Page 15 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
It doesn’t take much effort for my blossoming magic to reveal the tether binding their souls—a cord of light.
Gag.
Why him?
Offering me one large, scarred hand, a fangy smile splits his face, and it reminds me of a shark widening its maw just before devouring its prey.
My mother’s gaze hardens—a stark contrast to the too-wide smile plastered on her face—urging me forward. My heart is in my throat as I force one foot in front of the other.
His resonant voice has every hair on my body rising to a screeching stand.
“My beautiful daughter. I’ve missed you so much.”
Just as I’m about to muster the courage to place my hand in his—even if it makes me want to jump out of my skin—an enormous, glowing, gold filigree egg appears in his palm. It unfurls in many intricately detailed metal and colorful enamellayers to reveal a sable-haired mermaid perched alone on a rock. Tinkling, yet impossibly melancholy music begins to play.
A scene unfolds within.
Dark enamel waves rush towards the mermaid, as twin suns gradually lower behind her, and metal birds fly across the horizon.
It is, without a doubt, the most glorious thing I have ever seen.
I want to be this mermaid.
Beautiful.
Alone.
And, most importantly, free.
Free from males, or any need to worry about caste, kind, class, or money.
Just alone, wild, and free.
My eyes burn as a tiny spark of hope bursts to life inside me. Perhaps I’ve misjudged my father. Surely, only love would inspire him to bestow such a beautiful gift upon me.
“Do you like it?”
There seems to be genuine hope in his eyes as he waits for my reply.
This gift is the tiny breadcrumb of love that I have so desperately needed from him. My throat struggles against a ball of emotion. “I love it more than anything.”
He gives me another smile—this time one that actually reaches his eyes.
From beside him, the smile on my mother’s face also softens to something genuine and filled with an emotion that mirrors my own. Her arm wraps around one large bicep, the fingers of her other hand weaving between his as she presses a tender kiss to his cheek and murmurs against him, “Thank you for being so thoughtful, Abyrion.”
Tension returns to his face as he untangles his hand from hers to pull her under his arm. “Of course...” Angling his head towards her and lowering his voice, he adds, “If only you would accept more.”
My mother stiffens beneath the weight of his arm. “How long do we have you for?”
My father frowns. “A few hours, perhaps, before we have to depart.”
And now I hate him again.
RAIA
13 YEARS OLD
“Adevoted mother and friend to our community, Evelya Vale will be missed greatly, but her soul’s journey continues beyond the veil, beyond this realm. May Mors’ benevolent hand gently guide her soul to healing and restoration in Avernus. May Akashbless Evelya Vale in the next life, and all her lives to come—until the final reunion with the Mother of All Creationfor eternity when the last stars die out and Time consumes all. Let us remember that while every creature in existence is destined to feel death’s whisper upon their flesh, every soul is destined for eternity.”
