CHAPTER 12

Vita

VITA CLUTCHED HER ARMS around herself as Aurora led them through the High Consul's palace. A persistent pressure clenched her chest, and she could not drop the feeling that she was being paraded around like an animal to the slaughter.

What had the woman meant when she had called her the High Consul's plaything ? Any initial excitement had soured at that word; she couldn't even take pleasure in the Praetor's obvious discomfort.

Aurora gestured to a door, and a herald announced Praetor and Domina Amulius, and their servant, Vita Quirinius. The room had no windows, warm candlelight illuminating the extravagantly dressed table in the center. It was large, could easily seat twenty, though it was set for five.

And there he was, the High Consul .

Renatus.

He sat at the head of the table, alluring as ever as he gazed at them over the candlelight. His almost-white hair gleamed in the warm glow, eyes hooded, watching Vita like a predator lying in wait.

With a smile, he nodded to the group as Aurora escorted Vita to the place on his right. The Praetor hurried to sit at the High Consul's other side, leaving his wife to mingle with Aurora on the far end of the too-big table.

"High Consul, what a pleasure it is to be here at the palace again," Amulius simpered, bowing awkwardly as his wife and Vita followed suit with curtsies.

The High Consul didn't speak at first, but leisurely turned his gaze to the Praetor with a shrewd smile.

"The pleasure is all mine. Please," he said, gesturing to the table filled with herbed meats, potatoes, warm bread, and red wine. "Partake in my feast. I insist."

Amulius shuffled to sit and Vita did the same, aware of how fast her heart was beating, so near to the High Consul once more. She made an effort to keep her eyes on her plate, though she could sense an ardent gaze prickling the skin on her neck as she picked at her food.

The High Consul almost seemed bored as he spoke to her employer, and Vita caught his glance more than once. She listened intently, trying to note any important information, though her nerves made it difficult to hold on to anything.

"Vita, darling, have you been a good girl today?"

She swallowed a gulp of wine as the High Consul spoke to her, his voice soft like velvet. Her goblet clinked as she set it back on the table and turned to meet his gaze. His lips were curled into a sneer, his chin resting on slender fingers as if he awaited the most interesting answer in the world.

"Yes, High Consul," she said, eyes wide.

What was this? Was he going to tell Amulius about last night? Had the kiss been a cruel joke, the assurances that he'd protect her from her employer a lie? Gods, she hoped he didn't know Drusus or Verian's names. Maybe they could be spared punishment .

She couldn't even bring herself to look at the Praetor to see his reaction, but could imagine that he would not be pleased by the way this conversation was going.

"Of course you have," the High Consul purred, his eyes never leaving hers.

The room was silent for a few long moments before he tore his gaze away, glancing around the table.

"If everyone is satisfied, Praetor, I would appreciate it if we spoke in my office."

Amulius muttered an answer as he stood up to follow. Before they reached the door, the High Consul flicked his shiny hair over his shoulder and looked back at the table.

"Come along, Vita, I would like to speak with you too."

She was compelled to stand, no longer in control of her limbs. A servant, a short woman with pointed ears, ushered her to the High Consul. He gave Vita a mischievous smile as he linked his arm through hers and placed his free hand on her elbow. His touch was icy, like the stone floor of a dungeon, sending a shiver through her body as he led the way through the empty halls.

His office was posh, each wall lined with a bookshelf extending to the ceiling. Dusty tomes filled the shelves, along with baubles and curios Vita would have liked to get a closer look at if she weren't so frightened. He sat down at an enormous wooden desk covered with a golden rose motif and gestured to two chairs.

Vita glanced around the room as she sat, wondering what she was doing here. The Praetor seemed to be wondering the same thing, furrowed brows betraying his concern.

The High Consul finally spoke, as if reading their minds.

"Praetor. I'm sure you'd like to know why you're here."

"I am, High Consul, though of course it is a pleasure to spend any time in your presence."

Amulius gave him a pompous smile, his specialty.

"There's no easy way to say it, but Vita will not be traveling home with you tonight. She will be staying here."

Staying ? She would be staying? What the Hells did that mean ?

She held her hands in her lap, trying not to give in to the tremors that so badly wanted to shake her body. She supposed she should be grateful that she wasn't feeling a… no.

Best not to put words to it, in case that manifested one into existence.

"I beg your pardon, High Consul?"

Amulius was as confused as she was.

"Vita will not be returning to your home. She will be staying at the palace."

The High Consul looked at him like it was the most obvious thing in Shadowholde, as inevitable as the changing of seasons.

Amulius stood, though the High Consul remained seated behind his desk, watching him through hooded eyes as if the entire situation bored him.

