Page 234 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Only a few minutes pass before the soft amber orb casting the room in a gentle glow coaxes my eyelids shut; for my steady breaths with long exhales to make every muscle in my body languid.
Intuitively, I reach out with my mind. To where, I have no fucking clue, but I hold the image of the god of dreams and the subconscious in my mind.
Until finally, I drift off...
Somnus.
Some indistinguishable period of time passes in a soothing, womb of darkness until the presence of another stirs me. My eyes open to find Somnus leaning on the edge of the sink, ankles crossed, hands shoved into his pockets as he watches me, wearing a placid look. My relief is immediate. My mouth has just formed the words to thank him for coming when he speaks.
“What an unexpected turn of events.”
Silence is my reply at the pin-prick of unease his words inspire.
Somnus draws in a deep breath, gaze wandering to some distant point on the wall before eventually returning to mine. “I need to utilize your expertise.”
My expertise?
I’d been so desperate to ask for his help, it takes a second for my mind to catch up.
“To do what?”
Somnus’ relaxed expression turns grim. “You’re going to find Violette’s father, correct?”
My wariness grows. Again, I remain silent, and he continues.
“I can help you get into his palace—into Sinsól.”
... So this is why he so ‘benevolently’ revealed Azrael and Violette to me.
I swear, every time I even begin to think someone might be acting selflessly, they always manage to prove me wrong.
“In exchange for myexpertise..."
His grin is tinged with bitterness. “There is a female in Violette’s father’s harem—Soriya Adonir-Hope. I need you to find her and take her with you when you leave.”
“... And if I say no?”
“I’ll erase your memories of Violette and Azrael, and send you back home as if none of this happened?—”
Rage is swift to boil in my veins.
“Theirs, too. They won’t remember you, or each other.”
Hatred simmers in my chest, but my expression remains one of stone.
Until the most glorious window of opportunity appears in my mind, but for now, I remain wordless; givehimthe opportunity to reveal whatever else it is that I might use as leverage for my end of the bargain.
Somnus’ gaze holds mine. Confident. Determined. “You would do the same for Violette.”
Oh, shit...
“She’s yoursoulbound..."
He gives me a grim nod.
“Why can’t you rescue her yourself?”
A scowl teases the corners of his mouth. “I am confined to my domain.”
