Page 45 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

He smiled, hands full of roses. “Me? Never.”

“Picking flowers for our dear guest? That’s very sweet.”

She wasn’t mocking. He could sense the warmth in her voice, the care, thelove.

“She dropped hers earlier. It’s only polite to replace them.”

Aurora saw right through him as she smirked, a hand resting on her popped hip. “Well then, let me get you a vase.”

She disappeared, returning a few minutes later with a new terracotta vessel. With a dip in the fountain, she filled the container and held it out to him. He slipped his roses into the vase, brushing her warm hands as he took it.

“Thank you,” Renatus said quietly.

She gave him a knowing wink. “I think she’ll enjoy the flowers.”

He hoped so.

CHAPTER 20

Vita

VITA YAWNED AS SHE stretched in bed, her mind immediately turning back to the previous night as she blinked sleep from her eyes. Her face heated as she recalled Renatus’ tongue on her hand and fingers, the way she’d so desperately pleasured herself afterwards.

Gods.

She already knew there would be no more resisting. If he offered himself again, she would eagerly accept. Still in her clothes from the previous night, she shuffled to her door, opening it to a surprise.

A terracotta vase identical to the one she’d dropped, filled with a gorgeous array of roses from pale pink to deep red. It was sitting in the middle of the corridor as if waiting for her. Her heart fluttered, and she wondered if it had been Renatus who’d gathered them.

Vita picked up the container with great care and set it on her desk, marveling at the beauty of the flowers, the way their sweet and spicy scent filled the room. A smile curled her lips at the thought of Renatus choosing them for her.

Surely not. Surely he’d asked a servant to do it. That had to be it.

Still, it was a kind gesture from whoever had picked them, which warmed her heart.

A knock drew her attention away from the roses. Before she could answer, Aurora walked through the door as if it were her own room, her eyes drawn to the flowers.

“A beautiful bouquet,” she mused, turning her attention to Vita. “Renatus would like to see you after dinner tonight. He requests you wear one of the dresses he’s provided.”

Aurora looked her up and down as if her sleep mussed clothes were the most offensive sight she’d seen.

“Alright,” Vita said.

The woman nodded, heading for the door, but not before Vita blurted out a question. “Do you know who left these for me?”

A sly smile curled Aurora’s lips as she turned back around. “Renatus, of course. Who else?”

With a wink, she exited, leaving Vita alone with her thoughts.

Thoughts that distracted her all day as she puttered about the palace, wondering what Renatus wanted from her. Last night was the first she’d seen of him in days, and that only seemed to be because he was coming to her rescue.

She tried to write, but couldn’t focus. Nothing could take her mind away from the High Consul and his gleaming eyes, full of mystery. If he wanted her body, he could have easily taken her last night. But he didn’t. It was obvious she had failed to disguise her arousal as he cleaned her hand, his nostrils flaring and that self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face.

So whatdidhe want?

Finally, evening drew near and Vita changed out of her tunic, choosing a beautiful gold dress she hadn’t tried on yet. It was risqué, more so than anything she’d ever worn, but she wanted to make an impression. Low cut, almost to her stomach, with a long slit that exposed one thigh. She wore her lacy undergarments underneath, certain that Renatus would see her in them tonight.

She took one last look at the bouquet of roses before heading to the dining hall. It was just her and Aurora, and she trembled with anticipation as she picked at her food. A glass of wine helped, calming her mind enough to notice the other woman’s smirk.

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