Page 96 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

Petran followed suit, standing at his other side, his eyes soft, smile gentle. “You deserve love, Ren, whether it’s for a few moments or a lifetime. You’re different now, not the same person you were when you were turned. Constantly growing and evolving. We love you, but… there’s clearly something missing. Something you want—something you need—that we can’t give you.”

Tears rolled down Renatus’ cheeks for the second time in recent memory. He didn’t cry, didn’t long, didn’t love…

But their words were true.

He could not go on like this, not without seeing Vita, without telling her how he really felt. He’d been cruel, as much as he told himself he wasn’t, and the hurt he saw in her eyes made it clear.

Though he thought he was protecting her by keeping his distance, it was malicious to refuse her the love she wanted, the love she deserved.

Aurora pulled Renatus into a hug as his sobs filled the room, and Petran wrapped his thick arms around the both of them.

He decided.

He would go speak with Vita, and soon, he just needed time to think about what to say.

CHAPTER 41

Vita

IT HAD BEEN A week since Verian last tried to see her. Perhaps he’d finally given up after the dismissals, though the thought tore a hole right through Vita’s heart.

She knew she was pushing him away. Sheknewhe had good reason to leave, to be busy. Some part of her wanted to pull him into her room and accept the life he was offering, one of separation and loneliness.

But the other part expected more.

Life didn’t need to be a fairy story, but she deserved someone who was dedicated to her. And Verian had shown where his true devotion lay.

They could still be friends, of course. She would never give up his friendship, not unless that was something he wanted. But lovers? Morethan lovers? She just couldn’t see how it would work, not with the way they both wanted to live.

A deep exhale escaped her as she wiped down the wooden counter. The end of another busy night at Ad Noctua, one that had filled her coin purse quite nicely. She finished stacking mugs for tomorrow, then waved goodbye to her boss.

Her life wasn’t exactly what she wanted, but it was good enough.

Vita tied a cloak around her shoulders, the chill of autumn in full swing. Edonia approached, the autumnal equinox, equal day and night. Edon was the brother of Edos, the golden twins who represented the harvest.

Almost absentmindedly, she wondered if the High Consul had a feast planned or if he’d returned to his reclusive life. She’d heard no rumors amongst the patrons of Ad Noctua, and Aurora was as tight-lipped as ever during their weekly lessons.

A noise caught her attention, but before she could turn, she was frozen in her spot. No matter how she strained, she could not move a muscle, couldn’t turn her head as footsteps approached. Fear gripped her, sending ice through her veins as a simpering voice spoke in her ear.

“Hello, Vita.”

Sleep called, even as Vita blinked her bleary eyes open, her head pounding as if someone was beating her brain like a drum. She let out a low moan, every muscle aching as she sat up and tried to stretch. Why was she on the floor?

The stone was cool to the touch, the room dark. Where was she?

The memory of the voice came back to her, full of venom…

“Hello, Vita.”

A chill ran down her spine as she tried to get her bearings. The smell was musty, like fresh air hadn’t reached this place in many moons. Silence, other than a perpetual drip that echoed through the small space. Metal bars surrounded her on all sides.

She was in a prison.

But no, this wasn’t the city jail. She pushed her way up despite the complaints of her muscles and walked up to the bars. There were no other cells in sight, just darkness surrounding her.

Vita was alone.

Terror gripped her, her mind racing to figure out where she was and why she was here. A sound from the corner of the room, like the shuffling of feet, drew her attention, and she hurried back to the far edge of the cell. With her back pressed against the rusty metal bars, she waited until a figure appeared from the darkness.

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