Chapter 7 #6
"Haven't you figured it out?" He flashed a mischievous smile.
"My venom is coursing through you now. I gave you an extra-large dose.
It's harmless, I promise. The combination of that and your climax creates a rather.
.. intoxicating effect. You'll regain your equilibrium in a couple hours, and then we can continue where we left off.
" He brushed his lips tenderly against her shoulder.
"Hours?" Ancelin's voice rose an octave.
"Yeah." Krevan nodded. "Give it a few minutes and you'll be steady on your feet again. Coffee helps." He disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a steaming mug that he placed carefully in her hands. "Careful now. Hot."
Ancelin wrapped her fingers around the warmth. "Thanks. My stomach's growling too."
"I'll fix something. You just stay put." He clicked on the Satview. "This'll keep you company."
"Could we visit Coti later?" she called after him as he moved back to the kitchen.
"Absolutely. Need something specific?"
"Paper. Actual sheets of it." The room seemed to shimmer pleasantly around her. "Everything feels sparkly, Krevan."
He laughed from the kitchen. "The paper shouldn't be hard to find. And once this buzz wears off, you'll feel incredible—energized, renewed. That's the Triaxen effect."
"The biting..." She touched her shoulder where his teeth had been. "I liked it. Never thought I would."
"Won't even leave a mark," he said, cracking eggs into a bowl. "My venom heals, when it doesn’t kill a person.”
The Satview news anchor's voice cut through their conversation: "Two Hellgate Prison officials found murdered near New Detroit. Bodies discovered yesterday, though medical reports indicate death occurred over two weeks ago from blunt trauma. Names withheld pending notification."
Ancelin sat up straighter. "Krevan? Did you catch that?"
"I heard."
"Those men who came here... I'm not convinced they were who they claimed. We've been too distracted. We need to contact the lawyers today, find out who those dead officials actually were."
Krevan nodded grimly. "I'll make the call. And nobody else gets in until we know what's happening."
"Krevan, those men..." Ancelin's voice trembled as she clutched the edge of the table. "They asked about my things, not yours. They knew I was here before they arrived. The way they looked at me—like they already knew everything." She swallowed hard. "What if they weren't real prison officials?"
Krevan cupped her face in his hands. "Listen to me.
Your instincts are good, but we need to stay calm.
I'll protect you." His thumb traced her cheekbone.
"Remember how you felt just moments ago?
Hold onto that feeling." He wrapped a towel around her shoulders.
"Let's get you dressed. Food will help clear your head. "
At the kitchen table, Ancelin inhaled deeply. "This smells amazing."
"We'll go into Coti after breakfast," Krevan said, setting down her plate.
Ancelin bit her lip. "Is it safe to leave?"
"We can't hide forever." Krevan's eyes softened. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"But what if—"
"Ancelin." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I survived Hellgate for a reason. I have... abilities that would surprise most people." His smile was reassuring yet dangerous. "Anyone who tries to hurt you will regret it."
He reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers. "Stay close to me in town. That's all I ask."
She nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"That's my girl," he said. "Now eat. The day is ours to enjoy together."
"Yes," she whispered, the corner of her mouth lifting.
"Better?"
"I feel incredible—like electricity running through my veins," she said, arching her back as she stretched. "Those fangs of yours pack quite a punch."
"You don't know the half of it," Krevan said, his eyes glinting.
"Anyone else would be writhing in agony right now or be already dead.
" He leaned closer, and his smile took on a predatory edge.
"My venom kills every non-Triaxen species—with one exception.
" His fingertip traced the blue veins at her wrist. "When we mated, something in you changed. You became immune."
Ancelin's fork slipped from her fingers, ringing against porcelain. "So that first kiss could have been fatal? We kissed a lot that night and I think I tasted some of your venom."
"The venom in my saliva doesn’t kill as fast as when I bite. We had time.”
“Time?” She squealed.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Had my teeth nicked you, I'd have administered the antidote in time," he said, watching her reaction carefully.
"And without it?" The words caught in her throat.
"Death comes, often painfully." His features gentled. "But in you, my venom heals. Strengthens. The fog in your mind will clear eventually, though the euphoria remains." He nodded toward her plate. "Done eating?"
"Yes." She pushed her plate away. "I just never realized how literal 'deadly' was."
