Page 74 of Rite of Unity

“Yes,” I squeaked.

“Maryn, look at me.”

Slowly, I lifted my head.

“I want to know more about you.”His fingers tightened around mine, and he gave a quick squeeze.

I swallowed.“My father is Joel Ve—”

“No.”

I stopped.

“Don’t tell me what I can read in a file.Tell me aboutyou.”He glanced around the room.“You love plants.What else?”

My fingers itched to find each other.

“I do love plants.And animals.”I looked down again, but thought better of it and looked up.“I care for children.”I bit my lip.“Not just Middle and Center children.All of them.I want to do something to make their lives better.Especially the girls.”

Elias nodded encouragingly.

“Like you did in Trial Two.Teaching the Lower girls to read.”

My teeth sawed my lower lip as I waited for his judgement or dismissal.

“I loved it.”He leaned closer.“Can I tell you a secret?”

I glanced at the woman in gray standing several feet away.She watched us, but her gaze was unfocused.

I nodded.

“Yours was my favorite act of service.I agree that Lower children need education too.”

My cheeks warmed, and my gaze slipped to his lips as he spoke.

He squeezed my hand again.“Think how much good we could do together, Maryn.”

I let the words sink in as if they were true.Getting close to a man who wanted to do good would be easier.

I hated that I thought it.

A throat cleared, and we looked up at a waiter dressed in black, holding up a bottle.“Wine, Sir.”

Elias nodded, and dark liquid poured into our glasses.A plate appeared in front of him, and the scent hit me, making my eyes roll back.Fresh vegetables, a golden cut of fish stretching from one side of the plate to the other.

Elias snorted, and my gaze shot to him, cheeks burning.

“Do we share?’

His brows furrowed.“Of course not.”

A second waiter set a plate in front of me.A thick, bloody cut of steak, juices soaking into potatoes that were frothed into a point.

Elias lifted his fork and knife, cutting into his fish, but looked up before taking a bite.“Do you not like it?I thought steak would be a treat.I can have the cook prepare something else.”

I blinked rapidly, looking away.

Elias set his utensils down and reached across the table, touching my arm.“Maryn, what is it?”