“All this time away from Haden has made me all the more eager to get on with our lives together.” She poured fresh cups of tea, then handed one to me. “I can’t wait to see what Haden has planned for our honeymoon.”

Usually when Calla spoke this way, I listened politely. I didn’t join in the conversation because I couldn’t get used to the notion that someone else was in charge of my life.

Today, I allowed myself to think about getting back to a life that included James. I thought about how much I missed him. How good it felt to be in his arms, my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. I missed how he used to kiss my forehead, and the way I felt protected and loved whenever he made that simple gesture.

I missed the very thing that drew us together—his essence. I missed having his smell on my skin. And so I finally answered the question that had plagued me since my first day in The House. How far would I go? Would I marry James?

Yes.

Without question, without hesitation. I would absolutely marry him. If that were the only thing separating us, the only thing that would free him from his exile, I would marry James. And if it were at all possible, I was prepared to do so that night.

4

The Promise Ball

We spent the rest of the day alternating between munching on the heavy hors d’oeuvres on the silver platters and speculating about how wonderful it would be when we saw our One again. Calla’s enthusiasm was infectious, causing fantasies to build in my mind as I imagined myself dancing with James at the ball. As the day wore on, I had to repeatedly remind myself he wouldn’t be there. James was living on the Fringe, forbidden from coming inside Judaculla.

But I knew once I showed the Bound Book to the Elders, it wouldn’t be long before I’d see him again. I decided the best time to approach the Elders would be during the last dance. It seemed the most logical, since I’d be the only one without a partner. I didn’t worry about all the dances leading up to the last one. There would be plenty of times when someone ducked into the bathroom or sought refreshments, leaving an unmatched person. But during the last dance, I would stand out as the oddball. The one person without a partner. It was when I would approach the Elders to make my plea.