The Rise of Venus

Denying the Mate Bond is Impossible

Song: Sexual Mix Volume 2 by ETERNVL

"It doesn't smell good," Pride said. "But it'll heal you by tomorrow."

Uncapping the small jar, Pride scooped out a generous amount of the calendula cream. The rotten scent teetered between musky and woodsy. My nose crinkled at the strong scent and I turned my head to avoid the fumes. Gritting my teeth, I held in a yelp as Pride spread the thick concoction over my deep gashes.

"What'd she do?"

"I don't know," I replied. "When she was holding me down, I think she was using red fire to cut through my skin."

"Fire made from magick doesn't do this." Pride scooped out more of the pungent antiseptic cream and spread it over my other wound. As he worked diligently to heal me, I couldn't help but notice how much he resembled his mother right now. Whereas his relatives seemed to be dark with evil energy and frightening eyes. Pride and his mother had a much softer approach when they wielded their magick.

There was a beauty to them that their kin would never possess.

His swampy eyes analyzed my open wounds with a tinge of curiosity. "Tell me what it felt like when she did this."

I explained the ordeal from start to finish as he pulled out a small vial. Oil sloshed around on the inside. Holding the clear glass tightly, Pride's palm glowed red. When he was satisfied, he placed a few drops in his hands and rubbed them together. Oddly enough, the unknown oil kind of smelled like crackers.

Pride gently rubbed his oily hands over my wounds. A soothing chill seeped into my skin and the bleeding finally stopped. "What is that?"

"Comfrey." Using clean wrappings, Pride swiftly dressed my wounds and fastened the ends securely. "It'll help speed up the process."

"It smells like crackers," I mused. His eyes twinkled with something identifiable. I watched him as he started cleaning up and asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing." Not wanting him to shut me out again, I placed a hand on his leg and raised a brow. He frowned at the gentle touch but didn't try to shake me off. In a quiet voice he replied, "My mom thinks comfrey smells like crackers too."

Oh.

Pride was missing his mom.

I was shocked. Not that I thought he was a monster or anything. But Pride never really admitted to what was actually bothering him. He just got upset and shut everyone out.

Or maybe that was just me? I never knew for sure. After all, he and Mera tended to get along pretty well.

"Well, she's a smart lady," I smiled. A small grin graced his full lips and he hummed. He tapped my wrists gently and placed the rest of his tools on the wooden vanity beside us. What would normally be used for makeup and perfume was now covered in herbs and homemade tonics. Pride was really outdoing himself here.

"How'd the bombs work?"

Ah, it was back to business already. Shit. I'd missed my window of finally riddling out Pride's heart and inner thoughts for myself. Oh well. Maybe next time we'd get further.

"They worked great." Rubbing my wrists, I walked to my duffel bag and pulled out a fresh set of clothes. Once Sky was finished in the shower I was hoping to take a little soak for myself. My body ached after our second fight with the Witches. We won but I was slammed into more trees than I could count and everything hurt. "It exposed their glamour. Oh, and Sky needs another sachet to mask her scent. We lost hers after she shifted."

"That's good," Pride mumbled. He dumped the rest of his magickal ingredients out and started sifting through them. "I'll make it when we get back."

"Who's going with you to get food?" I sat at the edge of the bed. Exhaustion claimed my body as I felt myself sink into the cushiony mattress.