Page 312 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
My eyes jump to the male with the burn scar on his neck and jaw... and now that he’s standing in full view, I see it creeps all the way to the fingers of one arm.
So it’s... true?
“My name is Ataraxus. You saved my life. Twice, actually. Once, when I was a child, and again more recently.”
I am... stunned by his words.
Am I good person?
My gaze slides back to the female and her other two mates. Their hard stares would suggest otherwise.
Am I a lothario?
With a wince, I manage to force out the question as I study the scornful female.
“Have we... slept together?”
The males closest to her growl in unison as she slaps a hand on each of their chests to prevent them from launching towards me. “No, we have notslepttogether. You?—”
Mors steps forward, cutting her off. “If I may, Mareina, my beautifuldaughter…”He seems to enunciate these words for my benefit. “Before we rehash the past, I think it would be in all our best interests if Azrael came and stayed with Persephone and me for a while. And once he’s gained his bearings, and some of his memories have returned, you’re welcome to discuss any unsettled disputes.”
Mareina’s expression flattens but she remains silent.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Mors turns to face me and Persephone, hovering to my left.
“Shall we?”
Persephone slides her hand over his forearm, stepping towards him before turning to face me. I sense no malevolence from either of them, but I’m still uncertain. My gaze slides to Ataraxus, the only person who might have my best interest at heart if our shared past is to be believed. His expression remains stoic, but he dips his head in encouragement.
Fuck,I feel like a cornered animal.
“I don’t haveany family who would... help?”
Gods, I hate the word.
Persephone speaks with such relaxed,matter-of-fact confidence, it’s hard not to trust her. “We are your family. Perhaps not in blood, but in shared history. In domain. We care for you greatly.”
We care for you greatly.
The simple declaration summons a knot of emotion in my chest, my throat, and I’m not sure why. Until a sudden realization of a possibility stops it in its tracks.
My gaze bounces between them. They did say we’ve known each other for eons, and if we aren’t family in blood...
“Have I slept with... either of you?”
Persephone snorts a laugh as Mors’ head tips back with laughter–warm and resonant. The mere sound of it causes a little of the tension in my body to bleed away. Even Malekai huffs a laugh from behind them. “You’re gonna get punched in the face one day if you keep asking everyone that question.”
Persephone’s grin crinkles the corners of her eyes, lifting the aura of heartbreak that had previously burdened her. “No, we haven’t. You needn’t worry about your chastity around us, darling.”
Mors offers me his hand.
My eyes dip between us.
He wants to hold my hand?
Some instinct guides my hand to his and I... shake it.
Mors’ head hangs as he chuckles. Persephone giggles. “Don’t let go, darling.”
