CHAPTER 20

Vita

VITA YAWNED AS SHE stretched in bed, her mind immediately turning back to the previous night as she blinked sleep from her eyes. Her face heated as she recalled Renatus' tongue on her hand and fingers, the way she'd so desperately pleasured herself afterwards.

Gods .

She already knew there would be no more resisting. If he offered himself again, she would eagerly accept. Still in her clothes from the previous night, she shuffled to her door, opening it to a surprise.

A terracotta vase identical to the one she'd dropped, filled with a gorgeous array of roses from pale pink to deep red. It was sitting in the middle of the corridor as if waiting for her. Her heart fluttered, and she wondered if it had been Renatus who'd gathered them .

Vita picked up the container with great care and set it on her desk, marveling at the beauty of the flowers, the way their sweet and spicy scent filled the room. A smile curled her lips at the thought of Renatus choosing them for her.

Surely not. Surely he'd asked a servant to do it. That had to be it.

Still, it was a kind gesture from whoever had picked them, which warmed her heart.

A knock drew her attention away from the roses. Before she could answer, Aurora walked through the door as if it were her own room, her eyes drawn to the flowers.

"A beautiful bouquet," she mused, turning her attention to Vita. "Renatus would like to see you after dinner tonight. He requests you wear one of the dresses he's provided."

Aurora looked her up and down as if her sleep mussed clothes were the most offensive sight she'd seen.

"Alright," Vita said.

The woman nodded, heading for the door, but not before Vita blurted out a question. "Do you know who left these for me?"

A sly smile curled Aurora's lips as she turned back around. "Renatus, of course. Who else?"

With a wink, she exited, leaving Vita alone with her thoughts.

Thoughts that distracted her all day as she puttered about the palace, wondering what Renatus wanted from her. Last night was the first she'd seen of him in days, and that only seemed to be because he was coming to her rescue.

She tried to write, but couldn't focus. Nothing could take her mind away from the High Consul and his gleaming eyes, full of mystery. If he wanted her body, he could have easily taken her last night. But he didn't. It was obvious she had failed to disguise her arousal as he cleaned her hand, his nostrils flaring and that self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face.

So what did he want?

Finally, evening drew near and Vita changed out of her tunic, choosing a beautiful gold dress she hadn't tried on yet. It was risqué, more so than anything she'd ever worn, but she wanted to make an impression. Low cut, almost to her stomach, with a long slit that exposed one thigh. She wore her lacy undergarments underneath, certain that Renatus would see her in them tonight.

She took one last look at the bouquet of roses before heading to the dining hall. It was just her and Aurora, and she trembled with anticipation as she picked at her food. A glass of wine helped, calming her mind enough to notice the other woman's smirk.

"Eager for something, dear?" she asked, head cocked as if it were the most innocent question in the world.

Vita rolled her eyes.

"Maybe I am," she answered defiantly, and Aurora chuckled.

"Are you enjoying the palace?"

This was more conversation than she had ever made before, their meals usually shared in comfortable silence.

"I am. Though it's a bit lonely."

"I told you I'd be more than happy to give you lessons."

Vita just groaned, rolling her eyes again. "You know what I'm talking about."

"Well, he's making time for you now, isn't he? Renatus… he can be capricious. It is difficult for him to sort out his feelings."

Vita scoffed. "I didn't know he had feelings."

Now Aurora narrowed her eyes, leaning over the table. "Renatus has not had an easy life. He's overcome so much, things that would haunt you if you knew about them. Remember that, dear."

That certainly hushed her. She'd never really thought about his life beyond what little she already knew, what he'd been like before he was turned .

He wasn't born a vampire, at least as far as Vita knew, someone had created him. The stories said a maker could spawn a thrall by killing a person, then force feeding that person their own vampiric blood. How had it happened to Renatus? Had he been willing or unwilling?

The rest of dinner passed swiftly, in silence.

When Vita was done eating, Aurora finally spoke again, her voice a low purr. "Are you ready to see him?"

She took a big gulp of air, nodding. All the calm the wine had provided was gone in a flash as she followed Aurora through the dim palace. They stopped at a door, one Livia had pointed out when Vita had first arrived.

The astronomy tower.

Aurora heaved the door open, gesturing with a wave of her arm, and Vita said a silent prayer as she stepped onto the dim stairs, gathering her dress in her hands. It seemed as if she were spiraling around for ages, panting slightly as she finally exited into a small tower, the cool night air tickling the bare skin on her chest and arms.

Renatus was peering out a window, wearing an elaborate white tunic embroidered with the silvery spirals he so seemed to enjoy. He turned to her with a smirk, his red eyes piercing through the dark.

"You look lovely this evening."

Vita bit her lip into a shy smile as she approached, hands clasped in front of her. Now that she was here, alone with him again, the nerves pounded through her, though excitement was certainly mixed in.

"Thank you," she said, her voice cracking as she stood before him.

"Come, look."

He placed a hand at the small of her back, leading her to the open window. She pressed her palms to the cool stone sill, grounding herself as he slinked an arm around her waist. She tried to focus on the inky black sky, dots of stars glowing in an ethereal band, and not his chilling touch. The view was stunning, taking her breath away, the low light of the moon just barely revealing the darkened mountains beyond. They observed the stars in silence, her heart racing as she awaited his move.

"A beautiful view, is it not?"

Vita turned to him, their faces inches apart.

