Page 48 of Craving His Venom

He meets my gaze, eyes filled with a tumult of sorrow and determination. “I’m releasing you from my domain. Setting you free.” Each word sounds like it costs him blood. “Take whatever possessions you have, gather food. I’ll arrange safe passage out of these lands.”

My chest tightens in panic. “You want me to leave?”

He nods stiffly, arms crossing over his broad chest. “Yes. For your own safety. Once you’re gone, Velna loses her main bargaining chip. The council no longer has a direct target in my estate. If they come, I can weather their scrutiny alone.”

Shock flares, mingling with disbelief that he’s saying this after everything we fought to keep. “But we— I... you said?—”

His throat works, as though it hurts to speak. “I know what I said. But look at the reality. The council will never relent, and Velna’s threats won’t vanish unless I sever what ties me to you. If you stay, you face ruin or worse.”

My hand trembles at my side. Anguish smolders behind my ribs. “So your solution is to cast me out?”

He grimaces, tail thrashing in frustration. “Better to let you go now than watch them tear you away by force. At least this way, you leave on your own terms.”

A hollow ache blooms in my chest, so intense I can hardly breathe. “Then everything we shared... was it nothing?” My voice shakes, tears threatening to spill.

He flinches as though struck, but his expression hardens. “This is the only way I see to protect you,” he murmurs, forcing an edge of coldness. “I’ll ensure you have enough coins and supplies to survive. No one will harm you once you’re outside my territory.”

I swallow thickly, dizziness creeping in again, possibly from heartbreak. “You think being exiled alone is safer than standing with you?”

His gaze flicks away. “If you remain, you risk the council’s wrath. I’m done gambling with your life.”

The courtyard walls press in, suffocating me. My hands ball into fists at my sides. “But you’re gambling with my heart,” I manage, voice breaking. “You offered me safety, closeness, then push me away to face the world alone.”

He closes his eyes, tension lining his jaw. “It’s better than seeing your name on a council order for execution or enslavement.” Each word emerges stiff, brittle with pain. “I can’t lose you that way.”

My eyes fill with tears, but I refuse to let them fall. My chest aches so fiercely I can hardly think. “So you’re throwing me away.” The statement feels like shattered glass on my tongue.

He presses a clawed hand over his face, as though fighting for composure. “Call it what you will. If leaving spares you from this nightmare, then I’ll play the villain who drives you out.”

I stare at him, at the man—no, the naga—who once swore he’d stand against everything for my sake. Now he chooses this. A fury wells behind my sorrow. “You’re a fool,” I whisper, tears burning my cheeks. “But I’ll go if that’s what you truly want.”

His tail coils tighter, as though he restrains himself from pulling me back. “I can’t see another way,” he murmurs, voice hollow. “Take the chance to escape the council’s crosshairs.”

Numbness engulfs me, punctuated by heartbreak. “Fine.” I turn on my heel before I crumble completely. My steps feel leaden as I retreat across the courtyard, tears slipping down my face. I pause at the threshold, wanting him to stop me, to say this is a misunderstanding. But all I hear is the hush of the estate, broken by a distant, echoing footstep. He doesn’t call me back.

I stagger down the corridor, sobs clawing at my throat. Servants cast me nervous glances, sensing my distress, but none dare approach. My room feels cold and unwelcoming as I pack the meager belongings I own—two changes of clothes, a fewpersonal items, the jade comb he once gifted me. My fingers tremble as I clutch that comb, recalling how it felt to see his face light with quiet pride when he placed it in my hands. Now, the memory cuts like a blade.

At some point, Sahrine appears at my doorway, guided by her cane. She tilts her head, sensing my turmoil. “Child, what are you doing?”

I gather the comb into a small pouch, swallowing back sobs. “Leaving,” I rasp. “He... he ordered me to go.”

Her mouth parts, shock clouding her blind gaze. “Why would he?—?”

My tears resurface, making my voice raw. “Because he thinks it’ll keep me safe from Velna and the council. He’s ‘setting me free,’ but it feels like... banishment.” The last word shreds my composure, fresh tears sliding down my cheeks.

She exhales, shaking her head. “Oh, foolish warlord. He thinks it’s mercy.” She steps forward, placing a hand on my arm. “I can’t stop you, can I?”

I wipe my face with the back of my hand, chest heaving. “No. He’s determined to cut all ties.” My throat burns. “I have to go, Sahrine.”

Her grip tightens. “Then accept my blessing. May you find safety beyond these walls.” She hesitates. “He truly believes it’s the only way.”

I nod, choking on grief. “I know.”

With that, I sling my small satchel over my shoulder and leave the estate’s halls for the last time, silent tears falling. The gates open, and I pass through, the guard on duty looking pained but saying nothing. One step onto the overgrown path, and I realize I have no real plan. The future stretches ahead as a terrifying unknown.

My feet carry me away, each step a fresh wound. The sky overhead hangs in a somber gloom, thick clouds threateningrain. I walk until the manor’s high walls vanish behind the dense foliage of the surrounding jungle. My heart feels as though it’s left a piece behind in that stone fortress, caged with the warlord who demanded my departure.

The path leads to the outskirts of Nagaland, weaving through marshy forests and gnarled roots. Occasionally, I spot a traveler or a small settlement, but I keep my hood up, face lowered. Naga roam these lands, along with other creatures, and I’ve no illusions of safety. But it’s not fear of the wild that eats at me most—it’s the hollow ache of Vahziryn’s rejection, the memory of his warmth replaced by stark emptiness.

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