Chapter 37
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
VENEMOUS
Poe
“He bled poetry, and I drank it like salvation.”— P
“ A re we there yet?”
“For the fourth time… no.”
Azariel’s tone was flat, but as I looked up at him I caught the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
“It’s taking forever and my feet hurt.”
He raised an eyebrow at me.
“We’ve been walking for hours.”
“It’s been five minutes.”
“Are you sure? Because it feels like?—”
“You’re starting to annoy the fuck out of me.”
I grinned like the menace I am. “I know.”
Okay, sure I was being annoying and yes—maybe the first time I asked, I genuinely wanted to know. But after that? Oh, I was absolutely doing it on purpose. There’s just something so satisfying about poking at Azariel’s thin patience and watching his unfeeling expression crack. That tiny crease between his brows? Too adorable. The barely-there sigh of dramatic suffering? I love that the most.
Yes, I’m the only person besides his family he enjoys spending time with but he’s still the ultimate grump. His feelings for me won’t change his nature and I honestly love that about him the most.
Also to be fair, he’s the one who dragged me out of bed at the crack of dawn with no context, told me to wear something “comfortable,” and refused to answer a single question after that.
It’s his fault that I’m being a menace.
Walking long distances + early mornings = gremlin on crack mode activated.
Yet somehow, the man has the patience of a saint, even though I can tell he’s hanging on by a thread. I’ve been running my mouth non-stop since we left the manor, and he just keeps nodding and engaging like a pro monk. Honestly, I’m impressed. The only time he tried to shut me up was with a kiss. The beautiful jerk.
Not that I’m complaining.
Two hours in the car, later, my grumpy mood faded, and now I’m buzzing with excitement over whatever magic he’s cooked up for today. Azariel is full of surprises. One day, he’s making all my author dreams come true while watching me with those devastatingly soft eyes. The next, he’s fucking me with a Ghostface mask on while filming it. And then there are days he just sits beside me in silence while we tend to his roses like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I may never fully unravel the mystery of his heart or mind, but hell, I want to spend the rest of my life trying.
Because Azariel has always been and will always be… my sweetest venom and my one and only obsession.
“We’re almost there. Just a little longer,” he rasped, his voice doing things to my insides as he squeezed my hand, thumb brushing soft circles over my skin.
I noticed he did that a lot and the sweet gesture made me feel anchored.
I swear, I’m going to melt every time he does it.
He’s managed to melt every last shard of ice around my heart.
I never thought Azariel was a romantic. And sure, he’s not in the most traditional way, but the man makes me feel like I’m the most precious thing in his universe just by being himself. That’s more than enough for me. That’s everything.
He thinks he’s dreaming, but I’m the one living the fantasy— the dream that is him.
As we walked side by side, I glanced up at him, catching his profile and couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. Hell, I smile so big that my mouth starts to hurt.
He looked so happy just to be here with me, and I melted even more, Full-on silly schoolgirl swoon.
Today, he ditched his usual slacks and crisp shirts for faded jeans and a black T-shirt that hugged him just right, showing off those tattooed sleeves and the ink on his neck I love so much. He looked twice his size and ten times more dangerous. Terrifyingly gorgeous.
I wore the same thing— well, almost. Black crop top instead of T-shirt, shorts instead of jeans.
His black hair was slicked back, but one defiant curl had fallen onto his forehead, like even his hair refused to follow his every command. Mine was down in long waves and a few cute thing braids.
We were matching. And he didn’t protest.
We’re those people now. You know… the ones who show up in public looking like a coordinated couple’s Pinterest board.
Who would’ve thought? Certainly not me.
But weirdly… I kind of love it.
“You know, little prince… my heart can’t take any more surprises from you,” I said, smiling up at him. “One more big one and I swear I’ll have a stroke.”
He glanced down at me with that crooked grin of his that is more dangerous than his fists. “Nonsense,” he said, all confident and sweet— and my heart skipped a few beats. “I’d never let anything happen to my heart.”
His heart .
I had to swallow hard to keep it together, because wow. What he just said nearly knocked the air out of my lungs.
There was a time he shattered my heart so badly, I stopped believing in love altogether. And now? He’s not just promising to protect it—he’s claiming it as his .
Dramatic much? Absolutely.
Do I care? Not one bit.
Even back when I was a kid, I knew he was the one for me.
“Your heart?” I teased, my nerves buzzing as I waited for his response.
“Want to see mine?”
“Your what?”
