Chapter 472: Big Day

RIKA

"Oh, sweetie, it's okay. He's so wrapped up in you he's chewing on his own tail," Elia said, her voice choked.

"But I can't understand why?" Rika replied, her voice tight and pinched. "But I also can't walk away. I'm in this now. I… I need him and it's so scary. What if he suddenly realizes how broken I am and then he doesn't want me anymore?"

"He almost missed the Rite of Veneration for you, Rika. Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about," Elreth added, her voice a little dark. 

The two women mopped her up and led her out of the room and down to the stairs, where Elia presented her to the men.

Rika didn't hear what they said. She wasn't even really aware of her own words to Gar.

All she could see was his eyes, round and locked on her, scanning her from head to foot. His jaw slack, and the way his hands twitched like he wanted to grab her up and never let go.

Her heart trilled, and she hoped. She hoped…