CHAPTER 34

Verian

"HE BIT YOU?"

Verian tried to keep his voice calm, but it was difficult, the two puncture wounds on Vita's neck igniting a wave of fiery anger that overcame all thoughts of the Praetor's words.

They stood outside the High Consul's palace, Verian running his fingers over her wound. Two identical marks, slightly elevated, easy to miss if he hadn't been scrutinizing her so intently. She had acted strange when she first came out to meet him, avoiding eye contact and pressing her fingers to her lips like she always did when she was nervous.

"Yes, but I'm alright. Truly," Vita said, her voice quiet and an uncomfortable smile plastered on her face.

Verian wanted to kiss her, to finish what they had started in the rose garden, but first he needed an explanation. An assurance that she was safe. That whatever happened between her and the High Consul was wanted… enjoyed. He wouldn't worry her with the Praetor's words, at least not yet. Instead, he took her hand gently, placing a chaste kiss on the back.

"Let's find somewhere private and you can tell me what happened."

Somewhere private ended up being the temple, the small one in Parcum Unera where… well, where he'd failed to give her his best showing a few days ago. Perhaps today would be different if they had a chance after she explained what had happened.

The temple was dark, though Vita lit the candles at Unera's feet to add to the white glow of moonlight that filtered in through the open air. The control she held over her magic was improving, flames igniting the wicks with just the flick of her slender fingers.

Unera, the goddess of sex, fertility, prosperity… and love. Nude, save for the thin veil that flowed over her curves like a waterfall. Warm candlelight bathed the pale marble, the oversized statue towering over them like a sentinel. Lilac wafted in on the cool breeze of night, the fountains babbling just outside the entrance, calming Verian's nerves.

Vita paced the small space, her lovely white dress swaying with movement. A corded belt wrapped around her waist, matching the gold necklace at her throat. A vision of beauty, as lovely as the Goddess herself, though concern etched her sweet face.

"You are safe with me, Vita. I will not pass judgement upon you."

This stopped her pacing, and she turned to him, though the grimace remained.

With a final exhale, she spoke. "I messed up. I was upset with Renatus for ignoring me and I… left. In the middle of the night. I don't know what I was thinking. I wanted to find you and Drusus, or have a drink at the tavern while I calmed down, but…"

When she trailed off, Verian took her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. His stomach already clenched with the direction this story was going, but Vita was here. She was in front of him, seemingly uninjured save for the healed wound at her neck. Puncture wounds that must have been the High Consul's doing, a man who—while still a mystery—didn't seem eager to do her harm.

"Well…" she started again. "There were men, three of them, they came out of nowhere. I tried to get away, to say my guard friends were expecting me and would come looking, but they wouldn't let me go."

Not the entire truth, but most of it, obvious from the way she averted her gaze. He burned at the thoughts racing through his head, horrific imaginings of what these men had done or had been planning to do to her.

"It all happened so fast." Her eyes shot to his, sparkling in the light of the candles. "Renatus. He killed them… all of them. Tore out their throats. It was…"

Verian let out his held breath, relief flooding him. Perhaps it was wrong to rejoice at the death of three men, but he was glad the High Consul had killed them. He would have done the same if he had been there, would have forsaken his oath and slain them to protect her.

A mix of emotions played over Vita's face as she gazed at him, brows furrowed.

"You can tell me anything, sweet girl," he said, trying to maintain the calming timbre of his voice, well practiced from years as a soldier.

"Ver… we had sex! Right there, practically on top of the bodies. I tasted their blood. It was all over his mouth and then he just bit me." She shook her hand from his grasp, pressing her fingers against the punctures on her neck. "Back at the palace, after we'd cleaned up, he said… well, he apologized for doing it. It was gruesome, painful, and yet I enjoyed it. Gods, there's something wrong with me!"

Her eyes were frenzied, and she pressed her palms to his chest. Verian wrapped his arms around her now, pulling her in close and kissing her cheek.

"Oh, Vita, there's nothing wrong with you." He tried to gather his words, but they were difficult to find with his mind whirling. "You did nothing wrong. Of course, your emotions were high after you were attacked. The High Consul saved you. And those men… I have no doubt they deserved what happened to them."

With a gentle touch, he tilted her face up to meet his gaze, her mouth still trembling. Taking in her citrusy scent, he placed a kiss on her cheek, then the other, before letting their lips meet. Her whole body sighed as she melted into his embrace, immediately pressing her tongue into his mouth, swirling it along the roof with deft precision.

Every muscle in his body tensed, the length between his legs stiffening as her tongue danced with his own. His hands were at her waist, pulling her close, desperate for another chance with her.

Why was she doing this? Now, of all times? But of course, he knew Vita. She wanted comfort, and comfort was something he could provide.

She pulled back, gazing up at him with wide eyes. "And now he's ignoring me again. I just… I don't understand. Why does he make everything so difficult?"

Hurt flashed across her face, and Verian felt a spark of anger mingle with the burn of arousal. How dare the High Consul play games with Vita, who… cared for him, in her own special way. Her affection was not something to be toyed with.

"I'm sorry, my sweet. You don't deserve that."

Another flash flickered past her eyes, then a gentle smile. A deep sigh as the smile curled into a wicked grin.

"I'm so tired of thinking about him. And so glad to be here with you."

She glanced around the small temple space, quickly finding what she was searching for, a small pillow left for those who wished to show their devotion to the Goddess of Love in the form of prayer. With a toss, the soft cushion landed in front of his feet, and his mouth went dry as she approached, the mischievous smile still on her face.

"Vita?" he croaked, but his question was answered as she kneeled before him, supplicating as if he were one of the Gods himself.

"Are you sure?" Verian tried again, but she just nodded, running her hands up and down his thighs.

