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He pushed up from the floor in a stunning show of carved muscles roped with thick sinew. “Every member of The Order attends.” He held out a hand to help her off the floor.
Technically, she wasn’t a member. There had been no swearing in. She had no letterman jacket or lanyard. She was more like a visitor. A sponsoree. “Can’t you tell them I’m an atheist?”
“You’re not an atheist, Delilah.”
“Don’t tell me what I am—”
“A poor choice of words.” He held up his hands before an argument began. “But an atheist believes in nothing. You believe in something.”
She did. She now believed that they were meant to find each other, but that was beside the point. “I believe that no one should try to indoctrinate others into a religion. That, my dear,”—she poked his nose—“is how cults start.”
“No one is indoctrinating you. I’m asking you to attend service—”
“Asking?” They both knew she didn’t have a choice. She shook the wrinkles out of a dress.
“Fine. I’m ordering you to attend because I have a responsibility to be there and I don’t feel safe leaving you alone for hours while the entire Order is otherwise occupied.”
“Stop pushing your worry at me.” There was no guilt like that of an immortal bond once that mental link was forged. It was bad enough she had her own emotions to contend with. Now she had his as well.
His refusal to let her stay home had nothing to do with trust. He literally feared something bad might happen to her in his absence.
“Christian, I’ll be fine.”
“No. If you don’t go, I’ll have no choice but to stay home as well.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.”
“Delilah.”
Running out of negotiation tactics, she flounced her arms and whined, “I don’t wanna go! It’s going to be boring and in a different language.”
He crossed the room, capturing her arms at her side and pressing a kiss to her head. “It’s only a few hours. I’ve already missed one service. I can’t miss another.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Missed one service in…”
“Three centuries,” he mumbled.
“Ha! I think you’re entitled to miss a few. Don’t you guys accumulate vacation days?”
“Worship is important. You’ll enjoy it. The other females will be there and after service, we have a large meal.”
The thought of seeing her friends did make the idea more enticing. “Like a party?”
“Sure.”
“Fine. I’ll go, but only to support you. Your faith is not mine.”
He cupped her ass possessively, drawing her front to his. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she grumbled. “What does one wear to worship around here?”
They’d been careful with each other lately. Concessions were negotiated and appreciated. He took more care with his words and often showed his appreciation in small displays of affection or praise, which she liked.
Since coming to terms with feeding, she stopped fighting her impulses so hard, choosing instead to reflect and ask questions as they occurred.
Rummaging through the selection of dresses, she frowned at the options. “How come Destiny can wear red?”
“That color’s not sanctioned. The Council will speak to Cain about it.”
She lowered the deep blue dress she held out and looked at him. “Because of you?”
“I’ll inform them, yes. I have a response—”
“Christian, you can’t.”
“I’m an elder. It’s my duty.”
“I don’t care. They’re our friends. If you tell on them, they won’t invite us over anymore.”
That would kill two birds with one stone, he thought and she scoffed.
“They’re not birds, they’re friendships. And you’re not killing them! I need friends, Christian.”
“You have me.”
“You’re different. Look,” she sighed. “You might be an introvert, but I like having a social life. I need this. Please don’t make things weird.”
“I don’t see why your friendships should be affected by my adherence to The Order’s laws. The females understand what’s expected of them.”
“Destiny’s different.”
“That is clear. But it does not excuse her from our laws. When an immortal chooses to live here, they in turn accept the rules and responsibilities that exist within such a society. It’s a small cost for the protection we receive in return. Straying from the rules puts everyone at risk of exposure. Conformity allows us to hide in plain sight. Trust me, pintura, you do not want to go back to a time when our kind had to lurk in the shadows and sleep far away from civilization. Here we are at least alive and living.”
She pouted. “I don’t want her to be mad at me.”
“How could she be? You’re blameless. Females cannot interfere with Council Law.”
“Ew. You have no idea how gross that just sounded.”
“I don’t make the rules.”
She dropped her chin. “You literally do.” Rolling her eyes, she got back to her point. “Look, you’re mine, so I have to answer for your actions. If you report her, she’ll know any backlash came from you because you were the only elder at that dinner. Then she’ll call me out, and I’ll have to explain that you didn’t mean to be a dick but it’s your duty. Don’t put me in that position.”
