Possessive case after words ending in -S

[Barrett]

Hello everybody,
I'm writing because I've got a doubt about the right pronunciation of the following expression: darkness's empire.
Of course, the problem is about the part containing the possessive. Do I have to pronounce it as a two-syllable phrase [dɑ:knɪs] or as a three-syllable phrase [dɑ:knɪsɪz]?
When in presence of a possessive case after a noun ending in -ss I'm always in doubt...
Thank you very much indeed for your attention!

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by Barrett

Hello everybody,
I'm writing because I've got a doubt about the right pronunciation of the following expression: darkness's empire.
Of course, the problem is about the part containing the possessive. Do I have to pronounce it as a two-syllable phrase [dɑ:knɪs] or as a three-syllable phrase [dɑ:knɪsɪz]?
When in presence of a possessive case after a noun ending in -ss I'm always in doubt...
Thank you very much indeed for your attention!

You have to say the three-syllable phrase [dɑ:knɪsɪz]
Other examples:
You pronounce waitresses (two waitresses) the same as waitress's (the possessive of one waitress).
However, the possessive of more than one waitress, although spelled waitresses' is still only pronounced waitresses, not /waitresseses/

[Barrett]

Dear Raymott,
I mixed up the rules of the singular and plural possessives...
Your examples were extremely useful.
Thank you very much for your invaluable help!

[HEBA]

Thank you very much