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I watch my sister nervously bounce her leg up and down, bunching her skirts in her hands.
I must admit, it's the most nervous I've ever seen her. Which in all honesty does not mean much.
I hesitate for a second, wondering if going over to her will step over a line that we haven't thought to cross yet. Even though we've exchanged a few letters recently doesn't mean we have the bond I've seen other siblings have.
It's a strange thing, a few months ago if I was in this position I would be mocking her, would have let her worry on her own. But now I feel the need to comfort her.
Making my decision I stand and sit next to her. I don't touch her or say anything, just sit there and hope my presence is enough for her. I hope it is, after everything she's revealed I feel like she deserves a bit of peace.
On that note however, once this thing is done, I'm going to find that solicitor that allowed everything my sister worked for taken away from her and wreck his reputation until every last person in Naxos hates him.
"Tell me about him. This Eryx, has he treated you poorly?" I ask. I hope it helps to take her mind off the situation. Selfishly, I also want to know as much as I can about the man my husband is going to kill. Because there is no doubt about it. So long as I stay here, Kallias will be the victor of the fight.
"We argue. A lot. He can be spiteful. He took away my stipend just because i called him an orphan. Oh you should have seen the state the dukedom was in before I had leave to pretty it up." As she talks I notice that the way she speaks of him changes. At first she appears to hate him, but as she continues to tell me about what has happened behind the scenes these last few months I realise that the undertone changes. Turning more towards… I would say love if I didn't know any better.
I'm so focused on her words that it takes me by surprise when she stops. Turning towards her I see her pull out a small envelope.
"It's from him. He gave it to me before I left."
"Did you read it?" I ask.
"There wasn't time."
It's a statement. One I think is likely untrue. There would have no doubt been time on the journey here. But looking at her face I realise that it's not my husband that she is thinking about, it's worry about her decision to turn this Eryx in. And the poor excuse is a way to put off reading something that will make her hate him.
"Go ahead then. Especially is you think it will calm your nerves."
She continues to stare at the envelop for a few more seconds before slowly nodding. I watch as her eyes flick over the lines, then turn to Demodocus to give her some more privacy. The dog, while he often looks like a dangerous creature and he is without a doubt, he is also an incredibly softie. One that will never turn down pets. So in seconds he is nuzzling into my hand, bringing a smile to my face.
A small noise besides me brings me back to the present. Turning I see Chrysantha has dropped the letter and wrapped her arms around herself, with tears appearing in her eyes.
Worried, I grab the letter and begin reading it to see what has made her so distraught. A few phrases stick out to me:
"My fiery Chrysantha"
"I have a confession to make. Two, in fact."
"I love you, Chrysantha Stathos Demos."
"I love your intelligent mind and your love of books."
"I'm leaving the dukedom to you."
"I wish you to be happy"
"I am forever yours and eagerly await your return"
"With love, Eryx"
Instantly I'm filled with confusion. "I don't understand; why would he —" a thought hits me. The way she was talking about him. The way he lists all the things he loves about her and never once mentions her beauty, even though nobody in their right mind could deny it, the way in which he confessed to lying and cheating his way to his title but gives it all up for her. He truly, truly loves her. But — "Do you love him?"
I watch her eyes fill with tears again, but she doesn't even hesitate before nodding.
"Then what are you still doing here? Go to him before my husband kills him. I will travel with you as far as I can, but I will not put Kallias in danger by rendering his abilities useless."
Apparently, I didn't need to even suggest it twice. I've barely even gotten the words out before Chrysantha practically launches herself from the sofa and rushes towards the door. Determination taking over her features.
Her footman is still standing outside, although he falls into step with us instantly. Without even looking at Chrysantha I know she's beyond words. It makes me wonder if this was what I looked like when racing from the castle with that girl in order to save Kallias' life. "Bring the duchess's carriage around. Quickly now!"
Without a second glance or a single question, he speeds up. Overtaking us with his longer legs.
As we race through the castle I feel all the muscles in my body tense. My breath rushes out in gasps. Am I really this out of shape? Maybe I need to do more exercise.
Several servants try to approach me but I ignore all of them. Focusing only on the next step forwards.
