CHAPTER SEVEN #2
My frantic pulse pushed against my skin. How had he guessed? I hesitated, but I had to answer him. “I only asked why the Elite were at the atrium. They just said an Elite told them there was trouble. That’s all.”
“An Elite shared the information?”
“Yes, someone named Eve.”
Collin shifted in his seat. “Have you mentioned this to anyone else?”
“I have only seen them and you,” I said, taking a steadying breath. “Is it bad?”
“It’s nothing the Illum will not see an end to,” Collin told me, adjusting the sleeve of his jacket. I opened my mouth, but Collin cut me off. “It is why we had to wait four days for our second meeting. The Illum will stop at nothing to silence those who speak about it.”
My questioning had come to an end.
A heavy silence fell upon us. I scanned the Elite but too many looked our way.
The Sphere filled with a symphony of colors as the setting sun met the horizon.
From this vantage point, its bloodred blaze seemed endless, illuminating the clouds around us in shades of vibrant purples, blushing pinks, and golden yellows.
The beauty stole my breath, chasing away all the terrible thoughts running rampant and making me forget the Elite who continued to stare and whisper.
If only I could watch the sunset here forever, or even just a few more moments.
It was fleeting, the ending already in sight.
The night was not far off now, waiting to cloak the sky.
I realized the sun’s final moments painted not only the clouds. My dress was no longer ivory but all the colors around us. Rose had dressed me to reflect the sunset. I smiled, relishing the small moment of joy, letting it chase everything else away.
I leaned onto the edge of the booth, watching the night finally stake its claim on the sky. Stars slowly winked awake, and the lights from the buildings all around began flicking on. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I said. My eyes shifted toward my Mate to find him watching me again.
“Yes, it is,” Collin agreed quietly.
I pushed away from the booth, straightening my dress as I turned back toward Collin and, to my surprise, a hovering podium. A Defect placed an assortment of plates, cups, teapots, and tiered arrangements of colorful foods.
With the sun gone, all the alcoves were aglow. Couples and groups chatted like tiny glittering gems on display for everyone else to see.
“Enjoy,” the Defect told us as he drifted away. Other podiums floated to and from the alcoves like little worker bees. Collin reached across the table, grabbing my teapot and filling my cup with ease, lifting the sleeve of his jacket. The outside of his wrist wasn’t glowing.
“Thank you.” I blew on the steaming cup. “Does your wrist not glow with our contract?”
“It does not. Even among two Elites, the male’s wrist will not glow.”
“Why?”
“It’s always been that way,” Collin said. “If you’re concerned about people knowing about us, I can assure you the Elite will know you are my Mate and, in turn, that I am yours.” His sapphire eyes met my matching gaze. “There will be no hiding you.”
My stomach made a little swooping motion. Why did Collin say such things? He was an Illum. I was a Minor. I was beneath him. Everything I had ever been told said this should not be happening. I was a vessel, right?
Collin selected a food item from the bottom tier.
We each had our own tiered array of food, and the number of options was overwhelming.
It seemed we had some of the same items, while others varied.
The lowest level contained different shapes.
The middle held round, golden things with jars, and the top displayed things that resembled chocolate cake.
“We usually start at the bottom. It contains different savory items. Then work our way up to the scones and finally the sweets,” Collin informed me, drinking his tea.
“If I want to start at the top?” I eyed a particularly mouthwatering piece of chocolate dusted in gold.
The corner of his mouth tugged. “Well, in polite society, it would be unheard of.”
Crestfallen, I tore my eyes from the top tier. A small sigh left my lips. Collin reached across, picking up the gold-dusted chocolate and placing it upon my plate before returning to his tea.
I stared at him. “I thought it was unheard of?”
Collin leaned back, his gaze gleaming. “What is the point in being a member of the Illum if I do not bend their rules to suit my needs? Have the chocolate.”
“And my eating chocolate is your need?” I flushed at the unintended heat in my voice.
“Yes, your needs are now my needs,” Collin stated. My heart skipped in my chest.
“But they can see us,” I said, my eyes sliding to all the Elite.
“They know better than to question the Illum—to question me.”
His eyes sparkled at me, and I snatched the chocolate and ate the entire thing in a single bite. Rich, smoky sweetness burst across my tongue. I swallowed my moan.
“Pity, I only said yes in hopes of more indecent sounds.” Collin smirked behind his teacup. My blush deepened.
“You broke the rules in hopes of indecent sounds?” I asked incredulously, fighting a smile.
“No,” Collin said, replacing his teacup. “I broke the rules in hopes of hearing your indecent sounds.” His words snaked across my skin, and heat pooled low in my stomach.
“Your final tea, spiced mint,” the attendant announced, startling me.
I hadn’t noticed his return. He placed two glass mugs with rich tan tea that smelled delicious, then removed our teapots, cups, and plates and made to remove our stands of food.
A wave of regret swept through me. I wouldn’t get to eat the cake.
Collin halted the Defect. “My Mate isn’t done with her food.”
