Page 50 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

It was clear that she cared for the High Consul. The worry on her face made that obvious. She was in no hurry to escape his palace, and Verian supposed he couldn’t blame her. He was an intriguing man, that was for certain. But was that because of a compulsion, or just him as an individual?

Impossible to know.

“I’m going to ask him the next time I see him.” She sounded sure of herself, though her voice wavered ever so slightly.

They were silent for a few minutes, the question of compulsion bubbling through Verian’s head until she laid her hand on his.

“Have you gone back to the tavern?” she asked, a sly smile replacing the tight frown from a moment ago.

He should be grateful for the change of subject, but somehow he knew where this was going.

“No, not since…” He trailed off, remembering that last evening at Ad Noctua. “Did you really want to… spend the night with Drusus?”

Vita bit her lip, that faux innocent face sending a twinge of lust through him. “I don’t believe that’s what the offer was.”

He cocked his head in question.

“The offer,” she continued. “Was youandDrusus. Not just him.”

Well, that certainly made him sputter a cough, Vita giggling at his embarrassment. When he finally regained his voice, he pushed herfurther. She’s the one who turned the conversation in this direction, after all.

“That’s something you’d like?”

It took every ounce of strength not to run his fingers through her hair, to kiss her right then and there as she gave him a sultry smile.

“Perhaps. I’ve never tried that before.”

Verian’s heart pounded, the moment more intimate than any he’d remembered. He couldn’t help but quirk a brow, not quite believing her innocence.

“What? Where would I have done that? With who?” Vita clutched her chest with mock outrage, her voice low.

“I don’t know, sweet girl. You seem to get into all kinds of trouble without me.”

The brazenness was worth it for the way her mouth opened with shock; her face turning red.

“I think you’re the one who needs to be getting intomoretrouble.”

She scooted closer to him, her knee grazing his leg as he lounged on the soft grass.

Then, her hand was on his thigh and she leaned in, prickling the sensitive skin at his neck with a whisper. “You’re too sweet for your own good.”

Verian felt his pants tighten as she pulled away with a smile. He needed to get out of here, away from her, before… Before something happened, before she saw the way he ached for her.

With a grunt, he pushed himself off the grass, extending a hand down to her as she gazed up with furrowed brows. Vita shook her head, but accepted his help as he heaved her off the ground.

“I should be getting back to the barracks,” he said, fully aware that she was enjoying his discomfort.

She knew what she was doing to him. Of course she did.

“If youinsist.” The last word rolled off her tongue with a sweetness that made his chest clench.

Verian took her hand and brought it to his lips, giving her a soft kiss. It was an impulse, one he should not have acted on, but hecouldn’t help it. He needed his lips on her in some way, needed it more than propriety or proper judgement. Her eyes widened for just a moment before he pulled away, offering his arm.

As he escorted her out of the garden, his mind raced. What he wouldn’t give to sweep her off her feet, to take her away from Shadowholde and never return. But he had his duty to the guard and to the city. A duty engrained in him from a young age, since the training collegium took him in after his mother had passed away.

Nothing could ever be more important than duty. Not even Vita.

CHAPTER 22

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