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Hey fairies!
Welcome back to day four of our The Darkness Within Us readalong.
Today we’re reading from Chapter 17 to the end of Chapter 21. Buckle in and let’s goooo!
Don’t forget you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the book. Can’t wait to hear what you’re all thinking!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller from Chapter 17 to Chapter 21. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
–!SPOILERS!–
Argus and Dyson are gone…? Considering they’re always on Eryx’s coattails, it seems odd that during their first proper public outing Eryx would send them away. I feel like he’s up to something…
Chrysantha raises a good point that despite her efforts to help Eryx AND protect his secret, he still doesn’t seem to hold any respect for her.
It continues as well, he starts letting in visitors, some of which are MARRIED MEN. EXCUSE YOU??? Eryx is turning out to be just like her father! Although, he’s quite taken aback when she mentions she endured Pholios and demands to know what she means by ‘endured’. What do you think Eryx?
Chrysantha meets Eryx in his dreams, which honestly, sounds a lot more romantic than what’s actually taking place! She’s trying to convince him that she can help to control the beast. Whilst I don’t doubt that she could… it feels like a big risk!
Ok, so he’s not related to the Shadow King, but their line would see Eryx as a threat because of his powers. That makes sense I guess. They always thought that power was isolated to the Maheras line, so Eryx existing with shadow power, even if it’s not the same, would still be a threat.
We learn a little more about how the monster works. He describes it as a kind of Jekyll and Hyde situation, but both forms are very much him! Either way, Chrysantha seems… excited. Shall we tell her that’s not normal or just let her carry on?
Chrysantha seemed really bitter before Alessandra’s wedding but it looks like she’s ready to make amends! She writes to her sister and tells her who she really is, how she played dumb for a while and really opens up. I hope Alessandra replies nicely! 👀
So you’re telling me Eryx half man, half beast, he’s sleeping in the CELLAR, he has a hit list that your brother in law is on, many people are crossed off the list proving he’s a killer… and you’re still not phased Chrysantha? I can’t decide if I love her or if I’m scared of her, takes a special kind of person to feel uncaring about all of that!
She received a reply from Alessandra, and turns out all if took was for one of them to make the first move! Alessandra opens up too. Cuuuute!
It’s not all good though, something’s hit a little nerve at Chrysantha’s book club! They start discussing how love and hate are both very strong emotions and can often me confusing and blurry… I wonder why that’s a touchy subject for our Dowager Duchess. 👀 Could it be that those love and hate feelings are hitting a teeny bit close to home?
It still doesn’t stop her visiting Eryx in their sleep. It turns out the lessons are reminding Eryx of his mother, I’m sure that’s not what Chrysantha was going for… His mum tried to bring out the monster. It’s sounding kind of like she groomed Eryx to act as her vengeance. That has to be a little traumatic.
They’re interrupted by Sarkis. Uh ohhhhhh! Although, him and his cronies aren’t a very good match for Eryx. Chrysantha’s down but he does what he can to protect her from getting hurt further! In the brawl, it comes out that Eryx turned Sarkis into a monster? I’m gonna need more details!
Can one of them, I don’t care which, but ONE OF THEM admit their feelings? She wants to know why he protected her, he wants to know why she warned him of the attack. Is it not OBVIOUS?
Anyway, we learn he turned Sarkis accidentally. He tried to save him but was injured himself and prolonged exposure to his shadows meant Sarkis developed the… condition? I don’t know what to call it!
Her scolding about respect may have done the trick though, he admits he does respect her. Eryx doesn’t see them as equals, but actually sees Chrysantha as BETTER than him and then, AND THEN(!!!!!!!) he’s kissing her. FINALLY!!!
The monster comes out, it’s triggered by passion as well as anger then. 👀 He quickly stops though, realising she’s hurt and it’s not right? I feel like he worded that badly. Not the right time would have been better. I have no doubts that’s hurt Chrysantha.
Um… ok. I’m not entirely sure why but Chrysantha wants to take him to meet other women? Any doctors in the comments? Can someone check her head? 😂
I’m SCREAMING that they finally kissed! Ugh the tension, it’s intense!
