Page 300 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
My brows leap.
Tempus seems pleased by my reaction. The boy’s eyes, a shade of the brightest gray I have ever seen, glitter in anticipation as he speaks in a deceptively light, tinkling childlike voice. “My oldest friend.”
Tempus’s eyes slide to mine, and it causes a chill to race up my spine. “And his lovely new mate. So very much has changed since we last saw one another... I must admit I have been looking forward to this. I don’t get many visitors,” his words turn pointed, “And never any as gifted as you.”
Lazarus’ expression darkens into a scowl as his hand slides into mine, holding it protectively, and voice turning dry with boredom and disdain. “I can’t possibly fathom why.”
Tempus giggles, gaze darting between the two of us. “Happy to see your charm hasn’t waned in the slightest.”
Lazarus was right. There is something so unsettling about this god of chronological time that it causes a knot of anxiety to form in the pit of my stomach. His pale eyes dip to mine.
The sharp edges of his smile turn the expression greedy.
Desperate.
“You have something for me.”
My brows knit together as my wariness increases. “It isn’t foryou.”
Tempus chuckles again. “Oh, but you do. It’s all part of our bargain.”
Lazarus protectively curls his arm around me. “There will be no bargaining or vows.”
Is this a bad idea?Everything within me urges me to run.
Tempus rolls his eyes. “So distrustful. Who hurt you?”
Lazarus gives him a bored look as I have second thoughts. “Maybe this is a bad idea..."
It’s my only idea.
Tempus’ child-like glee vanishes, replaced by an alarmingly convincing pout, coupled with wide watering eyes. “Oh, please don’t go.”
Pity and disgust roll through me—how easy it is for him to switch masks.
Is it a mask?
Before I can reply, the boy before us grows into a fully grown male. His height rivals Azrael’s, as do the rippling muscles bulging beyond the toga-like garment he’s wearing. The voice he speaks in now rivals the depths of the sea. “Is this better? I thought perhaps you might find a child less threatening.”
My jaw hangs open in shock as his form ages further; only stopping when his muscles atrophy and skin begins to sag. “How about this?”
Tempus grins again, now absent of several teeth. “Or do you prefer a more paternal visage?”
Lazarus heaves a sigh, rubbing his brow with thumb and forefinger. “Enough theatrics, Tempus.”
Tempus proceeds to shift into the form of a middle-aged male once more, laden with muscle, a long braid of salt and pepper hair, and a mouthful of white teeth made even brighter against skin that is somehow both radiant and tenebrous.
My patience wears thin, and I raise my hand to make him stop shifting. “What do you want in exchange?”
There’s a knowingness in his eyes—because of course there is, he’s probably watched a thousand versions of this interaction already. But behind his jarring exteriors, I do see an earnest hope flickering in his shimmering eyes. “Mysoulbound.”
Ah. I should have guessed.
“... And that is all?”
He tilts his head at me as though surprised by the question.
“There is nothing more I wish for.”