“My heart.”
I raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling a little… possessive. Okay, a lot. Jealousy twisted in my stomach.
“What do you mean, your heart?”
He didn’t answer. Then, he tightened his grip on my hand, gently pulling me forward toward something that loomed in the distance.
I squinted, trying to focus. And then my breath hitched.
No.
This can’t be real life.
I shut my eyes tight, then opened them again, hoping this was just some wild dream. But it wasn’t.
There it was.
In front of us stood a huge, beautiful gate, like something from a dream. It was made of dark iron, twisted into curves and spirals that reached up like curls my mom used to do in my hair when I was little. The metal sparkled in a deep blue, almost as if it had a life of its own. Above it, the word “Venomous” glowed softly in bold letters, shining brightly against the sky.
“Azariel…” My voice barely rose above a whisper. And before I could get another word out, he pulled me forward to a young man waiting at the entrance. The moment the man saw Azariel, his eyes widened, and he quickly called him “ boss ” before letting us through.
Boss?
He owns this place too?
I stepped forward, my heart racing with a blend of awe and disbelief. As soon as we crossed the threshold, the world aside those gates disappeared. The beautiful park unfolded before me—twisted towers rising in jagged silhouettes, reaching toward the sky, each one painted in every shade of blue—electric, cobalt, indigo—a magical dream in the daylight.
Blue.
It was all blue and it was quiet. There were no amused voices, no laughter, no bustling crowds. It was just us.
“Welcome to Venomous.” Azariel looked down at me while spreading his arms wide, welcoming me into what looked to be his property.
Venomous World.
I didn’t know much about it, but I knew everyone else did. This was the largest amusement and theme park in the world. My little brother Cassian had mentioned it once in passing, but I didn’t really give it much thought at the time.
If I’m honest… I don’t like rollercoasters. I’m a big baby when it comes to heights. Maybe that’s why I never had an interest in knowing more about the park.
Azariel’s words from earlier echoed in my mind. My heart.
“What did you mean when you said, “your heart”, Azariel?” I asked, my voice quiet, almost hesitant. His grip on my hand tightened just slightly, as if sensing the shift inside me.
His gaze softened. “Look around you, Poetry… this is you. All of you. My heart.”
Then I reluctantly looked away from him and took in the park around us.
Blue.
The exact shade of my hair.
Thud.
Thud.
This can’t be real.
He can’t be real.
How could someone who’s seen so much darkness be able to create something so magical for me? How?
I closed my eyes and silently prayed to anyone who might be listening, hoping this was real, that I wasn’t just dreaming. And then, I felt his large hands cupping my face, his fingers brushing my skin as he pulled me in for a kiss. It was rough, not so sweet, and when he finally pulled away, we locked eyes. For a moment, everything else faded.
He whispered softly, “Welcome to the world I created for you. A world of only blue. My favorite color.”
I couldn’t help it.
Tears welled up and spilled over. I cried— quiet, messy sobs—while he looked down at me, smiling so much love in his eyes. He didn’t have to say he loved me. I saw it.
My heart raced, fluttering in my chest, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
“You…” I began, but my voice faltered. “You made all of this?” My heart hammered in my ears. “For me? This must’ve taken years…”
Years.
I was in his heart for years…
Azariel’s eyes flickered to our feet for a moment, his usual confidence wavering, like he couldn’t bring himself to meet my gaze. And just like that, my heart tripped over itself again… I couldn’t handle it.
“Every corner, every shadow, every ride… all of it,” he murmured, his voice low and steady. “It’s all for you. You inspired every single part of this world. I had it built with you in mind. I know sometimes the world outside this place can overwhelm you, but here…” He gently took my hand and pressed it to his chest, where his heart beat strong and steady. “You’ll always be safe. Always.”
Tears kept falling, but I didn’t bother to wipe them away.
“Azariel…” I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. My heart was a storm inside my chest, wild and chaotic. His gaze was searching and full of love—harsh yet tender, cold but warm. It was everything. “143.”
And then, something more beautiful than the blue world surrounding us happened. He smiled.
He knew.
He knew exactly what that number meant to me. Those three little words I felt for him but was always too afraid to say out loud.
I love you.
His eyes then flash with something that should terrify me— something sinister and alarming— but instead, it did the opposite. “I’d kill for you.”
He’d kill for me… A sane woman would run, would flee in the other direction, but all logic and reason vanished the moment I laid eyes on the beautiful, dark prince standing before me.
