CHAPTER 11

Vita

VITA HURRIED DOWN THE path to Shadowholde, eager to see Verian after last night. Gods, she had made a fool of herself.

The morning had been rough, her stomach and head still woozy from the drinks at the tavern. She was lucky that Amulius had been busy in his office, only having to deal with his wife as she barked orders around the house. That was much preferable to the alternative. She shuddered to think about him in her room, his lips on hers like they were yesterday.

But no, all her misery this morning was her own fault.

Vita had really outdone herself last night, sitting on Drusus' lap as if she would have gone to a room with him, or him and Verian. Certainly it would have been an entertaining time, but was mixing friendship with sex really the best idea?

Even if her friends were two very handsome city guards.

Of course, she had fantasized about being intimate with Verian. There had been many times where she thought he was about to kiss her, and last night outside Ad Noctua had been yet another. Many times where she hoped he would kiss her, so she would finally know that the feelings she had for him were mutual. But it never happened.

All the furtive glances and intimate touches, yet he was still married to the guard more than all else. That was what he wanted, and she had to accept it.

But someone had kissed her yesterday, and she wasn't talking about Amulius.

Vita saw the city wall in the distance. And was it? Yes!

Verian was there, with Drusus, it looked like. Well, that would be awkward, but she'd just have to get over it. Domina Amulius had wanted her to pick up oysters for dinner tonight, and she had been more than happy to go. She waved, and the men waved back as she approached.

Verian's eyes were wide as she walked up to him, basket in hand. Drusus had a not-so-subtle smirk, though honestly, could she blame him?

"Hello, gentlemen," she said with a curtsy, a sweet smile on her face.

"Vita… I am so glad that you made it home safe," Verian said, his mouth a thin line. "I was worried about you."

"Oh, I'm alright, Ver. I can handle myself."

He didn't seem convinced.

"Hello, Vita," Drusus said with a bow. "You look beautiful today."

She rolled her eyes as he took her hand and kissed it, though that didn't stop a blush from forming on her cheeks.

"Thank you, friend ." She turned her attention back to Verian. "Could I speak with you? Alone? "

He looked to Drusus, who nodded, then took her arm and led her towards the wall, away from the other guards meandering near the arched entryway.

"Are you sure you're alright? The High Consul didn't hurt you, did he?" Verian asked as he turned to face her, brows furrowed with worry.

His hands rested on her shoulders, warmth blooming from the intimate touch, and she bit at her lip before answering.

"No, he… didn't hurt me." Might as well come out and say it. "Ver, he kissed me. He helped me get back in through the window and then he kissed me."

Verian's eyes were wide, shooting to her lips for a moment. "Did he hurt you? You can be honest with me."

"No. I… was surprised, but it wasn't unwelcome. And he didn't try anything more than a kiss." She glanced at the ground, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm so sorry about last night. I made a fool of myself."

Verian placed a gauntleted hand on her chin, tilting her head back up to look at him. "You have nothing to be sorry for, sweet girl. It is your right to take who you wish to bed, even if I would prefer someone other than one of my brothers from the guard."

Vita blushed, shocked at the admission. He'd never had much of an opinion about who she spent her time with, but she felt some sense of possession in the way he looked at her. As he gently brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes, a swarm of butterflies took flight in her stomach.

"Well, I promise I will be less handsy with your guard friends. In Aona's name," she said, holding her palm up in a gesture of the oath.

He chuckled, though concern still knitted his brows. "So, the High Consul actually kissed you. Did you… enjoy it?"

Vita narrowed her eyes, yet again surprised by her friend's candor. They'd never truly discussed their lovers, at least no details beyond who those lovers were.

"I… yes, I enjoyed it. There's something about him. I don't know, he's interesting. "

Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, needing to feel the comfort of his embrace. His hands rested on her waist as if on instinct, sending a shudder up her spine.

What did he think about this recent development? He'd never taken much of an interest in her past lovers beyond making sure she was treated well, so this was strange.

But perhaps these were just strange times.

"I am… glad that you enjoyed it. The High Consul is certainly interesting ." He paused for a long moment, taking in a deep breath. "I wanted you to know I'm looking for a new work placement for you. It will be difficult to separate from the Praetor, but I will find something. I will. Somewhere safe."

Before she could tell him about the High Consul's vague threats against Amulius, Verian reached up and cupped her cheek. His hand twitched and Vita's heart leaped, certain he was going to kiss her this time. She slammed her eyes shut, then opened them a moment later when she didn't feel the brush of his lips.

His head was turned, a glare directed at the city wall, the sound of a cart's wheels crunching over the dirt as it passed through the gated archway.

The cart was extravagant, larger than any she had seen before. Two coachmen sat at the front, holding the reins of the horses. A woman rode in the back, the navy blue dress and golden rose in her hair making it clear who she was even from afar.

Aurora Delphi.

She must have spotted Vita, because she raised a hand and the coachmen halted the horses, the cart rolling to a stop. One man ran around to the back, helping Aurora down, though with her lithe movements it was clear she was perfectly stable on her own.

Verian released her, the comforting heat of his touch evaporating in an instant as Aurora meandered over, looking around as if she had no interest in them at all.

"Vita Quirinius," she said, her voice a deep timbre .

Vita wasn't certain of the formalities here, but she curtsied. It seemed the polite thing to do. Verian was confused, but bowed as well, though one hand remained holding hers.

