CHAPTER 50

Vita

VITA SAT IN THE rose garden, a warm shawl draping over her shoulders as the crisp winter air flushed her cheeks and nose. A crackling fire warmed her, as did the two men flanking her on either side.

She took a deep breath, closing her journal, stomach aflutter with nerves as she awaited a response.

"Bravo, sweet girl!" Verian cheered, clapping his hands together, forcing her face to redden even further.

"I quite enjoyed that chapter. I'm eager to see how the handsome princeps and the valiant knight come together. With the beautiful girl, of course." Renatus grinned as he brushed his fingers through her hair.

Verian chuckled and Vita let her smile beam into the dark night.

She'd finally decided to share her story with them, the one she'd been working on since the day she met the High Consul. It had been exactly six months, and she was finally close to finishing.

Today had been special; Detonalia, the winter solstice.

It was the same day she'd met Verian all those years ago, and Renatus had planned a joyous celebration for the city. Uncharacteristic for him, but perhaps he was letting himself loosen up as the months went by, letting himself become a real part of Shadowholde.

There'd been a simple feast after the sun had gone down, and bonfires had lighted the city forum with an enchanting glow. Verian had helped with the plans, organizing a distribution of blankets and warm clothes for those in need. The smile on his face as he handed out items to city residents was the most beautiful sight, as was Renatus standing by his side.

Aurora and Petran had joined the people of Shadowholde as the city reveled, as did Vita. A dance with each of her lovers, letting them twirl her around the cobblestone streets as her laughter echoed to the stars.

A beautiful night, as was every night when she spent it with the ones she loved.

Aurora and Petran had surreptitiously gone to bed once they all had returned to the palace, and she had no doubts about how they were showing their devotion to Deton, the God of peace and abundance .

Renatus cleared his throat, drawing Vita's eyes away from the dance of flames.

"I… have something to ask you both," he said, his eyes darting about the somber garden.

Was the High Consul… nervous ?

He cleared his throat, turning so he faced Vita and Verian as they huddled together for warmth.

"We have not known each other long, a mere drop in the cosmic order, but you both have become so dear to me. I feel more… myself, than I have in a long while. We may not be able to have a formal union in the way that two lovers might, but there is another option…"

Vita swallowed hard, her mouth dry, Verian squeezing her hand tightly.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her words leaving her as whispered smoke in the cold air.

"A proper version of the blood bond, one steeped in ancient vampiric tradition. I've been researching the sacraments… Admittedly I've never had much interest in the customs of those who turned me until now."

Renatus' eyes were wide, brow furrowed with worry, as if he didn't already know their answer.

"Yes, of course, whatever it is, I want to do it," Vita said.

"Me too," Verian added with a serious nod.

Renatus was frozen for a moment before his lips curled into a smile.

"What do we do?" Verian asked, eager as ever.

His voice carried the same urgency that Vita felt tingling her skin.

"Well, the official ceremony must take place on the first day of spring. Ironic, yes, the celebration of new life, but I suppose it makes sense, in a way. Or the vampire forefathers just had a sense of humor." Renatus paused, glancing between the two of them. "But I suppose we could make an exchange… as a promise for the formal ceremony to come. I need you both to lay down."

Vita's pulse quickened as she leaned back, the ground meeting her with its chilly embrace. She interlaced her fingers with Verian's, Renatus crawling over them with a genuine grin, red eyes glimmering.

"My beautiful darlings," he whispered, placing an icy palm on Vita's cheek, then Verian's. "We will exchange our blood, just as we will do in the spring. A pledge for the future. Our future."

Her heart was like a drum in her chest, thumping with force as Renatus crouched over her. He gripped her chin, exposing her neck, and a moment later there were fangs sinking into her tender flesh, warmth spreading through her entire body, replacing the chill of the night.

He didn't drink from her for long, but enough to make her dizzy with love, with desire, with affection, with all the emotions whirling through her, tears dotting her eyes.

Pulling away, Renatus turned his attention to Verian, pressing a hard kiss to his lips, exchanging Vita's blood. Her wound dripped onto the cold ground, but she hardly noticed, her eyes glued to Renatus as he moved to Verian's neck and plunged his fangs into smooth skin.

Lightness filled her chest, and he returned to her, filling her mouth with Verian's sweet, sticky blood. She stifled the jubilant tears, his tongue running against her lips, his fingers brushing her chin.

Vita gasped as their lips separated, Renatus not sparing a moment before tearing into the skin at his wrist. He held it out for them and, without hesitation, they pressed their mouths to the wound, blood mixing between them as it dripped down their throats.

After a few blissful moments, Renatus tugged his wrist from their grasp, a daze of euphoria clouding her. He pressed the flat of his tongue to each of their wounds before doing the same to himself. With a final kiss on both of their lips, he slumped down next to Vita, squeezing her between himself and Verian.

