Page 134 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
My mind flits from memory to memory like a fairy across lily pads, traveling backwards in time to follow the course of events that led mehere.
If I’d never kidnapped Levi...
Impossible.
There’s no denying asoulbond.
Perhaps, if I’d never kidnapped Winnow...
Akash, I hadn’t even realized what a penchant I had for kidnapping.
But how could my past self resist when Winnow unwittingly presented herself to me, in all her doe-eyed innocence?
I also can’t imagine not having sought out Azrael’s help.
Who else was I to ask?
Severing asoulbondis nigh-unfathomable. No one outside of the mad, charismatic, and surprisingly sweet God of Death would dare attempt such a thing, much less succeed.
My gaze lifts to the mirror, and the impossibly beautiful crown and glittering shadow-fabric dress.
I look like a queen.
Yet, I have asoulbond tether-shapedhole in my fucking chest, all while hope and affection for Azrael mingle in its shadow.
Two competing knocks rap on my bathroom door, making me groan in frustration as I rush across the room to yank open the door.
“It’s barely been two minutes.What. The. Fuck.”
Azrael and Levi begin talking at the same time, speaking over one another. My teeth grind.
“Silence!”
Before either of them can utter another word, I rip open a portal to Gideon’s ranch and shove past them before either can utter another word.
It is a dreadfully sunny day in Terrenea.
Groan.
Gideon’s canine barks as it runs towards me, stopping short when I bare my fangs and hiss in warning.
He whimpers.
“Hello, beast.”
He lets out a final yip, tail wagging so hard his whole body sways in place. For some reason, my hand itches to caress his fur, and I find myself closing the distance between us. When I lift my hand for him to sniff, his long tongue drenches it in slobber.
The moment Levi and Azrael step through the portal, his attention shifts, and he speeds off. I turn to find him standing on his hind legs, two paws resting on Levi’s broad chest as he showers Levi with affection.
That hollow place in my chest echoes with something bright at the sight of my formersoulbound’sentire face transforming with unrestrained joy. I’d yet to witness such beauty in him.
Admittedly, I’m jealous.
The canine even proceeds to introduce himself to Azrael by way of flopping onto the ground at his feet and baring his belly.
A clear sign of not only submission, but trust.
Fascinating.
