"The Engagement Dress"

February 2022

Heat rose around Gemini's body as anger flushed her expression. "So, you get to disown me just like them."

Polara shut her eyes. "Gemini."

"It's fine; I know how it works by now." The Igne-Aravasti waved her hand exaggeratedly and turned away in a huff. "Any association with me means you get ostracized too. It's better to pretend I don't exist so you can still get invited to parties and find true love and happiness for the rest of your life."

Polara's hazel eyes narrowed painfully. "I really hope you're not being serious right now. You know how much I care about you—and how much I could care less what you are. You know I will do anything I can to get you involved... but you know there's only so much I can do." She frowned when her sister's slow pace was unchanged. "Hey—don't tell me you're going to leave after I convinced Cami you could stay!!" She thrust out her hand and caused a gust of wind to billow in a circle around the Igne.

Gemini paused, keeping her back to her sister as the Zephyr's wind died out. Her hair had been tossed, and the golden shawl had fallen off one of her arms. "True," she said softly, "I'd hate to waste my one opportunity at acceptance," she finally glanced over her shoulder.

The younger sister managed a smile. "Besides, you are absolutely slaying tonight. I don't think I've seen you in that dress before."

Gemini brought one of her hands to her shoulder and glanced down. "This was supposed to be my engagement dress. I figured, since I won't need it for that, I might as well wear it out."

--

Read Last Night on Aravast, a short story that takes place before "Westfall"

Gemini has a rough start of things as a fire-wielding Igne, but she has a sister who cares deeply for her, despite their power-centric culture and customs threatening to split them apart.

Tags: Westfall