Why do you think Chrysantha is taking him out to a place where it’s inevitable he’ll meet other women?
How did you feel about the kiss? 👀
Any theories on what will happen in our last section tomorrow?
Love,
Shannon
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Omg Chrysantha I did not see the brothel part coming. I tought that she would seduce him herself or will she in the brothel hmm. Oh Eryx is a virgin oh so cute and he has it bad for her. Oh Chrysantha you dont need to get reed of him just tame him to youre will and everything will be yourse and you will have a sexy monster in bed too hehe that doesnt sound to bad. I was so mad that she made him belive he used her he just wants to be loved. I mean I get it she doesnt trust him and wants him gone
And his mom is a bitch seriously using youre son to get revange on someone maybe her father not cool bad mom
Ooo and I just loved the moment between the sisters I hope they start becoming friends not enamys soo sweet.
I have no idea on this one. Chrysantha has her own agenda and sometimes the plan points don’t make sense lol maybe it’s a test for herself, to prove that she does not have feelings for Eryx. Her goal is for freedom, not love.
The KISS, FINALLY! I couldn’t bear the tension anymore. I’m so happy that is out of the way now.
The truth of their feelings will finally come out to each other. Also, Chrysantha will get the dukedom back, not exactly sure how, but I have an inkling that Alessandra will play a pivotal role.
THEY FINALLY KISSED!!
I’ve been waiting for this one. Although I’m still sure that Chrysantha is pretending that there is nothing between them, at least to keep herself happy. (And this is probably the reason why she thinks she feels comfortable to take him to other women – I hope she realizes quickly that she isn’t comfortable with that) Eryx on the other hand is soin love already, and Chrysantha basically has him around her finger already. I’m so excited for the last chapters so I think I need to finish the book today and come back tomorrow to talk about the ending. It’s been a wild ride.
Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my god they kissed !!!! Ok, as you said, the tension is intense ! I was like dancing around when it happened and then I rolled my eyes when they stopped because once again, misunderstandings and pride ugh. Why just why they acted like that ? Guys, you like each other, just go with it !!! As for me, I do feel the same as her for Ennemies to Lovers trope “Love should be given without insults and antagonism.” Non popular opinion I know but that’s mostly why, most of the time, I have hard time with this trope, like in the beginning, Eryx was a jerk but now he’s oh so cute. XD
About the brothel part, I think, Chrysantha still doesn’t really realise how much she like him, but I feel like we’re about to experience a big jealous scene ^^
Can’t wait to finish this book, I’m loving it so much. No theory, I’m just going with the flow 😉
Yay! They finally kissed! I think Chrysantha needs time to process her thoughts and feelings. However, I ultimately think freedom is her top priority so even if she accepts she has feelings for him she’ll still get rid of him, if it means getting her freedom. She is still in denial of her feelings… taking him to meet other women! I’m happy her and Alessandra are finally opening up and getting to start building a relationship. I think Alessandra will play a role in what happens with Chrysantha and Eryx tomorrow.
The kiss was everything, they finally got to have a moment where both were vulnerable to each other. Absolutely hilarious that Chysantha brought Eryx to a brothel and the story that she came up with was perfection.
Yess, I was so happy when they finally kissed!
I’m not quite sure what she is thinking but she has some elaborate scheme going on. After all, she does that quite well. All I can say about the kiss is, IT IS ABOUT TIME! No idea what’s going to happen next, but then again that makes me happy. It’s more exciting when you can’t guess what’s going to happen. Or at least in my opinion it is.
Why do you think Chrysantha is taking him out to a place where it’s inevitable he’ll meet other women?
I’m…super confused by this.
How did you feel about the kiss? 👀
I love that he’s less experienced than she is! That made it so adorable. And it was hot in general, obviously. He’s a natural lol.
Any theories on what will happen in our last section tomorrow?
The king has GOT to be involved in the ending right? Since Eryx has him on his kill list and there’s the whole royal shadows thing.
I was thinking that since they don’t share the same parentage or whatever, if Eyrx was directly related to the devil. The devil is the one that the shadows come from so it would make sense for him to be related. I’m. Not sure if there is more than one devil in this universe, but because they are responsible for the shadows, that would be why Eyrx and the Shadow King are enemies.
