Page 71 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

The only reason she was here at the palace.

“Is there something else?” she asked, trying to keep her hands from shaking as they grasped his.

Verian met her gaze, his voice quiet. “Can I tell you something? Something I’ve never told anyone else…”

So, not about her, then?

“Of course. You can tell me anything.”

He cleared his throat, sage eyes darting around the garden. “Well, I’ve been thinking about what’s happened between us, and you and the High Consul…”

Vita nodded, encouraging him to continue, though her stomach clenched with nerves.

He turned right to her, eyes glimmering. “I think… I think I like men. You know, in asexualway. An intimate way.”

The news shocked her, at least initially, though as she took a beat to process it all came together like the threads of a tapestry.

“Oh, I… well, thank you for sharing with me, Ver.”

She was at a loss for words, unsure what to say as he squeezed her hands.

“It doesn’t bother you?” He looked puzzled, though a tentative smile tugged at his lips.

“What? Of course not, no. Why would you think that?”

“I know how people talk about men whoenjoyother men. Gods, if anyone in the guard found out…”

“Verian, you know I would never tell anyone. And just becausesome peopleare bigots, doesn’t mean everyone is.” She paused, weighing whether to continue, but took a deep breath. “Besides, I suppose I feel similar to you… about women. I… kissed Aurora last night. And more.”

His eyes went as wide as coins, then his lips curled in earnest, a devastating smirk.

“You did, did you? Oh, I can just imagine that in my head. Wait, was the High Consul there?”

“He was. And Petran. Though Renatus didn’t, uh,participate.”

Verian cocked an eyebrow. “Petran?”

“The elf you asked about earlier,” Vita explained. “But this is not about me, this is about you! I didn’t mean to—”

He waved a hand, hushing her. “Wait… you had sex withhim?”

His tongue brushed over his lips as he awaited her answer. Was he upset with her?

“I did,” she replied, not sure how much he wanted to know or how he would take the news.

“Was he, um, good?” Verian asked, followed by a big swallow.

“He was.” Vita smiled, narrowing her eyes. “Is there a reason you want to know? Because I’m fairly certain he’d be interested in you.”

Actually, quite certain with the wink Petran had given Verian, and what little she knew about the man.

“He’s no High Consul, but… handsome all the same.”

“Renatus?” she asked with a quirked brow.

He rolled his eyes. “You’d have to be blind to not find him… attractive.”

Now it was her turn to lick her lips, the thought of Renatus and Veriantogetherin that way… it had the heat welling in her core, the mere image stimulating her more than she thought possible. He must have been feeling the same burn of arousal because he pulled her into his lap so she straddled him, her dress riding up.

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