Page 86 of Rite of Unity

Just like home.

Chapter 21

Maryn

Iyawned,blinking.

Tapping at the window had me squinting into the light.

I jumped, dragging the blankets up to my chin.Calden’s form filled the frame, waving frantically.

Not again.I shook my head even as my cheeks heated.

He cupped his hands over his mouth, and I scrambled out of bed, throwing the window open, eyes narrowed.

He climbed through, and I backed up as he stepped in.

“You locked me out, Quick.”

My gaze darted to my nails, and I wrapped my arms across my chest.“You can’t be in here.”

As if I hadn’t spoken at all, he crossed the room, dropping onto my bed and kicking his shoes off.He reached for my tablet and turned the TV on.

“Hey!”I hissed.“Why do you keep coming in here?Watch TV at your house.”

“Yours is better.”

I didn’t have a response for that.I knew nothing about his home.Was it large, cold?

I stared between Calden and the image on my wall, raising a brow.On screen, Sera was larger than life, a full list of her qualifications on display: flute, violin, four languages, history expert, gymnastics, pottery.The list was longer than her very long legs.

My gaze slid to the vanity chair in the corner.I sat on the edge of the bed instead, eyeing my tablet in Calden’s grip.

“Give me that.”

He held it over his head and grinned.“Come get it.”

I huffed, pulling my legs up and crossing them.“At least scroll past this.”

He turned over onto his stomach and scooted next to me.His warmth pressed against my side and the memory of his fingers brushing up my arm at the ball surfaced before I could stop it.

“Get us some chips?”

I scooted away and hugged my arms over my chest."Go eat at your house.”

He glanced at me sideways, but said nothing, his bottom lip protruding in a pout.

I sat back, eyes narrowing on Sera’s perfect face.

A knock sounded at my door, and my blood ran cold.

I stared at Calden—he stared back, muscles bunched.

“Maryn?”

I jerked my head toward the window.

Calden frowned.