Page 61 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

With a mischievous smirk, she pulled him into the temple, stepping up to the colossal statue of Unera. The light of the moon just barely passed through, but the darkness vanished with a flick of her wrist.

Verian gasped when the flames appeared, his surprise turning to a smile when he saw her deft control. She regaled him with her skills for a minute before extinguishing the flames with a wave.

He clapped, pure delight on his face. “That’s wonderful, sweet girl. I’ve never seen you control your magic like that.”

He’d been on the receiving end of one or two of her surges, thankfully nothingtooviolent.

“I’ve been practicing,” she said with a shy smile.

There was a long silence, an awkward tension filling the space that Vita wasn’t used to, as if neither of them knew what to say. She sat down in front of the altar, her back against the cool stone as Verian followed suit. The moon gleamed in through the temple’s entrance, bathing them in its otherworldly glow.

“You are enjoying your time at the palace?” he asked, his voice a cracked whisper.

He didn’t look at her as he spoke, just gazed out at the glimmering pool beyond the temple walls.

“I am,” she said, taking a big gulp of air. She wanted to tell him the truth, was tired of withholding things. They were friends, and friends could trust each other. “I quite enjoy Renatus.”

Now his brows furrowed, but it seemed to be concern etching his face and not anger. “Are you…with him?”

With him? Vita wasn’t even sure she could answer that if she wanted to, but she gave him a response. The one she knew he was implying.

“We’ve been… intimate.”

Heat flushed her face as she tried to imagine explaining to him exactly what the High Consul had done to her.

He softened his gaze, unclenching his jaw as he observed her. “Have you had sex with him?”

Here they were speaking candidly about sex again as if it were the weather. Though it was embarrassing, the experience titillated her, sharing her most intimate moments with her closest friend. A dual feeling she’d gotten quite used to as of late.

“No,” she answered quietly. “But he’s done just about everything else to me.”

Verian’s eyes widened for a split second before that stoic soldier’s stare returned. “He hasn’t bitten you?”

If she was flushed before, she was certain she was bright red now. As red as…

“No. He’s, uh, consumed my blood. But not by biting me. He cleaned a wound on my hand. And, well…”

She waited for him to comprehend, the moment of understanding clear by the way he flicked his eyes to her lower half. At least he wasn’t grimacing, which was the reaction she had expected from the confession of such an act.

“Oh,” was all he could manage, sweat beading on his brow. His tongue flicked over his lips as he cleared his throat, trying to find words. “You’veenjoyedwhat you’ve done with him?”

Vita couldn’t help but smile, though heat still burned her cheeks. “I have, yes.”

It was tempting to look away, but no, she wanted to understand what he was thinking. If he hated her for what she’d done, Gods, she didn’t know how she would cope.

“Well, good.” He turned away, as if the glittering pool was the most interesting thing in the world. “As long as you are… happy.”

Happy? A strange thought, but yes, she was, at least in some small way. Confused, certainly, but content all the same. Though Renatus had still been distant, Aurora’s conversation had reassured her. She just needed to be patient.

“You’re not upset, are you?” She placed a delicate hand on his arm.

Verian tensed at the touch, but turned to meet her gaze once more. “Upset? Sweet girl, I could never be upset with you. You have made your choice, and I will respect that.”

The words made her chest clench. Herchoice?

Vita narrowed her eyes. “What choice did I make, Ver?”

“The High Consul, of course.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but his lips stayed stubbornly sealed.

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