Beautiful Venom

“Kids like us don’t get nice things. Some of us become druggies, others sell their bodies, and many die in freak accidents. Nobody cares about the nameless corpse by the side of the road. We’re just statistics that feed the machine. The few who make it, like me, are still treated like outsiders and discriminated against, no matter how book-smart or street-smart we learn to become.”

The way Dahlia describes her childhood conveys how her trauma has impacted how she sees herself. She is telling Kane about living in foster homes and all the abuse she survived in these circumstances. Her openness about her past conveys her willingness to be vulnerable. She is a self-aware character who is beginning to understand The Importance of Human Connection in Healing From Trauma. Claiming her past is one step towards overcoming her lingering emotional pain.

“Knights in shining armor don’t exist outside of fiction. Luck has never been on my side and never will be. The psychological torture repeats in a cycle of despair that erodes my sanity. I stop feeling my limbs as the shadows of the past stretch and contrast, turning into new cruel whispers each time the scene replays.”

Dahlia is triggered when the Vencor members play footage of her parents’ deaths during her alleged initiation. The footage is meant to psychologically test Dahlia. She uses language like “torture,” “despair,” “erodes,” “shadows,” and “cruel” to convey the intensity of this experience, but she doesn’t give up and abandon the test, providing insight into Dahlia’s fraught past and underscoring her strength of character.

“It smells like Kane. Woodsy and mysterious. Enchanting at first, but a devil up close. Serves me right for trying to humanize him in the beginning despite knowing exactly the type of organization he belongs to. I thought he was the greenest flag in this godforsaken organization, but apparently, I was color-blind.”

Dahlia experiences near-constant internal conflict when she is in Kane’s presence. Kane, at times, seems “mysterious” and “enchanting.” At other times, he exhibits more wicked tendencies, like the “devil.” The juxtaposition of these terms highlights the disparities in his character, which befuddle Dahlia and affect a tense, high-stakes narrative atmosphere. Kane’s character satisfies the tropes of the dark romance genre, exemplifying ambiguity, deception, and mistrust.

“Violet has always been a beauty whom everyone stopped and stared at. Flirted with. Tried to take advantage of. […] Ever since I became an adult, I’ve made it my mission to protect her just like she protected me when we were young. […] But I couldn’t protect her this time. This time, one of them got to her first.”

Dahlia’s meditations on her sister Violet convey the importance of their sororal relationship. They have been close since they were young and have always relied on each other for safety and security. This is why Dahlia is so distressed over Violet’s condition in the narrative present—she blames herself for failing to protect her sister. Her guilt is the main emotional motivator for her pursuit of vengeance.

“I’ve always been rational, calm, dependable Kane. Nothing can rattle my cage or shake my foundation. My father made sure of that. Now, I’m just a weapon at his and the organization’s disposal. Or, at least, that’s what he believes. For the time being.”

Kane’s internal monologue provides insight into his complex character. While he is known for being “rational,” “calm,” and “dependable,” he is also “a weapon” his father Grant exploits for his own gain. Kane is caught between these conflicting traits—he wants to be a more authentic version of himself but feels incapable of doing so because his father controls him. Overcoming this internal tension is a key facet of Kane’s character arc as he moves toward Leaving the Past Behind to Embrace the Future.

“My libido wins and I let my hands drop from his waist and press them to the door so I won’t instinctively grab onto him. He doesn’t seem to be a fan, despite the fact that he’s all over me. Hell, he’s holding my face hostage. But I suppose there’s a difference between his and my touch. Mine is softer, seeking some form of connection. His is all about power, control, and absolute dominance.”

Dahlia’s response to having aggressive sex with Kane changes how she sees and understands herself. She is surprised by how aroused she is when Kane is rough with her. Her internal monologue reveals the personal discoveries she is making as a result of these unprecedented sexual encounters with her new lover, highlighting the important role their relationship will play in the development of her identity.

“He nods in approval, assuming we’re on the same side. We stopped being on the same side the day he stopped being my father. Every man for himself. After I become a Founder, I’ll bring this man down. One more year. Just one more. I’ve survived twenty-one years. One more is nothing. So I truly mean it. Dahlia Thorne will not be a distraction.”

Kane’s internal monologue during his interaction with his father reveals the detrimental effect Grant has had on Kane throughout his life. Kane stopped seeing his father as an ally when Grant started abusing him at six years old. Ever since, he has been waiting for the right moment to bring about Grant’s downfall, and this goal has become a defining aspect of Kane’s identity and life. This is why he refuses to let Dahlia distract him: The only way to achieve peace of mind, he believes, is to kill his abuser.

“At any rate, the fact that his DNA wasn’t present under my sister’s fingernails was a relief I didn’t know I needed until I stagger against the laboratory counter. Damn it. Is his innocence that important to me? Why? Because I burn for his touch? Because his mere presence unsettles me to the point of losing control? That doesn’t matter, though. I’ve had sex before. Sex is physical and doesn’t mean anything. So why the hell…?”

