Page 280 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
That she doesn’t have to merely survive anymore.
That she is safe.
She has people who love her, that are loyal to her, and would give their lives for her.
She doesn’t need to place her self value in the eyes or the actions of others.
That she is a goddess with goodness in her heart—a radiant spark of the divine.
And whether or not she accepts any part of the crown she has inherited, she is still my queen.
When I come to stand before her, lilac eyes made brighter by the redness surrounding them gradually lift to mine. Not even a second passes before her lower lip begins to tremble. Tears she probably thought she’d run out of are swift to follow.
My heart aches for her.
Bending at the waist, I scoop her into my arms, and sit on the oversized settee so I can hold her in my lap and clutch her against me like the precious creature she is.
Drawing in a deep breath, my stomach dives and swoops with unfamiliar butterflies.
I haven’t sung in front of anyone... ever, much lessforsomeone.
And for some god-forsaken reason, the lyrics that spill from my lips are none other than,A Kiss From A Rose.
Thank fuckshe isn’t from Earth.
Unfortunately, Azrael and Lazarus have spent plenty of time in my home realm to be familiar with Seal’s greatest hit.
I only make it through the first verse and a half before I hear a suppressed snort of laughter.
Violette hisses a curse at them before gazing back up at me with wide, adoring eyes. “Please don’t stop. You have such a beautiful voice.”
Feeling more than a little sheepish, I continue.
And the moment I reach the chorus, Azrael and Lazarus burst into song behind us to harmonize. My voice wavers as I attempt to sing through the laughter trying to escape my chest. This of course only encourages the two of them; lures them onto the balcony.
But it’s Violette’s bewildered laughter that makes this small humiliation so worth it. The smile parting her lips is like watching dark cumulus clouds surrender to the sun.
When we reach the post-chorus,Ba-ya-ya, ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya, Azrael and Lazarus’ voices soften as the three of us sing it—only making it halfway through before my laughter fills my eyes with tears and makes my voice wilt and pinch until I can sing no more, and the ill-timed humor rumbles free. Azrael reaches a similar state of helplessness. Lazarus is the only one in control of himself, allowing himself a well-earned chuckle.
Violette is giggling as hard as I am, shaking her head in disbelief. “What did I just witness?”
Lazarus heaves a sigh of amusement as he strokes her hair. “The musical stylings of a human named Seal.”
Azrael wipes away a rogue tear, grinning. “I like our version more.”
Lazarus’ gaze slides from Azrael’s to mine. There’s a tension there that feels like appreciation. Though his smile remains reserved, the sincerity in his admission makes something tighten in my chest. “So do I.”
The words. Those fleeting moments of us being joined in song, to console oursoulbound, feel like a truce.
VIOLETTE
Lazarus drew me a bath, but as I approach it with Levi and Azrael at my heels... I find I can no longer settle for this mere puddle that is a bathing pool when my soul, for all these years, has been yearning for the depthless seas. When my approach pauses and I meet Lazarus’ gaze, I know he somehow already understands.
The tunnel leadingfrom the open sky into Sinsól remains, though it is now empty. With my threesoulboundstanding behind me, I stare up at the yawning chasm above—the night sky above twinkling with promise. Despite what traumas and inconceivable revelations the day, the weeks, the years, have brought... I suddenly feel more hopeful than I have ever been.
No, not hopeful.
Certain.
