CHAPTER 21

Verian

BEING A CITY GUARD had its perks.

Today was Verian's day off, and he sat at a table in Shadowholde's library, open books splayed everywhere. Perhaps not the spot most would want to be at in their free time, but he could think of no place better to do some research.

The library was not accessible to the general public of Shadowholde, a rule which vexed him greatly. What right did the leaders have to restrict the people from accessing knowledge, of learning their own history?

Luckily, as a member of the city guard, he was able to enter on "official business" without any questions asked. A white lie, but one that was worth it for the chance to examine the library's contents .

Thoughts of Vita and the High Consul had taken over his mind for the past week. Well, Vita was almost always on his mind, but now his worry for her had multiplied. She claimed she was safe at the palace, but the news that vampires were real had his stomach twisting into knots.

Never mind how intrigued she was by the High Consul.

Complicated emotions swirled through his head each night when he had no duties to keep his mind occupied. Could he expect her to wait around forever? Perhaps the High Consul could give her what she wanted, as absurd as that sounded. A steady life, someone devoted to her.

What Vita deserved.

The library was vast, aisles of books running the full length of the space. Verian sat in the central atrium, ornamental columns lining the walls between open shelves of artifacts. A domed altar to Phora, the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge, was the focal point of the room, her raised arm holding an ancient scroll.

He had been reading through dusty tomes of mythology for hours, his eyes tired from skimming the yellowed pages. He'd found some information about "vampires", obvious things he'd already guessed were true. They could not let sunlight touch their skin. They could create a new vampire, a thrall, by killing a person and feeding them their blood. That fact had sent a shiver down his spine, the familiar worry for his friend returning.

Now, as he skimmed the pages of yet another enormous volume, something else caught his eye. A single word—compulsion.

Verian paused to read.

Vampires are known to enact compulsions on their victims, a supernatural influence similar to hypnosis. A victim on the receiving end of the compulsion becomes highly susceptible to commands, compelled to speak and act based on the intentions of the vampire.

A cold sweat broke out on his brow, his heart racing as he understood the implications. Was the High Consul doing something to Vita? She'd seemed level-headed when they last met, but how could he know for certain? He remembered the way Drusus had been forced to speak the truth at Ad Noctua, spilling his secrets about her.

The High Consul might not be plotting to make her his thrall, but were there other impulses at play?

He startled as someone tapped his shoulder and slammed the book shut to the ire of the togaed librarian standing behind him.

"Verian Corvinus?"

"Yes?"

"Someone is looking for you outside. A woman named Vita. I sent her to the garden, as she's not allowed inside the establishment." The man gestured to a doorway.

"Thank you," Verian said with a nod, then stood, putting his books away quickly.

He hustled out the back door and into a sunny garden, spicy thyme scenting the air as he scanned the beds of flowers for Vita. A rectangular pool was in the center of the space, marble statuary lining the exterior.

Wandering the garden, he turned down another row and there she was. Vita, wearing a beautiful sky blue dress with gold cords wrapped around her supple body, her black hair blowing in the breeze. She gave him a big smile when she saw him, that smile that set his heart fluttering every time he saw it.

"Vita!" he called, and she ran over to him, actually ran , jumping into his arms.

The feeling of her body pressed to his, her arms locked around his neck… Gods, it was too much. When had they gone from friendly hugs to this ?

"It's good to see you. I kept missing you at the gate," she said, hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight, as green as moss-covered stones.

He settled his hands on her waist, perhaps too intimate, but they were alone in the garden.

"I know, sweet girl. I've been going through extra training."

Her eyes widened, a grin beaming on her lovely face. "A promotion? "

He just laughed and shook his head. "I do not know. It's possible, I suppose."

"They'd be fools not to," she said, and though the words pleased him, an ache settled in his chest.

Promotion meant longer hours, greater responsibilities, more time away from Vita.

Yes, it was what he wanted, but the cost? The cost was great.

"What were you doing at the library?" she asked, letting her hands fall from around his neck.

A pink blush covered her face and chest, though from the heat of the sun or the proximity?

"I was… doing some research. Would you like to sit down? I think we should talk."

Vita narrowed her eyes but nodded, and he led her to an obscured corner of the garden. An undulating hedgerow blocked them in, rows of poppies providing pops of orange and red. She surprised him when she lay her head in his lap, gazing up with a sweet smile.

