Page 158 of Rite of Unity

I glanced over his shoulder before nodding.

“Hey.”

My gaze shifted back to him.

“Just look at me, you’ll do great.”

Focus on the date, Maryn.The trial.

I pasted a smile on my face, and he released my hands, stepping out of the driver’s side and coming around to my door.

Looking up, I reached for his outstretched hand and let him tug me out of the car.

I fell into him, giggling, and he caught me, wrapping an arm around my waist to steady me.For a moment, we stared into each other’s eyes, the world around us fading to nothing.

Then, he cleared his throat, putting distance between us, and my cheeks flushed, glancing around and ducking my chin.

"Come on," he said, pulling me forward."I've been wanting to show you this place."He grinned."I know how much you love the water."

He led me through a door, down a wide set of stairs lit by flickering candles, the steps barely visible ahead of us.

At the bottom, he pushed the door wide.

My mouth fell open.

He let go of my hand, and I spun to take in the space.When I finished turning, I stared at him.

"Elias."The word was a whisper.

His grin widened, nearly bursting with excitement as he pulled me into the room.

I tipped my head back at a ceiling made entirely of glass.Overhead, sea creatures swam in lazy patterns, completely at home in their world.I was a voyeur, soaking in every moment.

Something I'd been holding since my interrogation broke open, and I exhaled a long breath.

He pulled out a chair, and I sat.Behind him, a wall of glass held back the full weight of the lake.

A school of fish darted across it, curving into an S before resuming their trek.

My gaze met Elias's, finding him already watching me.

“It’s…”

He leaned across the table, taking my hand.“Do you like it?”

I swallowed.“Like it?It’s… perfect.”

His face lit up.“I’ve been planning this for weeks.”He laughed softly, shaking his head.“I wasn’t sure if it was enough.”He squeezed my hand.“I’m glad.”

I found myself grinning back at him—genuinely.

Ruth would never have believed this place existed.Not for the first time, I found myself wishing I could see her.Tell her about everything that had happened these past weeks.

His eyes dropped to my ears.“Where are your earrings?”

My stomach dropped.

Calden brushing my hair back.One earring, then the other.