"Vita… she's not that kind of employee, sir. I can arrange a consort if that is your desire, but Vita does not do that kind of work."

His hands squeezed into fists at his sides.

Even with her confusion and concern, she wanted to laugh at his words. The audacity of acting like he had no ill intentions towards her, wouldn't have dragged her to his own bed if he could've gotten away with it, if his wife wasn't there to stop him.

The High Consul hummed, shaking his head slowly.

"I have no desire for a consort. Only Vita."

His red eyes flashed to her and she froze in her seat. The High Consul stood, and though he wasn't particularly tall, his presence filled the small room.

"Vita is not available, sir," the Praetor said, still trying to argue.

What a fool. It was clear any squabbles would be in vain.

"This is not a request. This is an order."

The High Consul summoned the servant standing by the doorway and the woman handed him a small bag that tinkled with the weight of coins. He rolled the pouch between his fingers for a few moments before setting it on the desk in front of Praetor Amulius .

"Of course, I will pay you what she's worth. I know how difficult it can be to find good help on such short notice. I'm certain you will have no trouble finding an adequate replacement."

Replacement meant this was not some one-night rendezvous. She wouldn't be working for the Praetor anymore. While that thought wasn't wholly disappointing, the idea that the High Consul was paying for her? Gods, it did not sound good, no matter how much she wished to be rid of Amulius.

The Praetor was speechless as the High Consul cocked his head, that same look Aurora seemed to enjoy delivering.

Slowly, he reached for the bag of coins with a muffled jingle, perhaps realizing the futility of his arguments. He weighed them in his hand before pocketing them and glancing at Vita. Nothing he could do or say would save her from the High Consul.

Did she even want to be saved?

"You are dismissed, Praetor. One of my associates will travel back with you and your wife to collect Vita's personal effects," the High Consul said, sitting back down at his desk.

She looked at the Praetor, her eyes pleading, but he just hurried out of the office. She was alone again with the High Consul. He turned his gaze to her, a wicked smile forming on his lips.

"Darling, I am so pleased for you to join us."

Vita's hands tingled with the flames of a surge.

Oh no. No, no, no. Not now. Not here, not with him.

"Vita?"

Concern etched the High Consul's face, and she could only imagine what she looked like, teeth gritted and eyes wild.

Vita gripped the arms of her chair, her mouth clamped shut, unsure she'd be able to speak without the surge pushing through. Why had this one come on so rapidly?

He made his way around the desk to stand in front of her, but still, she dared not speak.

Electricity burned through her body, that familiar sensation coming on quickly, too quickly. The High Consul's presence towered over her, his arms propped on his hips, studying her reaction .

A sudden rush of flames licked through her body and she prayed for something minor.

In a moment, it was over, and she looked up to see the High Consul staring at her, his brow cocked in amusement. Vita wanted to give some sort of excuse, but when she opened her mouth, pink bubbles floated out. The sensation was strange; the bubbles forming somewhere in her throat and burbling over her tongue.

She clasped a hand over her mouth as the High Consul let out a spark of rich laughter. The smirk returned to his face.

"What a curious thing you are…"

He gripped her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his.

"Open your mouth, Vita."

The command was impossible to ignore. She removed her hand and opened wide for him, pink bubbles floating out and settling around the ceiling of the dim office until they popped. His fingers brushed her cheek as he watched her, a sparkle in his eyes.

Gods, he was enjoying this.

After what seemed like an eternity, the bubbles trickled to a stop and Vita closed her mouth.

"Very, very curious."

His icy fingers still caressed her chin and cheek, that fiery gaze directed at her. He owned her now. There was no getting around that, and the fear threatened to overwhelm her. After a single dinner in his home, he already knew the secret that she'd been desperate to keep her entire life.

She tried to slow her breaths, calm her racing heart. Aurora clearly possessed some kind of magic, and the High Consul trusted her. He wouldn't go to all this effort just to throw her in prison, certainly not.

He linked his arm through hers, pulling her towards the door.

Vita wanted to resist, but her body wouldn't listen, simply following him like a drone. Another servant woman stood outside, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Take Vita to her room," the High Consul ordered, his expression blank.

The servant nodded, gesturing for Vita to follow .

Before she could slip from his grasp, he took her hand, pressing his lips to her skin. Dread shuddered up her spine, though she couldn't deny the prickle of excitement as well. This was exactly what she wished for, wasn't it? To be free of Praetor Amulius? She only hoped the High Consul wouldn't be worse.

Only time would tell.

"I will see you soon," he said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Vita's tongue was tied as she turned and followed the servant woman, still feeling like a sacrificial lamb heading towards the altar.