Page 5 of Rite of Unity

The door to my parents’ bedroom swung open, and Dad walked in, smiling fondly at his wife.She smiled back, and my heart warmed.There was genuine affection between them.A true love match.His hands settled on her shoulders as she lifted the teapot, pouring three cups: one for each of us.He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before accepting his proffered cup.

“Smells delicious, Elaine.”

Mama dipped her chin.“They had jasmine tea at the market.A special treat.”

I moved to stand beside them, and Dad’s mouth stretched wide.“Chess?You owe me a rematch.”

I grinned.“I’ll win.”

He laughed and patted Mom’s back as he moved around her to the table and sat.I joined him, and our eyes locked.The table was small enough that our knees nearly touched, a folding thing my father had carried home from a salvage market before I was born.

Mondays were my favorite for many reasons: no work, no errands, nowhere to be but here.But I especially loved when Dad was feeling clear-headed enough to play.

Under the table, my thumb found the rough edges of my nails, worrying over their bumps and imperfections.

The image of Elias Hale, golden crown of hair falling into his face as he leaned to tie a bow on girl eleven’s wrist, resurfaced.I couldn’t remember her name.Phoebe?

In the living room, the screen flashed.A recap of the week’s televised Rites.Four of the other eleven girls Elias had chosen.Sera Cannon was always first: her stats, her ranking, expected odds, news of her brother’s recent baby announcement.A boy.His place in elite society solidified by that tiny screaming child.

The last one, the one they played on repeat, was Rakel.An upper-middle girl whom Elias surprised everyone by choosing so early.

Today’s choice meant he had only one left.One girl to select before his Rite began.Some men were quick about it; others took their time.The president’s son had not wasted any.He’d made eleven selections in less than a month.I supposed he had a duty to set the precedent for other young men.The nation would be watching to see how the only son of our fearless leader truly felt about marriage.His every action would be scrutinized.

I didn’t envy him.

I studied her face on the screen as her stats rattled on in an excited announcer’s overly cheery tone.

I paused, hand hovering over my pawn.“Mama, turn it up?”

Mama touched the pad beside her, and the squeaky announcer’s voice blasted my eardrums.“That’s right, we got the meet-cute on camera!This unlikely pair met for the first time over three years ago.”Her staged gasp had me turning to see the screen.On TV, Elias leaned against a wall of lockers, and Rakel tucked a dark curl behind her ear, smiling up at him, eyes full of adoration.It didn’t look like a first-time meeting to me.

“Rakel first met Elias on campus when her dad, famed Covenant histories teacher Abel Cielo, asked her to meet him one afternoon.Coincidence?”A pause from the announcer.“I think not.”

“Get your best white dress out, ladies.There’s one chance left for a lucky lady to catch the eye of the most eligible bachelor in Centrum.”

I glanced back at the screen.Two announcers faced each other, barely containing their excitement.“I can’t wait to see who the president’s son chooses for his twelfth and final match.”

“Thanks, Mama.You can turn it down.”

I faced the table.Smile, Maryn.

Dad watched me, his eyes sharp and clear.Some of the tension left my shoulders.It was a good day, and I didn’t want to waste it.

“Maybe tomorrow morning we can go for a walk before work?”I slid my pawn forward two spaces, and his gaze darted between my hand and face.

“I have my eye on you, Angel.You can’t outsmart your old dad.”

He moved, watching as I studied the board.I tried to remain in the moment, but my thoughts churned.

“You let me have that one.”

I hadn’t meant to give up my bishop.But it didn’t mean the game was lost.

I smiled and made my move.

Chapter 2

Maryn