Page 116 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
The space around my chest begins to glow with gradually increasing brightness until I have to squeeze them shut. It’s then that I can see mysoulbondtether like a corporeal thing—a tether running beyond the horizon my eyes can see. The air in my lungs punches out of me as this golden cord begins to erode and burn away like paper to a flame.
Azrael’s magic pours into me, and it takes all of an instant to realize this power is too much for any singular soul to bear. By some unseen force, my feet leave the marble floor just as my back arches against an excruciating pain. Gnashing my teeth against the force of his magic pervading—and destroying—mysoulbond. A scream tears from my lips when I feel the molecules of my body expand to the point of bursting.
The blinding light cuts off like someone flipped a switch, and my body collapses, only to be caught by Azrael. His enormous wings have returned—spread so wide their tips bend against opposite walls. Sweat lines my forehead; electricity and hellflame lick at my skin as the excess gradually dissipates.
My breath heaves from me as I sag against him, searching, wondering, distantly hoping...
And soon realizing...
Thesoulbondis gone.
It feels like a hole has been carved into my chest.
I crane my neck down as I try to find my feet and strength to stand, certain that I will find a hollow tunnel dug right through.
Instead, I find dark gold veins in the center of my chest. As though the blood running through me is now Azrael’s ichor.
“What is this?”
Azrael’s brows pinch in thought as he stares at the veins.
“I suppose it’s some kind of magical residue.”
Lifting a single finger, he hesitates, eyes meeting mine.
“May I?”
The veins run directly between my breasts and spread outward beneath my dress, gradually fading. My stomach twists, but I nod.
Azrael’s touch whispers over the new veins. Their gold color deepens to a bronze as magic the same color, laced with lilac, rises from my chest to curl gently around his finger.
My flesh rises with goosebumps as the back of his forefinger traces the inner curve of one breast. My breath catches, and my nipples harden to points.
Azrael’s eyes briefly lift to mine before he straightens, dropping his hand.
“Fascinating.”
My shoulders settle, and my lungs finally resume their work. I rub my chest, needing confirmation.
“It’s done?”
Azrael manages a sad smile. “Like it was never there to begin with.”
Rubbing at my chest—fingers humming against this electrified energy center.
This is better... right?
I am no longer in pain. This is what I wanted.
I am free.
Mostly.
All I have to do is allow the God of Death to court me.
And now that I don’t have thesoulbondfogging my mind and body, I realize this should be a dream come true.
Azrael is a god.
