Page 262 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
I witnessed the memory of it as though I’d experienced it myself.
“You broke my trust.”
“And mine,” Azrael adds.
Lazarus stares blankly at between the two of us for several moments. “You’re right. I apologize.”
I am almost stunned by the swiftness of his apology. My eyes narrow as if to perceive any note of sarcasm or deception.
Lazarus lays on his back and stares up at the ceiling for a moment as a great sigh leaves his chest. “You know I am impulsive. You know what I have been through. I’m not reminding you of it to excuse myself of fault, but... just to give you context.”
His head turns towards me, specifically. “Would you have acted any differently?”
We both know the answer.
I would have done exactly the same thing in his shoes. Perhaps even worse. Like severing any other soulbonds connecting Violette to anyone else. And I’m forced to remind myself that, even when Azrael was... Azrael, and not Azrael and Lazarus, he still didn’t actually sever mine and Violette’s bond when he so easily could have.
The meaning behind his stare tells me he hasn’t forgotten it either.
“Fine.”
The tension in his body bleeds away.
“I still want to punch you in the face.”
He huffs a laugh. “I might let you.”
VIOLETTE
“Will everyone be dressed so extravagantly?” I slide my hands down the dress made of shadow as I stare in the gilded full-length mirror. Azrael and Lazarus moved us to their estate in Selcarim. “Yes. Or they won’t be dressed at all... Minus the napkin concubines are permitted to wear.” Lazarus stands behind me, studying me in the mirror with a somewhat grim but unreadable expression.
When he catches me staring at him, the expression softens and a small grin tilts his mouth at one corner.
“You are the most beautiful treasure I've ever laid eyes on, precious seraphim.”
There’s a certain possessiveness and adoration in his eyes that makes my nipples and clit tingle with sensation. However, it’s not enough to distract me from the undercurrent of tension surrounding him.
I turn to face him, sliding my hands up his chest and neck to stroke his cheeks. His muscles relax beneath my touch as does his gaze, dark lashes framing bright amber eyes. The softness in them makes my chest so buoyant, it’s a wonder I don’t float away.
His eyes grow heavy-lidded.
Large, hot hands slide over my silk dress to cup my waist so he can drag me against him as he groans and captures my lips. His passion is dizzying. Toe-curling. And enough to make me forget about all the tasks at hand.
So before he can render me useless, I draw back, breaking our kiss.
“Something’s on your mind..."
The hesitation in his eyes is palpable and the fleeting moment of silence that follows is enough to turn my stomach into one large knot.
“Yes..."
My throat dips. “What’s the matter... ?”
His hesitation continues for a few increasingly insufferable moments.
“I—”
His head turns sharply towards the door and just as I’m about to speak, the door swings open to reveal a mildly distressed Azrael. “He refuses to wear it.”
