Page 60 of Rite of Unity

“On it.”Vera appeared from a hall I hadn’t noticed and knocked on the door.

A head of dark hair slid out before Sera’s face appeared.“We’re filming.Stay out of the hall.”

“Barren woman, Vera, you look tired.”

Vera’s face tightened, but she didn’t respond to Sera’s jab.Sera glowered at her, slamming her door once more.

“Okay, go.”Paul’s words jolted me into action and I moved down the hall.

I opened the door to my new room, my gaze sweeping the space, and exhaled when I saw my bag stuffed into a corner.

“Done.”

Paul stopped in the hall outside my room.“Vera will get you settled in, and we’ll see you on Tuesday.”He scanned me from head to toe.“Goodnight, Duchess.”

Vera stepped around Paul and closed the door in his face.

“I’ll be quick.You’ve had a long day.”

I collapsed onto a massive bed at the center of the room and stared around the immaculate space.Every inch of the room was white.I wanted to get my eyeliner pencil and draw a crack in the ceiling just to give it the feeling of home.

I stood, crossed the room, and grabbed my bag.I shuffled it around, checking to make sure the folder was there before pulling out my photo frame and setting it on the low table beside the bed.

Vera glanced at it.“Cute.”

She swept across the room, sliding back the thin door that now obscured the row of dresses I’d seen her digging through before.“These are your dresses.I’ve made enough for three weeks.From now on, when you leave this house, assume you are being filmed.”

She glanced around.“Actually.When you leave this room, assume.”She raised an eyebrow.

I nodded.

“Good.You have Monday to settle in.Now that you’re past the public trials, your days will be full.Trials Five through Seven don’t require me to dress you, but your date nights and Rite balls will.”

I tugged my journal out of my bag and hugged it to my chest.

“Let me see what’s in that bag.”

My fingers tightened around the straps, but Vera yanked them free and dumped the bag’s contents onto the bed.Her gaze skated over the pile.Then away—too quickly.

Moving, I tossed my journal over the black folder, my heart racing.

Vera held up a sleep gown and a thin cotton dress I’d normally worn at home on Mondays.

“Gross.You’re in the center now.That means even at home, you dress like it.”

She scooped up my clothes and tucked them under her arm.“I had a few night dresses made for you.I’ll make you day dresses, too.”She raised an eyebrow.“For Mondays only.”

I sat down atop my journal.

“Ifyou make it past Trial Seven, I’ll get you more clothes.”

I scowled at her but said nothing.

“Good night, Maryn.”Vera turned toward the door.She glanced back.“And good luck.”

Chapter 16

Maryn