CHAPTER 16
Renatus
RENATUS WAS PACING HIS dark room—a lone candle burning—when a light knock rapped at the door.
“Come in,” he called, already knowing who it would be.
He composed himself, straightening his shirt as Aurora entered. There was a sly smile on her lovely face, and though she meant well, it burned him nonetheless.
“Are you regretting your decision?” she asked, her voice a silky purr as she stepped to him.
She could always sense what he needed, and she kept her hands to herself tonight. She read him so well, knowing when he craved physical comfort and when he didn’t want to be touched.
Renatus scoffed, regardless of how valid the question was. “Of course not, dear. I never regret anything. ”
Aurora could see right through him, most certainly, but she just nodded.
Regret wasn’t the correct word. Vita couldn’t have stayed with the Praetor—a man he would have taken pleasure in eviscerating—but perhaps keeping her at the palace wasn’t the wisest choice. He had never been the most logical man, even before…
No, once he’d laid eyes on her at Aonalia, he knew he had to have her, had to protect her. Even if it meant torturing himself.
Aurora walked up to the table, picking up a book and absentmindedly flipping through it. “Would you like me to send Vita to your room?”
Renatus practically growled, and the sweet smile disappeared from her lips.
Calm. It was important to remain calm. She meant nothing by it, just an honest question.
“No. I scared her enough last night,” he said.
Most certainly the truth.
Last night had been… an error in judgement. He’d let his fury at the Praetor get the better of him, let his lust for Vita drive him to mania. Oh, how he wanted to get his hands on her, wanted to take her, nice and slow. At least at first. But then, when she became accustomed to him, he’d truly ravage her, have her crying his name as she writhed with pleasure.
He could imagine her on his bed, lying there like a present he couldn’t wait to open. Black tendrils of hair sprawling across the pillow, her beautiful body eagerly awaiting him. Would she serve him like his other thralls? Or did she like to be in control like Aurora?
Renatus already knew the answer, could see it in her eyes. Vita was strong, could stand up for herself, but she was desperate to be dominated. She wanted to be used, and he wanted to be the one to use her.
Oh, Gods, where was his mind taking him.
Aurora just observed him as he paced, and he hated the concerned look on her face .
Finally she spoke, her voice gentle. “I think she would be more than happy to join you tonight. She’s interested in you, even if she acts like she isn’t.”
Now he gave her a real glare, stopping in his tracks. “I do not want her…” Lie. “I cannot have her.”
“And why not?” she asked, shutting the book and setting it back on the table.
“You know why!” Renatus spat, unable to contain himself. He paused, taking a moment to calm. “Vita is a sweet girl, an innocent girl. I would tear her apart so thoroughly she would never be whole again.”
Aurora crossed her arms, delivering a glare to rival his own. “You know that’s not true, Ren—”
“Besides,” he interrupted. “She was a bit upset with me at dinner. Her body may be interested, but her mind is not.”
She just nodded, though her glower made her thoughts clear. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No. Thank you, dear.”
If he couldn’t be with Vita, then he wanted to be alone.
With another nod, Aurora turned on her heel and swiftly exited the room, shutting the heavy door behind her.
Alone.
Renatus sat in the armchair, attempting to read, but slammed the book shut a few minutes later.
When had he become so soft, so gentle? There was a reason he wanted Vita, was desperate for her company in more ways than one. It would be easy enough to beguile her to his bedroom, even without a compulsion of words. Even if her mind didn’t want him.
But, no. He wasn’t cruel. This was something he kept telling himself, and at least in some ways, it was true. Though he had his cravings, he never took an unwilling person. All of his thralls and playthings were perfectly enthusiastic, begged him for his company, his bite, his lust.
Some servants wished to remain just that, uninterested in experiencing the pleasures of the flesh with him and Renatus respected their choices, would respect Vita’s as well. Last night… that had been a mi stake, one made out of craving and carnality. One which would not happen again.
Not unless Vita asked politely .
He chuckled despite himself, the thought of the girl begging for him such a lovely, but unbelievable, image. She seemed to loathe him, and could he really blame her? In her eyes, he was no better than her old master, the Praetor.
What had he done since he’d known her? Ran her off in the rose garden on Aonalia when the vision of her under the moonlight reminded him too much of someone else. Threatened her friends in the tavern. Made her watch as he fucked his thralls, frightened her as he fed.
Of course, she detested him.
Still, Renatus did not miss the way her breath quickened and her muscles clenched when he was near, her heart beating so fast he could scent the blood pumping through her veins. Perhaps there was something there, but it was difficult for him to read mortals these days. Aurora was the only one whom he understood; he could ascertain her emotions with a mere glance.
Vita? Vita was a question, a puzzle he hadn’t yet solved.
He moved to the bed, laying on top of the sheets, eyes glued to the ceiling. There was work he could be doing, but the pulse of lust hadn’t quite abated, the one that ignited at dinner.
“I do not wish to be your pet or plaything .”
Words said with defiance, but the glimmer in her eyes said otherwise.
Regardless of the matter, it would be best to keep his distance as much as that was possible while living within the same walls. What he’d said to Aurora was true, no matter how she scoffed. He was a monster who would tear Vita apart, utterly ruin her. This was something he would not allow himself to do, no matter how much he wanted it, wanted her.
And though he was loath to admit it, perhaps a small part of him still experienced fear. His thralls would never leave him, could never leave him if they wanted to. Aurora was loyal, as was Petran, his only other friend. But Vita…
Even as he tried to rest, tried to think of anything else, his mind drifted to the girl. Those pretty pink lips and the pitch black hair. The scar. The glimmering eyes.
Vita.
Life.