Page 46 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

“Eager for something, dear?” she asked, head cocked as if it were the most innocent question in the world.

Vita rolled her eyes.

“Maybe I am,” she answered defiantly, and Aurora chuckled.

“Are you enjoying the palace?”

This was more conversation than she had ever made before, their meals usually shared in comfortable silence.

“I am. Though it’s a bit lonely.”

“I told you I’d be more than happy to give you lessons.”

Vita just groaned, rolling her eyes again. “You know what I’m talking about.”

“Well, he’s making time for you now, isn’t he? Renatus… he can be capricious. It is difficult for him to sort out his feelings.”

Vita scoffed. “I didn’t know hehadfeelings.”

Now Aurora narrowed her eyes, leaning over the table. “Renatus has not had an easy life. He’s overcome so much, things that would haunt you if you knew about them. Remember that, dear.”

That certainly hushed her. She’d never really thought about his life beyond what little she already knew, what he’d been like before he was turned.

He wasn’tborna vampire, at least as far as Vita knew, someone had created him. The stories said a maker could spawn a thrall by killing a person, then force feeding that person their own vampiric blood. How had it happened to Renatus? Had he been willing or unwilling?

The rest of dinner passed swiftly, in silence.

When Vita was done eating, Aurora finally spoke again, her voice a low purr. “Are you ready to see him?”

She took a big gulp of air, nodding. All the calm the wine had provided was gone in a flash as she followed Aurora through the dim palace. They stopped at a door, one Livia had pointed out when Vita had first arrived.

The astronomy tower.

Aurora heaved the door open, gesturing with a wave of her arm, and Vita said a silent prayer as she stepped onto the dim stairs, gathering her dress in her hands. It seemed as if she were spiraling around for ages, panting slightly as she finally exited into a small tower, the cool night air tickling the bare skin on her chest and arms.

Renatus was peering out a window, wearing an elaborate white tunic embroidered with the silvery spirals he so seemed to enjoy. He turned to her with a smirk, his red eyes piercing through the dark.

“You look lovely this evening.”

Vita bit her lip into a shy smile as she approached, hands clasped in front of her. Now that she was here, alone with him again, the nerves pounded through her, though excitement was certainly mixed in.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice cracking as she stood before him.

“Come, look.”

He placed a hand at the small of her back, leading her to the open window. She pressed her palms to the cool stone sill, grounding herself as he slinked an arm around her waist. She tried to focus on the inky black sky, dots of stars glowing in an ethereal band, and not his chilling touch. The view was stunning, taking her breath away, the low light ofthe moon just barely revealing the darkened mountains beyond. They observed the stars in silence, her heart racing as she awaited his move.

“A beautiful view, is it not?”

Vita turned to him, their faces inches apart.

“Very beautiful, Renatus,” she replied softly, his proximity setting every nerve aflame as a smirk curled his lips.

“Oh, darling, how I love when you say my name.” He took her hand, placing a gentle kiss on the back. “I loved hearing you cry it even more.”

She froze, eyes widening at his words. Her mind churned until the implication became crystal clear, all her focus narrowing to the High Consul.

He’d heard her last night, heard as she cried his name while she pleasured herself. Her stomach turned, mortification burning through what had been excitement just a moment ago. She opened her mouth to speak, to explain, but her words were gone.

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