Page 113 of Rite of Unity

This must be my punishment for speaking another man’s name.But surely if he wanted to torture me, he wasn’t ready to be rid of me yet.He couldn’t bethatcruel.The thought lightened the weight pressing on my shoulders, and I tipped sideways onto the floor, not caring if it ruined my gown.

I’d understood the construction the moment the ladder came into view.Vera was some sort of oracle, dressing me in a gown that split down the middle like men’s pants, and I swore to myself that I’d kiss her next time I saw her… If I saw her again.

I pulled my knees to my chest, and Elias climbed the last rung behind me, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside me.

Blinking, I peeked up from under my lashes.He wasn’t laughing at me, wasn’t even smiling.He watched me as though I was a wild bird who might flee this cage at any moment.

When my breathing was mostly under control, I thrust my shoulders back.

“If you don’t want to look, we can go back down.”

I lifted my chin.“This is another test, isn’t it?”

Elias’s brows drew together, his mouth pressing into a flat line.“No, Maryn.”

“I can say no?”

I watched him carefully.

“Of course.”He held out a hand.“No one has to know if you don’t want to look.”

I stared at his outstretched hand.“I failed the trial.I know I did.”

His jaw tightened.“You didn’t come in last.”

A strangled cry burst from my lips, and I pressed my fingers over my mouth.

Elias slid closer.“May I?”he asked, lifting his arms.

I nodded, unable to hold back the tears.

His arms came around me, and I leaned into his warmth.

“I’m sorry,” he breathed against my hair.“I’m sorry you thought this was a test.”

His arms were the safest place I’d been since entering the Center.I stayed in them longer than I should have.

An unearthly sound tore from my chest, and I gasped, trying desperately to get a hold of myself.He squeezed me tighter, my shoulders shaking.

“It will get better.I promise,” he whispered against my hair.

I nodded into his arm, my forehead tucked into the crook.

When we’d sat like that longer than was allowed for an unmarried pair, I lifted my head, meeting his gaze.“Is my makeup messed up?”

Elias lifted a hand.“Do you mind?”He shifted closer.

I leaned into his touch.

The pad of his finger traced a line under my eyes.He repeated the action under my left eye.

Sitting back, he inspected my face.“Good as new.”

I blew out a breath, and the hair on his forehead shuddered in response.“Thank you.”

His hand was up, finger tracing a dried tear on my cheek without asking permission this time.“Don’t.Don’t thank me.You’re forced to go through these trials because of me.For me.”

My heart gave a sluggish, involuntary tug.Could he mean it?