Comet Fall (Wine of the Gods) Read Online Free PDF Page A

civilized society. The last six months had been hard on the poor woman.
    And now they'd all been dragged to Karista, to be put on public display.
    "This isn't a proper 'coming out' at all. It's merely your first appearance in public. If you were legitimate, you'd be the cause of a party."
    Rustle rolled her eyes.
    In two weeks King Rebo would be celebrating his one hundredth birthday, and wanted all of his family present.
    It was even worse for Leopardite. Technically she was Rustle's aunt, but since she was younger than Rustle by two years they usually just ignored silliness like that. But at fourteen, she' d just be introduced—presented—and then expected to disappear like a nice child. Poor Leppie wouldn't even get to dance.
    The dancing might even be worth this ridiculous bodice. Padded to lift her 'modest' bosom. Low to display cleavage. Light blue for innocence. Old Gods, they really ought to make up their minds.
    "Hold still," Aunt Fussy frowned, powdered puff in hand. "You are so pretty! I just know you will be very popular!"
    Why some people considered being the illegitimate granddaughter of the country's War Prince a privilege escaped her. And the only man she was interested in being popular with was back in Ash and probably thought she was still a baby. She could only hope that he'd think twenty-five or so was old enough, when the time came for her to advance.
    "The only reason I wi ll be popular is because these city fools think witches are promiscuous. We're going to get treated like whores invited to a fancy ball."
    Her mother shrugged. "Just be utterly proper, not even a kiss or hug from anyone. The muttering will die down after the other young women figure out y ou aren't trying to marry any of the men they—or their mothers—have set their sights on."
    Rustle quietly thanked the old gods for a mother with common sense, and held still while Aunt Fussy finished her makeup.
    "What do you talk to these people about? 'My, how bricky your city is!'" Rustle scowled. "What do the women do? Everything I read says they sit about being pretty."
    Lady Florence sighed loudly. "They manage these over-decorated ba rns, as you call their mansions. They oversee the staff and plan ahead for the household expenses and they build a social support structure that can influence their husband's prestige. They don't need income, their husbands provide for them. I know your customs are different in Ash, but I'm sure we can find you a husband of substance so you won't need to go tromping in the wilds and making magic any more."
    It was Rustle's turn to sigh. Walking the mountains, forested or bare rock were among the pleasures of life. A witch's affinity for the Earth made finding and manipulating metals and precious stones easy, so once she had advanced, she could combine pleasure with skill and make a comfortable living. Subjectively, Rustle understood the richness of their garb, and their jewelry. But the truth was, they made it all. From herding Nil's sheep, through shearing, they had always had the best wool to work with. Although from what the Auld Wulf had said, it might not, technically, be wool. Which might explain the prices Nil got for it. They had bought some of the ribbons, but had not otherwise paid for what they were able to do themselves.
    "Lady Florence, we get a get deal of pleasure and pride in being independent. We do not allow men to own or control us." Never sounded a bit miffed, and Rustle wondered if her mother was as tired of Aunt Fussy as she was.
    "Rustle, they'll ask all sorts of questions about witches. Just be perfectly honest. If they are shocked, they won't bother you again," Never snorted. "The funny ones are the ones that can't believe a witch is a virgin. Silly of them. Stand up now, and let's get a look at you."
    A summer and fall of increasingly frequent practice allowed Rustle to stand, walk and turn gracefully. The sweeping skirts with the bare minimum of petticoats barely touched the floor.