Page 99 of Rite of Unity

“You didn’t.”

She reached for the ladle and filled her cup.

The metal eye above us whirred, a cold reminder that whatever I said could be broadcast for the nation to see on Monday.

I lifted my chin.“I wouldn't believe everything you hear.”

Nami lifted her glass to her lips, saying nothing.

My gaze roamed over the room, the people.They laughed, drank, danced.A dark, brooding set of eyes was notably absent.I stilled.Stop, Maryn.

The music stopped, and Elias found Phoebe, leading her onto the dancefloor.

Nami and I watched in silence.

The soft hum overhead disappeared, and I exhaled a slow sigh, setting my cup down.Song after song, Elias worked the room.

Finally, he approached.Our eyes met, and I stepped forward.

He held a hand out to Nami.

My stomach dropped.I’d stepped forward.Like I’d forgotten there were six other women in this room.I pressed my fingers together behind my back and made myself watch.

When Elias returned, releasing a breathless Nami beside me, he extended his hand to me.

My fingers were laced tightly behind my back, and I worked to pry them loose.The drone buzzed overhead as I stepped forward, taking his hand.

The walk to the center of the dance floor was agonizingly slow, every eye burning my shoulder blades as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

His eyes were on me as I glanced around.

“I saved the longest song for our dance.”

His words jolted my attention to him.

He watched me.

My skin prickled.

“What do you think?”He looked down.

“It’s nice.”

His lips turned down.

“I chose the extra lighting so you could see all the way to the bottom.”

We spun, and I glanced down.“Very impressive.”

Elias’s jaw ticked, and I swallowed.His arm slid lower on my back, pulling me closer.I stiffened as his grip on my hand tightened.

“Maryn.Look at me.”

I looked up, meeting his stare once more.

“What’s wrong?”

My eyes burned; I hated that one stupid question could make me feel so weak.