Dahlia tries to make sense of her feelings for Kane. On the one hand, she sees Kane as a violent enemy. On the other hand, she is attracted to and interested in him. She struggles to reconcile these conflicting feelings, illustrated by the series of questions she poses to herself. She wants to continue hating Kane but is also curious about her sexual attraction to him. Her internal monologue affects an interrogative, harried tone, which echoes Dahlia’s state of mind.

“It doesn’t matter that earlier tonight, I had this illogical need to strangle Dahlia because she was flirting with her fucking ex at my game. While wearing my jersey. With my name on her back. That perplexing fire still burns my lungs, but it’s drowned out by the rage that clouds my vision with a crimson haze.”

Kane’s intensely jealous response to seeing Dahlia with Marcus conveys his interest in her. Kane is reluctant to admit his feelings for Dahlia, but his emotional and physiological response to her in this scene reveals the truth. His lungs burn, and he is “drowned by the rage” that “clouds his vision” in a red haze, vivid imagery and figurative language that affect a violent mood.

“And Kane is by no means a puppy. How is it possible that someone hurt him enough to cause those scars? He always seems invincible. Untouchable. He’s a hockey god and a monarch both on campus and in town. No one would dare come near him. But they did. And he’s been hurt to the point of being permanently marked.”

Dahlia develops a curiosity about Kane’s past when she notices scars on his body. Her inner monologue emphasizes her effort to reconcile this evidence of abuse with Kane’s stoic, impenetrable persona. This moment marks a turning point in their relationship as Dahlia gains insight into Kane’s past. She wants to know more about him, which conveys her investment in him as a person.

“My head hums with a low, constant buzz, and my body resurrects. From the ashes. From the dead. Kane is the only one who’s ever managed to provoke this bizarre side of me. Maybe it’s due to his unorthodox methods. Maybe because he fucks me hard and fast, confiscating all of my control whether I like it or not. Maybe because I can’t think straight.”

The way Dahlia describes this sexual encounter with Kane conveys the complexity of their intimate relationship. Dahlia is a strong, independent woman, but sex with Kane changes her as a person. She says that being with him “resurrects her from the ashes and from the dead.” This metaphor implies that until Kane, Dahlia was not really living. Kane is bringing her back to life, and together, they’re discovering a new version of intimacy.

“Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I’d meet someone who shares the same fabric of my depraved soul. That’s why I never showed that side of me. Didn’t even consider it. But with Dahlia? It came out so naturally. She had the audacity to kiss me. To sink her tiny claws into me and sear me to her. To demand it, even. Like she had every right to.”

Kane’s meditations on his and Dahlia’s sexual relationship reinforce the value of emotion in intimate power dynamics. Kane has distinct sexual preferences that he’s never found in another partner before. He is excited about his and Dahlia’s new relationship because their tastes and kinks align. He not only likes that they seem to both have a “depraved soul,” but appreciates that Dahlia can hold her own, too. She challenges Kane by endearing herself to him.

“I feel as if I’m falling into his glittery trap again. After everything I did to convince myself I’m not as sick as he is. Even attempting to believe he forced me. But one touch. One look. And I’m slipping again. The feel of his skin on mine is electrifying and my body pulses to life, wanting more. I’m apprehensive. No. I’m terrified by how much more I want from a man like Kane.”

The fragmented, staccato sentences Dahlia uses in this passage affect a halting tone, illustrating how Dahlia is struggling to control her intense passion for Kane. However, whenever they are in one another’s company, Dahlia feels “electrifying pulses” run through her body. This figurative language reifies the heated charge between the romantic counterparts. At the same time, Dahlia is experiencing conflicting emotions surrounding Kane, which heighten the narrative tension. Although she “wants more,” she is also “apprehensive” and “terrified.”

“He’s been trained or, more accurately, tortured by his father ever since he was six years old. He’s had to go through physical, mental, and even poison training since he was a kid. And while he’s more independent now, if he doesn’t meet Grant’s expectations, he’s punished severely. I didn’t protect him and he hates me.”

Helena Davenport’s openness and clear-headed perspective offer Dahlia insight into Kane’s childhood trauma. Through his mother, Dahlia learns the specifics of Kane’s ongoing suffering while also coming to a more nuanced understanding of his family’s dynamic. Learning this information also helps Dahlia to understand her new lover better. She doesn’t use this information against him, but rather encourages him to confront this trauma so he can live a happier life, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability to true connection.

“But his entire attention is on me. Eyes burning. Lips slightly snarling. I can almost feel his hand wrapping around my throat, squeezing as he whispers hot, angry words in my ear. And I smile. This is me making him regret what he said. What he’s done. If he doesn’t care about me like he said that day, why would he look like he’s on the verge of decapitating my date medieval style?”

Themes of revenge and injustice are tropes of the dark romance genre. In Beautiful Venom, Dahlia feels betrayed when Kane breaks up with her and seeks vengeance by attending a Vencor party with Marcus. Her plan works and infuriates Kane. In this moment, she is asserting her power over him to get what she wants and to prove her relevance in his life, showing that their power dynamic is more complicated than it superficially appears.

