Page 139 of Crowned In Venom

But his actions speak louder than any words could.

"He has not told me," I whisper. "But I know."

The monster makes a sound—a soft, weary exhale.

"Good," it murmurs.

A silence lingers.

Then, softer, more fragile than before?—

"I miss the sunlight."

The words take me off guard.

"I miss the warmth," it continues.

"The feeling of clean water against my skin."

The voice is breaking, cracking apart like something long buried, forced to speak again.

Then—

"I miss my son."

The words slam into me.

I freeze.

What?

The air leaves my lungs.

I stare at the creature, my mind racing, my pulse hammering.

Son?

Slowly, my gaze drifts upward, to its eyes.

Bulging, monstrous—but the color…

Fading.

Worn.

Too familiar.

The realization hits me like a blade to the gut.

The words do not come from me.

They come from him.

"I am Varkos' father."

I do not breathe.

I do not move.

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