Page 46 of Rite of Unity

“Hey.We can—”

“Maryn.I’m fine.I’m happy.I’m his first choice.”

I swallowed, nodding.

She released my hand, and I turned, moving to the center of the room.The light was garish in its intensity, burning my skin, and my mom’s hushed conversation from that morning rushed back to me.I’d turned it over a dozen times in my mind, but I didn’t have an answer.I hated surprises.

“Hey.”I glanced at the girl next to me.Phoebe.It seemed that even if we were no longer required to stand in order, there was some comfort in all this chaos that came from standing in your place.

“Hey.”

“I’m Phoebe.”

“Yeah.I’m—”

“Maryn.We all know who you are.”

I smiled, my gaze dropping.

“Good luck.”

I lifted my eyes, meeting hers.They were blue, like Elias’s, but much darker.Did she know something?Was she finally comfortable talking to me?

“You too.”

The room stilled, and my attention snapped to Elias as guests sidled out of his way.

His steps were slow, measured.True to his word, there were no cameras for this part.Other times, he’d nearly rushed in.I noted the difference and wondered briefly if this was who he was when the world wasn’t watching.

His gaze found mine, and my stomach dropped.

He didn’t move toward me.

He took his time spinning in a circle.

My hand found Phoebe’s, and I squeezed.

She looked down, but squeezed back.

A man darted from the crowd, and my hold on Phoebe’s hand tightened.

He stopped beside Elias, lifting up to whisper something in his ear, and Elias’s gaze darted to me.

Ice raced down my spine.

He nodded, and the man rushed back to the corner.

“Something has just been brought to my attention.”

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.He was staring at me.Why was he staring at me?

Phoebe’s hand tugged free of mine, and she backed away from me.

Then Elias’s gaze moved down the line to someone else.

“It turns out, one of my matches was planted.”

Elias nodded to the dark corner, and men in militia gear rushed forward.