"Is there another kind of dead I'm unaware of?" Humor danced in his eyes as he stood and pulled her chair back. "You chose not to believe it because it didn't fit your understanding of the world."
He drew her up against him, his body warm and solid. "What I am can't be changed, Ancelin."
"I wouldn't want you any other way," she whispered against his chest.
"Then we're perfect," he murmured, his whiskers tickling her neck as he nuzzled her. The sensation made her feel cherished and protected all at once.
"Perfect," she echoed, her voice was unsteady with emotion as he guided her toward the garage, his hand steady at the small of her back.
"Stay put while I secure the house," Krevan said, shutting the vehicle door. Moments later he slid back behind the wheel as the garage door descended. "I’ll be right back. I need to tend to the animals before we go. Keep the doors locked until I return."
"You won't be long," Ancelin said with a small smile as he steered toward the chicken coop.
True to his word, he was back in minutes, and they set off for Coti.
Neither spoke during the drive, content in each other's presence.
The sky had darkened to slate, the temperature dropping steadily.
Raindrops began to patter against the windshield as they entered the town limits.
"Should've brought my heavier jacket," Ancelin murmured, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I apologize. I should have considered the weather. Please forgive me," Krevan said, his brow furrowing with concern.
"Don't worry about it," Ancelin assured him, but he had already leapt from the vehicle.
"Let me carry you inside."
"Tempting, but unnecessary. I'll survive a few raindrops.
" Ancelin grasped his arm as they made their way to Krammer's Store.
Unlike their previous stop, this establishment mirrored the vintage drugstores of Earth, complete with a counter for refreshments.
"Krevan! They have a soda fountain!" Ancelin's eyes widened as she pointed, her excitement unmistakable.
"Then we must try it," Krevan said, guiding her to a barstool before taking the seat beside her, his fingers still entwined with hers.
"Good morning, Mr. Vallex. What'll it be today?" The shopkeeper emerged from the back, wiping his hands on his apron.
"My mate will decide," Krevan answered with a courteous nod toward Ancelin.
The sight of him—his easy smile, his attentive posture—left her momentarily speechless.
Never had she imagined herself beside someone like him, his presence intoxicating her as thoroughly as the venom still coursing through her veins.
"Got anything like Earth soda?" Ancelin asked, her cheeks flushed. She couldn't stop stealing glances at Krevan, each look sending a fresh wave of warmth through her body.
"We call it tea-root soda here," the man replied. "Comes from the Tymore tree on Verrian. Good for digestion, tastes like your Earth sassafras or root beer. Want to try some?"
"Yes, please." Ancelin's eyes wandered across the wooden shelves and glass jars.
"This reminds me of a place back home. Dad used to take us for special occasions—hamburgers and sodas at the counter.
" Her fingers drummed excitedly on the countertop.
"My siblings and I used to love to get a cherry on top of our ice cream.”
"I'll keep that in mind," Krevan said with a wink. "We're celebrating too, aren't we?"
"We are?"
"Your birthday's coming. And us." He brushed his lips against her cheek. "Finding each other."
The man slid two fizzing glasses across the counter. Ancelin drained hers immediately, the straw making hollow sucking sounds against the bottom. Krevan took one sip and nearly spat it out.
"What the—is this poisonous?" He glared at the shopkeeper. "Water, now! How can you drink this sugary garbage, Ancelin?"
Krammer hastily placed a water glass before him.
"Triaxen taste buds must process it differently," the older man said, wiping his hands on his apron. "Most folks can't get enough." Ancelin snatched Krevan's glass and drained it with noisy satisfaction.
"No harm done," Krevan assured Krammer.
Ancelin's eyes lit up. "Could I take some home? For my dinner party?"
"Absolutely, Mrs. Vallex. Got twelve-packs by the register." Krammer beamed. "Good choice, isn't it?"
"Delicious," she confirmed.
"Anything else I can help with?"
"Wrapping paper, maybe? Or just plain white sheets—something large."
"Plain white we've got."
"Perfect." Ancelin tapped her fingers on the counter. "What else do you carry, Mr. Krammer?" She tasted the last drops from Krevan's empty glass while he watched, his nose wrinkling.
Krevan slid his water glass toward her. "Rinse your mouth. I'd like to kiss you later without retching."
"You can't be serious." She stared at the water glass.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" His expression remained stone-faced.
"It's not that sweet." She took a reluctant sip of water.