Page 192 of Rite of Unity

“Arms up.”

I lifted them over my head as a gown of soft eggshell slid over my nude form.

“You forgot undergarments this morning?”

My cheek burned.“There wasn’t time.”

“Whatever,” she muttered, lifting a dusting brush to my face.She patted aggressively, and in moments, I was coughing and hacking.

“Lips.”

I waved my hand in front of my face to clear the dust and puckered my mouth.A brush pasted something thick on, and I licked my lips, grimacing.

“Stop that.”Vera swatted my hand away.“It’s the only thing that will hide your bruises.”

I stilled.

She reached for a thicker brush, dipping it into a bowl and spreading paste across my neck.

A knock sounded at the door, and one of the dozens of aides I’d seen at the house poked a head in.“President Hale asked me to give these to you.”He set the box down and closed the door.

I stared at it.Then opened it: two sapphires.Deep blue.The exact shade of Elias’s ribbon.

I held them in my palm.They were heavier than they looked.Larger than the first pair.

I slid each one on my ears.

“Can I have another pain vial?”

Vera eyed me.“Does your neck hurt?”

“A little.”

“No.”

I frowned at her.

“You need to be moved to tears by whatever your future husband says.The vial dulls more than pain.”

The door swung open, and Paul peeked in.“Time to go… Ms.Veil.”

“Paul, please.Maryn is fine.”

He held the door wide, backing up so I could step through.“No, thank you.Mr… I mean, President Hale is snapping necks out there.I’m not next.”

I followed Paul, and the buzz of drones whirred to life above my head.I glanced back at Vera, and she rubbed her eyes, making a face like a crying child.I turned, following Paul to my seat.

***

The room was packed with more people than I’d ever seen in one place in my life.

Sera slid into the seat beside me, and I darted a glance her way.Another pair of drones sank down, buzzing around us.She stared straight ahead, as though no one in the world existed but the man entering the room.

I looked up as Elias stepped on stage.His gaze found mine and locked onto me.After a beat too long, he nodded, facing the crowd.

He was solemn, nothing like the cool, charismatic president’s son who won the attention of every person in a room.He cleared his throat; the crowd went silent.Apart from the buzz of drones circling, no one so much as coughed.

“Thank you all for joining me today.”