Page 34 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

“Your clothes, Domina.”

Oh. She wanted her to undress. Right here. In front of her. Apparently, the people at the palace didn’t believe in privacy.

“You can just call me Vita.”

She removed her dress—the gift from the High Consul—and draped it over the servant’s waiting arm. After a pause, she did the same with her undergarments.

Livia handed her a bar of soap that smelled of roses.

“There are towels and clean clothes for you,” she said as she pointed towards a neatly folded pile on a stone table. “I will get these items washed. The privy is on the right and the sweating room is on the left.”

She curtsied and exited the way they’d come in.

Vita was alone.

After a few deep breaths, she held her arms out; the sensation of sunlight warming her bare skin was delightful. She dipped a foot into the bath, then slowly made her way in, sighing as the warmth reached every one of her muscles. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but maybe she could at least enjoy this bit of peace.

Birdsong twittered from the trees outside and she tried to relax, closing her eyes and letting the steam embrace her. She wondered what Verian was doing right now, if he had heard the news and was worried about her. She hoped she’d be able to leave the palace soon, so she could speak with him.

What would he think about what had happened last night?

What would he think about the fact that the High Consul is a vampire?

Vita was still trying to wrap her mind around that. Monsters were real, and she was living with one. But Aurora’s words had comforted her, despite it all. The High Consul wouldn’t hurt her, wouldn’t biteher,unless she wanted him to. The mere thought made her blush, the bath suddenly becoming too hot.

She took the soap and lathered her body and hair; the suds creating a pleasant aroma. It brought her back to the rose garden, and she remembered she could visit it in the light now. She had thought she would never see the High Consul after that night.

How wrong she had been.

When she was adequately clean, Vita got out of the bath and grabbed a fluffy towel, placing it on the warm stones so the sun would dry her. She must have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing she knew, someone was tapping her on the shoulder. She startled awake with a small yelp, eyes wide until she remembered where she was.

It was only Livia.

“Domina. Would you like some refreshment?” The servant gestured towards a tray set on another stone table.

Vita covered her chest with crossed arms, sitting up with a groan and moving to the pile of clothes.

She swooned at the lovely red dress, the color of newly plucked raspberries in a layered sheer chiffon. It was more beautiful than anything she had ever owned. There was also a pair of lacy undergarments, far racier than anything a proper woman should wear.

Pretty obvious who wanted to see her in those.

She slipped on the undergarments, then shimmied her way into the dress, enjoying the way it smoothed over her curves. She ran her hands along her soft belly and ass, the fabric pleasing to her fingers. The dress had a plunging neckline with flowing sleeves sliding down her arms, cinching her at the waist and brushing the ground. Satisfied, she sat down at the table to tuck into the food and drink.

There was a veritable feast before her. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making her mouth water, along with a soft cheese drizzled with what appeared to be honey and jam. Sliced meats splayed on a plate, and a large goblet of water sat on the tray. There was also a carafe of red wine and an empty glass.

She took a big gulp of the water, then tucked into the food, dipping chunks of bread into the cheese. She jumped in her seat when Liva touched her hair.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Domina.” She held out a hairbrush in explanation. “Is this alright?”

Vita nodded, mouth full of food, and closed her eyes with pleasure when Livia ran the brush through her hair. Gods, that was positively divine. She would definitely let herself enjoy this.

By the time she had finished her meal, Livia had wrangled her unruly hair into two braids and pinned them into a bun at her nape. Two tendrils of raven locks curled in front of her ears, framing her face. Vita excused herself to the privy and when she returned, the servant gave her a warm smile.

“You look very fetching, Domina.”

A smirk tugged at her lips, though theDominacontinued to make her cringe.

“I think the High Consul will be pleased with you,” Livia continued.

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