“This place is you,” Azariel whispered, his voice softening. “And you, Poe Vaeda Nicolasi James… are my heart.”
The darkness in his eyes faded and his eyes were softer than I had ever seen them before.
“I created Venomous because I wanted the world to see you, even long after we’re gone. Your essence is in every corner of this place, and it will live on long after your heart stops beating. You’ll be immortal, baby.”
I didn’t need to hear another word. I don’t think my heart could’ve taken it. With a heart filled with love for him, I rose to my toes and kissed him. But it wasn’t just a kiss. It was me surrendering to everything that I felt for him. It was soft and fierce, a silent promise wrapped in a tender touch. It was more than just two people kissing. It was a merging of two hearts that had only ever ached for each other.
His world, his heart… it was all for me. And mine was his.
In that moment, everything felt right. Perfect. Whole.
And when we finally pulled apart, breathless and still tethered by something deeper than words, I knew without a doubt that this wasn’t a dream.
This was real.
This was us.
A dark fantasy. The most breathtaking one I’d ever known.
Heart blooming with love and anticipation, I reached for his hand, my fingers trembling a little with the weight of every sweet word he’d spoken. “Show me,” I whispered. “Show me Venomous.”
A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips, and he squeezed my hand gently before pulling me toward his beautiful blue creation.
It was majestic and it took my breath away. Just like its creator.
Every step we took felt like we were moving deeper into the world he’d made just for me. And as he held my hand and led me, I could already feel the magic of the blue park wrapping around the both of us, pulling us closer to everything his heart loves about me.
He showed me every corner of Venomous, and I could barely process—how he had woven pieces of me into every store, every ride, every detail.
How?
There were things here that no one knew about me— things only my family would have known. And yet, here they were, brought to life in beautiful and creative ways.
He didn’t ask. I know Azariel would never.
He watched.
He studied.
He saw me when I thought no one was looking just like I watched him.
We’re strange, no doubt. Our love language might be sarcasm and lurking from a distance, but hey— sane people flirt, we stalk.
What can I say? All’s fair in love and mild, slightly unhinged but sweet obsession.
Almost half an hour passed as we rode every ride that didn’t involve being flung into the sky. Azariel looked absolutely ridiculous squeezed inside a tiny space shuttle roller coaster with me, his knees practically up to his chest. I nearly died laughing and even took a few pictures with my phone. He just raised a brow like he didn’t care that I was making fun of him.
But beneath the laughter, I couldn’t help but think… there were the kinds of things he should have experienced growing up —lighthearted moments, joy, silliness. Not all that carnage. Not the endless heartache.
His small smile, the one he wore as he looked down at me between rides, hit me hard. It was quiet, but it was real. And it was bittersweet.
After the rides we ate at a cozy Japanese restaurant tucked into a quiet corner of the park. They served all my favorite dishes— all of them.
Once we finished eating, we took a break from exploring, and I tugged him toward a small shop near a rollercoaster that looked like it had leapt straight out of a fairytale library. It was book-themed, complete with flying pages, floating quills, and a giant open book for a ride car.
It was my favorite one and so damn cute.
Just like the man who owned it.
We were walking hand in hand when something caught my eye.
It was a tiny green shop, painted in a shade almost identical to my eyes. The windows were lined with trinkets and souvenirs — sparkly, whimsical and so weird. Basically, my go to aesthetic.
But what really stole my attention was a blue and black headband displayed right in the center of the window— adorned with two tiny, glittering knives that glowed faintly in the sunlight. It was clever. It was chaotic. It was me.
I loved that Venomous had a gothic, slasher twist. Dark, dramatic, horror-core with a sprinkle of sparkle. Our kind of fairytale.
“Oh, look at this!” I gasped, tugging on Azariel’s arm like an overexcited brat. I pointed at the headband in the window. “It’s killer, right?” I wiggled my eyebrows at him in the most ridiculous way.
He followed my gaze, then glanced down at me with amusement sparkling in those gray eyes of his. “You want it?”
“Can I?” I grinned, eyes still on the headband. “I think it suits me. Don’t you?”
Azariel raised an eyebrow and bit his lips— and oh, wow.
“Yeah, baby I do.”
Without another word, he walked into the store with me, his hand still wrapped around mine. A few moments later, he came back, headband in hand.
“Here,” he said softly, then gently slid it onto my head. My heart leaped when I looked up at him, catching the gentle smile that tugged at his lips. Pretty ...