Her lids were getting heavy, even with the chill of the night, but before they closed completely, a flash darted across the dark sky.

"A shooting star…" she murmured.

"The Gods smile on our union," Verian said, and emotion welled in her throat.

"So it seems." Renatus' voice was low, warm, full of life.

Happy.

The seasons cycled, and life was good.

Uneralia arrived, the first day of spring, green dotting the landscape as early roses bloomed. The floral sweetness scented the night air, the cool breeze tickling Vita's bare skin. A celebration of the goddess of love and prosperity, the perfect day to devote themselves to each other.

A crown of blood red roses sat upon her head, raven waves falling down her back like a waterfall. She wore a white dress, sleeveless and high waisted, the gossamer fabric spilling to the ground in swells.

Renatus and Verian flanked her on either side wearing traditional togas, the complex draping of blue and white fabric highlighting their lithe frames.

The three of them stood underneath a twisted arch, vining roses wrapping their tendrils around the braided wood. They were surrounded by their friends, Aurora and Petran each holding a flaming torch, Drusus cradling a bowl of water in his arms. Renatus' thralls stood behind them, hands pressed together in prayer.

Vita's heart and mind raced, a flood of emotions close to overwhelming her, though pure unadulterated joy was the most prevalent. Renatus and Verian took her hands, and they formed a triangle, united as one for their wedding ceremony. She cleared her throat before speaking the words she'd spent days memorizing.

"I, Vita Quirinius, take you, Renatus Pollux and Verian Corvinus, as my partners in this sacred bond.

With blood coursing through our veins, we pledge to share our joys and our sorrows. Our hearts beat as one, fueled by the fire of passion and devotion. Just as flames dance through the night, our love burns brightly. As water quenches our thirst, we vow to nourish each other's spirits.

With this oath, we intertwine our destinies, forever bound by the elements that surround us.

May our union be blessed by the enduring power of blood, the warmth of fire, and the fluidity of water."

They repeated the oath, first Renatus, and then Verian, a swell of bliss enveloping her.

When the words were done, they exchanged blood, Renatus slashing marks on each of their palms with a silver dagger encrusted with red glimmering jewels. The three drank from each other, sealing the rite of union, if not in the eyes of Shadowholde law, then in their hearts, which was all that mattered.

Renatus closed their wounds with the flat of his tongue, a pinch of arousal already throbbing in Vita's core.

That would have to wait until later.

The feast was bountiful, trays of food and drink delivered until everyone was fit to bursting.

Love swelled in Vita's heart, almost bringing a tear to her eye as she observed her family. It wasn't just Verian and Renatus that made her whole.

Aurora and Petran laughed at someone's joke, the large elf's bellow echoing through the dining hall. Though Aurora still had a room at the High Consul's palace, she spent more and more time traveling the realm with Petran. Vita suspected that her and Verian's presence had something to do with it, that she finally felt comfortable leaving because she knew Renatus wouldn't be alone.

Drusus' eyes were glued to Livia and all Vita could do was shake her head at his transparency. The former Praetorian guard had been promoted again, quickly moving up the ranks to centurion.

The news had been bittersweet for Verian, but he was happy for his friend. Though duty weighed Drusus down these days, he always found some free time to visit the tavern with them.

Even the thralls had started to feel like family.

Verian and Gaius were good friends, spending hours playing chess—chess of all things!—in the library after dark. Vita even let Gaius read her fairy stories, though the thought made her whole body flush with embarrassment. Still, she'd finally finished one, and it felt nice to share it with the people she cared about.

After all these years, she'd found the happy ending she'd been searching for.

Domina Amulius seemed to have found her happy ending as well. Vita had spotted her a few times in the market, arm in arm with one of the council members. Some may think it was a downgrade after being married to the Praetor, but the smile plastered on her face told Vita otherwise.

The city guard never found Amulius' murderer, never figured out who exactly his mysterious friend was. Vita didn't shed a tear, didn't bother attending the man's elaborate funeral. Good riddance.

A new Praetor had been elected, a former council member Renatus approved of, and Vita had to wonder if his influence had anything to do with the results.

Every day she could feel her power growing, the love she felt burning through her brighter than any emotion she'd experienced. Magic came to her without trouble and she could wield it as deftly as a quill. At times the power frightened her, some wells still untapped and unexplored, but mostly it felt good to be strong.

A presence at her back stirred Vita from her thoughts, Renatus' cold lips pressing against the shell of her ear. "Are you ready to consummate our marriage, my lovely wife?"

She giggled at the irony; they consummated their relationship every single day, sometimes more than once. She turned to face him, his red eyes glimmering with mischief.

"Yes, husband, I think I'm ready."

Verian grinned at her from across the table, though she didn't miss the hood of his lids. It seemed that both husbands were eager to begin this marriage with a bang.

A happy ending, after all.