him. He gave it to me before I left.”

“Did you read it?”

“There wasn’t time.”

“Go ahead, then. Especially if you think it might calm your nerves.”

I debate whether to read it, but in the end, I decide it will only add fuel to my hatred and make me feel better about my decision to send the Shadow King after Eryx.

My fiery Chrysantha,

I have a confession to make. Two, in fact. The first is that I lied about changing the will. The truth is, you should have inherited everything. The estate you love and have made so beautiful, the servants you’ve hired and built relationships with, the money that will secure your future forever. I truly am the grandson of Hadrian Demos, but my mother and I were disinherited because of my siring.

Vander failed to mention until after events were set into motion that the duke left behind a wife. In the beginning, I didn’t care whether or not you existed. You were a titled and pampered lady and would continue to be so even if I was made duke. I’ve never had a real home, full of safety and peace. And when I arrived at the estate, I fell in love with its beauty—beauty I learned later was a result of your handiwork, though I would never have dreamed of admitting that in the beginning.

But then I learned more about you. You told me of your family and your horrible marriage to my grandfather. You told me about how trapped and helpless you feel in a world run by men. You told me how you managed to find some control over yourself by becoming the dowager duchess.

And that leads me to my second confession. One I should have been brave enough to tell you in person the moment we were in that boat on the lake. I love you, Chrysantha Stathos Demos. I love your fiery temperament and your wicked mouth. I love your intelligent mind and your love of books. I love that crass sense of humor and your passionate friendship. There is not one part of you that I don’tlove, so how can I possibly stand in the way of what you want? What you need and deserve?

I’m leaving the dukedom to you. I’ve already written to Vander to have him make everything legal. You will be the proper Duchess of Pholios, and no one will have the power to take that away from you. Though perhaps you might ask your brother-in-law to change the name? I know what Pholios has come to mean to you.

It is my dearest wish that you will allow me to stay at the estate, in whatever capacity you choose. I wish not to be parted from you, but more important, I wish you to be happy, so I will abide by whatever your wishes are. Whether they be to have this monster far, far from you or as close to you as possible to protect you and love you for the rest of my life.

I’m so sorry for Kyros. I’m sorry I had to put this in a letter because I ruined your friendship with him. Be well and safe as you journey. I am forever yours and eagerly await your return.

With love,

Eryx

I drop the letter to the floor, my eyes unable to see anything through my tears by the end. A burst of something spreads through me, replacing my horror and guilt.

Love, it must be.

I wrap my arms around myself, try to get a hold of the tears. It isn’t until I take a deep breath that I realize Alessandra has picked up the discarded letter.

She scans it quickly before her eyes find mine.

“I don’t understand; why would he— Oh. Do you love him?” she asks.

The tears return, but I manage a nod.

“Then what are you still doing here? Go to him before my husbandkills him. I will travel with you as far as I can, but I will not put Kallias in danger by rendering his abilities useless.”

I fairly leap from the settee and launch myself through the door. Kyros, still manning the hallway, falls into step with me. I’m beyond words, so Alessandra tells him, “Bring the duchess’s carriage around. Quickly now!”

With his longer gait, Kyros overtakes us, disappearing out of sight.

Meanwhile, a horrible cry rings over and over again in my mind.

What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?

Why didn’t I just read the damn letter on the way here? I was so clouded by my anger. So overcome with my need to be free.

But Eryx offers me what I want. Freedom and himself.

And how I want it. More than I’ve wanted anything else in my entire life. If Kallias kills him—