Page 12 of Their Blood Rite

‘I will come with you.’ He offers his hand, ever the gentleman, and doesn’t wait for me to argue. He grips me tight and runs from the shelter of the doorway, laughing joyfully as we step into the torrential rain, Thalia following close behind.

Chapter 2

Isit in Father’s carriage, watching him read whatever book he picked up today, and wait for him to deliver another scorning for my behaviour with the village boys.

But nothing comes except silence.

Beside him is a black box wrapped in silver ribbon. My gaze drifts from him to the box.

‘Is that a dress?’ I ask.

‘It is,’ my father replies.

‘Is it for me?’ I ask.

‘It’s hardly for me, is it,’ he replies, not even looking up from his page.

‘May I see it?’ I reach for the box. He grabs at my hand, gripping it tightly.

‘It is the dress the coven has chosen for you all to wear, Ashe. You seeing it will make no difference in that choice.’ He lets me go and turns the page.

I rub my wrist, easing the blood back into my fingers.

‘Is it revealing?’

‘It’s appropriate.’ His words are short as he lifts the book higher, concealing his face entirely.

The conversation has ended.

We sit silently for the rest of the trip, so I pass the time, peering out of the window and avoiding the box beside him.

Beyond the human village lies miles of marshland. Beyond that, acres upon acres of forest. The sun begins to set, and the road becomes less wild.

I inwardly groan as I see the torches of our village gates come into view. Shrinking back, I sink into the carriage seats.

Home.

It should be a wonderful word, but I feel like I’m suffocating whenever I think it.

‘You need to work on that,’ Father mutters, his nose still buried in the book.

‘Work on what?’ I reply.

‘Controlling your aura. It won’t serve you well to be so easy to read. No man wishes to sense disdain and fear from their companion. I assure you, it will cause you nothing but problems at the Rite.’

‘Companion,’ I scoff, crossing my arms and watching the gates come closer. ‘Perhaps if I weren’t being forced into the Blood Rite, I wouldn’t feel disdain and fear for my futureCompanions.’

‘What would you have me do? Turn my back on centuries of tradition for you?’

‘I wouldn’t say no to the idea.’

He lowers his book and shows me his soft smile.

‘If I could do it for you, my girl, I would. Sadly, I cannot abolish the Rite or exempt you from it. It is just one night. Then you are free to marry the son of the coven leader.’

‘Cole, Father. The manyoupromised me to is named Cole.’

I feel him watching me as I keep my gaze cast beyond the window. When I refuse to look at him, he leans over.

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