Page 38 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

Renatus practically growled, and the sweet smile disappeared from her lips.

Calm. It was important to remain calm. She meant nothing by it, just an honest question.

“No. I scared her enough last night,” he said.

Most certainly the truth.

Last night had been… an error in judgement. He’d let his fury at the Praetor get the better of him, let his lust for Vita drive him to mania. Oh, how he wanted to get his hands on her, wanted to take her, nice and slow. At least at first. But then, when she became accustomed to him, he’d truly ravage her, have her crying his name as she writhed with pleasure.

He could imagine her on his bed, lying there like a present he couldn’t wait to open. Black tendrils of hair sprawling across the pillow, her beautiful body eagerly awaiting him. Would she serve him like his other thralls? Or did she like to be in control like Aurora?

Renatus already knew the answer, could see it in her eyes. Vita was strong, could stand up for herself, but she was desperate to be dominated. She wanted to be used, and he wanted to be the one to use her.

Oh, Gods, where was his mind taking him.

Aurora just observed him as he paced, and he hated the concerned look on her face.

Finally she spoke, her voice gentle. “I think she would be more than happy to join you tonight. She’s interested in you, even if she acts like she isn’t.”

Now he gave her a real glare, stopping in his tracks. “I do not want her…” Lie. “I cannot have her.”

“And why not?” she asked, shutting the book and setting it back on the table.

“You know why!” Renatus spat, unable to contain himself. He paused, taking a moment to calm. “Vita is a sweet girl, an innocent girl. I would tear her apart so thoroughly she would never be whole again.”

Aurora crossed her arms, delivering a glare to rival his own. “You know that’s not true, Ren—”

“Besides,” he interrupted. “She was a bit upset with me at dinner. Her body may be interested, but her mind is not.”

She just nodded, though her glower made her thoughts clear. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No. Thank you, dear.”

If he couldn’t be with Vita, then he wanted to be alone.

With another nod, Aurora turned on her heel and swiftly exited the room, shutting the heavy door behind her.

Alone.

Renatus sat in the armchair, attempting to read, but slammed the book shut a few minutes later.

When had he become so soft, so gentle? There was a reason he wanted Vita, was desperate for her company in more ways than one. It would be easy enough to beguile her to his bedroom, even without a compulsion of words. Even if her mind didn’t want him.

But, no. He wasn’t cruel. This was something he kept telling himself, and at least in some ways, it was true. Though he had his cravings, he never took an unwilling person. All of his thralls and playthings were perfectly enthusiastic, begged him for his company, his bite, his lust.

Some servants wished to remain just that, uninterested in experiencing the pleasures of the flesh with him and Renatus respected their choices, would respect Vita’s as well. Last night… that had been a mistake, one made out of craving and carnality. One which would not happen again.

Not unless Vita asked politely.

He chuckled despite himself, the thought of the girl begging for him such a lovely, but unbelievable, image. She seemed to loathe him, and could he really blame her? In her eyes, he was no better than her old master, the Praetor.

What had he done since he’d known her? Ran her off in the rose garden on Aonalia when the vision of her under the moonlight reminded him too much of someone else. Threatened her friends in the tavern. Made her watch as he fucked his thralls, frightened her as he fed.

Of course, she detested him.

Still, Renatus did not miss the way her breath quickened and her muscles clenched when he was near, her heart beating so fast he could scent the blood pumping through her veins. Perhaps therewassomething there, but it was difficult for him to read mortals these days. Aurora was the only one whom he understood; he could ascertain her emotions with a mere glance.

Vita? Vita was a question, a puzzle he hadn’t yet solved.

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