CHAPTER 48

Renatus

"QUIT FIDGETING."

For a soldier, Verian certainly had a difficult time keeping still. And he was sitting on a comfortable armchair, not even one of the complicated poses Renatus contorted Gaius into.

It had only been two weeks since the boy joined them at the palace and already he was fitting in. He'd become fast friends with Gaius, strangely enough, though Renatus didn't miss the way he fawned after Petran, following the man around like a puppy.

Oh, he and Vita were quite the pair.

His intention had been to push her into Verian's arms, and now here he was juggling the two between him. A hardship he was more than happy to weather.

Verian was as eager to please as Vita, and that strange warmth—the one that burned where his dead heart should be—ignited with every moment he spent with the boy.

The stoic soldier with a heart of gold.

Who could have imagined such a person would enamor him? Yet here he was, painting a portrait of the boy so it could hang next to the ones he'd done of the others; Vita, Petran, and Aurora. He supposed he'd have to do a self portrait at some point, but that was a problem for another time.

"I'm sorry. I have a knot in my back," Verian said, circling his shoulder with a wince.

Renatus rolled his eyes. So difficult to find good muses these days. He set the paintbrush down, then motioned to the bed.

"Go lay down."

Verian obeyed in a flash, practically jumping off the chair to follow the order. A good little soldier, exactly what he loved. But like Vita, Verian submitted because he wanted to, not because he was compelled to, which pleased Renatus even further.

The boy wore a simple tunic, sage green to match the color of his eyes, and oh, he was so beautiful. Renatus knew what Verian wanted, to be filled by him the way he filled Vita, but the time had not yet been right. There were questions that required answers, assurances that he needed before getting in too deep.

Renatus crawled up the bed as Verian's eyes widened, pulling him into an embrace. The boy slung an arm over his waist, a contented sigh leaving his lips.

"Tell me what you're thinking," Renatus said.

Not a command, but a request.

Dark brows furrowed in question. "What do you mean?"

"I will not compel you. But I want to know your true feelings. About me, about us."

Renatus needed to know. He recognized where he stood with Vita, the love they shared tangling them together like a mess of wild roses. The same love she had for Verian. But how did the boy feel?

"I… I am happy to be here. With Vita." Verian looked away, his breath catching for just a moment. "And with you. We haven't known each other long, but I… hope you will be as happy with me as you are with her."

The words filled him with warmth, a warmth he experienced only around the people he…

Renatus tilted Verian's head up to meet his gaze, a smile curling his lips. "I am very happy with you, my dear. We may be connected through Vita, but I wish to know you as well."

A grin lit up the boy's face, and Renatus couldn't resist pressing their lips together. Verian whimpered into his mouth; sweet mewling that he enjoyed oh so much. He would take the boy soon, then, if his feelings were true, if that was what he wanted. And he had more plans for the future, though he didn't want to rush things, the thought actually making him buzz with excitement.

"What will you do now? Vita has her writing, Aurora, her rose garden. I can get you anything you'd like, anything that would please you."

It was true. Renatus wanted him to be happy, wanted him to feel at home.

Verian cuddled up to the crook of his neck. "I… I'll have to think about it. I never had much time for recreation while I was in the guard."

"Not to worry. We will find something for you."

Silence filled the room for a long while, and Renatus thought the boy might have fallen asleep before he spoke once again.

"If… if you need any assistance, you know, with your duties…" Verian swallowed hard. "I would really like to help people, help Shadowholde if I can."

Renatus smiled, the sheer goodness of the boy almost too much to bear.

"Of course, I could use your help. There are plenty of things for you to work on."

Verian gave him a kiss on the cheek, settling back into his arms with a pleased grin. A welling of emotion burned Renatus' throat, and he tried to swallow it.

Perhaps the boy would instill new life into the monotony of his High Consular duties. It had been a while since he'd put much effort into his work, if he were being honest. Yes, Verian would be most helpful, the energy and optimism of youth.

The hour was late and before long, Verian fell asleep. Vita still had not come to bed, so Renatus slid his way out as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb the soldier's slumber.

He knew exactly where she would be.

A minute later, he was outside the library, candlelight flooding into the darkened hallway.

"What are you writing, my love?"

Vita's pointed ears twitched, and she straightened up from her seat on the couch, a shy smile on her face.

"Just working on my story…"

Renatus joined her, enjoying the way she flinched ever so slightly as he set his hand on her thigh. Not from fear, not any longer, but from arousal.

"Read it to me."

Vita blushed, beautiful pink marking her cheeks. "No! I can't."

"And why not?"

Oh, how he loved toying with her.

Renatus enjoyed the way her lips quivered as she pressed her fingers to them, her eyes glancing away from his whenever he teased.

"It's… private." Vita held the closed journal out of his grasp.

Gods, had he loved her since he read that story in her bedroom, all those months ago? That sweet little imagination of hers, already trying to claim him as her own after one night in the rose garden.

"How did the painting go?"

Changing the subject, like the naughty little girl that she was. But he understood. Vita's stories were personal, something that made her happy without the need to share. Renatus only hoped she'd allow him to read one sometime.

"Good. It still needs some work. Verian certainly squirms a lot for someone who spent a lifetime as a soldier."

That earned him a giggle, delightful and soft, and Vita's muscles relaxed.

Renatus held out his arms, and she crawled into his lap, curling up so he could cradle her in the way she enjoyed. He took in her scent—that natural musk that made him mad—as he nuzzled his cheek against her soft hair.

"I'm glad you two are getting along."

"Getting along?" He quirked a brow. "Did you have your doubts, my love?"

"No. Not exactly." She looked him right in the eye. "You tend to be private with your thoughts. I didn't know how you felt about him."

"I enjoy his company. That should tell you what you need to know."

It must have, because her glare softened, that sweet smile brightening her face once more.

He could get used to this, he would get used to this. Vita was here to stay, Verian too. Renatus was a monster—always would be—but he had people who loved him, people that he loved.

And that made his second chance at life worth living.