Page 177 of Rite of Unity

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Tuesday arrived sooner than I’d expected.

I smoothed my shirt and ran a hand through my hair.

At the start, I’d looked forward to Trial Ten; now, it nearly felt like a betrayal.I already knew what I wanted.Who I wanted.

A knock sounded at the door.Behind me, Blight gave a low growl.I silenced him with a look.He lowered his head, closing his eyes.

I opened the door and grinned as Rakel looked up, a bright smile already painting her face.

“Hello.”

She tucked a curl behind her ear.“Hi.”

I stepped back.“Come in.”

“Is your mother home?”She took a cautious step through the door, glancing around.“I brought her a flower.”

She held out a rose.Its petals were tipped in black, the center and stem a dusky brown.Roses had been one of the few flowers to survive the radiation, but like so many things, they were transformed by it.Once they had been brightly colored and fragrant.Now, they were a sign that life could find a way in this harsh world.

“Thank you.”

She nodded, cheeks turning pink.

“Mom and Dad are at dinner.They wanted to give us privacy.”

Her face bloomed a brighter shade of red, and she crossed her arms over her chest.

I ran a hand through my hair again.“Would you like to come in?”

She swallowed audibly.I led her toward the back of the house.

“Wait,” Rakel squeaked.

I spun around, stuffing my hands in my pockets.

“Can we sit and talk?”

My shoulders relaxed, and I let out a little laugh.“Of course.The living room is this way.”

I passed the hall leading to my bedroom and moved into the cozy room lined with pre-war artifacts that August had collected.No cameras here.

We moved to Mom’s favorite velvet sofa and sat.

Rakel was far enough away that I couldn’t quite reach her; some part of me recognized she’d done that on purpose.Her gown was full, with long sleeves and a high neckline.Quite the opposite of what she’d worn for our public date.

She stared down at her lap, lacing her fingers together.

She looked up.

“Rak—”

“I wan—”

We stopped, laughing, and I smiled.“Please.What were you going to say?”

She tucked a curl behind her ear and bit her lip.“It’s just…” Her gaze shifted past me to the shelves, then darted back to me.“Elias.”