Page 131 of Rite of Unity

The room burst into applause.

“Maryn.”

I pushed off the pillar, away from his steadying warmth, and moved to the center of the room to stand beside Rakel.

Elias’s gaze found mine, searching my face.I nodded, and he resumed speaking.

“Trial Eight is unique to each Rite.For mine, I chose collaboration.”His gaze found me again.“To be successful in marriage, a wife must be willing to defer to what’s best for the family.That means, working together rather than for her own gain.”

My stomach dropped.

“We had a clear winner in this week’s trial,” he went on.“Rakel.Come forward.”

His smile was genuine as he held out a hand the way he had for me so many times before.

She stepped toward him, a wide smile painted across her face.She reached the center, wrapping her hand in his, and he spun them.

My hands clasped behind my back as I looked to my left.Sera had left her own cousin to die.Surely that was worse than me doing it.But would Elias really eliminate a Cannon in her own home?

I swallowed, taking a step back as Rakel and Elias launched into a dance.He had promised me he wouldn’t draw out eliminations anymore.

Did that no longer matter?His words came back to me.I’m not eliminating you.Had he lied?So I wouldn’t make a scene.

My vision blurred.I was so close.

The song ended, and Rakel left Elias to stand at the center alone once more.

He raised his hands.

My ribs ached, but drones spun to face us, and I straightened.

“Now, this may be unusual, but,” he moved in a slow circle, “one of my matches was sent home.”

Murmurs erupted around the room, and Elias nodded.“I know.It wasn’t her fault.But it does happen on occasion.”He chuckled nervously.“She was barren.”

Small cries and gasps from the audience—Elias raised his hands again.

“That’s why I won’t be eliminating anyone this week.”

A small shuddering breath escaped me, and I thanked Vera for the hundredth time since this Rite began because the dress was the only thing keeping me upright as the room burst into polite applause.

Chapter 32

Maryn

Thedaysafteraball were always the calmest of the week.Too quiet.Too still.I’d been pacing my room for an hour when voices in the hall stopped me.

I pressed my ear to the door as they grew louder.

“I don’t know, Lydia.What do you want me to say?You should be happy.”

Lydia’s words were softer, and I cracked my door.

“I don’t care about my brother.I care about what happens to us if we can’t have sons within five years.”

The silence stretched, and I poked my head into the hall.

“Can’t you ask your dad to do something?”Lydia’s voice was low and vicious.