Page 22 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Thessaly passes me a glass of my favorite dry red wine from the bartender as he raises his own glass—something colorful, sweet, and utterly grotesque. “Cheers, my darling! To the most beautiful and gifted flueratheurge in all the realms!”
A small smile blooms on my face as I huff a laugh. “A girl can hope.”
Our glassesclinktogether, inaudible over the sultry beat pouring off the stage. By the time I’ve taken my first sip, Thessaly’s eyes are already wandering over the crowd. He grins at someone, but his eyes quickly return to mine. I arch a brow. He rolls his eyes, grinning demurely as he tosses his thick, glossy sheet of white hair over one shoulder. “I can’t help it if I draw the eyes of every male in the room.”
His gaze snags on someone across the bar, brows rising. “Well... not every male.” He sips his drink, nodding in their direction. My gaze follows his.
My heart stutters the moment my eyes lock with dark blue eyes, perfectly coiffed brown waves, a chiselled, scruffy jaw, pointed ears, high cheekbones, and pillowy lips.
Swoon.
Thick, veiny forearms rest on the bar where he leans. The tie of his white tunic is loose, revealing an enticing sliver of gilded, muscled flesh. Broad shoulders shift as he straightens. His lids lower, somehow intensifying his already stunning gaze, as a grin tilts one corner of his mouth.
He’s giving me fuck-me eyes.
My chest seizes.I immediately turn my back, eyes wide.
“Oh, my gods.”
My magic, without my even asking, reaches out unprompted to detect hissoulbond.
My shock doubles when I detect none.
Impossible.
I’ve never not detected one. Whether or not they had met, or the other had passed, I always feltsomething.
Could he be my soulbound?
I’ve never been able to detect my own; I have always wondered if that is the burden of my gift—that I do not have asoulbound.
Despite my incessant, silent vows to never take a mate or honor asoulbondlike my mother, hope suddenly rises in my chest like a radiant flag surviving the winds despite their wrath.
Thessaly chuckles from behind his glass. “You should go talk to him.”
My mouth is suddenly too dry. I gulp my wine, licking my lips. “Youshould shut your mouth.”
Thessaly giggles. “Dance with me.”
Relief washes over me, and he drags me through the crowd. I can feel the fae male’s gaze upon me like a too-heavy touch. Minutes tick by as seductive music permeates my body, gradually loosening my muscles and soothing my frantic heart. A glass of wine later, I am finally blessedly lost to the music.
“I need another drink!”Thessaly shouts over the crowd before tugging me towards the bar. My eyes scan it, looking for the fae. He’s nowhere to be seen. I am both relieved and disappointed. A bartender approaches, and Thessaly gives him our drink order.
“Hello.”
My heart leaps into my throat at the sound of the baritone voice. I’m certain it’s going to burst free from my chest as I force myself to turn and come face to face with the fae.
Oh fuck, he’s even prettier up close.
I stare up at him like prey frozen beneath a predator’s gaze.
I’ve never spoken to a male in this capacity. Have never flirted outside of the harmless, innocent jibes between adolescent boys at the orphanage. I’ve only ever kissed one boy—when I was 15—playing a game of courage versus verity.
It was terrible.
Staring at this fae though... I do not think kissing him would be terrible. In fact...
My eyes dip to his perfectly formed lips.
