CHAPTER 37

Vita

VERIAN HADN'T BEEN LYING about wanting her every kind of way.

They'd already been up twice in the middle of the night contorting into different positions, when Vita felt a now familiar bulge against her ass. The pale light of dawn trickled in through the window as he pressed against her, one firm hand gripping her hip.

"Haven't you had enough, my sweet soldier?" she asked with a laugh.

"I'll never have enough of you," he murmured in response, though he slowed his thrusting.

There was a soft kiss at her neck, too brief, and then he heaved himself out of the bed. In the light of day, he looked like the statue of a God, each muscle and curve intricately carved from stone. He was getting dressed, pulling up his pants and lacing them at his waist.

Why was he getting dressed?

"Where are you going?" Vita asked, her voice husky from lack of sleep.

Verian didn't meet her eyes as he searched for his tunic, finding it in a heap on the floor. "I must return to the barracks. My shift begins soon."

Despite the calm of morning, a pinch of panic gripped her chest. "You're leaving me?"

When he turned to her, the grimace on his face told her all she needed to know. "I'm sorry, sweet girl, but I can't just skip my duties."

"What am I supposed to do? I have no job, no money, no place to stay…"

Verian shushed her, stepping up to the bed and taking her hand. "It will all work out. I paid for three nights and I will return before then. Please, just trust me. I have money saved, and we'll figure out a more permanent place for you soon."

He pressed a kiss against her hand and her face softened.

Of course, she trusted him, though she couldn't help the sensation of dread that hung over her like a storm cloud. As he'd held her in his arms last night, she wondered if he would give it all up for her, if they could be more than just friends turned lovers. But she supposed there was no other way.

Verian was dedicated to his duty, and that would never change, nor would she try to take that from him.

"I'll see you soon," he said, and she gave him a half smile.

He dropped her hand, then made for the door, leaving her alone in the silent room.

Birdsong filtered in through the window as a cloud of foreboding settled in her chest. She sighed as she closed her eyes, trying to go back to sleep after a long and restless night.

A knock on the door roused Vita from her slumber, the bright light of midday streaming into the room. She blinked her eyes open, then stumbled out of bed, trying to reattach her dress to her body as the knocking grew more incessant. Her stomach grumbled, having missed breakfast and likely lunch as well.

Hope clenched her heart as she opened the door, wondering if Verian was returning, but no.

Aurora.

The mage gave her a gentle smile. "May I come in?"

Vita sighed, but nodded, holding the door open.

Aurora entered, a pile of fabric weighing down her arms. She set the heap on the table, then answered Vita's unasked question. "Clothes. Can't go around Shadowholde looking like that, can you?"

A valid point, one she hadn't considered as she'd drifted off to sleep in the early morning. If she tried to walk around the city in the middle of the day with her skimpy Edosal dress, someone would surely try to throw her in jail.

"Thank you," she said, still standing by the door as Aurora's eyes darted around the small room, clearly trying to keep the horror from showing on her face.

"Where's your guard friend?"

"Working."

Vita didn't want to be snippy, but her patience was thin. And she was still a bit annoyed with Verian.

Aurora met her eyes, a strange look marring her lovely face.

"Is there anything else you need, dear?" Her voice was soft, with none of the usual snark.

"Why are you here?"

Vita crossed her arms over her chest, unsure of what she wanted the answer to be. That Aurora had come of her own accord or that someone had sent her?

"We're friends, are we not?" Aurora cocked her head to the side before walking up to Vita when she received no answer. She took both hands in hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. "Will you be returning to the palace?"

Vita had a response this time, though it pained her to say. "No."

The single word rang through the air, echoing in her head as Aurora drooped. Was she sad that Vita wouldn't return? Of course she was. Aurora had shown that she cared in more ways than one, Petran too, but that didn't change anything.

"I suppose you'll be needing a job, then. I can speak with the owner of Ad Noctua, the tavern you love so much. I'm certain on the High Consul's request he would accommodate—"

"No," Vita interrupted. "I'll figure it out on my own. I don't need his help."

Aurora just nodded, releasing her hands. She paused for a moment before pulling Vita into a firm hug, shock transforming to ease in an instant. The mage planted a sweet kiss on her cheek before disappearing through the door.

Vita froze to her spot for a few minutes, letting the moment sink in before moving to the pile of clothes Aurora had left. As she sifted through the contents, a purse fell to the floor in a loud jingle of coins. A smile pulled at her lips despite everything, and she picked up the pouch, setting it on top of the fabric. Her heart warmed ever so slightly, happy that even if she couldn't return to the palace, she still had a friend.

Verian was true to his word, if not punctual. A knock at her door three days later, and there he stood with a sheepish smile.

"I'm so sorry, I intended to come earlier, I just—"

Vita interrupted with a wave of her hand. "Please. I don't need to hear it. I'm tired, Ver, and I want to sleep."

"May I come in?" he asked, brows threaded with worry.

"No. I'm going to bed. It's been a long day."

That was an understatement. It was her first full day at Ad Noctua—the breakfast and lunch shifts—and she'd been on her feet for hours. Every bit of energy had drained from her body, an aching husk left in its wake. She'd grown soft while living at the palace, getting far too accustomed to a life of leisure.

After years of close friendship, Verian knew better than to argue.

"At least take this," he said, placing a small purse in her hand. "For more nights. I'm still working on finding a place for you to—"

"Goodnight, Verian," Vita said, reluctantly taking the coins and shutting the door.

The image of his frown burned in her brain, even as she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.