Chapter 244

Agnes

“Hold still, please,” I muttered around a mouthful of pins as I adjusted the hem of the golden dress. It was nearly finished, but these final touches would make all the difference.

Lena stood patiently on the small pedestal in my workroom, arms slightly raised to avoid disturbing the drape of the fabric. The metallic material caught the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows, sending golden reflections dancing across the walls.

“Sorry,” she said, biting her lower lip. “It tickles a bit.”

I removed the pins from my mouth and stuck them into the pincushion strapped to my wrist. “I know, but I’m almost done. Just a few more minutes.”

The dress had turned out better than I’d expected. The structured bodice with its overlapping metal plates created an armor-like effect that was both elegant and intimidating. The high collar framed the face perfectly, and the scales like that of a dragon cascaded down the back before pooling into a short train.

“It’s beautiful,” Lena said, carefully turning her head to see the reflection in the full-length mirror. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“That’s the idea,” I replied with a small smile, moving to adjust a section of the skirt.

Lena and I had similar measurements, making her the perfect model for the final fittings. It was convenient, especially with the banquet coming up so quickly. I’d been working on the dress for days now, pushing myself to finish it in time. In fact, I had probably bitten off more than I could chew once more; I had made a small golden princess dress for Thea, and had even made a simple but elegant silk slip dress for Lena.

“You really didn’t have to spend your free time making that dress for me, you know,” Lena said as if reading my mind, jerking her chin toward the dress that was hanging and ready for her on the back of the door. “But… Thank you.”

I grinned. “I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to. You’re my friend.”

Lena’s face turned pink, and she cast her gaze toward the floor.

Friend. I really did feel as if I could call her that these days. Lena had become a steadfast part of the family at this point. Thea, Elijah, and I all adored her.

And yet, as I worked, I found myself thinking about the conversation I’d had with Evelyn and Gertrude at the fabric store. The question of how Lena had seemingly known about my abilities before we told her still nagged at me. Maybe now was a good time to just ask her directly.

“Lena,” I began as I pinned a section of fabric, “I’ve been wondering about something.”

“Hmm?”

“Before we told you about my… abilities, when we were at Richard’s estate… did you have any idea? About what was going on with me, I mean.”

Lena was quiet for a moment before she answered. “I knew something was up, I suppose. You were acting strangely.”

I paused in my work, looking up at her. “So you suspected?”

“I had my theories,” she admitted with a small shrug. “But I wasn’t certain until you told me.”

That made sense. Lena was observant, always had been. And I hadn’t exactly been subtle. We already knew all this, of course, but still… If there was an eavesdropper somewhere in the house, it was imperative that I know. Discretion was going to be of the utmost importance as we continued our quest to take down the elusive Elemental Enterprises.

“So no one told you?” I asked. “None of the staff or anyone?”

Lena shook her head. “No, no one said anything to me. Why do you ask?”

I waved my hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just something Elijah mentioned once. He thought someone might have tipped you off.”

“Oh. No,” she said firmly. “I pieced things together myself, but even then, I wasn’t sure until you confirmed it.”

I nodded, feeling a bit relieved. It must have just been a coincidence after all, then—Lena noticing the obvious signs and drawing her own conclusions. Nothing more sinister than that.

“Turn a bit to the right,” I instructed, and Lena complied. “I need to check the balance of these plates.”

We fell into a comfortable silence as I continued working. The dress was truly coming together now, each small adjustment bringing it closer to the vision I’d had when I first chose the materials.

“So,” Lena said after a while, “are you nervous about the banquet?”

I considered this as I straightened up, stretching my back. “Not nervous, exactly. More… determined. There’s a lot riding on this. We need to find out what my stepmother is up to with Elemental Enterprises.”

“And you think you’ll learn something at the banquet?”

“I hope so,” I said. “If nothing else, we might be able to figure out who else is involved, maybe even where their main facility is located.”

Lena nodded thoughtfully. “A good plan. And having your wolf back now, and control over your abilities… that certainly gives you an advantage, doesn’t it?”

“That’s the idea,” I agreed, stepping back to assess my work. “I’m not going in unprepared this time.”

After a few more adjustments to the skirt, I decided it was time for Lena to take a break. “Okay, I think we’re good for now. Let’s get you out of this so I can finish the hand stitching.”

Carefully, I helped Lena step down from the pedestal and began the process of removing the dress. It was still held together in places with pins and temporary stitches, requiring a delicate touch to avoid damaging the fabric or, worse, pricking Lena with one of the dozens of pins.

“We’ll need to go over the plan for the banquet one more time,” I said as I helped her ease the dress over her head. “You’ll be coming with us, and Thea too.”

“Right,” Lena said, standing in her slip as I laid the dress carefully on my work table.

“I need you to stay with Thea the entire night,” I continued. “Don’t let her out of your sight, not even for a second. And most importantly, keep my stepmother away from her.”

Lena nodded solemnly. “I understand. Thea will be safe with me, I promise.”

“I know she will.” And I did know that. Lena had proven herself time and again to be not just reliable, but genuinely caring and protective.

“Don’t worry,” Lena added, reaching for her clothes that were draped over a nearby chair. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at her. “I’m really glad you’re coming with us. I mean it when I say you’re my friend, Lena.”

Lena paused in the act of pulling on her shirt. “I’m glad too,” she said softly. “I’m happy to help however I can.”

Once Lena was dressed, she excused herself to check on Thea, who was supposed to be doing her homework in her room. I turned back to the dress, mentally cataloging what still needed to be done. The hem needed finishing, a few of the metal plates needed to be permanently secured, and I wanted to add some additional reinforcement to the shoulder seams.

It was going to be a long night, but the dress would be ready for the banquet tomorrow. It had to be. I settled in at my sewing machine and got to work on the hem.

Hours passed as I worked, moving from the sewing machine to hand stitching and back again. The house grew quiet around me as evening turned to night. At some point, Elijah poked his head in to check on me, but I was too focused to do more than give him a quick smile and a promise that I’d come to bed soon.

I didn’t, of course. The dress demanded my full attention, each stitch needing to be perfect, each metal plate secured just so. I lost track of time, my fingers growing sore from the needle and thread, my back aching from hunching over my work.

When I finally attached the last hook and eye at the neckline, the first hint of dawn was breaking over the horizon. I had worked through the entire night, but it had been worth it.

The dress was ready. And so was I.