Page 83 of Rite of Unity

I leaned back, spying a trail that disappeared between hedges.Glancing around, I slipped onto it and ran a gloved hand along the bushes, exhaling a slow sigh.

Music and light chatter drifted over the hedge, but with the barrier between us, I breathed easier.

Something tugged at my arm and my ribbon sailed to the ground.I frowned, leaning down to grab it, but a dark figure materialized from the path beside mine and I froze.They were tall.Not a woman.

I was alone.

With a man.

I backed up, sharp branches scraping my back as I turned toward the entrance to the trail and picked up my pace.

My ribbon was still somewhere behind me and my head was spinning.What was worse?Being found with a man in the dark or losing my ribbon?I would get Nami and go back for it.No one would ever know.

Ahead, light widened.I moved faster.

Warm fingers wrapped around my wrist.

I yelled, spinning around, my heart in my throat.

A slash of light cut across Calden's face, and the terror drained out of me—replaced by something only slightly less alarming.

“You scared me to death.”

He dropped to a knee without releasing my wrist.

His eyes met mine as his free hand lifted, wrapping blue silk in a bow.

My pulse thrummed wildly as the ribbon tightened around my wrist.

“You should be more careful.”

I backed up a step, but he didn't release me, his fingers trailing up the inside of my arm as he stood.

My throat went dry.

We stared at one another, my heartbeat loud in my ears.

He opened his mouth.

“Maryn?”

I spun around, his fingers still loosely circling my wrist behind me.

“Elias.”

Calden’s fingers slid free.Cold spread in their absence.

Elias glanced over my head, but I didn’t dare turn.

“What are you doing out here by yourself?”

I forced a breath through my nose.

“I needed air.”

He searched the dark behind me again.

“Will you dance with me?”