Page 163 of Rite of Unity

His wild eyes darted around the room, searching for… I had no idea what.

“I couldn’t let you drink it.”

Cold leeched into my veins as my focus darted to the sea of dark liquid spreading across the floor, searching for escape, carrying bits of broken glass with it.

I looked up.

Swallowed.

“No.”

My father’s favorite.The one I’d been about to drink.

He didn’t even try to hide the guilt burning in his eyes.That hurt worse than any secret.

“Micah.”

His eyes locked on mine, guilt turning to anguish, and he dropped to his knees.“Please.”

I felt something I hadn’t expected.Not rage—something colder.Someone had gotten to Micah.Someone had discovered the one relationship I trusted completely and turned it into a weapon.

“Why?”I asked, ignoring his hands as he held them up.“You were a brother to me.”

The color drained from his face.“Please, Elias, save my sister.Save Jemmi.”

I stared at the man who’d tried to kill my father, but who saved my life instead.

He wasn’t asking to be spared.

I wasn't sure I could give him what he wanted.I'd been trying since the night I realized who she was.If I'd told him that, maybe none of this would have happened.

“I—”

The door opened.

I turned.

My father appeared in the doorframe, two guards on his heels, and my pulse kicked up.

“What’s this?”

I stepped between him and Micah.“Send him to the Lower.”

His eyes moved over the room.The broken bottle.The dark stain spreading across the floor.Micah on his knees.

“Treason.Inside my house.”

“His sister is in that facility.”

August narrowed glacial eyes on me.“And?”

I straightened, but didn’t stop the guards who moved around me, slapping handcuffs on my aide.“He must have felt he had no choice.”

My father barked a laugh.“What do you think happens to the others when they fail?”He didn’t wait for an answer.“They don’t get to go home and find another match.Touch another man.”His voice dropped.“Everyone knows how it works but you.”

He straightened his collar, glancing past me as his guards hauled Micah to his feet.“A true patriot knows the sacrifices that must be made.”

His gaze returned to me.Disappointed.