The Darkness Within Us (The Shadows Between Us, #2)

by Tricia Levenseller

My husband is taking too long to die.

Dear Chrysantha, I wanted to extend a personal invitation to my wedding. Kallias and I are marrying in six months’ time. My coronation is to be held the same day, right after the marriage ceremony. You will attend, yes? Or are you too busy playing nursemaid to your wrinkled husband? Surely you can spare some time for the biggest day in your only sister’s life? Send your reply along speedily, and I shall save you a front-row seat to this trollop’s wedding to the Shadow King. All my best, Alessandra

Dear Alessandra (or must I address you as Your Majesty in private, too?), Only as I write this do I realize that we’ve spent so much of our lives conversing through letters. We’ve always written to each other on birthdays and special occasions. Or when we had something to gloat about. I would like to change that. I’m not writing to you today to gloat or send along fake well-wishes. I’m not entirely sure why I’m writing at all. But I enjoyed seeing you at your wedding.

Though the words we exchanged were brief, they felt real, and I would like for there to be more of that between us. So here is my attempt to share more real words. • I love reading. It’s my favorite activity. I prefer romance and action in my stories, everything that my life is not, I suppose. • I adore living out in the country. My garden is one of my favorite places. I like to smell the flowers and watch the butterflies. • One of my servants has a little boy of four years, and he’s such a delight. I’m teaching him to play the piano. He likes to help me pick wildflowers or joins me on walks through the property. • Feeling safe and in control are two things I’ve come to cherish. This all probably sounds very simple to you. You’re ruling a country, and I admire that you have the stomach for that. I’ve always wanted a life that is free from scrutiny. I am content to finally have it. If you have the time, I would love to hear from you. Sincerely, Chrysantha

KALLIAS MAHERAS

Men are the most sensitive individuals I have ever met, yet they claim it is women who are always close to hysterics.

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