Page 40 of Rite of Unity

His gaze shifted reluctantly from me, and he dipped his chin to Ruth.“Calden Charles.You must be Maryn’s confidant.”

Her already pink cheeks blazed crimson.

“Well I…”

He turned to me.“I apologize for our last meeting.”

It was my turn to sputter.“That’s alright.”

The corner of his mouth tipped up, and I tracked the movement, unable to look away.

“May I?”He held out his hand.

I stared at it.

An elbow in my back shoved me forward.and I grabbed his fingers to keep from tripping.I swiveled to glare at Ruth, but she stared at the wall, refusing to look at me.

I turned back, facing the man who was already leading us to the dance floor.“We only have one or two dances at these things before you’re made to stand like a statue for all the world to admire.”

His arm came around my back, and as the music began, we stepped into motion.He was a very different dancer from Elias.No less skilled, but all feline grace and fluidity, where Elias led like a man determined to carry you through the steps.

“Mr.Charles.”

He smiled.A true smile.“I like it when you say my name.”

My cheeks heated.I felt like a girl in her initial year of eligibility, being asked to dance again for the first time.“Your father is the Mayor of Michigan City.”

He nodded.“I did say my father was producing the Rite.”

Of course.Why had I not realized?The man responsible for all our television programming would be asked to personally oversee the Rite of the president’s son.This man wasn’t just Elite, his father was second only in power to August Hale, President of the Covenant States.

Why was he so interested in me?

“So this is part of your job?Getting to know the matches?”

He spun us, dipping me back, and I let out a breathy laugh as he pulled me up, entirely too close.

Remembering myself, I lengthened my arm, giving us the proper amount of space.

We twirled again, but this time he didn’t dip me and my arm loosened.

His eyes met mine, all mirth gone.“No.”

The song ended, and he released me, stepping back.

I watched him as he turned away.He was taller than most of the guests.Not as tall as Elias, but his dark hair was visible even as he wove through the crowd.

“Maryn Veil.”

A producer whose name I didn’t remember snapped his fingers.

“Excuse me.”

I shook my head.“Yes?”

“It’s time to line up.”

Right.