When I'm done with the body of the dragon, I fray some ribbon and add it toward the base of the skirt to simulate scales. And for the head, I use the hair accessories, removing the pins and preserving only the blue bows. Pinning them in place on her bodice, I create the effect of a side profile of a creature.

"What do you think?" I ask when I'm done, a little out of breath.

She turns to look at herself in the mirror, her eyes widening.

"I love it," she whispers. "Oh, Luce! I love it so much! Thank you!" She twirls in her dress, a genuine smile appearing on her face.

I give her a smile just as Thea also gives me a hug.

"Thank you," she murmurs in my ear. "You have no idea what it means for me to see Wyn so happy. She deserves the world." Leaning back, Thea watches her sister with an inscrutable expression on her face—one of pure love and so much more.

The seamstresses leave, but we remain behind to help Wyn with her hair. The time of the ball is fast approaching, and the nerves are starting to get to Wyn.

"What if no one comes?" she suddenly asks as she sips on her juice through a straw—very careful not to stain her dress.

"You know that's impossible." Thea chuckles.

"Not if Elora had anything to do with it. She may be a pest, but she has influence. She's part of the Royal Court and if she openly snubs me, others may too."

"The king cares too much about what Father thinks to make such a move. Even if Elora tried her wiles on him, I doubt he would jeopardize his connections with our family for a spoiled little girl."

"But you can't deny it's a possibility. If not the king, she could have easily told other families not to come..."

"You're worrying too much, Wyn. She might not even come."

"No." Wyn shakes her head. "If anything, she would come just to ruin my night. I hate her," she huffs aloud. "She's the worst. How can she even think Aethon could ever look at her when she's just a bully? My Aethon would never condone her behavior."

"Your Aethon?" Thea raises a brow.

Wyn, not wanting to argue, just shrugs.

"She only wants him because of his status. Why couldn't she go for Commander Azerius? He's even more exalted than Aethon, and as I hear, far richer," Wyn complains with a sigh.

My eyes flash at the mention of Ze, an uncomfortable heat accumulating in my breast.

"Because Commander Azerius is a horrible being whom no one likes," Thea adds drily.

"He's not horrible." I find myself defending him. "I like him."

Thea turns to me, her eyes narrowed.

"That makes you the only one."