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CHAPTER 14

Ispend the next day shut up in my rooms. Medora doesn’t question it, and Eryx doesn’t seek me out. Thank the gods, or devils, rather, since they’re the ones more likely responsible for Eryx’s appearance in my life.

He’s not the Shadow King’s bastard.

But what is he, then?

Is there another family line with powers? Who was Eryx’s father? I wonder if that is the line of research Mr. Tomaras wanted to explore. What will he find if he discovers the truth?

For the first time since Eryx moved into the manor, I’m faced with the true reality of my situation.

I’m not safe.

Eryx is inhuman. Inhuman hearing, for how else can he hear my breathing on the other side of doors? Inhuman healing. Inhuman eyes. Inhuman canines. He has some sort of shifting powers, as far as I can tell, for the physical aspects aren’t obvious all the time.

And then I think of my dream.

If that was somehow real, then there must be a mental component, too. Can he read my thoughts?

My body goes weak at the mere idea of it, but I reason against it. If that were the case, he would know it was me who poisoned him. Not that Sarkis fellow.

If I make one wrong move, Eryx could decide to be done with me. He has two physically intimidating men working for him. Men who would die for him, protect his secrets for him,kill for him.

I thought I knew the game we were playing, but it turns out to be far more deadly than I believed.

So what choices does that leave me?

I think through every possible option: I could abandon the estate and return to my father; marry again and move in with a new husband; or stay exactly where I am and pretend nothing is the matter with Eryx, hoping that he and his goons never think of me as too great a threat.

Those aren’t really options at all. They’re merely ways to stay safe. To remain subjected to the wills of men.

I would rather die first.

That means I need to keep playing the game to see where it leads.

Eryx worries I will go to the Shadow King and reveal what I think I know. He still has no idea that Kallias won’t care one whit what I have to say.

Tomaras couldn’t help me. The king won’t help me.

Which leaves me only one option.

I need to resort to my acting skills. If I can get closer to Eryx, convince him to trust me, and learn everything that’s really going on here, then one of two things will happen: I’ll either find the proof I need that he’s inhuman—proof that even the Shadow King can’t ignore—or I’ll learn his weakness and find out how to kill him.

Those are the only outcomes I can live with.

From this day forward, I need to play Eryx Demos as I would any other man. For the best way to get him to reveal his secrets is to convince him he’s helplessly in love with me. I wouldn’t even consider it,except I already know he finds me attractive. He’s lost himself in my looks before.

But this will be tricky. I can’t be too obvious or he’ll see through my charade in a heartbeat. I have to maintain my air of disdain around him, while convincing him to find it charming. I must continue to act like I hate him but make him see me as the thing he desires most because he can’t have me.

As my plan comes together, I go from frightened to excited.

I still have a chance to gain everything I’ve ever wanted.

INEVER WANTED TOgo to this blasted wedding. Alessandra is sure to be unbearable. My wedding was small, with only a handful of guests in attendance. It took place in this very estate, for the duke couldn’t travel far. Alessandra will no doubt make comparisons about not only the venue—a palace compared to an estate—but also her young, handsome husband, compared to my shriveled, old one, as she put it.

But the consequences of not attending far outweigh those of attending at this point. I will not receive another letter from my sister telling me how grand the event was, accusing me of jealousy being the reason I didn’t show up.

Besides, I’ve realized that putting in a good word for Eryx with the king will do two very important things for me. One, it upholds my end of the bargain with Eryx, so he’ll continue to think I’m playing nice. Two, anything I tell the king is likely to be disregarded, for Alessandra will probably encourage him to do the opposite of what I want. So if I express that it’s my dearest wish for Eryx to be officially recognized as the Duke of Pholios?