Page 56 of Conform
“We will meet you in there,” Collin told Phillip and Nora.
I sat up straighter at his dismissal. A Pod came to a stop at the edge of the balcony, and Gregory disappeared from view. Nora turned away, looping her arm through Phillip’s. They actually left the room this time.
Collin sat next to me. “Phillip is running interference to ensure the events of last night do not get out to the Elite collective, thus ensuring that the attendants at your parents’ do not share what they witnessed. I also overrode the curfew by an hour, granting Gregory’s MIND and yours access to move freely. I am calling it a trial so the rest of the Illum are not offended by my overstepping.”
“The Defects?” I asked, shocked.
“Yes, it was not only your family in that room. The Minors witnessed as well. They could share the information if not persuaded to keep their silence.”
“How will you persuade them?” I asked as fear twirled around my spine.
“Depends on the Defect.” Collin paused, then said, “You ran last night, for quite a distance.”
“I did.” And I hadn’t been alone. I swallowed, my throat tight, pushing Hal from my mind.
Collin looked conflicted as he adjusted his sleeves. “You are the first Illum Mate in a very long time. We have had several generations of Illum who have focused on societal advances and innovation rather than procreation. In taking you as my Mate, that has all changed.”
“But didn’t Tabitha tell you to take a Mate?”
“She did, and in being an extension of me, you will be watched more closely.”
My stomach dropped. “What do you mean? Aren’t they always watching?”
“The Illum cannot watch every MIND all the time. There are too many. They watch for outliers, MINDs that do not follow their rules. Anomalies. They will watch more closely if moments like last night happen again. It is a side effect of being my Mate. I understand Vincent upset you, but if you were to do that before other members of the Elite, it would create issues. Also, your yearly deemed running as detrimental to your Procreation Abilities. I have no test for you, nor am I judging you, Emeline. This mating will proceed.” Collin’s expression grew heavy. “If the Illum take notice, I will only be able to do so much.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I asked quietly.
“Truthfully, I didn’t think it would be necessary. Forgive me, I thought being the Mate to an Illum would either be thrilling or terrifying enough to make my Mate follow the rules. As I said, you are not what I expected.” Collin shifted.
“Being your Mate is,” I admitted quietly.
“Which one?” Collin asked quietly, leaning toward me.
I stared into those sapphire pools, the depths treacherous—dragging me under. “I don’t know yet.” I didn’t trust him and the Illum, not after the Starlings blamed me for what had happened to Violet. I was terrified. But there was something about the Illum before me—the power, the viciousness . . . I wasn’t terrified of it, only how my heart raced in his presence—the thrill that ran through me when his lips met mine.
You just want to understand—figure him out,some small voice whispered to me. Even as my traitorous eyes landed on his lips.
Nora’s tinkle of laughter floated from the room beyond, and my heart thumped wildly. I put distance between us.
“I do have one favor to ask of you. If something like yesterday happens again”—Collin cleared his throat—“if you feel you need to run from something, I ask that you run to me. You may contact me anytime, and I shall assure your safety.”
He looked at me expectantly, and I murmured, “All right.”
“We should join them. I assume you’re starving.” Collin stood, and I placed my glowing hand in his extended one, unsure what to say. His hand wrapped around mine, dwarfing it, as he led me up the stairs.
“You had something to say earlier when they were eavesdropping,” Collin said, pausing at the top of the stairs. “You were biting your lip.”
I released my lip I was once again holding. I wanted to know what had kept him away from the dinner, what it meant that he was the Enforcer. What had happened to Violet and Rose and whether he was behind it. I wanted to know about the Elimination Act, why the Elite hid so much from the Minors, and why the Majors weren’t the monsters they led us to believe. I wanted to know more about the people’s uprising. I wanted to know why he had chosen me with my defect when he could have had anyone. Whether the kiss had meant anything to him. If my hand in his had the same effect on him as it did on me.
My heart stuttered as his hand tightened around mine. “Nothing.”
“All right,” Collin said as he led the way. I swore that disappointment swam in his endless blue depths.
We entered a cozy solarium. From this height, on a cloudless day, Collin told me, he could see the entire city, all the way to Low Town. Right now, thick, heavy rain clouds whirled restlessly all around us, as tempestuous as my thoughts. Phillip sat at the black oval table, his back to the window, tending to the tea service set out, handing Nora a cup. She glanced our way, the ghost of a laugh still on her stunning face.
“There you two are. Emeline, they said this is all yours.” Nora gestured to the spot in front of Phillip. I stared in shock at the four separate plates filled with food. “Exactly how far did you run last night?”
“Just over ten kilometers,” Phillip answered.
