Page 200 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
“I take it you also understand the depth to which he controls people? Manipulates them? The suffering he inflicts upon them and their loved ones to do so?”
Azrael gives a subtle nod. “Only by what I’d observed from the outside. I prefer not to develop relationships of any kind with people of a sinister nature. Nor the people they surround themselves with.”
This leaves me with so many questions. Particularly what was the nature of his relationship to Lucen. Was it merely to sever Lucen’ssoulbond?Or were they ‘colleagues’ beyond that?
I find that, at this particular moment, I am unable to muster the desire for our conversation to further descend into such grave topics.
A few moments pass, laden with the uncomfortable tension of everything not being spoken. It makes my skin feel tight. My chest heavy. And I am desperate to shift subjects.
My gaze slides to Levi; quiet, observant.
“Would you mind if we performed the survival ritual in Selcarim? I know it’s unfamiliar territory?—”
Levi replies as if he can’t speak the words fast enough.
“Fuck yes.”
I permit myself a tiny grin. Even if my heart is already pounding.
“We would need to perform the blood exchange beforehand.”
A grin spreads across Levi’s face—the kind that never fails to steal the breath from my lungs. A small smile curls Azrael’s mask of calm, telling me he’s just as excited as I am.
“I’m ready when you are, princess.”
My tone is measured, despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
“You will need some time to rest and adjust before we leave, so the sooner the better.”
Levi nods in affirmation.
“We can do this right here, right now, if you want.”
I grimace. “Well, things can get a little...messy.Perhaps we should take it to the bedroom, lest we defile our host’s hot tub with ourfluids.”
VIOLETTE
Levi pulls me into his arms as he stands, and Azrael follows suit. I lay my hand on Azrael’s shoulder,foldus into my bedroom, andwillus dry. “I’m not sure what good it will do, considering my current state…” Azrael pauses, gesturing to his mostly healed throat and general person, looking somewhat sheepish. “But, I would like to offer you a drink of my blood as well.”
My heart squeezes with affection, shining through my eyes. Azrael’s gaze shifts briefly to me, cheeks flushing as he lowers his gaze. It takes all my restraint not to fling myself at him. Thankfully, I manage to settle for closing the few feet between where we stand and press a kiss to his cheek. “You are so much sweeter than I could have ever guessed.”
I step away, returning my attention to Levi who watches us, wearing an indecipherable expression, and I am relieved to see no hint of jealousy or anger.
“It certainly can’t hurt. Selcarim can be a treacherous place.”
Dread forms a knot in my stomach at the idea of returning; at the reality of finally facing my father, something I've avoided for far too long, but I know I need to do this. With Azrael and Levi, post-transformation, I feel like I can finally confront my father...
Yet as I settle on the idea, that boulder of dread seems to permeate far beyond the dangers of reuniting with the male who spawned and abandoned me.
It takes a moment for me to realize... it’s the fact that I would run into other syriths. While we might be rather rare, what’s even rarer are syriths found outside of Selcarim’s mountains and wilderness. I am clearlydomesticatedby comparison. And what do I have to show for it? My mother and I rejected syrith culture and lived in a metropolis for what?
My shame at the realization penetrates me to the very marrow of my bones.
Thankfully, Azrael’s voice is enough to pull me out of despair, and return all thoughts of shame to the mental chest in which they are perpetually quarantined.
“You need to be as safe and prepared as possible.”
Eyes flicking to Azrael, Levi nods. “Thank you.”
