My glass fell from my hand and shattered against the cold tile beneath. Mine and my mother's eyes locked. Before I could think I was on my feet and running for the door.
"Is it Misty?"
"Yes," I answered, throwing the door open, my cloak billowing against the harsh winter wind.
"Be safe."
Before she finished speaking I had taken to the sky. I flew as I watched Misty. The serpent around her throat who's eyes acted as a crystal ball sunk its teeth into her attacker. Misty screamed and backed into the corner as two more men began closing in. Their blades were drawn. Through Venom's cool body against her chest I could feel the pounding of her heart.
Suddenly two of the men lunged forward and Misty's foot shot out, her pointed toe landing between his ribcage as the other received a dose of venom as Misty blocked his attack. I soared through the fast enough to hear the wind like a stampede.
Be careful.
Don't worry about me, Venom.
When I finally landed before the shack my brain was buzzing. Still watching the attack I was seeing red. Screams tore through me from before me and from within my mind and my head was throbbing.
I kicked down the door and rushed to the last attacker as Misty held up her forearm that was ensnared in the jaws of the beast. I leapt onto his back and bared my fangs before plunging them into his throat. In the form of a wolf his neck was three times the size of my thigh. I ripped and ripped. My left arm poured blood as I tried to hold his jaw open as I dug my claws into his shoulder with my other.
Gurgling and twitching he fell to the cold wood below. I stood and turned to Misty. My chest was heaving. My face was wet with an ocean of blood. Her face reflected the horror before her. Her mortified face churned my stomach.
Her massive golden eyes were wide, her long eyelashes reaching her thick eyebrows. Her teardrop shaped face was flush. Her plump lips twitched. Her long, wavy, perfect golden hair was matted with blood. Her pink gown was torn to reveal her tan skin. She was short and curvy. Her body was muscular and full.
I paused looking at her arm. She would bleed out without my venom to heal her. Unknowingly she stood and backed away when I approached. My heart broke seeing how dizzy she was.
Venom nuzzled her sharp jaw. He flicked his tongue. She didn't notice. Her shanking knees were buckling. Raising my hands I slowly moved forward.
Be careful! Venom ordered.
"I'm not going to hurt you,"
Her lips parted. I thought she was about to speak but her eyes fluttered closed and I rushed forward to gather her into my arms. I sunk my teeth into her neck. All I could taste was blood that covered her neck. On any other day I'd savor it but on this day I cursed it. Through the smell of metal I breathed in strawberries and her sweet scent.
I let her go. I looked down at her. My beautiful princess. My love. Helpless in my arms. Doomed.
She's resilient.
She'll hate herself.
Not for long.
I stood and left the shack. Spreading my wings I took to the sky. Venom hid his face in Misty's hair before he could see the ground so far away.
I couldn't get to the castle fast enough. I landed on my balcony and opened the doors. I took Misty into the bathroom and gently laid her on the counter. I turned her and untied her bodice. Once her torso was free she took in a deep breath. I removed the dress and her shoes. I let her jewelry be. Venom had slithered over her as I undressed her. The cobra's hood flared to cover her sex. His tail shielded her nipples from view.
His body was black with a rusty diamond pattern trailing down his spine. He was three feet long and thin.
Thank you for saving her.
We may be soul bound but everything I do is for her.
I smiled as I wrapped her slashed ankle in gauze. Finishing I looked her over. All of her wounds were clean and bandaged. Her lips were slowly regaining their colour. I reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear. Her peace was hypnotic.
Breaking the spell I walked into my bedroom. I grabbed a robe and brought it into the bathroom where I eased her into the soft material. I lifted my dove into my arms and carried her to bed where I tucked her in to sleep.
I went downstairs to prepare a meal for her. I put on the kettle and began making a fruit salad. It was then I heard Velvet's honeyed tone.
"Claudette wanted me to see if everything is alright."
Velvet was a slight woman in her thirties. She was five feet tall and rail thin. Her sunken eyes and gaunt face were frightening to many, especially coupled with her floor length white hair and her skin as white as snow.
She was a living sacrifice. My mother found her fifty years ago. She was half dead from starvation and mom decided that the woman belonged to her. Drinking from Velvet every few days made it so that Velvet's body remained unchanged after all this time. As a result Velvet ate twice as much as normal.
"Everything's fine."
"Good," She nodded before skipping to me, her white dress swaying and her crown of flowers brushing against my face as she kissed my cheek, "I'm here if you need me."
She left without a sound. Only her rose perfume hung in the air to hint at her presence.
I made tea and poured orange juice for Misty and placed them next to her fruit salad on a silver platter. I took her meal upstairs and into her bedroom. I laid it on the nightstand beside her.
I laid on the chaise lounge before the fireplace. The fireplace stood next to the door to the bathroom before a wide red carpet that matched the lounge. In the middle of the room against a glass wall overlooking the balcony was the queen sized bed. A silk canopy hung over misty.
Through Venom's eyes I watched her. She was still as she slept soundly. Listening to the crackling fire and watching my dove sleep soundly and safely I drifted off to sleep.
My dreams consisted of bloodshed. They were nihilistic. They were bleak. They were empty. They had that sense of lack that drained the life from everything that came too close.