Why must the Gods always punish him so?

Before he could stop himself, he brushed a stray tendril of hair away from her face, the view of her staring up at him making his stomach do somersaults. Such a tease she was.

She quirked a brow, though a smile still curled her pink lips. "Ver? You were talking about research ?"

He cleared his throat, quickly returning his hand to rest on the grass beside him. "Have you heard of vampiric compulsions?"

Her smile dropped, a suspicious look replacing it. "No…"

"I guess it's something they can do to compel a mortal to speak or do things for them."

Her eyes went wide, and she pushed herself out of his lap, sitting and facing him. His heart wept at the absence.

"Like at the tavern," she murmured, eyes glancing into the distance as if she were pondering something.

Verian nodded. "Has he… "

"I don't think so. I'm not sure, though." Concern marred her beautiful face, wrinkling her brow, before she turned her attention back to him. "You don't think he has, do you?"

He shook his head. "I'm not sure. I don't know how we could tell beyond an obvious thing like what happened to Drusus."

"I think he may have done it once. When we were dancing at the Aonalia Feast. He asked me about the Praetor and I lied. Then it was as if I was forced to speak the truth."

"And you don't remember any other times like that?"

"I don't know. It's difficult to tell…" Vita trailed off, as if not wanting to say more.

It was clear that she cared for the High Consul. The worry on her face made that obvious. She was in no hurry to escape his palace, and Verian supposed he couldn't blame her. He was an intriguing man, that was for certain. But was that because of a compulsion, or just him as an individual?

Impossible to know.

"I'm going to ask him the next time I see him." She sounded sure of herself, though her voice wavered ever so slightly.

They were silent for a few minutes, the question of compulsion bubbling through Verian's head until she laid her hand on his.

"Have you gone back to the tavern?" she asked, a sly smile replacing the tight frown from a moment ago.

He should be grateful for the change of subject, but somehow he knew where this was going.

"No, not since…" He trailed off, remembering that last evening at Ad Noctua. "Did you really want to… spend the night with Drusus?"

Vita bit her lip, that faux innocent face sending a twinge of lust through him. "I don't believe that's what the offer was."

He cocked his head in question.

"The offer," she continued. "Was you and Drusus. Not just him."

Well, that certainly made him sputter a cough, Vita giggling at his embarrassment. When he finally regained his voice, he pushed her further. She's the one who turned the conversation in this direction, after all.

"That's something you'd like?"

It took every ounce of strength not to run his fingers through her hair, to kiss her right then and there as she gave him a sultry smile.

"Perhaps. I've never tried that before."

Verian's heart pounded, the moment more intimate than any he'd remembered. He couldn't help but quirk a brow, not quite believing her innocence.

"What? Where would I have done that? With who?" Vita clutched her chest with mock outrage, her voice low.

"I don't know, sweet girl. You seem to get into all kinds of trouble without me."

The brazenness was worth it for the way her mouth opened with shock; her face turning red.

"I think you're the one who needs to be getting into more trouble."

She scooted closer to him, her knee grazing his leg as he lounged on the soft grass.

Then, her hand was on his thigh and she leaned in, prickling the sensitive skin at his neck with a whisper. "You're too sweet for your own good."

Verian felt his pants tighten as she pulled away with a smile. He needed to get out of here, away from her, before… Before something happened, before she saw the way he ached for her.

With a grunt, he pushed himself off the grass, extending a hand down to her as she gazed up with furrowed brows. Vita shook her head, but accepted his help as he heaved her off the ground.

"I should be getting back to the barracks," he said, fully aware that she was enjoying his discomfort.

She knew what she was doing to him. Of course she did.

"If you insist ." The last word rolled off her tongue with a sweetness that made his chest clench.

Verian took her hand and brought it to his lips, giving her a soft kiss. It was an impulse, one he should not have acted on, but he couldn't help it. He needed his lips on her in some way, needed it more than propriety or proper judgement. Her eyes widened for just a moment before he pulled away, offering his arm.

As he escorted her out of the garden, his mind raced. What he wouldn't give to sweep her off her feet, to take her away from Shadowholde and never return. But he had his duty to the guard and to the city. A duty engrained in him from a young age, since the training collegium took him in after his mother had passed away.

Nothing could ever be more important than duty. Not even Vita.