Violet’s face swam before me.
Every woman since the Last War has been an obligation and a vessel. . . . Maybe I am done being powerless. I think you might be too.
Was she right?
“Are you okay, Emeline?” Collin asked.
“I am fine,” I lied, tearing my gaze from my glowing wrist.
“Is it the atrium?”
My eyes flew to his, my heart thumping uncomfortably. “You know about that?”
“Very little happens in this city that I am not aware of,” Collin told me, leaning toward me. “When it comes to you, I am aware of everything.” Goosebumps erupted across my body. “Especially now.” His eyes slid back to my wrist.
I captured my lip once more, and Collin’s eyes found mine, amusement there.
“You are free to speak plainly. We are alone,” Collin said. “It was why I chose to meet here, unlike the more . . . public outing of our initial meeting. No one can get to us. We will see them coming.”
The disdain for the Elite bled into his tone, and again I found myself wondering at this man who seemed to hate the very people he partially ruled. I knew I couldn’t trust him, and yet . . .
“I have questions,” I admitted. Collin held my gaze, quirking a brow in silent invitation.
I wanted to know why he had chosen me, defect and all. I wanted to know more about the trouble I had heard about from the Starlings. But most of all, I wanted to know more about my birth brother. I had felt alone for so long.
“There was a man, an Elite, with curly hair, like mine, and blue eyes, in the atrium. He’s—he’s my . . .”
“Phillip is your brother,” Collin confirmed. A lump formed in my throat, and his gaze softened. “I work with him. He is the one who informed me of the incident.”
My birth brother’s name was Phillip. “Is he an Illum?”
“He isn’t.”
“So Elite work for the Illum?” I asked.
“Only a select few, those who show potential.”
“Okay,” I said, more to myself. I knew being in the clouds would change things. That I might come face-to-face with people who shared blood with me. I pressed on. “I have others, right? I have more birth siblings in the clouds.”
Collin took a deep breath. “You have two others, Gregory and Richard.”
I nodded again, glancing away from him as my mind made room for the information. I should have been quiet, but another desperate question escaped. “Do they know?” I couldn’t look at Collin. “Do they know I am your Mate?”
“Phillip knows. The others, the rest of the Elite, have heard rumors of me taking a Minor Mate, thanks to Edward’s meddling in the Garden. The Press knows but your identity is still undiscovered. I am afraid that will end soon, possibly tonight. Which brings me to another issue.” Collin shifted in his seat. “It was decided today that there will be a dinner in six days with some of the High Council Elite to provide a united power against the rising unrest. I have been told you are to attend.”
Surprise flickered through me. “Me?”
“Yes, Tabitha said it was wise for you to be there. I think it is to counter the rumors the Elite seem determined to spread.”
I found myself nodding once more, even though none of it made sense. “Can you tell me more about Tabitha?”
Collin stared at me for a moment like he was debating his next words. “Tabitha is the head of the Illum. She is responsible for the entire city.”
“A woman?” I asked.
“A woman,” Collin confirmed. “She has held her position for over fifty years. Tabitha is . . . different.” Collin looked toward the Elite as he tugged on his jacket sleeve, and I knew he would say no more on the subject. “Another thing that will change for you. Now that you are officially my Mate and we have agreed upon a public Courting, an HI is being installed in your living quarters.”
“A Hologram Instructor? Like the ones from the Academy?” I asked, my spine straightening.
