Page 87 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Afterwards.
“Is that how weak your moral imperative is? How insignificant your desire to please me is?” My voice morphs into something mocking and whiny.“I would have—maybe, perhaps, only if you really wanted me to, held me at fucking dagger-point—‘offered afterwards.’”
Levi’s lips twitch with humor. “I see your point. I beg for your forgiveness.”
My gaze narrows with displeasure. “You disgust me.”
Turning my back on him to summon another portal, frustration burns through me. My fingertips darken as black and lilac-hued electricity and vapors pour from a slit in the air,dilating further until it’s as tall as Levi’s bedroom and nearly as wide.
I turn to find him watching with wide-eyed fascination before his eyes jump to mine.
“Don’t leave yet.”
Ha.
Ha ha.
Helpless laughter bubbles out of me at the ridiculous idea.
“Leave? Darling, you’re coming with me.”
LEVI
I’m being kidnapped... A calm shock washes over me. Well, I’ll always give credit where it’s due, and this woman seems to be an endless source of surprise. Laughter rises to my chest.
Violette gives me an unimpressed scowl as she folds her arms across her buxom chest and cocks a hip that gifts me a glorious view of one long, pale leg, and the fleshy curve of her generous hip. I have a sudden and overwhelming urge to lick and bite it, which is again, mildly concerning, considering my circumstances.
“So what’s your plan? Ritual sacrifice?”
She purses her lips, eyes momentarily sliding to a corner of the room as if she’s genuinely considering it. “Are you offering?”
My muscles flex restlessly against the bite of the rope, which only proves to make it tighten further. Like a boa constrictor.
“Gideon and Beau will be concerned if I just disappear. I have responsibilities here.”
Namely, murdering my father’s usurper.
Violette gives me an expressionless look. “I will speak with Winnow on your behalf. As for your responsibilities, you may return to this realm whenever you wish. I have no need ofholding you prisoner... Once you fully submit to me, accept my bite, and I, yours.”
Pondering her words—bite, submit—feels like an out-of-body experience. I should be shocked. Fearful, even. Surely both of these things would be life-altering. Instead, I feel a certain calm.
“I take it both events would hold some significance? Or is this just an elaborate way of hunting your prey?”
Her lips curl with malevolent glee, eyes going heavy-lidded.
“You will submit to me in all ways. Not merely by force, but by desire, I assure you. As for my bite, it is the way of both god and syrith to drink one another’s blood—their tangible life essence—and mark theirsoulboundso that all may know you have been claimed.”
My mind glosses right over the mention of blood-drinking and settles like a boulder on the ocean floor at the wordsoulbound.
I’ve heard Winnow and Gideon use the term numerous times. She explained that it’s, in short, a soul’s other half. And that it has something to do with how Gideon ended up with horns, a tail, wings, and a drastically extended lifespan. All of which would make my boyhood dreams a reality, outside of the fact that I, quite literally, won’t be able to live without her.
My dread outweighs my intrigue.
Being near this woman makes me want to claim her as badly as I want to run for the fucking hills—unless this woman is impervious to death. A part of me I didn’t know existed dares to hope. It doesn’t seem too far-fetched, considering she can summon portals and has all the accoutrements of an immortal being.
Before I can ask Violette about her longevity, she gives a subtle wave of her hand. In the same moment, my body becomes airborne and floats towards and into the portal. Whatlies beyond it appears to be some kind of fantastical, makeshift laboratory in her kitchen.
Fear and excitement finally begin to tingle in my veins. Intuitively, I know I’m not in danger, and Gideon has only ever raved about the realm Winnow comes from. I’m even supposed to attend their wedding inCaerwynath.
