Page 114 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
A small smile tilts Azrael’s lips. “I’ll help you see that one day. If you’ll give me the honor.”
Violette draws in a deep breath, and I can already feel what her next words will be. That she’s going to agree to thisbargain.My own shame reaches the depths of me.
Oh, God, what have I done?
“Define your terms.”
Fuck.
No.
I feel like my heart is being filleted by a fucking bread knife.
Azrael studies her for a moment.
“My stipulation is merely to performallof the syrith courtship rituals with you, and I will ensure that you no longer have to suffer thesoulbondagain.”
The scowl on Violette’s face could kill plants.
I have no fucking clue what they’renotsaying, but it makes dread settle in my stomach like an anvil on the sea floor.
“What if I allow you to simply court me? Not by syrith tradition, but simply... getting to know one another.”
Azrael gives a soft grunt of dissent. A certain vulnerability settles on his features that makes me want to strangle him because I can tell from that look alone that he’s pulling on her heartstrings.
“Violette, I want a chance with you. A real chance. In the way that my ownsoulboundnever gave me.”
Being the secretly, immensely compassionate person she is, her gaze softens. And my dread intensifies.
Her words are barely a whisper and have zero conviction.
“You are abhorrent.”
Azrael smirks, but that pained darkness in his eyes lingers.
“Darling, you flatter me.”
Violette chews on the inside of her cheek. A moment later, her lips resume trembling. Tears fall.
Azrael’s features soften, as if to feign concern, as he reduces the distance between them once more. He gently takes her hand in his. “Violette, for what little it’s worth, I vow that, during our time together, I will never do anything that goes against your desires. All I truly ask is that you grant me the opportunity to prove my devotion and worthiness. And I promise that by the time we reach the final rituals, you will look forward to them.”
Say no, Vi. Please, say no.
When she hesitates, Azrael shifts to turn towards an opening portal, which widens to reveal Violette’s home. “You’re allowed to say no, Violette.”
Yes, go home, Violette. I’ll meet you there.
Determination fills her gaze as her features harden. “I have one stipulation I would like to add.”
Hope glitters in Azrael’s eyes, further whetting my bloodlust.
“By all means…”
“IfI decide to take you as my mate after we complete the courtship rituals, your life is forfeit to me. Do you understand? You will never leave me. You will never again lie with anotherfemale. You will never raise a hand or wield your magic in violence towards me. If you were to ever try, I won’t need the vow to give you a slow and painful death, because I will take pleasure in doing it myself.”
My eyes burn against the helplessness and despair consuming me.
This is the stuff of nightmares.
