Page 39 of Rite of Unity

His grin faltered.“We would have more luck going to them in the Lower.”

Twelve girls slid onto a bench, eyes wide, but none said a word.It was such a contrast to the girls I’d gone to school with until I was sixteen.We gossiped and giggled, often having to be reminded to maintain composure.

After that, Mama had tried her best to teach me what men expected of a wife in the home.

But girls in the Lower didn’t go to school.The Covenant didn’t ask anything of them.They weren't going to be wives.Very few would ever be mothers.They weren't daughters worth investing in.

My jaw clenched.

I left Aaron’s side, moving to sit across from my students for the day.“Good day, ladies.”

They fidgeted, darting glances around the room.My heart ached for them.

“Do you know why you’re here today?”

They traded nervous glances with one another.

Barren woman!Had no one told them why they were taken from the Lower this afternoon?No wonder they looked ready to cry.

“I’m going to teach you to read.”

“Stop.”Paul raced to my side, frantically swiping on his tablet.“Let’s try that again.”

I eyed him.“Why?Is my hair messed up?”I slid my finger over my teeth.I knew the lipstick Vera smeared over my lips was going to be a problem.

He leaned forward, whispering in my ear.“Let’s redo that last line.”He sat back.“Why don’t we try something like: I’m going to teach you about the Covenant?”

My hands folded in my lap.I held his gaze just long enough to make it look like consideration.Then nodded.

“Good.”Paul huffed a laugh, too quick.“Again.”

He disappeared behind a crowd of gathering stewards and I faced the girls.

“I’m going to teach you about the Covenant.”

Chapter 12

Maryn

Istaredattheflowerslining the entry, real ones.Each petal unique.

“Maryn,” Ruth hissed.“They’ll know we’re from the Middle.”

I laughed.“Everyone knows exactly where I’m from.”

Ruth’s cheeks flamed, but she tugged me through the foyer and into the ballroom.My second Rite ball.Striated white marble, streaked with gray, coated the floors, the walls, even the fireplace set against the far wall.

Somewhere near the center of the room, the host raised his glass.The room answered without ceremony.

Once again, the lighting was something new.Two massive trees stretched overhead, bracketed to the walls by some feat of architecture.From their branches, lanterns hung above our heads.

“Beautiful,” I breathed, tipping my head back.

“Yes.You are.”

My head snapped forward, meeting black eyes, crinkled at the corner.Something like a genuine smile spread across the man from the last ball’s lips.

Ruth gawked at him.I realized I didn’t even know his name.