Page 94 of Rite of Unity

“Close your eyes.I’ll tell you when to open them.”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

“You can open them.”

I peeked through one eye, my heart pounding.

Elias pressed his mouth to my temple, and everything in me went still.“I've got you.”His breath was warm against my ear.“I won't let you fall.”

I nodded, opening the other eye.My heart didn’t slow, but it didn’t matter.The view was breathtaking.The lake was larger than anything I had ever dreamed.It stretched endlessly, swallowing the horizon.

To our right, the Center was manicured and orderly.If I looked back, I would see the wall, possibly the tiny dots that were the houses and buildings in the Middle.But in front of me, as far as the eye could see, it was nothing but blue.

“Look down.”

“Elias, I can’t.”

His warm breath tickled my ear.“A quick peek.”

I wrapped my free arm over his and leaned, trusting him to hold on.The world tilted dangerously, but I searched the lake edge.“What?”I whispered.

“Do you see that glass dancefloor they’re constructing?”

I scanned the line of metal and brick until I spied men working, a crane dropping massive panes of glass atop newly constructed pillars.“It’s on top of the water.”

Elias chuckled.“They’re building our space for this week’s Rite ball.”

I leaned back, pressing against his broad chest.His heartbeat was steady at my back, unhurried and certain, and against my will, mine began to slow.

He turned, walking us back toward the table.

“Will you be okay if I set you down?”

I nodded, and he lowered me gently until my feet touched the ground.I slid into my seat, one hand still wrapped around his as he rounded the small table and sat across from me.His eyes met mine again, the brightness in them momentarily taking hold of me.

The line of his jaw had softened.The camera-ready smile was gone.He was just looking at me.

“I had them build it for you.”

My chest tightened.

A man who wanted to win me over would say that.So would a man who wanted me to win.

I blinked.“But…”

“Let’s get out of here?”

Before I could respond, he was on his feet, tugging me up with him.“Now?What about dinner?”

“We can eat somewhere else.On the ground.”

He pulled me after him, and we raced for the elevators.

***

Elias came around to the passenger side of his car and held the door wide.I stood, my stomach only slightly steadier after our rooftop encounter.The diner he’d taken me to was small, and patrons frequently glanced our way.

He’d ignored them all.