“I refuse to have his body without his heart—and soul, if need be. I refuse to be another stop on his journey. And even if I end up being that, I want to be the unforgettable stop he can’t purge out of his mind. The one episode in his past that he can’t stop thinking about.”

Dahlia experiences a revelation about her and Kane’s relationship in this scene. While she does enjoy having passionate sex with Kane, she is realizing that this isn’t enough for her. She wants Kane’s “heart” and “soul,” as well as his body, and she is redefining love on her own terms. Love isn’t simply being physically intimate with someone—it’s also relating to them on an emotional and spiritual level.

“I couldn’t even wait to get her somewhere out of view. I had to own her then and there. Make her mine again. Only mine. But now that the possessive edge has lessened, reality hits me, and I can’t ignore it anymore. Dahlia Thorne has become a weakness. One my father can use to dismantle me. One that’s able to destroy all my plans.”

Kane’s revelation about Dahlia conveys his deep affection for and devotion to her, but he still sees that connection as “a weakness” because he has never felt so romantically and emotionally moved by a relationship before. While this revelation marks a turning point in Kane’s journey toward self-discovery, it also triggers his fear receptors. If he cares about Dahlia, he knows Grant will hurt her, foreshadowing Grant’s later decision to kidnap and torture Dahlia.

“Things have…changed. Since the last time I slept in Kane’s arms over three weeks ago, he’s been different. […] We spend entire nights talking about everything and nothing. I told him about my whole childhood and all the shit I went through so Vi and I could survive—but I also told him about the good things as well.”

Dahlia’s reflections on her and Kane’s relationship convey the evolution of their dynamic over time. Within a few weeks, the romantic counterparts have begun to pursue a new level of intimacy—they not only begin to spend their nights together but they also “spend entire nights talking.” They are growing their relationship and pursuing a happy future together.

“He laughs, the sound rushing past my rib cage and piercing my heart. I hug him tighter, drowning in his scent and feeling every rush in his breaths. It’s moments like these where I think I can feel the real Kane. Not the image he wears so well or the control he allows to rule his life.”

This intimate scene between Dahlia and Kane underscores their deep romantic and spiritual bond. Dahlia doesn’t just appreciate Kane because she enjoys having sex with him. In this scene, she is attuned to his “laugh,” his breathing, and his pounding heart, and the fact that she feels immersed in his physical responses shows the depth of their connection. In these ways, she is embracing Kane—body, heart, mind, and soul.

“She probably thought she’d never step foot in Maine again. I’ve seen the footage of her parents’ deaths. While she was watching it, I heard her murmur that she never wanted it to happen. I know deep down that she blames herself for their deaths, which is probably why she never went back to Maine. But right now, she wants to heal, and I’ll be part of that.”

Dahlia and Kane’s road trip to Maine assists them both in healing from trauma. Kane appreciates how significant the trip is to Dahlia in particular because he knows what she suffered as a child. At the same time, he eagerly joins in this part of Dahlia’s healing journey because he loves her and wants to heal, too, showing both insight and empathy with his comments. The moment marks a turning point in their growth as individuals and a couple.

“She defended you, Helena! Even after she knew you stood by and watched while the man you chose to have a kid with tortured that kid. She said you must’ve been helpless. You must’ve tried to stop it but couldn’t. She said you’re mentally fragile and couldn’t handle this type of life, so you withdrew as a defense mechanism. She gave you the benefit of the doubt.”

Kane’s frustration with Helena for failing to protect Dahlia conveys his deep investment in his new lover. He is communicating Dahlia’s deep empathy for Helena because he wants his mother to understand what a good heart Dahlia has. His use of exclamation points and stressed syllables affects an insistent, urgent tone. He not only wants to rescue Dahlia from Grant but also wants Helena to understand Dahlia’s purity and grace.

“I admit that I wanted you to get me into Vencor so I could investigate and find clues, but you didn’t allow that anyway. But really, I didn’t suspect you. If anything, the more time I spent with you, the more the lines blurred, and I couldn’t control my emotions.”

Dahlia comes out with the truth about Violet and Vencor because she wants Kane to trust her. Now that they are in a committed relationship, Dahlia doesn’t want there to be any secrets between them because she understands The Value of Emotion in Intimate Power Dynamics. She is determined to be open and honest, even if it means upsetting Kane in the moment. She is also owning the evolution of her feelings for Kane.

“I truly am sorry about digging up your childhood trauma, I don’t want to hurt you and I feel bad about that, especially after seeing how much it affected you. Truth is, I’d wanted to own you since I first saw you, and I foolishly thought fucking you once would be enough. It wasn’t. All that first time managed to do was unleash the animal lurking inside me. In reality, I wanted you in my space. Selfishly.”

Kane’s reflections on his and Dahlia’s relationship capture his personal growth. He is admitting how he feels, owning his mistakes, and taking responsibility for the hurt he may have caused Dahlia. In doing so, he is embracing a more authentic way of being. He doesn’t want to hide his true feelings from Dahlia any longer, emphasized by his words, which affect a vulnerable, pure-hearted tone.