Page 149 of Rite of Unity

She squeezed me back.“I’m okay.”

I released her, stepping back, holding her hands.“They said you were sent to the farm, but I had to see for myself.”

She smiled.It was warm and genuine, just as I’d remembered.

Her grin slipped.“What are you doing here?”Her gaze shot past me to the shadow at my back.“You could be eliminated… if they found out.”

I gripped her fingers.“I’ve heard women who are—” I bit my lip.“Women who are unable to have children are sent outside the wall.”

Her gaze shot to Calden again before returning her focus to me.“I was lucky.”

I frowned, glancing back.Calden stood several feet behind us, tapping his tablet screen, seemingly ignoring us.I pulled her with me, walking away until I was sure we were out of earshot.

“What happened?Did your father speak up for you?”

She laughed dryly, shaking her head.“No.He would never risk his position by speaking up for a barren woman.”

I frowned.Surely a man with two sons could afford to try.

“But you’re well?Safe here?”

The corners of her mouth lifted.“Of course.I’m so grateful the Covenant gave me a purpose.I’m useful here.”

I nodded, brows dipping.“That’s good.That’s really good.”

She squeezed my hands.“I have to get back to work.Please, Maryn, don’t worry about me.”

I searched her face.The corners of her eyes were creased—tired—but her smile was genuine.Life on the farm was a far cry from the Lower, and what other options were there for women in her position?

I pulled her in for another hug, breathing her in.

“Thank you,” she whispered, “for making sure I was okay.”

I nodded against her hair.“I wish things were different.”

She tightened her hold.“In another life.A better one.”

***

I stood at the crest of the hill, watching the women move through the rows.

“It could have been worse for her.”The words came out before I’d decided to say them.

Calden looked up from his tablet.

“There’s a facility.Where they run tests on women.Elias took me there.”

His jaw tightened.“Prick.”

“He says he’ll put a stop to it.”I watched a woman disappear between the rows.“When he’s president.”

Calden moved toward me, stopped.Something passed across his face that I couldn’t name.

“Come on.We need to get back.”

My fingers twitched toward my bare wrist.I squeezed them and followed.

When we returned to the boat, I settled against his shoulder, eyes drifting closed before the island had disappeared from view.