Even more of Venom:.

"Thank you."

Unspoken: For not raping me tonight.

I sigh, locking the door of my bathroom. Was I really going to do it? Was I really going to pluck the innocence from by beautiful daughrer? The thought makes me sob again, and I throw my clothes to the corner of the room, turn on the shower and let my tears mix with the water. She can probably hear me, if she's still in the room. I know she will never look at me the same way again, and I cannot blame her. If I looked in that mirror, I wouldn't see King Miles Phalen, a respected father and ruler of Kaarme. No, I would merely see a sick old man with hunger in his eyes, a man not worthy of a crown. Of a daughter. I sob harder at this, knowing how pathetic I sound. I shouldn't be alive if I am this new beast. I try to scrub this realization away, hoping my sin would wash away, scrubbing to the point of bruising my skin. Yet lust is not something mere soap can dissolve- lust is poison, a venom that stains the very part of the soul that is meant for love. It veils love, clones it, but makes is fiercer, colder. Love is a warm embrace, lust is the ice that chases warmth away. And if that's the case, I've never felt so frigid.

I let the droplets drip off of my body as I stand frozen in the shower, the water turned off. I finally swallow my tears and step out onto the marble floor. I don't dare look into the mirror as I dress into my robe, hoping that the regal silk would bring me back to my kingly manner. It starts to work, but then I open the door and again feel like the broken old monster. Ever had fallen fast asleep in my bed, fully clothed, completely surrounded by the covers and bejewled pillows. I quickly get dressed into my royal attire,then hesitate toward the bed and look down at that sleeping face. She is so innocent despite what had happened tonight, so peaceful. I can't help but smile, let a hand graze her cheek. Reluctantly I watch her eyes flutter open, pull my hand away. She stares silently up at me, no concrete emotion swimming in those eyes of hers. If only I knew what she was thinking. If only I knew how tonight affected her.. then again, that might tempt me to do it again. I cringe, and she notices. I watch Ever sit up, worry now in her eyes, yet we both still remain silent. I try to fish for words, yet what can I say? 'I'm sorry for almost taking you tonight, but you were just too irresistable'? I want to puke, know that I just might if I look at her any more. I turn to walk away, and when I'm almost at the door I hear her voice:

"Why?"

There are several things this could be asking. I stop in my tracks, refuse to look back. "Elaborate, child."

She hesitates."Why did.."she switches the question around. "What made you do what you did?" She's a smart girl, knows that this isn't right. She adds, "Forgive me, my king. Is it because of Mother's illness?"

Oh child, if you only knew who your real mother was. Though Lady Relle may have something to do with it, more than anything it has to do with my dearest Novalei's death.. I want to tell her the truth, yet that would be futile now. Too much heartbreak, for both of us, and so I simply reply with "Something of that nature, yes." and walk out of the room. Perhaps throwing myself into work will help me forget about tonight. I chance looking at a window, see the sparkle of the crown on tip of a stranger. This stranger is older, pitiful. And yet, he is my own person.

How long I have been this new man is uncertain, but one thing I know for sure is the old Miles is

never coming back.