1. Why do you think Chrysantha is taking him out to a place where it’s inevitable he’ll meet other women?
Maybe because she wants to know if he’ll shift if another woman tries to seduce him or if it’s just her
2. How did you feel about the kiss? 👀
Finally!
3. Any theories on what will happen in our last section tomorrow?
They better both confess!
Why do you think Chrysantha is taking him out to a place where it’s inevitable he’ll meet other women?
I think she is truly trying to help him gain control of the monster. She knows he’s not human but wants to show him he has more control than he leads himself to believe.
How did you feel about the kiss? 👀
It was soo good! The love is finally starting to show and it feels so good.
Any theories on what will happen in our last section tomorrow?
We will have our large miscommunication troupe. It’s destined.
I think Chrysantha is scared of being in love, of not being in complete control of the situation, and that’s why she is taking Eryx to the brothel, to prove to herself that she doesn’t care if he sleeps with other people.
I was so happy when they finally kissed!! But then Chrysantha had to ruin everything and pretend she wasn’t in her right mind!!! UGH!!!
I love their relationship so much! Enemies to lovers is always kind of a hit or miss with me, so I was happily surprised but how much I loved their dynamic. Also the discussion in the book club about this trope opened my eyes to certain aspects that I hadn’t considered before!
I think that in the final section they will come clean about their feeling for each other, only for some dark secret to come up and ruin everything!
Omg the kiss😍😍 i love them together! I think she might be taking him there to prove to herself she doesn’t like him even though we all know she does. I’m so excited to read the last part but i also don’t want it to end😭
When Chrysantha suggests the brothel for Eryx to get his shadows under control, I was so shocked and also screaming in my head that she came out with the worst idea EVER! She obviously likes him and wants to pan him off to other women… what the hell!
I loved the scene when they kissed, it was like a FINALLY moment.
I really enjoyed reading the exchange between Chrysantha and her sister as there was clearly bad blood between them (I haven’t read The Shadows Between Us)
Eryx having the kings name on his murder wall doesn’t seem like its going to go down well, especially if Chrysantha is wanting to maintain a positive relationship with her sister. I think that she will stop Eryx going through with it
Oh I want to slap Chrysantha silly! Let yourself love him gosh darn it! Eryx is a smooth talker and I’m so glad I’ve been on his team this time so far! I was sure during the last set of chapters he would b the one to fall first and now I am convinced! I hope Chrysantha doesn’t find out his truth and betray him, please no!
I think she’ll change her mind at the last minute. I want to know how he was created. Like who was the father?
Chrysantha is so used to being treated poorly! She’s taking him to a brothel because she’s trying to avoid the feelings she has for him I think. She wants to bring the passion in him out, but is now afraid to do it herself (even if she won’t admit it to herself). The kiss though 😭 I love Eryx and want to shake some sense into Chrysantha. Come on girl!!!
Why do you think Chrysantha is taking him out to a place where it’s inevitable he’ll meet other women? No idea but im intrigued
How did you feel about the kiss? Um… 👀👀
Any theories on what will happen in our last section tomorrow? I think true feelings will finally be revealed
Finally they succumbed to their desires for each other!
Though I did not see the brothel part coming either (like what the hell ?) the rest was somehow predictable. Maybe she wants him to learn everything he likes first, just as she did when she the late duke died?
I am truly happy the sisters start talking again, and let each other see through their shells. I would be in for a third book about the two sisters reuniting 😀
I was thinking, maybe he doesn’t know what a woman looks like underneath clothes
Despite the fact that I know that this book was enemies to lovers, I couldn’t believe that they finally kissed. I absolutely loved the conversation that they had during book club. I think about love the same way Chrysantha does and this made me rethink things. I mean I dont have the same situation, but I appreciate the fact that it made me see something in a different light. I believe that she want him to gain the experience at a brothel, but once anything happens, one of them is going to put a stop to it immediately. In the last section of the book they will have to get together, but someone is going to get Eyrx because there have been too many people disappearing.