Chapter 209. Mending the Gap

~Eldridge territory, Sun-World~

Elena squinted, her tongue sticking out as she tried to pass a thread through the eye of a small needle. The tent was dimly lit by a single candle; sunlight struggled to filter through its walls. After a few failed attempts, the thread finally slipped through. She pulled it halfway, tied the ends into a tight knot, and exhaled in relief.

She picked up the dress lying in front of her and sighed, staring at the long tear—ripped open during Lady Meredith’s attack on the Hidden Path. Her brows drew together as that woman’s face surfaced in her mind. The image of Meredith’s smile, her relentless lust for money, sent chills down Elena’s spine. She shook her head, trying to banish the thought, and guided the needle into the fabric, carefully piercing it.

She worked the thread back and forth until the gap was sealed tight, then repeated the process until satisfied.

Snipping the thread with a small knife, she let the dress fall to the g