Page 118 of Crowned In Venom

For years.

He has been trying to kill her.

And now, he is offering to undo it.

To save her.

For me.

My stomach twists violently.

The Matriarch watches him closely now.

Her amusement has faded into something else.

Something sharper. Colder.

"You?" she murmurs, taking a slow step forward. "You think you have the power to kill me?"

Varkos does not move.

He stands his ground.

"I know I do," he says, his voice shaking with something I do not recognize.

Desperation?

Anguish?

I cannot name it.

The Matriarch exhales, long and slow.

"My sweet boy."

She reaches up, brushing a blood-stained hand through his hair, and he flinches.

The smallest movement.

But I see it.

"Did you truly believe I did not know?" she whispers.

A chill runs down my spine.

"Did you think I would allow you to take my life piece by piece?"

A soft, breathy laugh leaves her lips.

"No, my darling."

Her silver eyes gleam, bright as a blade catching the sun.

"You are the one who has been dying."

The air leaves my lungs.

Varkos stills.

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