Her fingers met the strings of his pants, unlacing them before pulling them down with unhurried glee. A groan escaped his lips as his cock was freed, aching with arousal, and he rested his hands on the altar behind him, using it for support so his legs wouldn't give out.

The sight of Vita staring up at him, gazing at his hard cock like it was the most beautiful thing in the world, it made every muscle tense, his heart flutter with affection.

When she grasped the base of his shaft and licked a line all the way up, Verian was shocked, but he supposed he shouldn't be. She was confident, knew what she wanted. No doubt she'd had much practice with this, and Gods, did that entice him even further.

She took the head of his cock between her plump lips, eyes never leaving his as she teased his slit with her wet tongue. White already dotted the corners of his eyes and he tried to focus, tried to will himself not to finish too fast like last time. Though he'd never had this type of problem before, something about Vita pushed him right to the edge.

Never breaking eye contact, she used the flat of her tongue to lick up his length over and over again, her hand slowly pumping him as he became slick with her saliva. Her nipples pressed against the fabric gathered at her bust, arousal clear in the sweat dotting her brow, the hood of her lids, the flush of her cheeks.

After one final lick, she gave him a devilish grin, then circled her mouth around his cock and pressed her way down, just about taking the full length. He swore his eyes rolled, the moan escaping his lips utterly shameful and yet he couldn't be bothered to care.

It took everything in his power to resist bucking into her, Vita setting a slow and steady pace as she worked his cock. Tension coiled in his stomach, and he needed to push her away, needed her to stop if he had any chance of having sex with her tonight.

"Having fun, you two?" The voice had come from the dark of the Parcum, dripping with sarcasm.

Vita paused her movement, releasing his cock and wiping away the string of spit that connected them as she glanced at the entrance of the temple.

The High Consul.

He strolled in like there was nothing out of the ordinary, as if interrupting two lovers was not unusual for him. The smirk on his face made Verian burn with shame and he tried to push Vita away, cover himself.

"Now, now, don't stop on my account. I was enjoying the show." The High Consul crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the marble entryway.

She narrowed her eyes, though her hand remained on Verian's cock, stroking slowly.

"Vita…" Verian murmured, wanting to hide, yet desperate for her to keep going.

She looked up at him with a determined stare, then brought her tongue to his length once more. He let out a whimper as her lips circled around his cock, bobbing up and down in earnest as she scrutinized his reactions.

Rattling groans rumbled from his chest, the arousal of her warm mouth mixing with the taboo of being watched—by the High Consul no less—pushing him straight to the precipice. He tore his eyes away from her to glance at the man, who stared at them with barely contained lust. Those fangs, the way they glistened in the candlelight as he ran his tongue over them…

Verian could see why she had enjoyed being bitten.

She moaned on his cock, the vibrations sending tension to his stomach, that tightening in his core that told him he was about to come. With a smile, she pumped with her mouth and hand, reaching under to massage his balls as if sensing the straining of his muscles and the racing of his heart.

A minute later, pure bliss as his orgasm rushed through him, Vita not stopping her steady pace even as his cock flexed in her mouth and his seed shot down her throat. He gripped the back of her head, holding her steady as he allowed himself to buck into her, wringing out every last bit of pleasure as his head swam in the stars.

Fuck .

As the pulses subsided, he dropped his hand and she slowed to a stop. With a firm grip, she licked across the sensitive head so as not to miss a drop, sending another jolt through him. The world came back to him as he realized the High Consul still stared, the smirk never wavering.

He hurried to dress, pulling his pants up as Vita wiped her mouth with a glare.

"Are you really spying on us?" she asked, her voice a low croak as she cleared her throat and got to her feet, taking Verian's hand.

"Well, darling, the last time you ran off into the night… well, we know how that ended."

Verian looked between the two of them, uneasiness replacing the lust from just a moment ago.

The High Consul directed his ruby gaze to him with a toothy grin.

"You put on quite a show, soldier." A glance at his crotch, then back to his face. "I see why she likes you."

Vita grumbled, though her lip twitched ever so slightly as if she wanted to smile.

She emphasized every word as she spoke. " Why are you here ?"

With a huff, the High Consul rolled his eyes. "To make sure you're safe, of course. And I wanted to speak with your friend. I didn't think you two would jump on each other like rabbits, but I suppose I should have known better. The lust of youth."

Verian quirked his brow as the High Consul approached, appraising him with glowing eyes. His touch was cold as he reached out a hand to cup Verian's cheek, brushing a thumb over his lips.

"So handsome, yes, I see why Vita likes you…"

Every muscle in his body tensed, though from discomfort or desire, he wasn't certain. A mixture of both, the shameless flirtations and icy touch of an attractive man making Verian feel as small as a clueless youth trying to hide his true self.

The High Consul lowered his hand, then continued."We are having a small Edosal celebration at the palace tomorrow evening. I'm certain that Vita would be ever so pleased if you would grace us with your presence. I would be pleased too. I'd like to… get to know you better, the one who is so dear to my darling girl."

Edosal, the first harvest festival, signaling the approach of autumn. This felt like a trap, something in Verian's training making him prickle with anxiety. And yet the High Consul was captivating, ensnaring him in a way only Vita ever had. She glanced at Verian and he knew she wanted him to come, wanted to please the man despite the way he played with her heart.

The High Consul lowered his gaze. "Will you join us, Verian dear?"

"Yes," he answered, hoping he could speak privately with the High Consul about what the Praetor had said. There was no sense in worrying Vita with these things, not with all that was going through her head right now. "I will be there."

Vita gave his hand a squeeze, then pulled him into a tight hug. Verian sighed into her, brushing his fingers through her hair. With a final sweet kiss, she released him, walking to the High Consul and standing by his side.

"I look forward to seeing more of you," he purred as he took her hand and pulled her into the night.