Downstairs, Mathias’ voice thundered through the house, rattling the walls.
I no longer saw him as kind or benevolent. Whatever warmth I hadonce associated with him had been stripped away. Instead, I saw another possessive, controlling darkness—perhaps the most powerful.
And truthfully, he terrified me, grandfather or not.
“You must take care of Emily! Treat her with utmost respect!” Mathias roared.
“I have been, sir. I helped her birth her baby! I am doing my best!” came the equally heated response.
Anne Geneviève.
“Then bring her something—tea, comfort, anything!”
“At once, sir,” she snapped back, voice just as loud.
I rolled my eyes. Oh, boy. A lover’s quarrel.
The sound of storming footsteps made me tense. Moments later, Mathias emerged, striding through the house with an intensity that made my stomach churn. He met us as we stepped onto the first floor.
“Mon Dieu,” he muttered, raking a hand through his hair before looking at me.
He took my hands, his grip firm but not forceful. “Dear Olivia,” he said, his voice softer now. “I wish you hadn’t learned the truth about me in such a ghastly manner. But I assure you, you have nothing to fear from me. I am so very grateful to have you in my life.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my temple.
I didn’t move. I barely breathed.
“Come,” he continued, stepping back. “Let’s sit somewhere comfortable. There’s much to discuss.”
I followed numbly, with Roman and Malik trailing behind. My mind struggled to stitch together the fragments of truth I had been force-fed tonight.
I didn’t want to fit these pieces together.
I only wanted to close my eyes, wake up, and have it all be over.
We settled in the Noir Room, warm from the crackling fire. Shadows danced along the walls, stretching and twisting like specters.
Mathias exhaled deeply, his gaze flitting between Roman and me. “I’m sorry I’ve been dishonest with you.”
I crossed my arms.
“I am the first darkness ever created,” he continued. “And the monster I created is Balthazar. I need to assume responsibility for that.”
I sagged against the sofa, stunned.
The first darkness?
Mathias leaned forward, his eyes unreadable. “I am the mastermind behind everything. Now that I have Balthazar, he’s inhaling belladonna in my dungeon.” A shadow flickered across his face. “All I want is to havemy family back—Cora and Alina. Yes, I am the darkness, and happiness will always elude me. But neither of you should be afraid.”
I shook my head, my breath catching in my throat. “I don’t want to be here.” My voice cracked with the sting of betrayal. My gaze snapped to Malik. “You could have told me, Malik!”
His expression was eerily calm, his green eyes like polished jade—cold, impassive. “I’m sorry I couldn’t,” he said evenly. “Mathias is Alastair—my mentor. He and I have been plotting Balthazar’s destruction for a long time.”
“It’s true,” Mathias confirmed. “But believe me, I would never harm you or Emily. I am only grateful to have you in my life. Everything I do is for you, Olivia. So, you will never have to deal with this again.” His voice softened. “I promise—I will make things right.”
His words should have comforted me.
But I felt nothing.
