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Jayne and I sat together toward the end of the table, across from Caroline who had three girls she knew lined up next to her. Still, she kept talking to me. “They’ve really done up this room for today. The last time I was here was when my aunt threw a fundraiser for the poor and unfortunate, but they didn’t have Judge’s decorations then. My mama told me Judge’s wife designed today’s decorations herself. We are honored because she did that for us.”
The other three girls nodded quickly, and I smiled. “Does The Judge’s wife not handle the decorations every time they have the ceremony?”
Caroline took my hand. “Oh, you’re so sweet. Don’t put the word the in front of Judge. It’s just Judge. That is how everyone who is anyone says it, anyway. If you say the, they’ll know you’re not from around here. My mama says it’s important for everyone to seem very classy and sophisticated at these things.”
Mine said it was important to treat the servants nicely because some of these women would be acting as servants this week. She also told me beauty didn’t matter very much. I stared at Caroline, and my lips curled into a more genuine grin. I doubted her mother would agree, at least on the beauty part, since the local girls were stunning.
Of course, I didn’t know anyone as pretty as Jayne. She could outshine all of them.
Caroline wasn’t being mean, I knew. In fact, she couldn’t behave nicer to me, but I realized in that moment how little we shared in common. We were raised in what essentially amounted to two different worlds. We were both nobility, but I was country and she was very, very city. For Caroline and her friends, they tolerated the ritual before starting their marriage hunt for a normal guy. Caroline wasn’t stressed, nor was she the least bit worried about having powers.
“Oh, there she is.” Caroline’s eyes widened. “That’s Hannah Howser. She’s got actual powers. I’m told they showed up one night out of nowhere.” I doubted that, thinking it was probably her period starting. That was when it happened for me, not that I intended to tell Caroline. “And she’s seen four or five things since then. She’ll get connected to a Warrior group.”
Hannah walked over to us since the seat next to me was open, and she sat in it. Almost black hair framed her round face, making her light blue eyes particularly striking. She seemed pleasant, although she didn’t smile when she looked at Caroline and her friends. After a second, she turned toward Jayne and me. She gave a smile to my sister but turned her attention to me.
“You’re my best friend.” She held out her hand. “I’m Hannah, and I’ve been waiting for you forever.”
I blinked rapidly between her face and hand. “What?”
“Oh…” She waved her hand. “You’ll see.”
A woman walked to the front of the room, drawing everyone’s attention, so most of the women there started clapping their hands. Relief flooded me as I realized I wouldn’t have to think of something to say to Hannah about her strange comment. I certainly didn’t want to discuss whether or not I saw her in my visions, and the panic that flooded me…
It seemed like a good idea to join in the applause, so I followed suit. Eventually, after a long moment, the woman raised her hand to stop us. She smiled, and I couldn’t help but think it looked forced. Something about her wasn’t real in that moment, and she played a part she wasn’t happy to fulfill.
“Thank you, ladies. I am so happy to be here and delighted that you’re all here as well.” She motioned toward us and started clapping too. The crowd started clapping again. I’d never felt more awkward. They all seemed to know the right moment to begin applauding, but I’d apparently missed out on the handbook for that one.
The applause died down again. “I’m pleased to see so many familiar faces in the crowd, but for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Miranda Sobin. I am Judge’s wife.”
Ahhh. His wife. The woman who decorated the room, according to Caroline. I glanced around the room surreptitiously, because although it might be pretty enough, if I were honest, the chairs were sort of uncomfortable. Also, we could’ve used something to eat or drink while she set things up. The windows were lovely, with light flooding through and cutting into?—
Jayne placed a gentle hand on my leg. I shook my head, annoyed because I’d flown away in my mind again. I did that a lot, finding it very difficult to remain present in what was happening…particularly if I were bored or worried.
At the moment, it was fair to say I was both.
Miranda continued, gesturing wide with an elegant hand. “Over the next day, you’ll meet with our fashion coordinators. There is a look that you must achieve for the ritual and the events leading up to it. We’ll make sure you’re ready. Also, you may see these women…” She motioned toward the back of the room, where five women, all dressed in black like they were in mourning, waited by the doors. They were very solemn, and none of them smiled. “Watching you. They are the ritual women. They watch and make sure protocol is followed in every ritual. The sanctity of the ritual is paramount.”
I hate this. Was it too late to run away? Could I just get up and run right then? Gritting my teeth, I stayed in my seat.
“Some of you have seen this event four to five times over the course of your life. Some of you have no idea what is about to happen, but some of you may wonder what is happening while you’re being groomed, interviewed, and dined. While you’re otherwise occupied, the Warriors are being informed about which groups are eligible to become their wife. Every Warrior group comes to Hawkseye to witness the blessed event. By tonight, my husband will have told them if they will participate. As excited as you all are for the prospect, they are equally so. We cannot function as a society without our Warriors, and they cannot do what they need to without a wife with visions. You’re essential to us.”
I could recite that part by heart. The royal houses were only royal because they proved somewhere along the lines to have the gift. Despite that, a long time—longer than some could even remember—has passed since some of the families exhibited any signs of it.
Jayne squeezed my hand. At sixteen, almost seventeen, years old, it seemed downright cruel for them to force her to attend a ritual. Another four years would have been kinder.
“But fear not! If you’re not one of the sighted, the ritual offers a wonderful opportunity for you to meet potential spouses at the ball, which will be held in this very room afterward. More marriages are formed here than anywhere else in our lands.”
That was true for my parents, since my mother met my father at her ball.
She continued. “If you’ve had visions prior to the ritual, you likely stopped, and many of you may be wondering why. I want to tell you it’s a strange phenomenon that always happens before the ritual. Basically, don’t worry, it will come back.” Damn it. I didn’t like that. “Now, eat and be joyful. When you’re done, you’ll be shown to your rooms. Later today, the fashion fittings will begin.”
The doors flew open and men hauled in enormous trays of food, setting individual plates down in front of us. I guessed the servants were, for the moment at least, not women taking part in the ritual. Maybe they don’t do that anymore? Maybe all the women here can be treated equally.
Even as I thought it, I highly doubted it.
As they set down our salad, I stared at the presentation. We ate very quickly at home, and never something so artistically presented.
Hannah nudged me. “We don’t eat like this where I’m from, either. Not really. We’re rich, but my father doesn’t like fuss. It’s a lot of get it done and get on with the day. When we come to Hawkseye, it’s always stunning to see how much time they get to take to eat here. Like, isn’t there work we should be doing?” She smiled at me as she stabbed a fork into her own salad.
