“It appears they’ve found your friends’ ship orbiting in space, abandoned. They’re towing it back to the Republic now to begin searching it for evidence to be used against your kidnappers. Once they’re found, of course.”
Kai rubbed the back of his neck. “They knew it would happen, but still, Thorne won’t be happy when he finds out.”
“It was a stolen ship. Regardless of whose side he’s on now, the man is a thief and a deserter. I find it difficult to be sympathetic to his loss.”
Kai couldn’t keep down a wry smile. “I don’t disagree, but when we see Thorne again, maybe I should be the one to break this news to him.”
He let his gaze travel out to the edge of the lake, where the water met with the encompassing dome. It looked like the end of the world out there. Civilization inside a perfect capsule, all sparkling and pristine. Beyond it, nothing but wasteland. On the horizon he could see the edge of another dome and he wondered which it was.
He had chosen his words carefully. When they saw Thorne again, not if. Because that’s how he had to think about all of his allies, his friends. That’s how he had to think about Cinder if he was going to make it through this. He wondered where she was right now, how far she’d gone. Was she safe?
A tap at the door startled Kai, but the surprise was suffused with dread. “So it begins,” he muttered. “Enter.”
It wasn’t a wedding stylist, though, but one of his own guards in the doorway, holding a small package wrapped in strips of colored velvet. “Pardon the interruption. This was delivered by a servant as a wedding gift from Her Majesty the Queen. We’ve tested it for chemicals or explosives and have deemed it safe to open.” He held the package toward Kai.
“You mean she doesn’t intend to blow me up before the ceremony?” said Kai, taking the box. “How disappointing.”
The guard looked like he wanted to crack a smile, but he resisted. Bowing again, he retreated into the corridor.
Kai made quick work of the wrappings, eager to be done with whatever new torment Levana had devised for him. He was picturing a very tiny ball and chain as he lifted the box’s lid.
He froze. The blood drained from his head, seeping all the way down to his feet.
A cyborg finger was settled onto a bed of white velvet. Grease was smudged into the knuckle joints and disconnected wires jutted out one side.
His stomach twisted.
“She has Cinder,” he said, passing the box to Torin. Dazed, he paced back to the windows, his thoughts muddled with denial. This gift answered so many of his questions, and he realized that Torin was right.
Sometimes, it was better to be ignorant.
*
It had been ages since Levana could remember feeling such contentment.
Her bothersome niece was once again in captivity and, soon, would be no more bother at all.
Her annoying stepdaughter was dead and she would never again have to listen to her mutterings or indulge her inane wishes.
In mere hours, she would be married to the emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth, and in a few short days she would be given a crown and the title of empress. It would not be long before all of Earth was hers. Resources. Land. A place for her people to enjoy the beauty and luxuries Earthens took for granted.
She imagined the history texts centuries from now, telling the story of the Lunar queen who had conquered the blue planet and begun a new era. An era ruled by those most worthy.
She hardly felt the weight of the jewels that were clipped to her gown’s sleeves and draped across her collar. She hardly noticed the servants as they shuffled around her, adjusting the skirt of her wedding dress, flouncing the crinoline, making final adjustments to the bodice’s fit.
Without a mirror, Levana knew she was beautiful. She was the most beautiful queen Luna had ever known, and Kaito was lucky to have such a bride.
She was smiling to herself when she finally dismissed the servants.
“Stunning, My Queen.”
She turned to see Aimery in the doorway.
“What liberties you take to enter without announcing yourself,” said Levana, though there was little venom to her tone. “I am preparing for my wedding ceremony. What do you want?”
“I do not wish to be a distraction. I understand this is a momentous occasion, for all of us. But I wanted to put your mind at ease regarding tonight’s … special guest. The cyborg will be brought to the throne room during the feast as requested. Everything is arranged.”
“I am happy to hear it. What a surprise her presence shall be for my new husband.” She rubbed her thumb over the base of her ring finger as she spoke, feeling the worn stone band. It was a constant memory of her first husband, Winter’s father. He would always be her only love, and she had sworn long ago that this ring would never be removed from her finger.
Concealing it was as much second nature to her now as the glamour of her red lips and serene voice.