Every time he smiled, it felt like the sun was shining just for me.
Warm.
I stood on my tiptoes and, with a smile that could barely contain my excitement, I stole another kiss. It was the type of kiss that made the world fade until there was only us.
When I pulled back, my heart was racing.
Will it ever stop beating like crazy when I kiss him?
I don’t think so.
“You’re tired?” he asked, gently playing with a strand of my hair, concern lacing his voice.
“Just a little,” I admitted with a small smile, trying to ignore the dull ache in my feet.
Damn it. I knew I should’ve worn better shoes. These boots were doing me dirty. “I’m okay. Let’s keep exploring.”
I didn’t want to miss anything.
But Azariel was already shaking his head, his usual sexy-as-hell gruffness back in full force. “Don’t lie to me. You’re tired.”
Before I could argue, he swept me off my feet— literally.
“You’ve done enough walking for one day,” he muttered.
I laughed, unable to stop the grin that took over my face as he shifted me onto his back with ease. “Azariel, you don’t have to?—”
A piggyback ride
The big, brooding, tattooed grump was giving me a piggyback ride.
I made a mental note: this was definitely going into the book.
Oh, it was happening.
Everything sweet gesture and dirty act he’s done will make it to the final draft.
“Hold on tight, precious cargo.”
I giggled. Oh, no.
What has this man turned me into?
“You know, little prince…”
“Yeah, little fox?”
“You’re the sweetest not-so-heartless dark prince I’ve ever met…”
He laughed. Like, full-on laughed. “Now you’re just saying shit.”
I wasn’t.
I really, really wasn’t.
I didn’t say that out loud, though.
Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head against his broad shoulders. Let me show him.
And I did—just by being there, holding onto him as he carried me through the park he built for me.
I could hear the sound of his steady breathing, feel the rhythmic thud of his footsteps as he moved along the winding paths. There was something so simple, so perfect, about being held by him in the world he’d created out of…love.
It felt meant to be.
Written in the stars in my eyes, and the scars across his heart.
I couldn’t help but smile.
My once doubtful heart was now completely full.
Full of him .
Night fell quickly when you were having the time of your life with the man who had a tight chokehold on your heart. Time with Azariel was strange like that— sometimes it flew, other times it felt like the world slowed down just for us. It was magic. Pure, wild-dark-arts-level magic.
There’s honestly no other way to explain it.
It had to be magic. Or a love curse.
Because it’s the only reasonable explanation for why the love bug had chewed through half my neurons and left me acting completely lovesick.
I’ve always known loving Azariel turned me into a full-blown love fool. But at this point? I was the CEO of the Azariel Fan Club alongside Mom… and proudly so.
The man deserved that and more.
After exploring every corner of Venomous— which, I swear, could rival a small state— we stopped at a tiny building nestled beside a blue rose-themed ride. At first, I thought it was a bakery. But no.
It was a tea party. A literal tea party spot.
I blinked, completely stunned.
Hell, I still think I’m dreaming all of it.
We sipped tea and nibbled on delicious pastries that oddly tasted like Azariel’s Aunt Mila’s recipes while talking about everything and nothing all at once. I was completely in awe of it all as I talked his ear off about every new idea I came up with for the trilogy.
And he just sat there calmly with the tiniest porcelain teacup balanced in his massive hand, looking at me like every word I said was sacred to him. Like I was reading him “ The Little Prince” instead of rambling about plot twists and morally gray romance leads.
But now the sun is gone leaving room for only the moon and stars. The deep black of the night sky stretched above us, and the deep blue and green glow of the park’s eerie lights reflected the mist rising from every mountain surrounding us.
Wow.
If heaven did exist… this would be it.
Azariel carried me on his back in silence, his footsteps steady beneath us as we made our way through the lighted paths. I rested my chin on his shoulder, enjoying the ride but also noticing it.
He’s been suspiciously quiet for the past few minutes.
We were heading toward the large open space near the biggest fountain in the park— a breathtaking centerpiece that shimmered under the glow of blue and green lights. Water danced high into the air, catching the moonlight like tiny diamonds.
It was ethereal.
And yet, all I could think about was the quiet tension in his shoulders, the way his thick fingers gripped my legs just a little tighter.
Something had shifted from the tea place to now.
But… what?
“Azariel…” I whispered against his shoulder.
“What?” he asked, his voice low and steady.
“Put me down…please.”
It was the please that did it.
