Page 84 of Rite of Unity

I nodded, grabbing his hand, and dragging him back to the party.

His arm rested lightly on my back, and I bit the inside of my cheek when his fingers traced the line the bushes made.He searched my face, saying nothing as he clasped my hand in his and led us into the dance.

Our circle was wider than at previous balls, the song nearly reaching its end when we finished our first pass.

He stepped back, dipping his chin to me.“Stay close.The Rite is about to begin.”

I tensed at the note of warning in his voice.But I was nearly certain he hadn’t seen.

I curtseyed and strode to Nami, standing beside her.

“Where’s your drink?”

“What?”I glanced at her.

“Did you finish a second already?”

I glanced down at my empty hands.

She grabbed my fingers.“ I’m nervous too.”

Elias cleared his throat, and we turned toward him.

“As you know, Trials Five through Seven aren’t public, but the results are.”

His audience leaned in, hungry for any slip of news about the secret trials.

“Are you ready to see how they did in Trial Five?”

A short “Yes!”from the people around us had Elias holding up his tablet.

“First,” he glanced up, “Maryn Veil.”

Someone in the audience whooped, and my heart pounded.

He quieted them.“This will go faster if you let me finish.”

They stilled.

“Second.Sera Cannon.”

I darted a look at her place at the front of the line.

“Third, Rakel Ceilo.Fourth.Nami Caine.Fifth.Phoebe Morrow.”

His gaze trailed the line of matches.“Sixth, Lydia Cannon.Seventh Beth Ward.”

He stopped.

Held his head in his hand.

Looked up.

“This isn’t easy for me.”

A pause.

“Abi Hymn.”