Page 224 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Gatekeepers and guardians to other worlds.
How did I not know the Aersyan forest was home to liminarchs?
Azrael’s arm suddenly shoots in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. I was so lost in thought, I nearly walked straight into the cervanith’s giant, sinuous hindquarters, halting in front of me as we reached a small clearing. Just beyond it, a stone edifice leading into a mountain tunnel.
I look up at Azrael to see him watching me, concern knitting his features.
The cervahnith shifts to face us.
“You are welcome to forage. Kill nothing.”
When none of us object, he continues, gesturing to the foreboding stone archway leading into Akashknows where.
“You might find sleep inside the chamber of corpses beside yourmilra kelyfis.”
Milra Kelyfis?
My mind searches for meaning to the strange words, and is only able to produce a literal translation.
Beloved Carapace?
What the fuck is that?
I want to gag as my mind produces the image of some enormous insectoid creature’s shell-like body.
“Charming.”Azrael snorts a derisive laugh. “You expect us to sleep in a mausoleum?”
Levi stares at the cervahnith, blinking, as subtle tension forms in his brow.“Might?”
The cervahnith shrugs. “Do or don’t. I imagine you’ll visit the chamber of corpses soon enough.”
Levi’s lip curls. “Is that a threat?”
The cervahnith’s brows leap, wearing a mask of innocence and surprise. “In all my eons, not once have I harmed another.”
Entirely unconcerned with the cervahnith’s threat-not-threat, Azrael growls at no one in particular. “I am a god of death, and evenIdo not sleep among corpses.”
The Cervahnith tilts his head at him in question. “Are you though? Still?”
Azrael rears back like the words just punched him in the face. The cervahnith waits for a reply, and my heart shatters when Azrael can’t seem to muster one. His hand grasps his chest like the organ within is about to fail at the false realization this blasted creature has just thrust upon him.
Shooting a glare at the cervahnith, I tug Azrael close, grasp his beautiful face between thumb and forefinger, forcing his gaze to mine. “What youareis mine. No matter your title or power, no one in this world will be able to fill the space you have sounceremoniouslycarved into my heart. Do you understand?”
The fact that mere weeks ago, I would have lamented such a declaration doesn’t miss me. Now, I am proud of it and resolute.
The words,I love you,are on the tip of my tongue, but just as I was with Levi, I find myself unable to say them.
Azrael’s eyes shine with unshed tears as he manages to nod. Satisfied, I turn to face the cervahnith.
“You demand our respect—we have every right to demand yours. Do not speak so carelessly to my mates, or I might lose my temper andcarelesslyspill someone’s blood.”
The cervahnith’s tone remains cool. Indifferent.
“I merely sought an answer to a question that, until now, has never been asked.” His eyes shift back to Azrael. “If you find the answer, I would like to know.”
Levi’s voice steals the cervahnith’s attention. “Do you know where he went?”
“I cannot fathom why you think I would know.”