Aurora's eyes lingered on their interlaced fingers before roving back up to meet Vita's gaze. Anxiety coursed through her veins and she wondered if the High Consul was nearby, if he would dole out the punishment he'd threatened last night upon seeing her and Verian hand in hand.

The woman looked her up and down, Vita's work clothes positively drab compared to Aurora's navy dress, as deep blue as the sky at dusk. This one only had one shoulder, her other laid bare for all to see as intricate stitching looped around her body. She was stunning, as beautiful as the stars in the heavens.

"I was just coming to see you. You and your employer."

Why would this woman be coming to see her ? Vita tried to keep her excitement under control, though it was difficult. She was certain the High Consul had kissed many people—if the rumors of debauched parties held a grain of truth—so what did he want from her?

"Is there something that the High Consul needs from Praetor Amulius?" Verian asked, his stern soldier voice returning.

"Oh, indeed there is. Come, Vita, ride with me to the villa."

There was an unreadable glimmer in Aurora's golden eyes, her stare both intimidating and mirthful at once.

"I was just going to the city. My employer needs oysters for dinner."

How does one politely decline a ride from the High Consul's right-hand woman?

"I would not worry about that, girl," Aurora said as she looped her arm through Vita's and dragged her towards the cart.

The answer was, you don't.

Vita watched Verian as she was led away, her heart sinking with every step until whispered words brushed her ear.

"Your lover? Is that the one Renatus had to disentangle you from last night?"

"No," she replied. "It was that one. "

She gestured to Drusus, who was eyeing them with a questioning look as a coachman helped her into the cart.

"Well, I mean, he was the one I was entangled with. Not my lover, though. I don't have a lover."

Aurora scoffed, and Vita wondered yet again why she was saying all this. Always too much.

"He was not pleased with your friends , doesn't appreciate his plaything being touched that way. At least not in public."

Vita's eyes shot to Aurora's, tension squeezing her body like a vice grip.

"I'm not his thing…"

What was this woman talking about? Aurora glanced sidelong at Vita, but kept her face forward, waving at the guards as the cart continued rolling away from the gate. There was no more conversation on the matter, so Vita just watched as Verian got smaller and smaller, until he disappeared from her sight for good, dread and anticipation clinging to her in equal measure.

"What are you doing empty-handed, girl?" Domina Amulius asked before she noticed Aurora standing behind Vita.

When she did, she curtsied, then instructed another servant to get the Praetor.

A few minutes later, Aurora sat in the atrium with Amulius. His wife perched on a nearby chair, and Vita and one of the coachmen stood near the door.

"—extend an invitation to dinner tonight, at the palace…" Aurora was saying.

Domina Amulius opened her mouth to protest, but the Praetor interrupted her .

"We would be most honored to accept the High Consul's invitation," he said with that same fake smile that was always plastered on his face.

He shot a glare at his wife, daring her to say otherwise, and she slammed her mouth shut.

"Most excellent. I will wait here with my cart for you and your wife to ready yourselves. Our coachmen will take you back once the evening's festivities are concluded. We expect your servant, Vita, to join us as well."

"Vita?" Amulius asked, brows furrowed with suspicion. "Surely, we do not need to bring our own servants. The High Consul seemed to have more than enough at the Aonalia Feast."

She winced at his words as Aurora narrowed her eyes into a glare.

"Vita will join us for dinner tonight. It is not a request."

Aurora did not smile, though her head cocked to the side as if daring the Praetor to argue. At least he was smart enough to hold his tongue, simply nodding before turning to his wife. They dismissed themselves to prepare for dinner and Aurora's attention turned towards Vita.

"Take me to your room, dear," she instructed, holding her arm out so the coachman could hand her a neatly wrapped package.

Vita obeyed and hurried to her quarters, as they both followed close behind. Her hand was shaking as she turned the doorknob.

Aurora pushed her way in like she was the one who lived there, and the coachman stayed in the hallway. With a deep breath, Vita followed, letting the door close behind her. The package sat on her bed, and Aurora looked at her expectantly.

"Well? Get dressed, dear."

Get dressed? She was dressed, though her tunic was a bit dusty from the dirt road. When she didn't move, Aurora shook her head.

"The High Consul requested you wear something nice. So get dressed."

Vita stepped up to the bed, unlacing the string around the package before unfolding the cloth. Her fingers rubbed against a fine cotton garment, pale blue like the sky on a bright summer's day. A long golden rope sat under it, coiled like a gilded snake. She glanced at Aurora, who continued to watch her, hands planted on her hips.

The woman really wouldn't leave her alone while she changed?

With a sigh, Vita turned her back to Aurora, disrobing quickly. She could sense a heated gaze prickling her skin as she slid into the periwinkle dress and before she could turn around, Aurora was behind her tying the golden rope around her chest and waist in elaborate knots.

Knots matching the ones in Vita's stomach.

The dress was lovely, reaching the ground with long, open sleeves covering her arms. Nothing too scandalous, though the wide neckline exposed her collarbones and upper chest, her small breasts threatening to spill out as they failed to fill the bodice.

"As pretty as a petal," Aurora said as she twirled Vita around.

A compliment which should not have pleased her as much as it did, her face flushing with warmth.

Aurora took her hand, escorting her back to the atrium as the coachman followed.

Everything was moving so fast, and Vita didn't miss the strange looks from the Praetor and his wife as they saw her in her new dress.

With minimal words, Aurora shuffled everyone to the cart, which was still quite comfortable even with the four of them seated in there. Vita tried to keep her breathing under control as they rode towards the palace in strained silence, her mind blank to the possibilities of what was about to happen.