CHAPTER 15

Vita

VITA SPENT THE REST of the day following Livia around the palace as she showed her intriguing room after intriguing room.

There was a sunroom with green plants and vibrant flowers, vines hanging from the ceiling. Basil and other herbs perfumed the air, sweet and peppery. She supposed that the High Consul spent little time here, what with the way the sun blazed in through the windows, warming the room to almost uncomfortable levels.

Though who was to say what vampire myths were true and which were merely fabricated.

Council rooms and parlors, dining halls and ballrooms, each one more extravagant than the last. There were galleries of art with oil paintings lining the walls and sculptures stacked on marble pillars. Fountains in open air courtyards misted Vita with their cool water. Livia pointed the way towards the servants' quarters and up a spiral staircase leading to the astronomy tower.

There was the largest library she'd ever seen, every wall filled floor to ceiling with dusty tomes and trinkets. The smell of old books filled the space, dappled light filtering in through a single window. Comfortable armchairs decorated the large room, and Vita could see herself curled up here often.

Despite her best intentions, her excitement was growing, the possibility of a life of leisure becoming more real with each room she visited.

No use in getting excited, she tried to remind herself. Though she would be content exploring the palace for the rest of her days, she still didn't know why the High Consul wanted her here. Her heart clenched when she thought of Verian, of the anxiety she was certain he'd experience once he learned of what had happened to her.

He had wanted her out of the Praetor's villa, so in a way, he'd gotten his wish.

A sense of dread built over the course of the day, first as a whisper and then as a tightening of her chest, which made it difficult to breathe. It had culminated when the sun set behind the mountains, the monsters ready to come out and play now that darkness was upon all.

Vita sat in her dim bedroom, no sense of the time or whether she'd be seeing the High Consul again soon. She thought of the previous evening, when he'd made her watch as he fucked and fed. Would he call on her again after she'd had her fill in the dining hall?

The idea didn't displease her, though the glare in his eyes when he'd finished—the glare directed at her as he ordered her out of his room—haunted her.

The memory of the woman on her knees, the man whimpering as the High Consul fed on him? Those were a lot more pleasing. Vita was surprised by how aroused she'd become from the mere watching of such an act, visions of the High Consul and Verian sharing her in a similar manner causing a flush to her chest and face.

Best not to think of those things .

There was a real possibility she'd never get to see Verian again, and the thought caused an actual ache in her heart. It didn't seem so farfetched. Just look at how the High Consul had reacted when he'd found her in the tavern with the two guards. And what had Aurora called her? His plaything?

Vita scoffed at the word, certain she would not allow that to happen.

A knock startled her, jolting her out of her seat as Aurora entered.

"Renatus is ready to dine with you," she said, holding her arm out and gesturing towards the door.

She led them through the labyrinthine corridors to a dining hall, the same one from last night, though with only two place settings this time. The High Consul sat at the head of the table as he had before, though didn't even turn to look as they entered.

"I will retrieve you once you are finished." Aurora gave her a cloying smile before fluttering out of the room, leaving them alone.

Vita turned to him, and still he refused to look at her.

"Sit," he commanded, his voice gruff as she obeyed and took the seat next to him.

Unsure what to do, she crossed her hands in her lap, and a moment later came the High Consul's harsh voice. Another command. "Eat."

She cleared her throat, then piled her plate with meat and cheese, bread and vegetables. A pitcher of red wine sat within reach and she poured herself a glass, taking a large swig as she tucked into her dinner. Might as well keep her strength up, for whatever that was worth. Any casual glance she sent his way was met with a stare, his chin propped on his fist as he observed her eating.

"Aren't you hungry?" Vita asked in between mouthfuls of food.

The bread was warm and soft like a pillow as she chewed a small piece.

"You saw me feed last night, darling. Did you forget already?" The High Consul's voice had a hint of laughter in it, like he was teasing her.

She gulped down the bread. "Oh, yes. Of course. "

Fiddling with the butter knife, she spoke again, curiosity getting the better of her. "How often do you feed?"

Now he smiled in earnest, his fangs glimmering in the warm candlelight. He was dressed casually, a simple white shirt complementing his pale hair and skin.

"As often as I'd like." A long pause. "Though I only require sustenance a few times a month, I take as much as I want. Blood quenches more than one type of hunger…"

His words sent a shot of arousal straight to her core, her hand trembling slightly as she set the knife down. Hushed silence filled the room, the High Consul's ruby eyes penetrating her.

