Page 72 of Conform
“So while you and Phillip become Illum, the rest of us have to do what you both refuse to,” Nora shot back, anger seeping onto her face, her fierceness making itself known and both twins exuding ferocity.
“Iaman Illum,” Collin stated, placing his drink back on the table. “I believe you have forgotten my Mate beside me—my Minor Mate.”
I took a long sip of my drink and debated for a moment whether to down the entire thing. Did all families make eating together difficult?
Nora’s cheeks flushed bright red. “Emeline, I am so sorry. That was so rude of me.” She stretched her hand out, placing it on top of mine. “Please forgive me. I am thrilled with your mating. Truly.”
“Of course,” I said. I meant it. If I were Mated to someone like William, I would be angry at Phillip’s freedom as well. I wondered how bad Nora’s first Mate had been for her to choose to take on another.
“I always forget you and Gregory were close once,” William remarked, swirling the contents of his drink as he stared at the potential Mates.
“We were never close,” Nora stated, sipping her drink.
“He was Edward’s best friend,” William drawled. I racked my brain. Why did I know that name? A greasy feeling settled in my stomach. Right, the blond man I had encountered at the Garden when I first met Collin.
“Yes, my first Mate was friends with him,” Nora said. I instantly understood why she would opt for a new Mate if her first had been Edward. I felt terrible for Nora. Edward and William both seemed like horrible Mates.
“Why did they grow estranged? The Press never covered it. They were inseparable,” William said, taking a drink.
Nora glanced up momentarily, opening her mouth, but stopped as a worker distributed our food.
“I love that soup,” Nora told me, leaving her food untouched. I reached for my glass, finishing the last bit of bubbles.
“Mate, I asked—”
“I can get more. I need to use the facilities anyway,” Nora interrupted, tearing herself away from William.
“We can summon someone for more drinks,” William said, placing his hand on her leg. Nora’s eyes dipped to his hold on her. Collin shifted next to me, his leg bumping into mine.
“It’s fine,” Nora assured him, a smile appearing as her eyes went to the wall of water. “It is the least I can do for insulting Emeline.” She pulled her leg from his grasp, waiting for him to move.
“Nora, get the one I like,” Collin instructed. William glanced toward him as he begrudgingly rose from the booth, letting Nora leave. I took a small taste of my soup, and savory decadence burst across my tongue.
I watched as Nora walked away, grace in each of her steps. Most of the Elite watched her leave, several women whispering behind jeweled hands, but Nora seemed unaffected. I wondered what they could possibly say about a fellow Elite member with an Illum brother. The water curtain parted as she approached it; seconds later, it fell once more, and Nora disappeared.
Collin leaned in, dragging me from my thoughts. “How is the food?”
“It’s delicious.” I glanced toward his plate, where slimy, unappealing food sat. It looked disgusting. “Yours?”
“Would you be surprised if I said I enjoyed it?” Collin confided, eating another.
“So you don’t like tomatoes, but you like that?” I asked, repulsed.
“You don’t like tomatoes, Collin?” William inquired. “You know both are essential for procreation in males.” William looked toward me. “I am one of the head members of the Health and Nutrition Department. I oversee the distribution of nutrients throughout the city.”
While I debated asking him about the mush given to Minors while the Elite ate real food, Collin pushed his plate away. “I do not prefer them.”
“Interesting. Do you know what else is interesting?”
I took another spoonful of soup, positive we were about to find out. I focused on my soup to avoid the eye roll that fought to be free. Collin’s leg brushed against mine once more.
“These mishaps that keep happening and this Reaper everyone is talking about.”
Unease found me, but so did my interest as my heart picked up its pace. Violet had said they needed whatever information I could get.
“What’s interesting is the Elites’ need to spread gossip that questions the Illum’s capabilities,” Collin said with quiet menace, his leg leaving mine. “The need to discuss a man who has already signed his elimination. It is only a matter of time.”
William sat up straighter. “I fully support the Illum and know they will prevail like they always do.” William cast me a look.
