Page 35 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

With a few simple words, it all came crashing back to her. Vita had been enjoying her pampering, but she wasn’t a guest. She was a prisoner.

A prisoner who still didn’t know what her warden wanted with her.

CHAPTER 15

Vita

VITA SPENT THE REST of the day following Livia around the palace as she showed her intriguing room after intriguing room.

There was a sunroom with green plants and vibrant flowers, vines hanging from the ceiling. Basil and other herbs perfumed the air, sweet and peppery. She supposed that the High Consul spent little time here, what with the way the sun blazed in through the windows, warming the room to almost uncomfortable levels.

Though who was to say what vampire myths were true and which were merely fabricated.

Council rooms and parlors, dining halls and ballrooms, each one more extravagant than the last. There were galleries of art with oil paintings lining the walls and sculptures stacked on marble pillars.Fountains in open air courtyards misted Vita with their cool water. Livia pointed the way towards the servants’ quarters and up a spiral staircase leading to the astronomy tower.

There was the largest library she’d ever seen, every wall filled floor to ceiling with dusty tomes and trinkets. The smell of old books filled the space, dappled light filtering in through a single window. Comfortable armchairs decorated the large room, and Vita could see herself curled up here often.

Despite her best intentions, her excitement was growing, the possibility of a life of leisure becoming more real with each room she visited.

No use in getting excited, she tried to remind herself. Though she would be content exploring the palace for the rest of her days, she still didn’t know why the High Consul wanted her here. Her heart clenched when she thought of Verian, of the anxiety she was certain he’d experience once he learned of what had happened to her.

Hehadwanted her out of the Praetor’s villa, so in a way, he’d gotten his wish.

A sense of dread built over the course of the day, first as a whisper and then as a tightening of her chest, which made it difficult to breathe. It had culminated when the sun set behind the mountains, the monsters ready to come out and play now that darkness was upon all.

Vita sat in her dim bedroom, no sense of the time or whether she’d be seeing the High Consul again soon. She thought of the previous evening, when he’d made her watch as he fucked and fed. Would he call on her again after she’d had her fill in the dining hall?

The idea didn’t displease her, though the glare in his eyes when he’d finished—the glare directed at her as he ordered her out of his room—haunted her.

The memory of the woman on her knees, the man whimpering as the High Consul fed on him? Those were a lot more pleasing. Vita was surprised by how aroused she’d become from the mere watching of such an act, visions of the High Consul and Verian sharing her in a similar manner causing a flush to her chest and face.

Best not to think of those things.

There was a real possibility she’d never get to see Verian again, and the thought caused an actual ache in her heart. It didn’t seem so farfetched. Just look at how the High Consul had reacted when he’d found her in the tavern with the two guards. And what had Aurora called her? His plaything?

Vita scoffed at the word, certain she would not allow that to happen.

A knock startled her, jolting her out of her seat as Aurora entered.

“Renatus is ready to dine with you,” she said, holding her arm out and gesturing towards the door.

She led them through the labyrinthine corridors to a dining hall, the same one from last night, though with only two place settings this time. The High Consul sat at the head of the table as he had before, though didn’t even turn to look as they entered.

“I will retrieve you once you are finished.” Aurora gave her a cloying smile before fluttering out of the room, leaving them alone.

Vita turned to him, and still he refused to look at her.

“Sit,” he commanded, his voice gruff as she obeyed and took the seat next to him.

Unsure what to do, she crossed her hands in her lap, and a moment later came the High Consul’s harsh voice. Another command. “Eat.”

She cleared her throat, then piled her plate with meat and cheese, bread and vegetables. A pitcher of red wine sat within reach and she poured herself a glass, taking a large swig as she tucked into her dinner. Might as well keep her strength up, for whatever that was worth. Any casual glance she sent his way was met with a stare, his chin propped on his fist as he observed her eating.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Vita asked in between mouthfuls of food.

The bread was warm and soft like a pillow as she chewed a small piece.

“You saw me feed last night, darling. Did you forget already?” The High Consul’s voice had a hint of laughter in it, like he was teasing her.

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