Page 60 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

“But you’re just talking about sex. That’s all he cares about, at least with me.”

Another eye roll. “Do you really think that’s true? You truly believe he liberated you from that foul man and let you stay at his palace just because he wants your body? Renatus has more than enough casual partners to choose from, and I happen to know he has taken none to bed since your first night here.”

Nowthatsurprised her, but she could see no lie in Aurora’s eyes.

“Then why does he keep doing this? Avoiding me all the time. I would hardly call it arelationship.”

“Renatus is… he’s more delicate than he lets on. You just need to give him time. I know that’s unfair to you, but it’s how he is. Now, tell me, little sorcerer, are you asking all these questions to postpone the rest of your lesson? I’ve done a fine job of distracting you, haven’t I?” Aurora gave her a mischievous smile.

No, that had not been the intention, well, for the most part. The lessons were frustrating, but her curiosity was real. About herself, abouthim.

Vita’s mind whirled with what she’d learned, and she couldn’t help the welling of affection in her chest. For Aurora, for Renatus, for Verian. For the different ways you could care for a person, for multiple people.

Aurora stole her attention with another dazzling smile. “Back to work, my dear.”

Whether the magic lessons were useful remained to be seen. Exhausting? Yes. Infuriating? Absolutely. Useful? Still unknown. Not even her eagerness to spend time with Aurora counteracted her frustration.

They met every day for a week, spending hours attempting to control the most basic magical skills. Where Aurora could conjure aball of flames without breaking a sweat, Vita struggled to create even a spark.

She’d learned all about the different types of elemental and psychic powers, at least the ones Aurora was familiar with. Many of which Vita had encountered already because of her surges.

It was important to control your emotions, to let through just enough power to accomplish your task without letting the magic run wild. There had been a few mishaps, surges brought on by Vita’s attempts to grasp a trickle of energy, but the rose garden was no worse for wear.

“You must pull the power from within, like you do when you have a surge.”

The instructions were unhelpful.

Vita didn’t know where the power came from, or how to control it. Mariana had only told her to suppress it, and after years of doing just that, it was difficult to attempt the exact opposite.

Aurora placed a palm to her cheek and a flicker of lust alighted in Vita’s core at the sweet look the woman gave her. When she twitched her fingers once more, a ball of flames appeared in her hand. Hot, though not burning her the way actual fire would. Aurora grinned as Vita twirled the flames between her fingers, raising her other hand and stoking the fire until it was the size of a globe.

“Very good, dear,very good.”

The power surged through Vita, though she tried to hold it at bay, letting just enough through to keep the fire alive. With a wave of her hands, the flames were gone, and Vita beamed.

She’d done magic… on purpose!

Aurora crossed her arms over her chest. “I guess you just needed a little encouragement.”

A flush blazed through Vita, and she supposed Aurora was right. Still, she had created flames, made magic purposefully, and not because of an arbitrary surge. Powerful emotions seemed to ignite her; anger, fear,lust.

She couldn’twaitfor Verian to see what she could do!

CHAPTER 26

Vita

“I HAVE SOMETHING TO show you,” Vita said with a bashful grin.

A cool breeze licked the bare skin of her neck and face as she strolled through the empty park arm in arm with Verian. She’d caught him after his guard shift and asked him to escort her to Parcum Unera, hoping the dark night would provide them with some privacy.

The full moon reflected in the calm pool, reminding her of the moment in the rose garden with Renatus, which seemed so long ago. The babble of fountains echoed as lilac scented the late summer air.

“Oh?” Verian asked as they stopped in front of the temple, brow quirked in amusement.

Massive oak trees surrounded them on all sides, towering over the marble temple standing before them. Four matching pillars carvedfrom single blocks of stone marked the entryway, holding up the frieze and triangular tympanum. The night made it too dim to see the details, but Vita recalled the scenes of Unera in all her heavenly glory, memories from her past spent in Shadowholde.

The Parcum was close to Mariana’s old home and was a place she had frequented when she was young. It had been a pleasant escape when she needed time alone.

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