CHAPTER 27

Verian

"LATE NIGHT, HUH?"

Verian groaned at Drusus' smug voice, exhausted from sleeping on the cold, hard floor of the temple.

"What? I saw you leave with Vita after dinner and your bunkmates said you never returned." Drusus eyed him with a smirk. "I'm glad you finally did something about it. It was so obvious she was interested in you."

"Please, stop," Verian begged.

He had missed breakfast, his stomach rumbling and eyes bleary. He really didn't need to be pestered by Drusus on top of suffering through this shift.

Besides, last night with Vita, well, it had been perfect. In its own way. But Drusus didn't need to know that .

Of course, he would have preferred to have lasted longer, given her a better gauge of his skills, but hopefully he would get another chance.

When she pressed her lips to his, the spark that had been dancing between them for years had ignited. Every memory of her had flashed before him, all the sweet glances and flirtations, the warm hugs and kind words. His sweet little Vita, not letting him hold her at a distance any longer.

Slipping inside her for the first time as the goddess watched had been purely divine. The way her mouth gaped, her plump lips gasping with pleasure… Gods, she was beautiful. Her hazel eyes hooded with lust, the warmth of her thighs as he pressed in between them, all images and sensations he wanted to commit to memory.

Verian only hoped he'd see more of her, and soon, because the clothed and speedy affair did little to quell the desire that burned through him. Holding her in his arms as they slept had been as perfect as he'd imagined it would be, though hopefully they'd find their way to a bed next time. He tried to push aside thoughts of the future, thoughts of Vita's expectations that he certainly could not commit to.

Perhaps he had been wrong about her. Was a casual affair what she wanted, intimacy shared with a friend turned lover? Or, should he say, lovers …

"Oh, come on, you're not going to tell me any details? I'm practically the one who got you two together. I'm still available for group activities, you know, if both of you are so inclined."

Verian just shook his head, not enough energy to even muster up a glare. Besides, the thought of sharing Vita with someone… Well, he still needed another chance with her on his own, but the idea wasn't an unpleasant one.

Not with Drusus, of course, not in a million years.

But there was someone he had his eye on, especially knowing her feelings for that… someone. Though it was difficult to admit, there had been many men in the past that had intrigued him. Of course, he'd never acted on those thoughts, thoughts that frightened him if he was being honest, thoughts he pushed into the deep recesses of his mind and tried to ignore.

The High Consul, well, he was certainly one of those men. Mysterious and alluring, his presence so powerful that it pulled you in and refused to let go. Verian wondered what it would be like, kissing another man, being intimate with one. Vita was soft and sensual. But the High Consul? Sharp, severe, commanding. Unlike anyone he had been with before.

How would he even fit into the dynamic?

Not that the High Consul was an option, of course not. He probably didn't even remember that Verian existed. Still, that quiet desperation he'd tried to resist for so long had bloomed, come to life overnight. And after the intimacy they had shared, he was ready.

Ready to reveal his true self to Vita, his best and oldest friend, the woman he loved more than any in the world. Surely she'd be understanding about the feelings he had for other men.

Regardless, he wasn't sure it was possible for him to hide his truth any longer. He wanted to be open with her in the same way she had been with him. The thought of telling her made him buzz with excitement, though he couldn't ignore the knot tightening in his stomach.

The day passed as slow as the changing of seasons, Drusus needling him about Vita during every spare moment. When his shift was over, Verian was ready to go straight to bed, dinner be damned.

Instead, the bunk complex was humming with news.

"Promotion ceremony," he heard someone say, and he glanced at Drusus.

"No one told me." Drusus shrugged, and they followed the crowd to the campus.

The buzz of the cornu signaled formation, a rarity, and Verian nodded to his friend before making his way to his position. It took many minutes for the entire group to arrange themselves properly, his eyes shutting unconsciously as weariness overtook him.

Finally, the Prefect stepped forward, letting his voice carry across the crowd .

"Soldiers. We have an announcement. Eight new members will be added to the Praetorian guard at the request of Praetor Amulius."

Just the name of that vile man made every muscle clench, Verian's teeth gritted as the Prefect continued his message. "Gaius Cento, Verian Corvinus, Florentius Crus, Drusus Falto, Phaedrus Getha, Marcius Glicia, Alcaeus Scipio, and Ampelius Sulla. Step forward."

His stomach turned at the call of his name, a deep resignation at the inevitability of the matter. Of course, a promotion was a good thing, but he'd had his eyes set on centurion. Perhaps he'd been na?ve to think he could skip right past working directly with the abhorrent Praetor, not an unusual feat, but not common either.

Verian and Drusus glanced at each other from across formation, but followed the small group up to the front of the campus. They lined up with the others as the Prefect looked down from his podium.

"You will give your oath of allegiance to the Praetor and Shadowholde."

The men repeated after the Prefect, Verian growing more uncomfortable with each new statement.

"By the Gods of Shadowholde, by the valor of our ancestors, and by the strength of our arms, I solemnly swear:

To stand as the shield against all threats.

To uphold honor, discipline, and courage.

To protect all officials with unwavering loyalty.

To keep our secrets sealed within the walls of Shadowholde.

To march with pride, clad in the raven cloak of the chosen few.

To follow and defend the Emperor's decrees.

May Galo witness this oath, and may Orus grant us victory."

As the Prefect placed a pitch black cloak over Verian's shoulders, a knot welled in his throat, unsure if all the sacrifices were worth it.