Page 10 of Ceremony of Lust
And now the time has come to prepare for the Match Ceremony.
My grandmother steps around me and reaches for a black garment bag. “You didn’t select anything to wear tonight, so I picked something for you,” she says as she unzips the bag, revealing a navy blue silk dress. “I hope you don’t mind, but this belonged to your mother.”
She pulls the dress free and shakes it out. It’s absolutely gorgeous with its rounded neckline and pearl buttons. She helps me slip into it, fastening the row of buttons down the back. When she’s finished, I step toward the full-length mirror and inspect myself. The full skirt stops just above my ankles, and the waist cinches slightly.
“It’s perfect,” I tell her. “Thank you.”
“And I brought you this.” She holds out the ring box, which I quickly accept. “For luck.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, sit and let me fix your hair.”
Having my grandmother here with me is a balm to my nerves. I close my eyes and allow myself to get lost in the gentle feel of her hands as they style my hair into cascading waves that frame my face.
“All done,” she whispers, patting me on the shoulder. When I meet her eyes in the mirror, they’re glossy, and she sniffles slightly. “You look just like your mother, you know?”
We don’t talk much about my mother. She was killed in a car accident when I was eight, and I only have a few memories of her. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I miss her, you know. But she made her own choices, as you will make your own. I wish she were still alive today to see how beautiful you are, but I don’t regret the last ten years. You helped heal a broken heart.”
There is another knock on the door, spoiling these precious moments we have together. Hadassah appears in the doorway, wearing a bright turquoise caftan with heavy gold chains around her neck. Jewels decorate her fingers and her ears; no doubt, they came from families eager to show their gratitude.
“It’s time, Yael. Kiss your grandmother good-bye,” Hadassah says firmly.
I embrace my grandmother one last time, taking advantage of the opportunity to memorize the scent of her perfume and the feel of her warmth.
“No matter what happens tonight, Yael, I am proud of you.”
One of Hadassah’s assistants escorts my grandmother out of the room, leaving me alone with the Mystic.
“Are you going to tell me who it is?” I ask cautiously.
Her lips quake slightly. “Such an eager girl, aren’t you? You will find out soon enough. Let’s go.”
There is no time to be nervous as I follow Hadassah through the winding corridors of the temple and into the main hall.
The moment we step onto the altar, the room goes silent. All of the Elders—with the exception of Anders Huxley—are seated behind a long table, and there’s a podium set up in front of them. A spotlight shines down on me and Hadassah, illuminating us for the entire community.
Hadassah clears her throat as she approaches. “Good evening, brothers and sisters. Today, we formally welcome Yael Blum into the community with this Match Ceremony.” There is a round of polite clapping.
From where I stand on the stage, I can see no one because the light is blinding, but I’m desperate for one more glimpse of my grandmother.
“Many years ago, the Blum family was one of the first to settle in Ripley. Yael’s ancestors left behind their lives to start over here in the United States and for that, we as a community are grateful. Tonight, in accordance with the rules set forth by those ancestors, a husband will be chosen for Yael and in seven days, they will be married. I have been secluded all day, praying to our ancestors and to the gods, beseeching them for guidance and ultimately, to be shown the name and the face of the man Yael will marry.”
My palms start to sweat, and the crowd murmurs slightly as they wait for Hadassah to reveal my husband’s identity. From beneath the folds of her caftan, she produces a white envelope, which she holds up for dramatic effect before taking out a piece of paper.
“Yael will marry,” she begins before pausing. “Zev Landau.”
The entire room gasps, and before I know what’s happening, I blurt out, “The Wolf?”
Hadassah turns to stare at me, her eyes like daggers as they cut deep into me. She covers the microphone with her hand and hisses at me. “Hush, Yael! Know your place.”
I shrink away into the darkness, out of the spotlight.
Other than being matched with Anders Huxley, being matched with Zev Landau is the worst possible outcome. How am I supposed to marry a man with a reputation as notorious as his?
What happens next is a complete blur. An opaque white veil is placed over my head and I’m led off the stage and practically carried through the temple until at last, I’m taken to the room where I will formally meet Zev.