Page 41 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

Vita slid her palms up his breastplate, making some space between them. “I… don’t want to leave. At least, not yet. I have no reason to believe he intends to harm me, and I’m safer at the palace than I was with the Praetor.”

His jaw clenched, and she knew it was more than just concern for her safety. It was as if he could read her mind, could sense the feelings she was having about Renatus, his sweet face marred by a deep frown. Again, she had the overwhelming sense that he wanted to kiss her.

“Corvinus!” the other guard barked as a carriage came trundling up to the gate, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

A deep sigh from Verian. “I must go.”

Vita’s mouth was a tight line as she nodded. “I know.”

“Please, come back to see me soon.”

He brushed a tendril of black hair behind her ear, cupping her face as her heart fluttered. Vita imagined his lips pressed against hers, but he just released her, making his way over to the other guard with a curt nod.

She sighed, giving him a final wave before starting her return journey.

Back to the palace.

Back to the vampire.

CHAPTER 18

Vita

FIVE DAYS.

Five days since Vita had last seen him, the High Consul.

Renatus.

Aurora had told her multiple times he was busy, that she should be able to entertain herself, but still she was frustrated. And bored. Why did he bring her here if he was just going to ignore her?

Not that she had any right to complain. She filled her days however she pleased, with no work or vile Praetor to worry about. And anyway, she should be happy that Renatus had stopped bothering her, right?

Today Vita lounged on a couch in the library, warm light streaming in through the window as she read through her most recentstory. She’d been writing a lot, what with the overabundance of free time.

It wasn’t like there was anyone else to spend her days with.

The visit with Verian had been a relief, the butterflies staying with her at the memory of his soft words, his firm embrace. Unfortunately, she’d been unable to see him again. Both times she’d walked to Shadowholde he’d been absent from the gated archway, the other guards informing her he’d been given different duties this week.

Livia was a kind woman, but not a skilled conversationalist. Plus, she had work to do, and her job was not to sit around and amuse Vita.

Then there was Aurora, who pestered her about magic lessons, something she was wholly uninterested in.

The library was comfortable, at least, and she was just getting to the good part of her story. She’d scribbled it in haste after her last dinner with Renatus a few nights ago. A scene where the beautiful girl is dragged to the princeps’ castle after he fell in love with her at the ball.

A prickle of arousal stirred as she scanned the pages, just about at the part where the handsome man takes the girl back to his room and…

Vita slammed the journal shut, suddenly in desperate need of fresh air, the library stifling. She didn’t want to have those thoughts of Renatus, ones that tormented her every night while she tried to sleep. With a sigh, she heaved herself off of the couch, making her escape.

A few minutes later, she was in the rose garden, enjoying the musky floral scent as the sun warmed her. She could stay there all day, had spent many hours leaning against the great oak tree as she wrote and reread her stories.

Now, she lay underneath, letting herself drift off to blissful sleep.

She awoke to an idea, one that did not involve Renatus or Verian or anyone else. Well, perhaps one person.

After consulting Aurora, she returned to the garden, terracotta vase and metal shears in hand.

How lovely would it be to have some roses to freshen up her room? Vita spent the afternoon choosing the perfect blooms, arranging pale pink and blood red flowers in the vase.

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