"Who were those people?" Vita's voice wavered now, all thoughts of the food on her plate long gone.

"My pets. My thralls. They obey me without question. Serve me with pleasure." The last word dripped off his lips as blood had dripped from them last night.

"Am I… going to be your pet?"

The High Consul grinned wickedly before leaning in close, mere inches from her face.

"Do you want to be?"

A cold shiver slithered down her spine, though it did nothing to quell the tension coiling in her stomach, the heat blazing between her thighs. The High Consul's pet. Somehow, it wasn't the most horrid idea she'd ever heard.

But no. No. He was doing something to her. Something in those glimmering eyes that made her pliable, yielding.

"I do not wish to be your pet or plaything," Vita said defiantly, and that earned her a chuckle.

Better than a scowl, she supposed. Still, she disliked the way he mocked her.

"Is something funny, High Consul?"

The laughter subsided, a flash glimmering in his eyes, though his face was neutral. "I thought I told you to call me Renatus…"

"Renatus," Vita repeated, tired of the games. " Why am I here? "

He paused for a long moment, as if trying to determine what to say. She waited, crossing her arms over her chest and not letting herself break eye contact.

Finally, he responded. "I want your company."

"And what does that entail?"

The High Consul huffed, an eye roll directed at her. "Share your meals with me. Enjoy my home."

"Nothing else?" Her eyes remained narrowed at him.

After what she'd witnessed last night, she found it difficult to believe he just wanted to watch her indulge in wine and meat.

"Not unless there is something else you'd like." His smirk returned, though the smile didn't quite meet his eyes.

Oh, there was something Vita wanted.

"I'd like to see my friend. Verian."

The High Consul pursed his lips, but nodded. "You are not a prisoner here, Vita. You may see your friends as much as you would like, though I ask that you stay on your best behavior."

Best behavior? As if she were a child, and not an adult who could make her own decisions.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"It means no making scenes in taverns. If you want to fuck your guard friends, then please do it behind closed doors."

The vicious sneer on his face wound a knot in her chest. His opinion of her should mean nothing, and yet it still hurt, the way he spat his accusations like she was some wretch. Why did his words inflame her so?

Vita pushed her plate away, any remaining hunger gone.

"Do you have to be so vile? I do not fuck my friends, certainly not in the middle of a tavern."

The High Consul was a flash of movement, so swift it didn't seem real. It wasn't real. No human should be able to move that fast. But he wasn't human. He gripped her chin, jerking her head up to look at him.

"I do not know what to expect of you, not after last time when I found you in the guard's lap practically begging for him to take you right then and there. Such a naughty little girl. "

As his hand slid down to her throat, a pinch of arousal joined her fear, setting every nerve in her body alight. Even with the tight grip, he was gentle as he pulled her out of the seat to meet his gaze, his eyes wandering across her face.

A burn of a different kind replaced the scorch of lust, Vita's hands growing hot as she clenched them at her sides.

Renatus cocked his head. "Another surge?"

She nodded, wide eyed, trying to resist the pull of unfettered magic as he released her from his grasp. She took a few quick steps back, knocking her chair over with a loud thud as she tried to contain the surge.

He just smiled, gesturing with open arms. "Go ahead, darling. Let's see what you can do."

Every muscle tensed as Vita tried to quell the electric energy burning through her, but she knew it was no use. When she unclenched her fists, darts of light exploded from her hands, shooting out in every direction. Glass shattered as some hit dishes while others glanced harmlessly against the stone walls. It was over in a second and Vita just stared at the mess she'd made, shivering.

He laughed, clapping his hands as if she were a performer in a show. "Bravo, my dear. Bravo."

Renatus closed the distance between them, his icy fingers lifting her chin so she gazed at him once more.

"I can help you control yourself, if you would like. Or rather, Aurora can. She is quite the talented mage."

He tilted her head from side to side, as if getting a better look would help him understand the mysteries that had plagued Vita her entire life. She grabbed his wrist, surprising even herself, and jerked it away. She was tired of being scrutinized, like a riddle in need of solving.

"I don't need help." When he just narrowed his eyes, she softened her voice, releasing him. "But thank you."

Aurora appeared at the door, as if answering a silent call. "Are you ready to return to your quarters? "

Vita nodded quickly, keeping her distance from Renatus as she moved to the door. He exchanged a look with Aurora, but said nothing. She followed the other woman through the halls and back to her own room, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions racing through her.