Page 65 of Craving His Venom

Silence stretches, broken only by the distant calls of jungle birds. Eventually, the sun’s angle shifts, bathing the room in warm light. The swirl of dust motes looks almost golden. Reluctantly, we pull ourselves upright. I slip back into my tunic, though the disheveled hair and flushed cheeks reflect our union. He tucks away his scaled lower half, tying his robe loosely.

We help each other stand, still a bit unsteady from the intensity of the moment. He extends his arm for support. My belly weighs me down, but also fills me with a quiet sense of power. I hold his gaze, smiling. “Shall we see if the orchard still stands?”

He laughs, low and soft. “Yes. Let’s walk a bit. Then rest. Talli might scold us if we push you too hard.”

I grin, leaning into his side as we exit the chamber. The corridor outside remains hushed, the once stifling gloom eased by new memories. We amble down stone hallways toward a back entrance. Vines crawl across the cracks, but signs of new growth sprout as well—flowers planted by staff, a testament that life thrives even after ruin.

Outside, the orchard is overgrown but surprisingly vibrant—some fruit trees sagging with unharvested bounty, others twisting with creepers. Sunlight streams between thick branches, giving the orchard a softly lit ambiance. I slip my hand in Vahziryn’s, relishing the sense of belonging. We drift through the orchard rows, occasionally pausing so he can pick a ripe fruit, offering me a bite. The juice is sweet, a taste of promise.

A breeze ruffles my hair, carrying the scent of distant rain. We pause at a break in the trees, gazing down a slope to see the vast jungle sprawled below. My heart swells at the horizon. Freed from the nest’s dominion, we can carve our own fate here.Perhaps we’ll stay in the manor, reclaiming it from the vines. Or maybe we’ll find a new corner of the jungle to call ours.

He slips an arm around me, tail brushing lightly against my ankles in that familiar, possessive way. “We have a future now,” he murmurs, voice rich with emotion. “The nest might whisper behind our backs, but they can’t tear us apart. Our child will grow knowing love, not condemnation.”

My eyes prickle with tears. I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling the strong curve of his scales. “Yes,” I say, voice trembling with gratitude. “They’ll see the world differently because we broke those chains.”

In that moment, I realize that the ceremony under the serpent tree was more than a vow—it’s a new beginning. We overcame warlord obligations, overcame ancient bigotry. Now, we stand among orchard trees teeming with life, the hush of the jungle wrapping us in acceptance. My heart brims with a sense of rightness, as though we found our place at last.

Eventually, we return to the main courtyard. A few staff members roam, tidying debris and coaxing the building’s remains into something livable. They glance at us, some bowing shyly, others nodding with relieved smiles. It’s humbling to realize these people remain loyal, perhaps inspired by our stand. Vahziryn, once a feared warlord, has become something else entirely—a leader by choice, not by council decree.

We climb the steps to the manor’s front archway. The stone columns remain partially adorned with chipped serpent carvings, but the air feels lighter. My tailing steps slow as weariness tugs at me again, though the orchard walk uplifted my spirit. Vahziryn steadies me, voice soft with concern. “Let’s rest inside. No more wandering for the day.”

I nod, letting him lead me into a side hall that’s been swept clean. Sahrine lurks near an open window, her blind gaze turned our way, cane tapping. She dips her head in acknowledgment.“All is well?” she asks in that quiet, hollow tone. “The ceremony concluded?”

I grin, pressing a hand to my belly. “Yes,” I say simply. “It was beautiful. Thank you for being there.”

She inclines her head once more, then faces away, letting us pass. There’s no need for elaborate speeches. She’s served in the shadows long enough to respect the gravity of our moment.

At last, we reach a small sitting room that Talli helped prepare, filled with cushions and warm lamplight. I sink onto a cushion, exhaling slowly. My belly tightens briefly—just a faint twinge, probably from the day’s exertion. Vahziryn notices, crouching at my side, tail curling protectively. “Are you hurting?”

I shake my head, smoothing my tunic over the curve. “Just a flutter. The baby’s restless after all this excitement.”

He places his palm gently on my abdomen, expression awed. The child shifts beneath his touch, and a faint smile tugs his lips. Then he murmurs, “We truly did it. No council can revoke our vow. And if they dare try, we’ll face them together again.”

Emotion swells, tears dampening my lashes for the umpteenth time. “Yes,” I whisper, leaning forward to kiss him softly. “We belong to each other, fully.”

We settle into comfortable silence, the hush broken only by distant chatter of staff or the rustle of wind through broken shutters. The day has been long—exchanging vows beneath the serpent tree, reaffirming our bond in the manor’s hidden corners. My entire being hums with contentment, even though the future remains open-ended.

Time drifts. Eventually, night descends, blanketing the manor in deep shadows. We share a simple meal with Crick, Talli, and a few staff, laughter mingling with relief. No more hunching in secrecy. This is our domain, by chosen right, if not by official council decree. My belly twinges occasionally,reminding me to pace myself, but the sense of communal warmth soothes me.

When the others retire, we find ourselves alone again, the courtyard bathed in moonlight. The serpent tree behind the manor stands silhouetted, a silent guardian. Vahziryn and I stand on a balcony that overlooks the orchard, arms around each other. I breathe the night air, leaves whispering with a gentle breeze.

He presses close, tail coiling around my waist from behind, lips brushing my ear. “Tomorrow, we’ll decide if we remain or travel to a new place,” he murmurs. “But for tonight... you’re safe in my arms.”

I smile, placing my hands over his scaled forearms. “I’ve never felt safer.” The moonlight paints the orchard below in silver. My heart feels as vast as this starlit sky.

He lowers his head, trailing a kiss along the curve of my neck. A shiver of anticipation skitters down my spine, but it’s a comforting warmth, not frantic. I realize we can choose any path forward—my child will grow with a father who overcame his own tyranny, a mother who refused to be branded worthless. That knowledge bolsters me.

The hush of the night cradles us as we stand there, exchanging soft words of hope and gentle touches that spark new desire. My belly rumbles with quiet protest at the day’s exhaustion, so I laugh softly and lead him inside, beckoning him to rest with me. We make our way to the room Talli assigned us, where a wide bed of fresh linens waits. No dust, no vines—just the promise of a home reclaimed.

We slip beneath the covers, bodies tangling. His tail coils around my leg once more, a gesture that has become second nature, ensuring my comfort. I press against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. Outside, the distant chirping ofinsects lulls me. The day’s celebrations and confessions swirl in my mind, but no fear remains.

I close my eyes, remembering the vow we spoke at the serpent tree, how my belly pressed between us, how Talli’s chanting merged with Vahziryn’s vow. The child stirs again, and I think, yes, we overcame it all—poison, condemnation, old grudges, even our own doubts. We are free to build a life on our terms.

As sleep edges in, I nestle deeper into his warmth. He slips an arm around my shoulders, his breathing slowing. “Mira,” he whispers in the darkness, voice laden with devotion, “I love you.”

A smile graces my lips. “I love you, Vahziryn,” I murmur back, letting exhaustion carry me. This is the home we chose: a rebel domain in a sprawling jungle, a love that defied ancient laws, a child bridging two worlds. I drift off with that certainty guiding my heart, the final hush of starlight sealing our vow.

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