Page 18 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Raising my arm, he swoops to land just below the crook of my elbow. His wings smack me in the face repeatedly as he settles, and his sharp claws scratch at my skin—I couldn’t care less. I’m just grateful for my friend to be here with me.
I never thought syriths had familiars—at least my mother never had one, and from what little I’ve read about syrith culture, I’ve never seen it mentioned—but Horus is without a doubt connected to me by my very soul.
Anytime I’m ever in distress, Horus appears, like somehow heknowsI need him.
I pull him close, wrapping my other arm beneath him to cradle him like a baby.
He coos softly, nuzzling me as he gives me one of those slow blinks with that nictitating membrane to communicate affection.
My voice is a wet, tremulous whisper. “I love you more.”
He slow-blinks again before repeating the words.“Love you more.”
I bury my face in his feathers as catharsis takes hold of me, and I weep.
When I lift my head, the sea has calmed once more.
“Love you more,” Horus repeats. His oddly resonant voice is a balm to my fractured soul.
Still sniffling, my reddened, tear-streaked gaze briefly rises from him to the house mothers watching me with cinched, concerned brows; like they’re looking at something morbid and fascinating in equal measure.
Horus and I must look like a ridiculous pair.
The sadness on Mother Jamila’s face—the guardian who’s been charged with my care at the orphanage since I arrived a little over a week ago—has a prickle of guilt winding through me. Wholly unconcerned for her clothes, she wades through the water, guiding me to rejoin them. Thankfully, she doesn’t complain about the enormous raven I’m clutching to my chest like it’s a life raft. She briefly glances down at him before lifting her gaze to mine.
“I was wondering if he would show up.”
I train my features to look neutral.
Apparently my efforts to hide Horus were in vain.
When I don’t reply, Mother Jamila smirks appreciatively.
“That bird is nearly as big as you are, and he sounds like a fully grown orc. No matter how clever you are, there’s nothing you could do to hide him.”
I dip my head, hiding the smile threatening to break free. My gaze connects with Horus’s, and I swear he’s grinning too. As if he understands her words, he suddenly says,“Peek-a-boo.”
Just one of many phrases I taught him.
Mother Jamila’s gaze snaps to his, from where he still lies cradled in my arms.
He croaks and clicks.
Mother Jamila’s eyes narrow before she shakes her head in wonder.
As we walk awayfrom the Nemuru Qizhì Sea, I vow toneverput my heart in the hands of a male.
Well, except Horus, obviously.
Use them.
Manipulate them.
Enjoy them, even.
Hopefully, succeed where my mother failed in rescuing us from poverty, independent of everyone and everything. If my mother’s ownsoulboundwouldn’t do it, I have no such hope.
No one will save you but you, Raia.
