Page 92 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

“A flagon of ale, love!”

Vita straightened up, a smile stretching from ear to ear. “Petran!”

She threw her rag on the bar top and made her way around the counter to greet her friend. Well, shehopedhe was still her friend.

Petran wrapped her in a crushing hug, assuaging her worries in an instant. As she pulled back, he rested his hands on her hips and she was fully aware of the stares directed their way.

Vita made more money when the patrons believed she wasavailable, so to speak. A twirl of raven locks and a batting of hazel eyes did wonders for increasing the coins her mostly male patrons left behind at the end of the night. She wasn’t proud of the behavior, but it stoked her ego, along with her coin purse.

Before Petran could do worse than a hug, she removed his hands from her waist. “Let me get you that ale.”

Vita pulled him along, settling him in a seat at the bar, and moved back around the counter before her boss could give her a glare. With shaky hands, she poured a mug, then plopped it down in front of him. A flurry of emotions stirred in her, a knot welling in her throat as she tried to blink away tears.

It was nice to see Petran. But he reminded her of… well, of the palace, of the High Consul, of the rose-tinted memories of her time there.

Things she didn’t want to brood about.

It was easy to tune out unwanted thoughts during her lessons with Aurora. If her entire focus wasn’t on controlling the swells of power, then she was liable to hurt someone.

But now? Seeing his grinning face seated in front of her made her stomach clench. As he took a long swig of ale, Vita busied herself serving drinks to the few who waited near the bar. When the patrons were settled, she turned her attention back to Petran.

“How are you doing, love?” The question was sincere, casual, but his eyes roved over her as if analyzing her every move.

“I’m well, thank you.” She tried to smile. “Things are going well.”

“Aurora has told us you’ve been making improvements…”

Us. He left off the magic part, of course, unable to speak of such things in public, never knowing who was listening.

“I have. I’m getting a lot better.”

Vita bit her lip, pink flooding her cheeks as she glanced around the half empty tavern. A slow night, slower than most, though her eyes caught on a man in the corner of the room. He had no drink, no food, was playing no card games or talking with friends.

But he stared right at her, unblinking eyes boring into her very soul. Every muscle clenched, and she couldn’t look away, frozen in her spot at the counter.

A touch at her hand stole her attention back, a sigh of relief heaving from her chest.

“Are you alright?” Petran asked, heavy brows threaded with concern.

Vita looked back to the corner, but the man was gone, as if vanished into thin air.

“I’m fine, I just thought I saw someone…”

He turned, following her gaze, but no one was there.

With a squeeze of his hand, she had his focus, ready to put the strangeness behind her. “Tell me, how have you been?”

Despite Vita’s protests, Petran had insisted on staying until the tavern closed, escorting her back to the inn even though it was a short walk away. A walk she made on her own every night without trouble.

Their conversation had been pleasant, easy. He told her of a trip he’d taken to Oakengate for business, and of Aurora’s garden. Petran conveniently left out any details about Renatus, and Vita supposed she was grateful. Still, a part of her wanted to know how he was doing, if he missed her at all.

Foolish thoughts.

Now, they stood in the chilly air outside the front door of Nocturnalis.

Petran had pulled her in for another crush of an embrace, but kept his hands on her hips when they separated. Vita had tried to invite him up, though made it clear that it wasn’t for sex, which had only made him laugh.

“You know you’re welcome to visit the palace anytime,” he said, tawny eyes glinting in the low light of the torches.

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