Page 144 of Crowned In Venom

A memory slams into me.

A child, no older than five, laughing as he swings a wooden sword.

A noble dark elf stands before him, smiling, patient, strong.

"Again, little warrior."

The sword clangs against a metal gauntlet.

"You must always be ready."

A woman’s voice, warm and teasing.

"You’re going to turn him into a menace."

The dark elf female laughs, kneeling to braid the child’s hair.

"He is already a menace."

The child grins, bright-eyed, so loved, so protected.

A love that was real.

A love that was stolen from me.

The memory rips from my mind like a blade through flesh.

I stagger back, the room spinning.

"No."

My chest heaves.

"No—"

The creature does not move.

It only watches me.

And I see it now.

Not the twisted body.

Not the ruined flesh.

Not the monster.

The parent beneath it.

"Father."

The word falls from my lips, hoarse and broken.

A sharp, vicious pain rips through my chest, like a sword splitting me open from the inside.

Memories I buried, memories I thought were dreams, memories I thought were lies?—

They were real.

---