Page 70 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

A jolt of anxiety lanced through her, the black cloak the same color as the storm cloud that settled in her stomach, though she tried to maintain a smile.

He turned as he heard his name, brows raising and then relaxing with relief. “Vita! I’ve been trying to see you, but the High Consul’s servants won’t let me in the palace.”

The doorman glared at the two of them as Petran walked over.

Vita linked her arm through Verian’s and glared back. “I live here too now, and this is my friend. He will be treated as if he were the High Consul’s guest. Understood?”

She didn’t wait for an answer, pushing past the annoyed servant with Verian in tow, Petran following closely behind. As she led them through the palace, she burned at her confidence, hoping this was a good idea. The sun was still up, so they had a couple of hours before Renatus or his thralls could make trouble, anyway.

Once a safe distance from the entryway, Vita turned to Petran. “Could you give us some privacy?”

He nodded solemnly and disappeared down a hallway, but not before giving Verian a wink and a flirty smile.

Verian gulped audibly as the man walked away before glancing at her with wide eyes. “Who was that?”

“I will tell you in a moment,” she said, tempted to laugh at his response despite the nerves souring her stomach. “Let’s go to the garden.”

CHAPTER 30

Vita

THE PAIR SAT ON a stone bench in the rose garden, cross-legged and facing each other as if they were still children sharing their secrets. The floral scent wafted past on a cool breeze, birds twittering from their nests.

Verian avoided eye contact, glancing around like he didn’t want to share what he’d come all the way to the palace to tell her.

Perhaps it had something to do with the new cloak tied around his neck, a symbol Vita recognized all too well. Knowing what it meant sent a chill down her spine, but this was something he wanted and she wouldn’t let her own misgivings take that from him.

“Well, Ver? It looks like you have some news,” she said, taking his hands and giving them a squeeze.

He turned his attention to her, a frown etched into the lines of his face.

“Vita. It… it’s bad. They promoted me to Praetorian guard.”

Though she’d known it was coming, hearing the words out loud still took the breath from her lungs. It was always a possibility, certainly, but so soon? Verian was an excellent soldier, she did not doubt that, but he was quite young for a promotion.

She couldn’t help but wonder if the Praetor knew something, knew he was close to her and was trying to get back at her in some way. Which, of course, just made her feel worse. He had always talked about becoming a centurion, it was the thing he wanted most.

This should be a happy occasion.

“Drusus, too,” Verian continued. “I start my new position tomorrow, working closely with…”

He didn’t need to finish the sentence for her to know who he was talking about.

She squeezed his hands again, trying to reassure him. “This is a good thing. This is what you wanted, another step towards centurion. You will do so well—”

“I’m not sure how I can work for that man, knowing what he’s done to you.”

“You can and you will.” Vita cupped his cheek, closing the distance with a gentle kiss.

If all went well, in a few years he’d be done with the Praetor, be living out his dream as one of the most honored protectors of the city. She tried to swallow the knot in her throat as she pulled away.

His brows furrowed with confusion. “You wouldn’t be upset?”

“How could I be upset with you, sweet boy? Just be careful, please.”

He gave her a short, skeptical laugh at the playful parody of his nickname for her, but broke eye contact again.

Could there be something else on his mind? Was he reconsidering their evening together now that he was a Praetorian guard? She wasn’t sure she could take another heartbreak, not after learning about Tullia, her lookalike.

---