CHAPTER 10

Renatus

"OUTRUNNING THE DAWN AGAIN?"

Renatus was silent as Aurora made her way around the room, drawing the curtains on the few remaining windows. When she turned to him with a mirthful grin, he matched it, though he did not feel like smiling.

"Did you get what you wanted?" she asked as she stepped up to him, straightening the neckline of his tunic and studying his face with golden eyes.

"I did," he answered simply, though it most certainly was not true.

After all this time, it was difficult to know exactly what he wanted anymore .

Renatus took Aurora's face in his hands and gave her a long, sensual kiss. When he pulled away, he looked at her, his chest clenching with some unknown emotion. He had difficulty identifying what the emotion was, even though it belonged to him. Perhaps longing? Worry? No, no, it couldn't be.

"I need you to go to Praetor Amulius and invite him to dinner tonight. Vita must join him. You cannot let him refuse."

Her lips curled into a smile. "Of course, dear."

Renatus held her hand, rubbing his thumb along the back of it, an unasked question hanging heavy in the air like a storm cloud. There was a surge of electricity under his skin, one he did not experience often.

At least not anymore.

Now it was Aurora's turn to cup his cheek. "Is there something you want, Renatus?"

Oh, there was something he wanted. But so little quenched his hunger anymore, the deep pit that radiated through his entire being. That kiss with Vita…

Aurora brushed her plum braids behind her shoulder, exposing her neck. He licked his lips absentmindedly, though did not move. His thoughts were of Vita, the whimpering mewls she made as he kissed her, her scent of musk and lemon. That raven hair and sepia skin, the hazel eyes and the red scar, both familiar and not at the same time. Her warmth, unlike any he had experienced in… well, quite a while.

Vita was an innocent flower. What right did he have to pluck her?

Still, he could not leave her there with the Praetor. Renatus had seen the way the man had leered at her. It didn't surprise him in the slightest when Vita said he had assaulted her.

Today would be the end of that.

Not to mention her handsome friends from the tavern. When he saw the man with his hands on her… Renatus could have torn his throat out right then and there. But he had controlled himself. Some years ago, it would have been a different story.

And come to find out, Vita was enjoying it. Perhaps not so innocent after all .

Tension vibrated through Renatus as he gazed upon Aurora's slender neck, her sultry face, her bountiful bosom. He cherished her, but she was not Vita. She was right to think he'd be interested in the girl from the market. Aurora knew him better than… well, anyone else.

There was no denying that Vita reminded him of someone he had known long ago. She had the same bright smile and sweetly seductive voice. The cascades of dark waves and light eyes, down to the scar on her cheek.

What God had sent this sweet girl to torment him with memories of her ?

"Renatus?"

He brushed away his thoughts, focusing his attention back on Aurora, and back on the electricity running through him. Just one kiss from Vita had set his body aflame with arousal. One kiss, and it had not been enough to quell the fire.

"Shall we withdraw to the bedroom, my dear?"

Aurora smirked at his question and took his hand, leading him towards her bedchamber. Oh, he was quite familiar with that room, though of late he had been… preoccupied. Of course, Aurora had plenty of other lovers to choose from. Her bed was never empty unless that was what she wanted. She understood his ways, knew when to keep her distance and when to reach out.

What he would do without her, he did not know.

Aurora's room was as moody and lush as she was. An opulent chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and she raised her hand towards it. With a flick of her wrist, the room was bathed in a warm glow.

Each piece of furniture was rich and well-made, Renatus had seen to that. Whatever Aurora wanted, he had been sure to procure. He owed it to her after… well, after everything she'd done for him, and still did for him.

Her bed was piled high with plush pillows and sheets in various shades of deep purple and maroon. Gold painted roses and spirals trimmed the dark wood bedframe, a bright rug warming the cold stone floor. She pulled Renatus towards the enormous bed, one he had spent many a lusty evening in with all manner of interesting partners .

What was this? Yes, of course, he was feeling excitement, lust, arousal. After restraining himself in Vita's bedroom, he needed release. Aurora knew that and was happy to oblige him, just as he was for her.

She sat on the bed and Renatus stepped up to her, fitting neatly between her splayed thighs, just as he had earlier with Vita. She wrapped her legs around his waist, unbuttoning his tunic and vest, eager to relieve him of his clothing.

Renatus let her take the lead, as was their usual dynamic. She was the only person he allowed to have control over him in this manner.

In any manner, really.

Aurora ran her hands along his bare chest, lithe and slender, causing a shiver to run down his spine. Her hands, so warm and so firm, were just what he needed right now. What he needed to forget about Vita, at least for the time being.

What he wanted from the girl, it just couldn't happen. He was a monster, but he wasn't cruel. Still, the idea of her warming his bed every night… it wasn't an unpleasant thought.

Renatus crawled towards Aurora as she sat against the headboard. He ducked his head forward, fixing her with his best sultry leer, hooded eyes and pursed lips. He knew what she liked, knew what they all liked, and he wasn't one to disappoint.

Aurora smiled at him with a knowing look, though she said nothing.

Tonight. Tonight would be amusing.