Page 275 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
He pauses for a moment, voice gentling.
“I chose Thessaly for you myself. Knew that he would be able to provide you with a selfless, safe companionship in addition to teaching you an invaluable skill that would enable you to not only become fiscally independent, but also enable you to protect yourself, if necessary..."
My claws sink into the flesh of my hands as I ball my trembling fists.
“And yet you stole him from me–—from the world–—”
My father’s dark brows dip into a harsh V as his lips twist into a frown. “I hadn’t realized you’d grown so attached. If I had, I might have chosen a different way of handling his betrayal.”
Oh my gods, I want to kill him as badly as some twisted part of me needs him to continue this farcical explanation.
“When you came of age, I knew that it was only a matter of time before males would assert themselves on you. For all of Lucen’s faults, I had never witnessed the loyalty, devotion, and tenderness he gave to his mate. The sacrifices he made for her. I had hoped if I removed her from the equation, that he would devote himself to you when the time came for your paths to cross..."
I can scarcely breathe at the revelation. “You—you condemned her to your harem because you wanted him to... to be with me?”
I think I’m going to be sick.
My father doesn’t even acknowledge the question.
“And I had a feeling you two would be drawn to one another... Though, I must say, I did not appreciate how sexually assertive he was with you that first night—groping and grinding on you like some fucking hormonal adolescent faeling.”
What? How the fuck? Did Lucen tell him he groped me?
I am too stunned to manage words, and am merely left gaping in shock as my father’s gaze slides to Azrael and Lazarus–—replacing my shock with an icy tendril of fear.
“So when you severed his bond with Soriya, I thought it was truly divine timing.”
The expression on my father’s face turns to one of boredom as he dismissively waves his hand in their general direction before removing his mask, and wills away all three of theirs.
“We can forgo the masks, Azrael.”
Wearing twin expressions of displeasure, Azrael and Lazarus greet him in flat, identical tones. “Hello, Abyrion.”
My father’s gaze eventually wanders to meet Levi’s. “My daughter’s soulbound..."
Levi’s eyes darken until even the sclera have disappeared, replaced with a shifting kaleidoscope-esque light. Tilting his head as if studying prey, he remains silent.
It’s hard not to stare—each time I witness this change, it steals my breath.
When I glance back at my father, he openly wears an expression of fascination and wariness.
Finally, my father nods in understanding before his gaze slowly returns to mine in a way that reminds me of someone afraid to take their eyes off of a nearby predator.
“There is... harmony and peace between you?”
Unlike your mother and I, is what he doesn’t say.
“Beyond what I ever could have fathomed.”
He gradually nods, offering me a smile infused with relief. “Whatever magic you used to glamour theirs is impressive. If it weren’t for the cervahnith, I wouldn’t have known who they were.”
Ten minutes ago, before he’d fully revealed the depths of his depravity, I might have inwardly rejoiced at his praise. Now, I do not. If anything, I am immensely grateful to my mother for keeping me away from him. Immensely grateful, even to him, that even he knew that I was better off in an orphanage than under his monstrous influence.
Because what is just as horrifying to me, is that I can understand his line of reasoning, no matter how grotesque.
Whoever my father might have once been—naive, or anything resembling innocent—he died long ago.
Wearing a look of resignation softened by unmistakable adoration, his gaze studies mine.
