Page 17 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

He put a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “We need to get you out of there.”

“And where would I go?” Vita brought a hand to her lips, unwittingly pressing her fingers against them. “It’s not like I can just stay with you.”

Why would she say that?

Of course, she couldn’t stay with Verian, even if he didn’t live in a bunk with three other men. Most people didn’t care about what happened behind closed doors, but if you threw it out in the open like that, an unmarried woman and man living together…

Besides, staying with Verian—even if it were possible—would be… it would be painful. Living like husband and wife without a commitment such as marriage? Knowing he would forever be dedicated to his career more than all else? Too hurtful, especially for the tender spot in her heart that she saved for him.

“I will ask around Shadowholde. I am certain I can find someone who requires an attendant or housemaid. Someone less odious—”

Vita interrupted him. “But he’s the Praetor! And he made it clear that he would not let me go easily. At least, not to the High Consul. Not that he is an option…”

Verian’s eyes widened at the mention of Renatus. “You would work for the High Consul?”

“I don’t know, Ver. I-I’m just scared.”

He took both of her hands in his, his gaze fierce, then soft.

“If I had a place of my own, I would let you stay with me. Of course, I would. But until I have ranked up enough, I will have to find somewhere else for you. You will be safe.” He brushed a hand through her hair and cupped her cheek. “I promise.”

Vita felt the heat on her face, this moment more intimate than any she could remember with her friend. At least, any in recent history. She smelled the ale on his breath, citrusy and sweet, and wondered what his lips would taste like.

The thought was shaken from her head as a drunken man slapped him on the back.

“Get a room, you two!”

The man let out a raucous guffaw before entering the tavern and Verian just shook his head, though she didn’t miss the sly smile on his face. With her hand still in his, he guided her back to Drusus and company, pulling her to sit beside him on the bench.

Drusus gave Vita a wide smile. “You look like you need a drink!”

CHAPTER 8

Verian

VERIAN CLENCHED HIS FISTS under the table, his buzz wearing off and his internal groaning about why the Gods continually chose to vex him returning. It was late, too late. Andsome peopleat the table had clearly had their fill.

Vita giggled across from him, seated on the other side of the long wooden table. And whose lap was she on? His good friend, Drusus, of course. Neither seemed to be perturbed by the glare Verian directed their way.

The woman of the night who had been chatting with them earlier had all but disappeared. She had tried to cozy up to Verian when Drusus had turned his attention elsewhere, but he had politely brushed her off.

He had nothing against the woman, nothing against the profession; it just wasn’t for him. He preferred to not have to pay for his evening company. Which, in general, was a much more arduous task now that he was a city guard.

Living in a bunk with three other men made it challenging to bring home intimate guests. Not that things had been much better while he was at the training collegium.

Gods, how long had it been? Verian didn’t want to think about it. Not with what was happening right in front of him. He knew that letting Vita drink so much was a bad idea. No, he was not the arbiter of telling people how to imbibe, but he was aware she had no tolerance for ale.

After one, she was reaching across the table and grasping for Drusus as he flirted with her. After two, she moved to sit beside him. After three, she laughed as he pulled her into his lap. It infuriated Verian, but it was her choice, and Drusus was his superior officer. It wasn’t like he could call him out right then and there.

Besides, Vita was a grown woman. He was well aware she had taken lovers. It wasn’t something they purposefully talked about, but she was not shy about mentioning her infatuations or alluding to her steamy rendezvouses. She wasn’t a child, but an adult who knew what she wanted, knew what men wanted from her.

Still, it burned Verian as he saw Drusus rubbing his hand up and down her thigh, holding her lower back just a bit too low. Vita had an arm slung around his shoulders, her other hand running a finger along his broad chest as she giggled at his lewd jokes.

He and Vita had never been shy about touching one another in the affectionate way of friends. Touches that surely would have sent Mariana into a tizzy if she’d known, as innocent as they were.

Verian wondered what it would be like to hold Vita like that, to rest his hand on her thigh and feel her weight in his lap. She was beautiful, even as her eyes glazed from drink, her laughter ringing through the tavern like a bell.

And she was hurting. Verian could see the stress in the tension of her jaw.

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