He didn’t argue. He just paused for a second, then gently lowered me to the ground like I was made of glass. His hands lingered at my waist for a moment longer than necessary, as if he didn’t want to let go.
I looked up at him, unable to stop the soft smile that tugged at my lips. “You’re being weird. What’s going on?”
He didn’t answer right away— just lifted his gaze to the sky, and I instinctively followed.
“Azariel?” I whispered.
“My father told me once that he was the night sky and mom was everything that shone in the dark” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, though his words felt like they were vibrating in the air between us. “I didn’t understand how something could shine in total darkness until I met you.”
I held my breath as I looked up at him completely in awe of everything he said.
“Do you want to see what you do to my world Poe? Do you want to see what I see when I look at you?”
Oh …
Words were stuck in my throat but I managed a small nod.
Right then, a firework shot into the sky with a loud crack startling me. It exploded in a brilliant burst of electric blue, painting the heavens above us with its soft, glowing hue. I gasped, my eyes wide with wonder. Each firework that followed seemed to be even more mesmerizing than the last, splashing the sky with shades of cobalt, indigo, and deep, midnight blue. Just like the park.
Just like my hair, the roses, his car…us.
Magical blue.
Azariel took my hand in his, holding it tightly as the park around us came to life—bursting with color, with magic, with us .
I leaned into him, pressing myself closer to him as we watched the firework show. It was truly beautiful. How hadn’t I known this place was his?
The fireworks continued, their bursts of blue filling the sky, and with each explosion, my heart felt lighter and more his. I couldn’t help but laugh in delight as another set of fireworks went off, twirling in elegant arcs before forming a glowing heart in the sky. The light shimmered in Azariel’s gray eyes, making them look almost silver.
“This is my favorite part,” he whispered in my ear, his voice low and warm, sending shivers down my spine.
And then a massive firework shot into the sky, higher than any of the others, and for a brief moment, I thought it was just going to be another explosion of blue. But then, as it reached its peak, it burst open in a shower of light, and I held my breath.
More fireworks twisted in the air, slowly taking shape, and as the last of the sparks faded, my heart skipped a beat. The explosion above us had transformed into a shape I knew all too well. A shape I saw every day in the mirror.
My face.
It wasn’t just a random female—it was me .
Oh, my God.
The fireworks had taken the shape of my face, framed by the same electric blue and green that lit up every corner of the park. Tears welled up in my eyes, and before I knew it, they began to fall.
“Azariel…” I whispered, my voice trembling, my heart overwhelmed by all that he is.
I turned to him, my chest tight with emotion, my heart bursting with love.
Azariel’s gaze was fixed on the fireworks as well, but when I looked up at him, I saw love there.
And then, in a moment of wonder and sweetness, I let the words slip out. “I love you so much it hurts.”
Before I could say anything more, Azariel reached out, his hand moving quickly, his grip firm but gentle as he cupped my neck. His eyes darkened with hunger before he pulled me toward him.
His lips crashed into mine with urgency, a kiss that made every part of me burn. It was raw, passionate, all-consuming and as the fireworks exploded above us in brilliant tones of blue, I melted into him. It was like the world had gone silent—everything except the two of us seemed to disappear as the sky above us continued to explode with light.
His hands gripped my neck, holding me close, as if he was afraid I might slip away, as if he needed me to know just how real this was. That this wasn’t a dream.
My heart swelled with love as I kissed him back, pouring everything I had and was into that kiss—everything I had been holding back, every word, every feeling, every dream with him. The fireworks above us seemed to mirror what I felt for this man, their light flashing in time with the beating of my heart.
This is it.
This is what dreams and fairytales are made of.
When we finally pulled away, breathless and high on love, Azariel’s forehead rested against mine, his eyes closed for a moment as if trying to catch his breath. I could feel his pulse racing, matching mine, as the last of the fireworks fizzled out above us.
“I love you more,” he whispered, his fingers gently toying with the pendant on my necklace.
I grinned. “Impossible.”
“Everything’s possible with you.”
My grin blossomed into a full, radiant smile and his did too, like we were mirroring each other without even trying.
Meant to be…
The words kept coming back to me.
And as the final echoes of the fireworks faded into the dark night, I realized I didn’t need anything else.
Because in that moment, wrapped in his strong arms and his wicked but beautiful magic, I had everything I’d ever wanted.
Everything I’d ever wished for.
Azariel’s heart—beautiful, dark, and far too big for his chest.
And now?
All mine.