Page 235 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
“Which is where?”
“The subconscious.”
“As in... ?”
“As in I am stuck in an incorporeal realm.”
My eyes scan the room.
Fuck, I’m dreaming.
I hadn’t even realized I was still asleep.
“Is that how it has always been?”
His scowl deepens. “Of course not.”
Intuition tickles the back of my mind.
“Does that have something to do with Violette’s father?”
He gives a sardonic huff, as if even he is loath to admit it. “Entirely.”
Jesus.
At least the guilt in his eyes is palpable. “I care deeply for Violette.”
That’s yet to be seen.
“And your mind powers?—”
“Useless against him. He’s obtained a way to shield himself against me.”
I rub my eyes with thumb and forefinger. “What am I supposed to tell Violette when I try to save another female?”
Somnus shrugs. “The truth? She vowed totryand save her, too, but considering the emotional impact of killing her father, I imagine she might not be up to the task.”
What the fuck?
“Vowed to who? You?”
A corner of Somnus’ mouth quirks.
“Not me, but that’s a discussion you’ll have to have with her, I’m afraid.”
I shake my head, reeling. “How are we even going to get into his palace?”
Somnus gives me a look that says,I thought you’d never ask,as hewillsa gilded scroll into one hand and passes it to me.
I attempt to maintain a mask of neutrality—as though gilded scrolls are commonplace—even as my insides bubble with nerd-like glee when I unroll it to reveal beige-colored parchment decorated in an inky, elegant script only an actualquillcould have produced.
And thanks to Violette’s potion, I can actually read it.
By Decree of the Sovereign State of Sinsól,
He Who Commands the Seas, All Within, & Holds Dominion Over the Horizon,
You are hereby summoned to attend the Sinsól Carnival & Masquerade in honor of His Majesty, His Conquest, His Enduring Supremacy, so that we may celebrate His Succession.
