Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
They do not speak to me on the way there, so I occupy myself by looking out the window at the city. Many of the old buildings have been preserved, making it one of the prettier places in Angeland. There are shining cobble streets and big old brick and stone buildings held together with mortar and custom.
My family never spent much time in the city. Every season, Mother and Maraline and I go to refresh our wardrobes and attend a few social gatherings. Maraline has always complained she doesn’t get to go on her own. She probably will be allowed to now, because she will never be matched. She will have to live her life as an independent woman, able to go where she pleases and do what she wants. It is a terrible fate, one she has regarded with deep horror for as long as I can remember.
My mind keeps drifting from thoughts of home to the strange ordeal I experienced in the medical bay. I can’t make sense of it. My body no longer feels quite so odd, not as light, and not as good. But there are lingering aftereffects, I think.
Does orgasm make you stupid? Is it permanent? I should be getting excited about the plane. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
Only officers of the Artifice have the ability to authorize air travel. It is a great privilege to be allowed to go on a plane. Maraline would not stop talking about how excited she was for the flight. Apparently they serve you unique foods and warm towels and other luxurious treats. There’s even entertainment.
I am still trying to comprehend all that is happening to me when we arrive at the airport. Once again, I am met by a fresh set of Artifice officers. The Artifice keeps many people busy doing its bidding. I am starting to feel as though the only people left in the world are ones who work for the machine.
“This is Mila Seraphine, intended of Archon-General Arthur Darken.”
I am presented to someone by someone. I really don’t know anymore. The one doing the presenting has an Angelish accent. The one being presented to is from The State.
“This is the Archon-General’s bride?” The State officer is unimpressed. Rude.
“It is.”
“Why is she dressed like a flower seller in a particularly depressing historical show?”
“I don’t know. This is the Artifice’s chosen.” There is a certain tone in the Angeland officer’s voice. I don’t think she approves of the flashy officer from The State. I’m sure I don’t.
“Well, she’ll need to get changed.”
“She doesn’t have any luggage.”
“What do you mean she doesn’t have any luggage?”
The conversation goes on in this manner for longer than really makes sense. The State officer seems unable to grasp the fact that I don’t have anything with me.
“I didn’t know I was the one who was chosen,” I explain.
“You have been matched with a highly regarded male,” the officer tells me. “You should have come prepared.”
“I didn’t know I was the one who had been matched… we just…” I am confused. “We just had this conversation.”
“It is your responsibility to answer when the Artifice calls. There are no acceptable excuses. You are an adult.”
I cannot argue with that. Technically, I am an adult. And though my life is not my own, and I had no chance to discover that I was the one chosen to be matched, and had no ability to provide for anything myself, it is still my responsibility. Because that is how life works. Unfairly, and with little regard for reason.
“There are several other Angelish matches traveling today. There will be no drinking on the plane. Come with me. Keep up. Come on. Quick, quick!”
I wonder when the respect as an Artifice chosen bride begins. So far I am being spoken to like a stray. I know why. It is because I am dressed so plainly. People respect clothes more than they do people. They identify and recognize people by them. That’s why my mother spent so long ensuring Maraline would look good, though I do not know how such an ornate dress would travel well through this cavernous airport.
When I finally reach the airplane, I almost don’t realize I am on it. The passage simply turns into a plane somehow. There’s a door, I suppose. Again, my attention is split so many ways. I know I am not thinking about all the things I should be thinking about. I just don’t have the space for it right now.
The aircraft is large enough to fit hundreds of people, but there are only five girls seated in it. I am dressed the plainest of them all, and I am the last on. This is because of all the mess with my family.
There are a few Artifice officers, but I note that they all sit in the front section, which is where the bigger seats and nicer interior is. I am happy to go to the back, if only to have a moment to myself to think. There has not been an opportunity to begin to process what is happening.