Page 80 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

CHAPTER 34

Verian

“HE BIT YOU?”

Verian tried to keep his voice calm, but it was difficult, the two puncture wounds on Vita’s neck igniting a wave of fiery anger that overcame all thoughts of the Praetor’s words.

They stood outside the High Consul’s palace, Verian running his fingers over her wound. Two identical marks, slightly elevated, easy to miss if he hadn’t been scrutinizing her so intently. She had acted strange when she first came out to meet him, avoiding eye contact and pressing her fingers to her lips like she always did when she was nervous.

“Yes, but I’m alright. Truly,” Vita said, her voice quiet and an uncomfortable smile plastered on her face.

Verian wanted to kiss her, to finish what they had started in the rose garden, but first he needed an explanation. An assurance that she was safe. That whatever happened between her and the High Consul was wanted… enjoyed. He wouldn’t worry her with the Praetor’s words, at least not yet. Instead, he took her hand gently, placing a chaste kiss on the back.

“Let’s find somewhere private and you can tell me what happened.”

Somewhere private ended up being the temple, the small one in Parcum Unera where… well, where he’d failed to give her his best showing a few days ago. Perhaps today would be differentifthey had a chance after she explained what had happened.

The temple was dark, though Vita lit the candles at Unera’s feet to add to the white glow of moonlight that filtered in through the open air. The control she held over her magic was improving, flames igniting the wicks with just the flick of her slender fingers.

Unera, the goddess of sex, fertility, prosperity… and love. Nude, save for the thin veil that flowed over her curves like a waterfall. Warm candlelight bathed the pale marble, the oversized statue towering over them like a sentinel. Lilac wafted in on the cool breeze of night, the fountains babbling just outside the entrance, calming Verian’s nerves.

Vita paced the small space, her lovely white dress swaying with movement. A corded belt wrapped around her waist, matching the gold necklace at her throat. A vision of beauty, as lovely as the Goddess herself, though concern etched her sweet face.

“You are safe with me, Vita. I will not pass judgement upon you.”

This stopped her pacing, and she turned to him, though the grimace remained.

With a final exhale, she spoke. “I messed up. I was upset with Renatus for ignoring me and I… left. In the middle of the night. I don’t know what I was thinking. I wanted to find you and Drusus, or have a drink at the tavern while I calmed down, but…”

When she trailed off, Verian took her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. His stomach already clenched with the direction this story was going, but Vita was here. She was in front of him,seemingly uninjured save for the healed wound at her neck. Puncture wounds that must have been the High Consul’s doing, a man who—while still a mystery—didn’t seem eager to do her harm.

“Well…” she started again. “There were men, three of them, they came out of nowhere. I tried to get away, to say my guard friends were expecting me and would come looking, but they wouldn’t let me go.”

Not the entire truth, but most of it, obvious from the way she averted her gaze. He burned at the thoughts racing through his head, horrific imaginings of what these men had done or had been planning to do to her.

“It all happened so fast.” Her eyes shot to his, sparkling in the light of the candles. “Renatus. He killed them… all of them. Tore out their throats. It was…”

Verian let out his held breath, relief flooding him. Perhaps it was wrong to rejoice at the death of three men, but he was glad the High Consul had killed them. He would have done the same if he had been there, would have forsaken his oath and slain them to protect her.

A mix of emotions played over Vita’s face as she gazed at him, brows furrowed.

“You can tell me anything, sweet girl,” he said, trying to maintain the calming timbre of his voice, well practiced from years as a soldier.

“Ver… we had sex! Right there, practically on top of the bodies. I tasted their blood. It was all over his mouth and then he just bit me.” She shook her hand from his grasp, pressing her fingers against the punctures on her neck. “Back at the palace, after we’d cleaned up, he said… well, he apologized for doing it. It was gruesome, painful, and yet I enjoyed it. Gods, there’s something wrong with me!”

Her eyes were frenzied, and she pressed her palms to his chest. Verian wrapped his arms around her now, pulling her in close and kissing her cheek.

“Oh, Vita, there’s nothing wrong with you.” He tried to gather his words, but they were difficult to find with his mind whirling. “You did nothing wrong. Of course, your emotions were high after you were attacked. The High Consul saved you. And those men… I have no doubt they deserved what happened to them.”

With a gentle touch, he tilted her face up to meet his gaze, her mouth still trembling. Taking in her citrusy scent, he placed a kiss on her cheek, then the other, before letting their lips meet. Her whole body sighed as she melted into his embrace, immediately pressing her tongue into his mouth, swirling it along the roof with deft precision.

Every muscle in his body tensed, the length between his legs stiffening as her tongue danced with his own. His hands were at her waist, pulling her close, desperate for another chance with her.

Why was she doing this? Now, of all times? But of course, he knew Vita. She wanted comfort, and comfort was something he could provide.

She pulled back, gazing up at him with wide eyes. “And now he’s ignoring me again. I just… I don’t understand. Why does he make everything so difficult?”

Hurt flashed across her face, and Verian felt a spark of anger mingle with the burn of arousal. How dare the High Consul play games with Vita, who… cared for him, in her own special way. Her affection was not something to be toyed with.

---