Page 120 of Rite of Unity

In the hall, I knocked softly on Nami’s door.

“Nami?”

“She’s gone,” Lydia sneered.

I spun around to find her perched in her doorframe, arms crossed.

“Where?”

“She’s infertile.”

I frowned.“I don’t believe you.”

Sera’s door opened, and she glanced between us.“It’s true.My father told me this morning.She’ll be sent to the farm with all the other women wasting precious resources.”

Of course Sera and was allowed to talk to her family.She wasn't expected to follow the rules like the rest of us.

Turning away to hide my burning eyes, I twisted the door handle, stepping into Nami’s room, and my stomach flipped.Empty.Where it had been full of her knick-knacks and clothes strewn about the space before, the bed sat neatly made, the wardrobe door thrown wide as though someone had packed her things in haste.

“You’re next.”

I ignored Lydia, moving to the center of the room to press a hand on the newly made bed.My gaze traced the bare walls, scraping over the empty wardrobe.

Gone.My only friend here was gone.I wished, not for the first time, that I could see Ruth.

***

I exhaled a long breath.My stomach was full to the point of bursting, and the hot water rushed over my skin, washing away the last several days.Monday didn’t feel the same without Nami.My lids drooped in the shower.

I wanted nothing more than to wrap myself in silk and climb under the blankets.

Turning the faucet, I reached for a towel, wrapping it tightly around me and padded into my bedroom.

I jumped.

“Mother above!”I shouted, pressing a hand to my chest.“What are you doing in my room?”

Black eyes landed heavily on my bare legs before his eyes met mine, but Calden said nothing, standing and moving toward me.

My back hit the wall as he closed the space between us.

He was close enough that his warm breath brushed my face.

“You can’t—” I swallowed.“be in here.I’m not dressed.”

Heat seared my cheeks as his gaze burned me, but I looked away, unable to meet his stare.

He leaned closer, and my entire body flushed hot.“Please,” I whispered, closing my eyes.

His warmth evaporated; the cold rushed back faster than I expected.When I blinked my eyes open, Calden stood several paces away, holding himself stiffly.

He turned, giving me his back.“Get dressed.”His words were rough, chafing my raw, exposed skin.

“I… I can’t.”

“I won’t look.”

I stared at his broad shoulders.He was frozen, a statue in the middle of my room, taking up far too much space for one man.I should have hated him for barging in again.But the feeling in my chest was something else entirely.