"Very beautiful, Renatus," she replied softly, his proximity setting every nerve aflame as a smirk curled his lips.

"Oh, darling, how I love when you say my name." He took her hand, placing a gentle kiss on the back. "I loved hearing you cry it even more."

She froze, eyes widening at his words. Her mind churned until the implication became crystal clear, all her focus narrowing to the High Consul.

He'd heard her last night, heard as she cried his name while she pleasured herself. Her stomach turned, mortification burning through what had been excitement just a moment ago. She opened her mouth to speak, to explain, but her words were gone.

"No need to feel embarrassed," he said, pulling her flush with his chest and pressing his lips to her ear. "I hope you think of me anytime you pleasure yourself."

The whispered words prickled the hair on her scalp, sending a shiver up her spine. Renatus kissed her neck, right under her ear, before inhaling deeply, as if taking in her scent. Every muscle in Vita's body tensed as he continued kissing her, fangs extending with a snap and scratching at her tender flesh.

She whimpered involuntarily, the electric jolts of pleasure overwhelming any shame. He licked a long line up her neck, then cupped her cheek with a palm, pressing his lips to hers. A hand tangled in her mussed hair as his tongue flicked across her mouth, a low growl rumbling from his throat. She ran her palms up his lithe chest, linking her fingers behind his neck as they kissed. His erection pressed against her, her core clenching with need.

"Do you want me, darling?" Renatus whispered as he leaned back, looking down at her.

As if he didn't know the answer .

Vita pulled him in, smashing their lips together once more, perhaps a bit too eager, but he just chuckled into her mouth. His hands were at her waist, gently pushing her backwards until she met the hard stone wall. Cool to the touch from the open windows, though she hardly noticed as he grasped her dress, pulling it up so the silk dragged deliciously across her bare skin.

She whimpered again as his tongue brushed across her lips and she opened her mouth, needing more of him. He was more tender than she'd expected, their tongues intertwining as gently as the breeze fluttering over their bodies.

He was holding back, the affection too sweet, too soft for what she wanted.

What she craved .

She grasped his shirt, pulling him closer so she could feel his erection once more. Arousal warmed her body, any chill from the night long departed.

A hand slipped under her dress, slender fingers brushing across her covered entrance as their tongues danced, the flames growing out of control like a wildfire. She bucked against him, and he let out a laugh as he pulled away.

"What a good girl you are, Vita. Such a good little pet. You'd make a beautiful thrall."

The words simultaneously scared and aroused her, the thought of serving the High Consul sending tremors through her body. He smiled as he teased the supple skin of her inner thigh, the ache of arousal utterly overwhelming.

Vita couldn't help herself, letting out a low moan and rolling her hips towards him, needing more, needing him inside of her. Renatus slipped his hand past her undergarments, stroking over her slick entrance.

He leaned in close, his lips brushing her neck. "Oh, Vita, such a needy girl. What would you do for my touch?"

A single digit slipped into her and she gasped from the strange, chilled sensation before he withdrew it.

"Would you be my thrall? Would you obey me, serve me? "

His voice enveloped her like a shroud and all she could manage was a moan as he brushed over her again, squirming against his too gentle touch.

Why were his words so enticing?

Renatus let out a pleased hum as he pushed his finger in once more, curling it perfectly to hit her tender spot. Vita moaned in earnest, trying to buck her hips forward though he held her firmly against the wall.

"Would you do as I say without question?"

Another finger penetrated her, its touch as icy as the Detonalia snow. The words washed over the small space, filling her with wicked want, torturous desire.

"Would you bind yourself to me?"

He pulled back, examining her as she writhed under his control, his expression serious. Even through her haze of lust, she saw something behind those glimmering eyes.

"Your obedience to me would be your entire existence. Your desperate need to serve your only desire."

Vita cried out, the tension coiling in her stomach as she rocked against him, letting the stone wall support her. His thumb vibrated on her clit as he fucked her with frigid fingers, letting his words sit in the air like a hazy fog.

"Please…" she murmured, unsure what she was asking for.

"Please what?" He leaned in close again, his lips brushing her neck. "Do you want me to bite you? Or fuck you?"

Vita slammed her eyes shut, white dotting her vision as her cresting climax hit its peak. His tongue was at her mouth again, his fingers thrusting and vibrating until she cried out his name, her muscles clenching against him.

She could feel his smile on her lips, rocking herself until the aftershocks of pleasure ceased their pulsing. There were a few moments of hushed silence, her heaving breaths the only sound in the tower, and then she fluttered her eyes open, fully aware of the flush that invaded her body and face .

Renatus was smirking. Of course he was. She tried to push away the shame that burned through her, the way his words had affected her with such power.

"Did you enjoy that, darling?"

"Y-Yes," she muttered, unable to deny it.

She'd enjoyed his icy touch, his cruel queries, but there was so much more that she wanted, so much more need that tempted to ignite her.

He let the hem of her dress fall back to the floor as he removed his fingers, popping them into his mouth and cleaning them as he'd done to her own last night. The sight sent pulses of arousal shooting through her once more.

Was this smile different from his usual smirk? It was difficult to tell in the tower's darkness, though she swore a strange look crossed his face.

He kissed her hand before turning and leaving without another word. Gone in a flash.

Vita was alone, more confused than ever. She slid to the ground, the wall cold against her back as her mind reeled yet again.