Page 100 of Rite of Unity

“Did you build this for Sera?”

His face went blank, eyes snapping up, and we continued spinning in silence.

The burn in my eyes intensified, and I blinked rapidly.

When the song ended, he marched off the dance floor, pulling me behind him.We stopped beside the punch table, his gaze darted around, then up before settling on me again.

“I told you who I did it for.”His words were sharp.Clipped.He released my hand.

I nodded, trying and failing to meet his eyes.

“Maryn.”

I stared at the punch bowl.

“Maryn.”

I looked up.His gaze burned, the intensity enough to make me want to run.

“I told you it was for you, and I meant it.Do you doubt me?”

I shook my head.Blinking again.

“You do.”

He turned on his heel.

“Wait.”My words were soft.And too late.

He reached the center of the dance floor, and a weight settled on my chest.He spun in a slow circle, taking in the crowd.“Welcome!”

The enthusiasm in his voice made my stomach churn.A born performer.

“I hope you’re all enjoying your evening.”

Applause.

“Before I share the results of this week’s trial, can we take a moment to appreciate how lucky we are?”

This time, the crowd whistled and clapped.

“We’re standing atop the last fresh water on Earth.”Elias held up his hands to quiet the roar of approval.“But.I didn’t design tonight’s ball with any of you in mind.”

He glanced at me, and my pulse thrummed at my throat.

“Maryn.Come here.”

His smile was warm, inviting, and completely false.I smiled back, teeth gleaming in the low light.

He held out a hand.

I swallowed and stepped forward.I’d felt everyone’s eyes on me before, but now they scorched my skin.

When I reached him, he squeezed my hand.“Maryn surprised us all by revealing her father’s Elite status in Trial Four, but she continues to shock the judges.”He turned us in a slow circle.“This week, she proved her loyalty to this great nation in Trial Six.”

Polite claps.Not the whistling he’d gotten moments before.I kept the smile fixed on my face and squeezed his hand, wondering if he noticed too.Wondering if that was the point.

He looked at me again.“She told me once she’d always dreamed of seeing this lake up close, and I thought…” He stopped.“That’s a dream I can bring to life.”