Book 2: No Choice

Estrella

Tess pulls swaths of fabric out of my trunk, sorting through party dresses and everyday dresses for anything suitable to wear through the halls now that I’m Luna.

Luna. Fuck.

“I’ve always liked this one,” Tess says.

I glance at the blue and purple damask over her arm. “I don’t want to wear blue unless I have to.”

“Because it’s their color.” Tess nods, folds her offering, and places it in the growing pile of rejected options.

This morning, I only needed to dress quickly and attend the meeting. Mother leant me one of her gowns, but she’s taller than me. Dun’s Crossing eyes might not notice the difference, but I could feel the bunched fabric and pins with every step I took. Certainly not a look befitting the Luna of Sundrop Gem.

“This one?” She holds out an orange, red, and yellow silk gown.

I run my fingers over the fabric, feeling the subtle difference in its weft and weave. Tears bead in my eyes. “Father bough