“Collin,” I heard behind me.
“Do not bow to them,” Collin muttered under his breath as he gently turned me. “Alan,” Collin said, any warmth dissipating. The Elite man had short, dirty blond hair and piercing gray eyes.
“So, this is your Mate everyone has been talking about, the one worthy of you,” Alan said, sweeping his eyes over me before bowing. I placed my hand in his and he placed a small peck upon it. “Charmed to meet you, Ms. Emeline. I think this union will be beneficial for us all and our storied peace.”
Flustered, I looked at Collin, who smoothly said, “Yes, we both feel the same.” I attempted a smile before taking a sip of my drink.
“I won’t pretend there weren’t many Elite prospects eager for the role as your Mate, Collin. But there is always your next mating.”
My insides hollowed out. His next mating. I hadn’t really thought about what my life would look like beyond the next four years.
“We shall see. I have no intentions for a second mating.” Collin looked straight ahead, avoiding my gaze.
“Ah, well, I daresay your sister can carry on with the distribution of your genes within the Elite population. It is her duty to the Greater Good,” Alan said.
I took a sip to hide my disgust.
“You both must be thrilled to have entered your second moon cycle,” Alan continued, grabbing a glass from a passing tray.
A shock ran through me. We were in the second moon cycle. One moon cycle closer to our procreation phase. My days down to sixty.
“An Illum offspring will be a blessing. There hasn’t been one in my seventy years of life.”
This time, I didn’t hide my shock. The man didn’t look past forty.
“We are delighted to have the first Illum offspring in over a hundred years for the Greater Good,” Collin said.
Once again, my mind reeled, desperate to know why he would choose me for something so important. A warmth touched my lower back—Collin, reminding me where I was.
“To the Greater Good,” Alan said, raising a glass. I downed the rest of my drink. “The Press published a wager on how many moons it shall take you two. Given her disposition, the most popular guess is two moons. Surely no one would fault you if you decided not to wait, Collin. Give those of us who wagered only one better odds.” The man winked at Collin.
“Glad to know we can provide the Elite with needed entertainment,” Collin stated. I felt like a prized breeding animal.
Two more Elite members joined our conversation. I missed their names as Collin grabbed my empty glass, replacing it with a full one. I took a sip immediately, washing away the revulsion.
“I have to say,” another male said to me. I didn’t dare guess his age this time. He had jet-black hair and brown eyes and a pompous smile. “It is honorable for you to continue to live among the Minors on the ground to help our cause in this ridiculous Reaper business.”
“Yes,” Alan agreed. “Your commitment to root out this evil is most commendable. We, the Elite, find ourselves surprisingly in your debt. The Illum chose a worthy vessel.”
What exactly had Collin been telling them? I took another sip, resisting the urge to throw it in Alan’s face.
“However, it would seem the Reaper received your message from the dinner, Collin,” Alan continued. “He has been quiet for some time now.”
“Scared, I’d say,” another man sneered.
“As he should be.” Collin’s hand sprawled on my lower back. I felt nauseous.
“Does she not speak?” the other man asked.
“Would that be a bad thing?” Alan chuckled. “Is there any use in her words?”
“Elite manners are the great distinguishing factor between a civilized mind and a defective one,” the other added. “Perhaps there is weight to the debate of whether Minors are capable of being reformed.”
I opened my mouth as two things happened: Someone said my name and Collin turned me away from the men.
“Emeline,” Nora greeted me smoothly. She wore an off-the-shoulder golden gown, tiny chains crossing her exposed back. It was eerily similar to my blue gown. She curtsied before linking her arm through mine. “There you are. If you’ll excuse us,” Nora said with a honeyed smile, “but if I do not steal my soon-to-be sister now, I daresay my brother will hog her all night.”
“For obvious reasons,” one of the talking heads joked.
