CHAPTER 7

Vita

THE DAY WAS LONG, with no trips to the market to see her friend.

Praetor Amulius had been away from the villa on business for most of it, so at least that was a slight relief. Still, she did her best to avoid the Domina's gaze, unable to look her in the eye after what had happened with her husband in the wee hours of the morning.

Vita wracked her mind, trying to remember when she had ever given the Praetor any sign that she was interested in him. She'd certainly never regaled him with any of the flirtations she reserved for prospective partners .

Even if he wasn't such a loathsome man, even if he had never laid a hand on her, he was still married. She wasn't a seductress trying to steal someone else's husband.

Domina Amulius kept her busy with chores around the villa and garden. The pull to the gate—to visit Verian—was strong, but she couldn't just leave in the middle of the day. By the time the Praetor arrived home and she'd served dinner, she was exhausted, retiring to her room after a simple meal with the other servants.

Vita paced, the warm night air blowing in through her cracked window. Darkness had set in as she walked back and forth, jumping at every creak of the house, certain that the Praetor would come back for her tonight.

Thoughts of the kiss made her stomach roil, the memory of his hands tangling in her hair and tunic tightening a knot in her throat. She closed her eyes, trying to will the image to be of someone else, anyone else . Anyone other than her married employer who could sneak into her room at any time.

Enough of this.

Vita wore her typical work garments, a sand-colored tunic that skimmed the ground and a blood red palla to cover her shoulders. She added her belt, cinching her waist tightly in a manner she'd been uncomfortable wearing around the house as of late.

At this point, it didn't matter if she got caught; she needed to get out of the villa. She needed to talk to Verian.

Sleeping on the first floor made it easy enough to shimmy out of her window. She paused, straining her ears for any unusual noise from inside the home, before hurrying off down the road. Perhaps he would be at the gate, though she doubted it, as the night shift was usually reserved for the newest guards, fresh out of collegium.

The humid air reminded her of the rose garden, though the road to Shadowholde was no formal villa, honeysuckle and lilac wafting past her nose in all its wild fragrance.

Her suspicions were soon found true as she approached the gated archway.

Two guards she had never met before. Lovely .

The young men appeared to be hardly twenty years of age. One was short, with dark skin and hair, the other tall, blonde, and pale. They wore the same sage tunics, the uniform of all the city guards, glancing at each other quickly before turning their gazes back to her.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Vita said with a curtsy, putting on her sweetest smile. "What a lovely night it is."

"Domina, you should not be out so late," the short one said, his voice deep and melodious.

"Especially not alone," the tall one added, with just the hint of a smirk.

Domina , as if she were a lady of a villa instead of a servant girl. They were just being polite, respecting their elder even though she was only twenty-five.

"Oh, but I'm not alone, am I? I have two handsome men here with me."

Vita was laying it on thick, though she'd learned that often it was the best way to go about things.

Sometimes you had to be obvious to get a man's attention. She stepped closer to them, though kept her hands visible so they could see she wasn't a threat.

"I was hoping to see my friend Verian. I'm sure you both know him."

She twirled a strand of her hair around a slender finger, tilting her head down to look at the men through hooded eyes. Better to let them believe she was Verian's than to think they had a real chance with her. Still, a little harmless flirtation didn't hurt, could hopefully smooth her way into the city.

The men glanced at each other once more, trying and failing to stop the grins from forming on their faces. It seemed like her plan was working. Surely, they wouldn't halt an illicit rendezvous between their brother in arms and his lover.

It took everything in Vita's power to stifle her laughter, instead setting her face in a coquettish smirk.

"You are friends with Verian?" the short one asked.

"I am. Do you know where he is at this time? "

Things would be difficult if he were back at his quarters, one he shared with other city guards.

The tall one licked his lips before speaking, taking a step closer.

"I heard him and Drusus talking about going to Ad Noctua at dinner tonight."

The tavern. Of course, he was there with Drusus.

The guard looked her up and down with furrowed brows. "We don't normally let people into the city after the gate has closed."

"Oh, I was so hoping you could make an exception for me." Vita fluttered her lashes, placing a conspicuous hand on his chest as he looked down at her. "I really must see Verian. It is important."

The tall guard took a deep breath and a big step back, separating himself from her. He looked at the other one, who nodded.

"Just this once, Domina."

Vita curtsied again, the sweet smile hurting her cheeks as she kept it plastered on her face. "I am indebted to you both."

The tall one moved to the portcullis, whispering to another guard within the city walls as the short one stood watch, like he was preparing for bandits or criminals to come rushing out of the darkness.

But it was just Vita.

She curtsied once more as they waved her through the now open archway, trying to remember their faces, since she hadn't caught their names.

