Page 199 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Before arriving, I would need to exchange blood with Levi—Selcarim is no place for humans. The evidence of which you can find in its streets. Humans are few and far between—and almost always slaves or servants.
My heart was set on performing the courtship rituals in order, but...who’s to judge?
The mere idea of going to Selcarim causes my heart to stutter. As though it will alter the course of our lives.
The question is spoken softly as my gaze slides to Azrael.
“When was the last time you were in Selcarim?”
His brows lift. “Not since I last saw you there.”
My thoughts whir. “Do you still have your estate there?”
Azrael nods. “Of course.”
Levi’s brows narrow with question. “How did you two meet?”
Azrael’s lip curls at the memory. “Through avileformer acquaintance.”
I remain silent, not wanting to ruin the present by dredging up the past. Levi’s gaze becomes penetrative, but he doesn’t push. There’s a question in Azrael’s expression as if to say,How did it end between you two?,but when I don’t volunteer any information, he simply gives my thigh a comforting squeeze.
“How would you feel about performing the survival ritual in the Selcarimi Mountains?”
Azrael hesitates briefly. “Do you have family there?”
The ghost of shame whispers through me. “None that I know…” And I am desperate for it to leave me. “I need to visit my father.”
By visit, I obviously mean kill.
Azrael’s brows knit together. “Would you mind divulging what your relationship is like with him? And what would be the purpose of our visit to him?”
I’m somewhat surprised he even needs to ask. I arch a brow.
“I’d assumed you’d used your power to peruse my past after we met.”
Azrael’s brows leap halfway up his forehead. “I’m not sure whether or not to be insulted by that, darling. I would never invade your privacy in such a way.”
Oh.
I suppose not. When Queen Theia searched my memories, it was a violent experience. I’m not sure why I assumed it would be any different with him.
“I guess I just assumed it would be easy for you to do—like you did with those humans.”
Azrael chuckles like the comparison is preposterous. “Easy, certainly. As a god of death, I don’t have to exert my will to be aware of things such as one’s biological health, mental state, the evolution of their soul, their longings. Just as obvious as thecolour of one’s hair, all the information is already there to be observed within the subtle frequency of their life force energies. Most beings are simply unable to perceive it because they have not harnessed their power to do so. And discerning someone’s name, magical gifts, and ancestry is scarcely beyond that. Which is why I’m one of the exceedingly few people beyond this room that knows your father’s name.
“But to peer into someone’s past is an abrasive and cruel torture I would only ever subject my enemies to. Not to mention, those humans wouldn’t recognize magic if it punched them in the face, and I didn’t pry beyond a few random facts—whatever is most prominent in their mind, like their fears—those slippery steps that whatshisfuck risks his life on every time he leaves the house. If I had probed any further, they probably would have bled from their eyes. It is a brutal tactic. ”
I see.
“Well... I don’t have a relationship with my father; haven’t seen him since I was young. Before my mother died.”
Levi’s thumb strokes the flesh of my waist as he gives me a gentle squeeze. Azrael’s expression tightens with sympathy, and I can’t help but wonder who and where his parents are.
Does a god of death even have parents?
“And as you’re aware, my father has wreaked havoc upon Bellorum, waging a futile war…” My gaze searches his. “Among other things…”
Azrael arches a brow for me to continue.
