Page 36 of Rite of Unity

She released me, stepping out of my alcove and turning back to smile once more before disappearing into the room.

Outside, I exhaled a breath in the cool night air and moved toward Micah, already standing beside the car.

***

My coat was unbuttoned and off before I made it through the door.My shoes echoed on the tile as I crossed the foyer, setting my tablet on the table by the entrance.

“Elias, darling, is that you?”

“Mom?”She was propped against the wall, waiting like she had when I came home too late as a kid.“What are you doing up so late?”

She held out a hand, and I took it.“I want to hear about my son’s first Rite ball.”

A soft smile touched her lips, and we moved to the living room, sinking onto the couch together.

“I wanted to be there.”She squeezed my hand.“But your father had a lot of work tonight.”

She held out her hands.“Tell me everything.”

“It wasn’t… what I expected.”

“No?”

“One of my matches is just so different from what I expected.And…” I shook my head.The words that came next were ones I'd never say outside this room.“It’s not very fair.How they’re treated during the Rite.”

She nodded.“I know, darling.It’s a good thing men like you exist to fix it.”

I looked down.“I'm trying.”

I just wasn't sure I knew how.

Chapter 11

Maryn

Thedooropenedsoftlyand I looked up.“Dad!”

He smiled, sliding his shoes off before stepping into the living room.“The office was buzzing about you, today.”

I snorted.It was so good to see him clear-headed these past few weeks.“The men at your Covenant House are bigger gossips than the ladies I work with.Worked with.”

My grin slipped.

Dad pulled out a chair across from me and sat.“Aaron watches the Rites religiously.He said this week’s recap had a lot of good footage.I should have watched with you and Mom.”

I waved a hand.“Isn’t Aaron the newest steward who just graduated?”

Dad’s brows drew together.“Yes.”

“Isn’t he a little young to be so invested in the Rite?”

He leaned back.“He’s the same age as Elias.”

His name, said aloud, made my stomach flip.I hadn’t seen him since Friday night.Since the night he’d shocked me by admitting the Rite was unfair.Treason on anyone else’s lips.A perk of being the president’s son I guess.

I forced a smile.“You’re right.”I tapped my newly rounded nails on the countertop.“So what else did Aaron say about it?”

My gaze snagged on my tablet as its screen lit up on the kitchen counter.