Page 21 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
When we draw away from one another, Thessaly’s dark eyes are filled with pride. “Shall we celebrate?”
Unease winds in my gut. I am not fond of crowds... or going out in general.
He pets my face. “My darling, you’re much too beautiful to hide away like this in an old dusty laboratory. Don’t you want to make friends with people your own age? Meet a handsome young male? Or female? Oraequilis?”
A person of both sexes.
I frown, even as a tendril of longing winds through me.
“No. I have you.”
Thessaly’s already grabbing his hat and coat. “Of course, you have me, but even I cannot replace the love of a partner.”
Unease escalates into tension. “I don’t want a partner.”
I don’t want anyone. I want to stay where I am safe and where my heart cannot be broken like my mother’s, which is precisely what led to her death. Not that Thessaly knows that.
Slipping on his coat, he turns to face me, frowning. “You say that now... but you just wait until you meet someone who sweeps you off your feet. It’s the most beautiful feeling in the world. It’s not like they have to be yoursoulbound.”
Thessaly would know. Thanks to my gifts, I can sensesoulbonds...When we met, I could detect the tether to his own, anchored to an afterrealm. He confirmed as much when we began to grow close. Hissoulboundpassed away when they were both children.
It hasn’t stopped him one bit from seeking love in the arms of others.
Many,manyothers.
Just one of the myriad reasons I admire him. I lack all of his charisma and charm; his ability to feel liberated in a crowd, whereas I feel like I’ve just been sealed shut in a coffin.
Thessaly dances over to me with the grace of a gentle wave upon the shore.
My frown darkens into a scowl. “I care nothing for this feet-sweeping nonsense. I want to stand on my own two feet,always.”
He chuckles,boopingme on the nose. “Let’s just go have a few drinks then. Let our proverbialhairsdown.”
He sways his bony hips side-to-side as if to entice me.
“I’ll dance with you.”
I stare flatly.
Try to.
My lips twitch.
His grin widens.
Thessaly begins to dance around me in a circle.
Finally, heaving a dramatic sigh, I relent. “Fine,but I swear on everything that is sacred, if you leave me alone evenonceto flirt with another male, I’ll puthirtoro rootin your tea the next time you have a date.”
Hirtoro root is what we give patrons suffering from constipation or who are in need of a thorough colon cleanse. In high doses, it is known to causeviolentcontractions of the large intestines and colon.
Thessaly gasps, his jaw hanging around his laughter. “You wouldn’t dare.”
I arch a brow that says,‘Try me.’
Thessaly huffs a laugh. “Truly, your cruelty knows no bounds.”
RAIA