We finally reach the castle doors, and the footman has done his job. Bringing the carriage around to as close to the doors as was possible. We practically throw ourselves inside, although Chrysantha pulls herself out of her thoughts long enough to tell her footman to move as quickly as possible.
"He only has a fifteen-minute head start on us," I offer, trying to provide some small amount of comfort.
"That's all he could need to kill him." Chrysantha replies. I don't argue. I can't. She's entirely right. Before, once I'd heard what he'd done, what he was, I had no problem with him dying. And yet now that I've found that my sister cares for him it's suddenly of great importance that he doesn't die.
"Why are you helping me?" Chrysantha cuts through the silence that had fallen over us.
I think over my answer. Why am I helping her?
"I would say it is because you are my sister, but I don't think that has mattered to either of us for most of our lives."
The silence falls back over us and I consider my sister. So different from the sister I thought I knew. year ago, or even a few months ago. This sister who schemed her way to freedom because it was the most important thing for her. While I schemed my way to power. Originally intending to keep it all to myself. But perhaps she is realising the same thing I did. That if you find the right, no the perfect person that it is possible to share it.
"I was once in your position," I offer. "There was a time when I left the palace, only to realise Kallias was in danger. I feared I would be too late."
"How did you save him?"
I smile slightly, revelling in the knowledge that Chrysantha is so sure I was the one who figured it out and not some idiotic man who just had a touch of power.
"By killing the man who threatened him. He thought me too weak to murder. He didn't know that I would commit any manner of evils to save the man I love." Another thought hits me. I've been changing my opinions of her, but has she been changing her opinions me me. "Does that make you think differently of me?" I remember reading her letter when the topic of Hektor's death first came to light again. And for the first time I wonder if she put what she was truly thinking in it. "When you learned I killed my first lover, did you think differently of me?"
As I speak the question I realise that her answer will shape how I think of her in the future. Whatever she says, whether she condemns me or praises me.
She looks me in the eye as she admits, "I killed the late duke."
Shock courses through my body. The late duke was old and sick and—
And not a single person questioned when he died. In some ways I suppose she's a more successful killer than I am.
"He touched me. Hurt me. I snapped. I smothered him with his own pillow. I also tried to kill Eryx by poisoning his food. He has no idea. I wonder what he'll think of that when I tell him — if I get to tell him."
Maybe only a bit more of a successful killer than.
And definitely getting a pardon if anyone thinks to question the duke's death. Although I doubt someone would.
Her second attempt however…
I smile. "I thought to poison Kallias once. I didn't go through with it, though. How fortunate that both our men survived us."
She smiles back at me. "We Stathos sisters are a force ti be reckoned with."
"That we are." i agree. "We are as arrogant as the gods, deciding who gets to live or die."
For a second I think Chrysantha might laugh. "If the gods didn't want us killing men, they shouldn't have allowed them to hurt us so much."
It's an acceptance. That even though she committed the same crime, she does not blame me for doing the same. Does not think differently of me for it.
"Indeed, we only have one life. We have to fight to make it the best it can be. And when others abuse the powers granted them, then what choice do we have except fight back?"
A strange look takes over Chrysantha's face. A more thoughtful one. I wonder if she realises how true the words are. How I desire to push against the powers trying to make me less than what I am. "I wish I had turned to you when Mother died. I should have chosen you instead of Father. Together, we would have been unstoppable."
Those words… I feel like I've been waiting for them. For the knowledge that if my sister could go back she would take a different route, that she would turn to me instead of away.
"We have each other know." I say, rather than all the words echoing in my head. "I think the past played out the way it needed to, but did you have to call me a trollop so may times?"
My weak excuse of a joke makes her laugh, and I think it's the first time I've heard her real laugh. "I did it because I envied you. Because I wanted to experience love and passion, but I thought the only way to make the watch I needed was to keep myself pure. I let the laws of men dictate me. I thought it was the only way I could win. But choosing myself has been more freeing than anything else."
I think back on my life. I can understand why she decided to do what she did. But I don't say that, instead I decide to test another line. See if she'll allow us to get closer. "And now you're choosing Eryx. A devil-born bastard who lied to you."
She nods. "Yes, I am." With enough conviction behind it that I'm not sure any of the gods themselves could talk them out of it.