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I knew Tessa felt the same way. Dresses meant much more to her than they meant to me. They always had. For her, this would be a dream.

This would be everything.

Adeline must have known that, too. This would be a lifelong memory for Tessa, even if she had to return back to the human lands once this was all over.

“Thank you, Adeline,” I said, motioning to Tessa as she began running her hands over the different fabrics that lined the wall. “This is too kind.”

Adeline only nodded. “What are friends for? Besides, I think your sister could use some distraction.”

My heart tightened watching Tessa’s entire spirit shine. She had never asked for much. I knew she always wanted more when we lived back home, but she knew. She knew I was doing everything I could. She also knew that new dresses, warm shoes, or a nice coat were out of the picture for us.

But this? I could give her this. I could let Adeline do this for her.

For us.

We spent hours in that shop. Tessa tried every single fabric combination, and Vespera eagerly debated which colors looked best with her light skin and caramel hair.

Adeline and I sat back and watched, laughing at each time Vespera stuck her with a sewing pin.

It wasn’t too long until Tessa stood in front of us with a full, brand-new dress.

“You look beautiful, Tessa,” I said as I gawked at her.

Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at her own reflection. She looked stunning. It was a shame what life could do to such raw magnificence.

She looked like royalty.

In another life, she would have been. I knew it.

“I can’t believe I get to keep this,” Tessa whispered. “I can’t believe this is mine.”

“You deserve it,” Adeline spoke up. “That dress belongs on someone as beautiful as you. And now you’ll have something to wear to the coronation ball!”

Tessa glowed.

We spent the next few hours running through the town, ignoring each of our problems. It felt nice, pretending to be three normal girls in Rewyth.

Tessa loved every minute of it.

But like all good things in my life, it had to end.

Later that night, after the three of us snuck back unnoticed, I crawled into my warm, comfortable bed. The memory of seeing Tessa smile at herself in that dress replayed in my mind until I drifted off to sleep.

* * *

Cold, scrawny hands gripped my wrists. My eyes shot open in the darkness, and I found Esther kneeling before me.

“Esther?” I questioned. “What are you doing here?”

Her long white hair looked cleaner than the last time I saw her. She appeared healthier, too. “We need to talk.”

I realized I was no longer lying in my bed. I wasn’t in my bedroom at all, actually. I was in the dungeons, where Esther should have been chained up.

But she wasn’t.

“Talk about what?” I asked, pushing myself up from the cold stone ground. How did I get down here?

“The Paragon is coming for you, child.” Her voice grew tight with desperation.