Page 187 of Rite of Unity

Elias blinked, an arm stretching over his head.I let my eyelids flutter, forcing myself to inhale slowly.

A light finger traced the seam of my lips, and I opened my eyes slowly, staring at Elias in confusion.I blinked, lifting a hand to my mouth to muffle a forced yawn.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

I smiled, tilting forward and pressing a kiss to his lips.“I forgot where I was for a moment.”

He grinned, wrapping an arm around me and tugging me into his warmth.“You’re right where you belong.”

He kissed the top of my head, then leaned back and searched my face.“Did you sleep well?”

I touched his chest lightly, trailing my fingers down freckled skin.“It was a little distracting.”I smiled.“But I managed to get a few hours.”

Elias pulled me in for another hug, cradling me against his warmth.Beneath the sheets, his desire sprang to life, pressing into my stomach.

“Mother above, what have you done to me?”Elias laughed.“I’m like a teenager when you’re around.”

Boots hit the floor in the hall.Then more, a dozen at least, thundering past the door.A shout, then another.

Elias sat up, his warmth evaporating.“Stay here.”

My heart slammed against my ribs.I pulled the blanket over my head, pressing flat against the mattress.

The door burst open.

Helena rushed in.“Elias, get up.It’s your father.”

Her steps were fast as she approached the bed.

“He’s been stabbed.”

I held my breath.

“What?”

His voice was deadly calm.The way his father’s always sounded when he gave execution orders.

“I don’t know what to do.”Helena’s voice trembled.

There was a long pause, and the silence only made my pulse race faster.He remembered me leaving last night.Had put it together.My knuckles were white as they gripped the covers.

“Okay, I’m coming.”

The blanket lifted, cool air rushing in to pebble my skin, and I worked hard to look confused.The fear was real.

“I need to help Mother.I’ll be back soon.Okay?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to do more.

He pressed a kiss to my cheek, standing, and the pair disappeared.

For a moment, I lay in bed, Calden’s words playing on repeat.“Act like your life depends on it.”

When no one rushed in to handcuff me and drag me away, my grip on the blankets slackened.

When enough time passed that I grew restless, I sat up.Had Calden been arrested?Had they dragged him to the wall and tossed him over?

I stood, crossed the room, and pulled my robe over my shoulders.I fumbled with the tie, exhaled, slowed down, and knotted it.