Page 207 of Rite of Unity

This time, I let him.

Hurt crossed his face, and he spun around quickly, giving me his back.

I didn’t breathe as I watched his rigid shoulders rise and fall.The silence stretched.

When he turned around, he was the calm, collected man I’d watched on television all my life.His mask was firmly in place.

My blood went cold.

He took my hand, fingers wrapping tight around mine, and yanked the door wide.

The moment we stepped into the light, his grip loosened.

I stiffened, lengthening my stride as we stepped up onto the stage and the whole world screamed.

His fingers were gentle, light, as if he finally understood I couldn’t escape him even if I wanted to.

Drones attacked, spinning around us in a dizzying circle.

I glanced at Elias.His easy smile was back, the face he wore for the cameras.I inhaled through my nose, lifting my chin as we turned together and faced a steward.

The steward smiled broadly, eyes sparkling.

“Aaron?”I whispered.

Elias darted a quick glance between us.This time, he did squeeze my hand.A warning.

I looked away from Aaron.

He cleared his throat, and the cheers and shouts died.

“Good day, Elias Hale.”

“Good day, steward.”

“Good day, Maryn Veil, daughter of Joel Veil.”

I stared at the floor.“Good day, steward.”

Aaron turned to face the crowd of gathered witnesses.“Good day, Covenant States!”

They shouted their reply.Normally, the greeting was reserved for a congregation or, if you were wealthy, a section of the city.But the president’s wedding was witnessed by the entire nation.A binding contract.

Unbreakable.

“Do you applaud the match?”

They cheered once more, clapping and whistling.

Elias and I stared at the side of the steward’s face.

He turned back to us.“I think they approve.”

Elias chuckled lightly.“I should hope so; they voted for her.”

Aaron cleared his throat again.“Right.Elias Hale, do you promise to guard your wife, to make the best decisions for her, your family, and to do your best to produce sons?”

He nodded.“With my whole heart.”