"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.