“My apologies, Mr. Collin,” the attendant said hastily. “Ma’am.” He bowed his head in my direction.
“Her name is Emeline.” Collin reached toward my stand, removed the top plate completely, and placed it in front of me. “This is all she really wants.” He pushed the stand toward the man.
His eyes grew. Before taking my stand, he began to reach for Collin’s, then hesitated. “May I remove yours, Mr. Collin?”
Collin grabbed an identical gold-dusted chocolate from his plate and placed it on mine. “You can now.” The attendant grabbed his stand, uttering a quick goodbye before departing.
The tea spread warmth through my limbs, its spice blending with the sweetness of the chocolate. It was my favorite of the evening. I hummed appreciatively. Collin’s chuckle caused me to look up. A small smile played at his mouth, and his eyes were on me. “Did I do something?”
“The Elite never allow themselves to enjoy anything,” he said.
“Why not?”
“Real enjoyment is not crafted. It does not fit their image. They are more concerned with being proper.”
“Is this considered proper?” I asked, biting into the cake. It was divine, so light and moist that it melted on my tongue.
“No. Polite society would be a mess over it,” Collin stated.
“Oh,” I muttered.
“No one has ever accused me of being polite,” Collin assured me.
My brows pulled in. “Is this all a test?”
“No, I meant what I said. I have neither time nor patience for it. Work is demanding. The Elite will be enough of a test for you.”
“Are the Elite testing me?” I asked.
“Not in a way that matters. They cannot overstep their position, they can only report what they see. But surviving their judgment will be a more difficult task than any I could construct.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but a small ding sounded.
“Apologies,” Collin said, taking his Comm Device out of his jacket pocket. His demeanor shifted completely. His brow furrowed and his mouth tightened before he replaced the device and turned his attention back to me. “How’s the cake?”
“It’s amazing,” I said, taking the last bite. “Is everything okay?”
Collin smiled tightly at me. “Yes, everything is fine. Try the nougat,” Collin suggested, gesturing toward a small square. It was like biting into a fluffy cloud.
“You like the chocolate more, don’t you?” Collin asked.
“I do,” I admitted, and he smiled tightly, running his hands down his jacket again. “Do you need to go?”
“Not until you are done.”
I pushed the plate away from me. “I am finished.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, gesturing to the last gold-dusted chocolate.
I grinned and popped it into my mouth. His mouth tugged up as he leaned over, pressing a small button I hadn’t noticed.
A podium changed directions, heading toward us.
I watched the others in the Sphere, and I swore they all looked in our direction. Maybe I was paranoid.
“Mr. Collin, Ms. Emeline.” The attendant stopped before our table, shifting to the side to make room. Collin nodded at the man, tucking away his Comm Device and making his way out of the booth.
I shimmied around the booth, and Collin moved to block the attendant entirely.
A muscle feathered in his jaw as he waited for me, hand extended.
I placed my hand in his as I entered the podium.
Collin pulled me in close, our bodies meeting.
The thin fabric did nothing to diminish the feel of his body against mine.
“Please, grab the railing.”
Collin boxed me in, grasping the railing on both sides of me, encasing me as we moved. My heart hammered at his proximity.
“May I?” he asked, his eyes traveling down. I followed his gaze to find that the diagonal lines had gone askew, revealing everything to him. A hot flush raced up my body, and I nodded, cheeks blazing.
He gently pinched the thin fabric between two fingers, adjusting the gown, careful not to touch my skin. When he was satisfied, he leaned in, his warm breath brushing the side of my neck. I was instantly too warm and cold all at once.
“You’re biting your lip again, Emeline,” Collin informed me quietly as we floated toward the platform below.
“I was thinking,” I said, breathier than I intended.
“I figured as much. What were you thinking about this time?”
“It’s just—” I began as he leaned back from me. “Nothing, never mind.”
His eyes collided with mine. “But I do mind, Emeline. I mind a great deal.”
I took a shaky breath. “I just assumed it would be different. I had prepared for . . . a private contract. I didn’t think anyone would want to be seen with me in public. I didn’t expect you,” I finished, and I couldn’t deny how my body wanted him closer, despite how I felt about the Illum.
“I do not hide. I do not have to adhere to the Elite’s standards. And”—his lips brushed my ear, and I shivered—“I wasn’t expecting you either.”
Collin pulled away, cold air swarming me as he stepped off the platform, jarring me. When had we reached the landing? He waited once more, his hand extended toward me.
I took it and something that felt like hope blossomed inside me. Everything the Starlings had said still haunted me, but maybe he truly was different. I smiled as I stepped onto the landing. His eyes flared.
“Emeline.” My spine stiffened. Dread swept in, washing away that moment of hope. “Yes, it is her. Emeline.” Only one woman among the Elite knew my name.
Never look at the Elite, Emeline. Just look down and they will leave you be. You must look down.
But I looked up.
Another platform drifted right toward us. The only members of the Elite I hoped to never see.
My birth family. In all their Elite perfection.