Page 66 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

“Get some rest. You’ll be dining with all of us tonight.”

Vita nodded, eager to escape to her quarters as quickly as possible. Heat flashed through her in more ways than one. Embarrassment at the fact Renatus knew what had happened between her and Verian at the temple. Had hewatchedthem himself?

The other kind of heat stirred at the thought, the one that settled at the apex of her thighs. He knew about Verian and didn’t mind. Perhaps he even enjoyed that she’d taken another lover. Aurora had been speaking the truth, a truth which apparently extended to any who Vita wished to be intimate with.

Sleep called to her, though her mind still raced, and she settled into her bed for a nap.

Dinner was… interesting.

Renatus had been at the head of the table as usual, elegantly dressed in a rose-embroidered tunic, quietly observing the group. Thesmile he’d given Vita melted away some of the anxiety, though he hadn’t said more than a greeting to her the entire meal.

Aurora sat on his other side in another beautiful navy dress, strapless and sophisticated. Vita noticed her mouth watering slightly at the sight, and she averted her gaze in a rush. She wasn’t surprised by her body’s response, but by how quickly she’d accepted this new detail about herself.

For dinner, she had chosen a sleeveless white dress, an elegant cord of gold wrapped around her waist with the help of Livia. A thick gold chain encircled her neck, a star pendant hanging at its nadir. Another one of Renatus’ gifts.

Petran and Aurora had reminisced throughout the meal, letting the wine and conversation flow as Vita ate silently. Petran had also let his hand rest conspicuously on her thigh, giving her a squeeze and a flirty smile every now and again.

The touch sent heat rushing to her face and… elsewhere, though that could have been the effects of the wine she sipped from a crystal glass. Renatus was somber, adding to the stories here and there, but for the most part observing his friends.

Vita could sense nothing from him. Well, not nothing, but a wall that blocked the bond that still linked them, however diminished it was. She still felt a tug, one that she knew would draw her to him, but the few moments of vulnerability they’d shared had not been repeated.

The group had retired to the parlor, a roaring fire stoked in the hearth to stave off the chill of the night. Petran refilled her glass as she sat beside him, red liquid sloshing about and scenting the air with berries and spices. Renatus chose a chair near the hearth, away from the couch the other three sat on.

Though Vita enjoyed the company—Petran’s affable presence and Aurora’s sly humor distracting her from her own thoughts—she wished she could speak to him privately. She caught his glance more than once, a strange look in his eyes and mouth tensed with some emotion she couldn’t read.

He was purposefully keeping her out, a fact which provided her with little comfort.

The buzz of wine was lovely, though, warming her chest and face with its cozy velvet touch. Petran warmed her too, his enormous hand still squeezing her thigh, slowly working its way up, not giving the flush a chance to leave her cheeks. The noise of the room had quieted to a gentle hum, the crackling fire hypnotizing Vita with its tendrils of flames.

Even as the drink dulled her senses ever so slightly, it did not surprise her when Petran brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes, kissing her hard on the mouth. She whimpered into him as he pulled her onto his lap, letting her straddle his hips as her head spun with need. He gripped her waist, rocking her against him until she noticed the appreciable mound in his pants.

A chime of laughter rang from behind her, then there were fingers brushing through her hair. Vita hardly noticed with the way Petran’s mouth overwhelmed her with the taste of smoke and wine. Her hips rolled against him, the pressure of his erection at her entrance sending shockwaves up her spine.

“Do you want his cock?” Aurora’s voice was a luscious whisper in her ear, and the erotic offer sent another pleasant jolt through her body.

“Yes,” she murmured into Petran’s mouth.

Aurora’s lithe fingers were at her waist, unlacing the gold cord as Vita ran her fingers through his soft hair. Petran continued to grip her hips, thrusting up as if he were fucking her, though the fabric of their clothes separated them. That didn’t stop the ache of arousal from coursing through her, and she moaned into his mouth, their tongues dancing.

“There’s no rush, Petran dear,” Aurora cooed, and Vita finally pulled back, gasping for air, her palms pressed to his chest.

Things were moving fast, but still she craved more, unlacing the tan shirt he wore and pulling it off to admire the power it revealed. Arms as thick as logs and knotted with muscle, a chest as firm as rock, a trail of brown hair leading to a soft belly. Vita’s entire body clenched with need as she took him in, automatically raising her arms as Aurora slipped her dress off over her head.

She was bare before them, and as the realization struck her, she looked around the room for Renatus. He still sat in his chair, one leg crossed over the other as he sipped from his almost-full glass. A subtle nod, before a smirk curled his lips.

“Back to us, love,” Petran said, his voice even deeper than before, heavy with need.

Aurora dragged her up from behind, a slender finger tilting her head into a kiss, this one quick and needy. Her tongue brushed against Vita’s as Petran quickly unlaced his trousers.

When she pulled away, Vita’s chest was heaving, gasping breaths dizzying her with lust. Aurora led her back to the couch, seating her beside Petran as she gave a quizzical look.

“I get to go first,” Aurora said with a smile, before shooting a playful glare at Petran. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, of course,Domina,” he answered quickly, with only a hint of sass, earning him a light slap on his stout leg.

Aurora settled onto her knees, running her hands up and down Vita’s thighs and sliding her to the very edge of the couch. “Is this alright, my dear?”

Her smile was so sweet, so sincere, and Vita was eager to agree, eager to have a woman between her legs. When she nodded, Aurora moved in, licking a long line up Vita’s already slick entrance with the flat of her tongue. Petran wrapped an arm around her as she trembled, Aurora sending electricity through her veins with each firm swipe.

---