Page 25 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

Aurora Delphi.

She must have spotted Vita, because she raised a hand and the coachmen halted the horses, the cart rolling to a stop. One man ran around to the back, helping Aurora down, though with her lithe movements it was clear she was perfectly stable on her own.

Verian released her, the comforting heat of his touch evaporating in an instant as Aurora meandered over, looking around as if she had no interest in them at all.

“Vita Quirinius,” she said, her voice a deep timbre.

Vita wasn’t certain of the formalities here, but she curtsied. It seemed the polite thing to do. Verian was confused, but bowed as well, though one hand remained holding hers.

Aurora’s eyes lingered on their interlaced fingers before roving back up to meet Vita’s gaze. Anxiety coursed through her veins and she wondered if the High Consul was nearby, if he would dole out thepunishmenthe’d threatened last night upon seeing her and Verian hand in hand.

The woman looked her up and down, Vita’s work clothes positively drab compared to Aurora’s navy dress, as deep blue as the sky at dusk. This one only had one shoulder, her other laid bare for all to see as intricate stitching looped around her body. She was stunning, as beautiful as the stars in the heavens.

“I was just coming to see you. You and your employer.”

Why would this woman be coming to seeher? Vita tried to keep her excitement under control, though it was difficult. She was certain the High Consul had kissed many people—if the rumors of debauched parties held a grain of truth—so what did he want from her?

“Is there something that the High Consul needs from Praetor Amulius?” Verian asked, his stern soldier voice returning.

“Oh, indeed there is. Come, Vita, ride with me to the villa.”

There was an unreadable glimmer in Aurora’s golden eyes, her stare both intimidating and mirthful at once.

“I was just going to the city. My employer needs oysters for dinner.”

How does one politely decline a ride from the High Consul’s right-hand woman?

“I would not worry about that, girl,” Aurora said as she looped her arm through Vita’s and dragged her towards the cart.

The answer was, you don’t.

Vita watched Verian as she was led away, her heart sinking with every step until whispered words brushed her ear.

“Your lover? Is that the one Renatus had to disentangle you from last night?”

“No,” she replied. “It was that one.”

She gestured to Drusus, who was eyeing them with a questioning look as a coachman helped her into the cart.

“Well, I mean, he was the one I was entangled with. Not my lover, though. I don’t have a lover.”

Aurora scoffed, and Vita wondered yet again why she was saying all this. Always too much.

“He was not pleased with yourfriends, doesn’t appreciate his plaything being touched that way. At least not in public.”

Vita’s eyes shot to Aurora’s, tension squeezing her body like a vice grip.

“I’m not his thing…”

What was this woman talking about? Aurora glanced sidelong at Vita, but kept her face forward, waving at the guards as the cart continued rolling away from the gate. There was no more conversation on the matter, so Vita just watched as Verian got smaller and smaller, until he disappeared from her sight for good, dread and anticipation clinging to her in equal measure.

“What are you doing empty-handed, girl?” Domina Amulius asked before she noticed Aurora standing behind Vita.

When she did, she curtsied, then instructed another servant to get the Praetor.

A few minutes later, Aurora sat in the atrium with Amulius. His wife perched on a nearby chair, and Vita and one of the coachmen stood near the door.

“—extend an invitation to dinner tonight, at the palace…” Aurora was saying.

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