CHAPTER 19

Renatus

RENATUS CLENCHED EVERY MUSCLE as he walked away from Vita's room, willing himself every bit of strength he could muster. The sweet scent of her blood lingered, the metallic taste still coating his lips. He could have taken her right there, dizzy with hunger, dizzy with lust.

And he knew she wanted it too. The way her chest heaved as he cleaned her, her eyes glazed with arousal, the pulse in her neck beating in time with her racing heart. When she'd pressed her thighs together, he'd almost sunk his fangs into her.

Renatus turned on his heel, making his way back towards her room with fists clenched at his sides. There was nothing wrong with fucking her, not if that's what she wanted. It had been days since he'd seen her, locking himself away in his office because the mere sight of her made him crazy.

But now, it was clear, so clear, that Vita wanted him too.

His body, at least, perhaps his bite. Such a sweet girl, and yet he saw how lust burned through her as it did to him. He was a monster, but that's what she wanted, what she craved, just as he craved her.

Renatus was prepared to knock on her door when he heard a whimper from inside. With an ear pressed to the knotted wood, he listened closely. It was Vita, her sweet, sensuous voice crying out his name.

Renatus .

He took in a deep breath and scented her arousal, could only imagine how she pleasured herself with soft fingers, how her mouth clenched in concentration, how her eyes fluttered shut as she felt the warmth of desire.

Sweet, innocent Vita. Oh, it was almost too much to bear.

Heat blazed through him, his pants tightening as he hovered at her door. Her panting breaths sounded from inside, crying his name louder and louder until a whispered scream escaped her. Renatus had to stifle his own moan as she orgasmed with his name on her lips.

Somehow, it was better than fucking her, Vita crying his name as she pleasured herself.

With great difficulty, he stepped away from the door, beating a hasty retreat in case the dear girl decided to leave her room. He knew exactly where he needed to go.

A short time later, he stood under the stars, the cloudy sky leaving the rose garden shadowy and somber. Desire still burned through him, the sound of her sweet voice crying his name repeating in his head over and over again.

Swiftly, he unlaced his pants, dragging them down, his hard cock already throbbing with need. One hand grounded him, palm to the cool stone of the palace walls, as the other grasped his length. Renatus thrusted into his grip, imagining sweet Vita's sensuous lips, her dripping cunt, her soft voice as she whimpered for him.

Oh, Vita .

It wasn't long before his muscles were tightening, spasming as he imagined her dark hair, her beautiful face, her kind eyes. Seed spilled to the cool grass as he let out a low moan, milking himself until there was nothing left.

He heaved a great sigh as he let his hand slide away from the stone wall, slowly lacing his pants back up.

This girl, this girl would be the death of him. This audacious girl who reminded him so much of her —down to the scar gracing her cheek—and yet was so incredibly different.

Defending Gaius, though he surely would have hurt her in his haze of blood lust. Not backing away even when he tried to frighten her.

Renatus ambled over to the flowing fountain, rinsing his hands and letting his head clear.

What was this girl doing to him? When was the last time he'd pleasured himself so desperately? Not since before…

Before he was turned, when he was a young elven boy in Shadowholde.

Now, well, if he wanted a release, he had more than enough options that didn't include his own hand. Since the evening with Gaius and Accia—when he revealed his true self to Vita—he'd been wholly uninterested in any others. Even Aurora knew to keep her distance when he was in a mood like this.

But after tasting Vita's blood, her life essence, hearing her cry his name with pleasure, he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to resist her.

As he glanced about the darkened garden, an idea came to him. He found some old shears in the small wooden shed and roamed the pathways, selecting the most beautiful roses for a bouquet. The floral musk enveloped him, the cool breeze tingling his skin. The night was peaceful—no sounds other than the croaking of frogs and hooting of owls—and he found himself enjoying the monotonous task.

Suddenly, his ears pricked up.

There was a presence, someone in the garden .

"You're growing soft, Renatus." Aurora's melodic voice rang out in the darkness.

A glowing candle illuminated her face as she stood near the entrance to the palace.

He smiled, hands full of roses. "Me? Never."

"Picking flowers for our dear guest? That's very sweet."

She wasn't mocking. He could sense the warmth in her voice, the care, the love .

"She dropped hers earlier. It's only polite to replace them."

Aurora saw right through him as she smirked, a hand resting on her popped hip. "Well then, let me get you a vase."

She disappeared, returning a few minutes later with a new terracotta vessel. With a dip in the fountain, she filled the container and held it out to him. He slipped his roses into the vase, brushing her warm hands as he took it.

"Thank you," Renatus said quietly.

She gave him a knowing wink. "I think she'll enjoy the flowers."

He hoped so.