Shadowholde was no less busy in the evening hours, though certainly more rowdy.

Vita made her way to Ad Noctua, following the winding streets and hoping that Verian and Drusus were still there. Though the tavern was in a seedier part of the city, no one bothered her as she found the correct place, walking in and scanning the room for her friend.

Braziers cast a dim light onto the tavern, making it difficult to see into all the nooks and crannies. There were a mass of wooden tables and benches, and all manner of folk seated at them. Lively music filled the air, a bard in the corner doing her best rendition of "The Maiden and the Minotaur" as patrons laughed and clinked large tankards of ale .

At one table, two people were arm wrestling, muscles straining as they gritted their teeth. A few interested eyes glanced Vita's way, though she ignored them as she meandered through the tavern, feeling a bit out of place. The vast majority of people here were men, and the few women she saw, well… she didn't judge the profession, but it certainly wasn't hers.

"Vita?"

She spun around upon hearing her name, the jolt in her chest softening as she recognized Verian and Drusus, seated on opposite sides of a table. A woman leaned over them, conveniently giving the men a lovely show of her breasts as they chatted.

Verian stood, and she gave him a big hug. He seemed shocked, frozen for a moment, before wrapping his arms around her and squeezing.

"What are you doing here? Are you alright?"

Concern etched his face as he pulled away, holding her shoulders and studying her. Likely looking for fresh injuries from the Praetor, though this wound was not one that could be seen. Tears dotted her eyes, and she willed them away.

"Can we talk?" She glanced at Drusus and his… friend. "Alone?"

"Of course," Verian replied, taking her hand and leading her back outside the tavern.

She gave Drusus a small wave as she followed, suddenly nervous about telling all that had transpired. Verian was her friend. There was nothing to be worried about, right?

She'd always trusted him in the past, with most of her secrets, anyway. He was the only person other than Mariana who knew of her magic. Still, there were some things that were just too difficult to explain…

Vita leaned against the stone of the tavern exterior as Verian cocked his head, his eyes complemented by the sage cloak he wore. The dim light of the brazier softened his features. Add that with the warm rosy glow, likely from drink, and she was thoroughly distracted. It had been a long time since she had seen him out of his guard uniform, since they had been alone like this .

"What's going on?"

She cleared her throat, not sure what to share first, but decided to go in order. She told him all about the Aonalia Feast—dancing with the High Consul, the moment in the rose garden, the mountain view—and this morning with Praetor Amulius. It was difficult to gauge his reaction; even in his state of drunkenness he had his unreadable soldier stare.

Vita thought she caught a twitch of his lips as she spoke of the High Consul, but it definitely turned into a scowl as she mentioned the kiss from her employer.

"That absolute bastard," he said through gritted teeth.

Verian was standing quite close and even in the dim light, she could see the roar of fury in his eyes.

He put a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "We need to get you out of there."

"And where would I go?" Vita brought a hand to her lips, unwittingly pressing her fingers against them. "It's not like I can just stay with you."

Why would she say that?

Of course, she couldn't stay with Verian, even if he didn't live in a bunk with three other men. Most people didn't care about what happened behind closed doors, but if you threw it out in the open like that, an unmarried woman and man living together…

Besides, staying with Verian—even if it were possible—would be… it would be painful. Living like husband and wife without a commitment such as marriage? Knowing he would forever be dedicated to his career more than all else? Too hurtful, especially for the tender spot in her heart that she saved for him.

"I will ask around Shadowholde. I am certain I can find someone who requires an attendant or housemaid. Someone less odious—"

Vita interrupted him. "But he's the Praetor! And he made it clear that he would not let me go easily. At least, not to the High Consul. Not that he is an option…"

Verian's eyes widened at the mention of Renatus. "You would work for the High Consul? "

"I don't know, Ver. I-I'm just scared."

He took both of her hands in his, his gaze fierce, then soft.

"If I had a place of my own, I would let you stay with me. Of course, I would. But until I have ranked up enough, I will have to find somewhere else for you. You will be safe." He brushed a hand through her hair and cupped her cheek. "I promise."

Vita felt the heat on her face, this moment more intimate than any she could remember with her friend. At least, any in recent history. She smelled the ale on his breath, citrusy and sweet, and wondered what his lips would taste like.

The thought was shaken from her head as a drunken man slapped him on the back.

"Get a room, you two!"

The man let out a raucous guffaw before entering the tavern and Verian just shook his head, though she didn't miss the sly smile on his face. With her hand still in his, he guided her back to Drusus and company, pulling her to sit beside him on the bench.

Drusus gave Vita a wide smile. "You look like you need a drink!"