“Jester to A1!” Iko finally announced. Beaming, she held the port out to Cress.
“King to C4, and I claim all rubies,” said Cress, without hesitation.
Iko paused, looked down at the screen, and deflated. “How are you so good at this?”
Cress felt a rush of pride behind her sternum, although she wasn’t sure if such a talent was impressive or embarrassing. “I played this a lot when I was bored on the satellite. And I got bored a lot.”
“But my brain is supposed to be superior.”
“I’ve only ever played against a computer if that makes you feel better.”
“It doesn’t.” Iko crinkled her nose. “I want that diamond.” Setting the port back into her lap, she fisted her hand around a ponytail of braids, once again deep in concentration.
Cinder cleared her throat, drawing Cress’s focus, but not Iko’s. “Kai will have a fleet with him. It’s imperative we know which ship he’s on.”
Cress nodded. “I can find out.”
“This plan will work,” said Wolf forcefully, like he was threatening the plan itself. He started to pace between the cockpit and medbay. His and Cinder’s anxiety made Cress more nervous than anything.
This was it, their only chance. Either it worked, or they failed.
“Crown-maker to A12.”
It took Cress a moment to switch her thoughts back to the game. Iko had made the move she expected her to, the same move her computer aboard the satellite would have made.
Cress sacrificed her Jester, then proceeded to sneak her Thief across the board, snatching up every loose emerald, until even Iko’s coveted diamond wouldn’t win her the game.
“Ah! Why didn’t I see that?” Growling, Iko pushed the portscreen away. “I never liked this game anyway.”
“Podship detected,” said the Rampion’s monotone voice. Cress jumped, every muscle in her body tightening. “Captain Thorne is requesting permission to dock. Submitted code word: Captain is King.”
She exhaled, relieved not only that they hadn’t been spotted by an enemy ship, but that Thorne was back. All the worry she’d been harboring since he and Kai had left rose to the surface of her skin and evaporated with a single breath.
“Permission granted,” said Cinder, a fair amount of relief in her tone as well. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Step one complete. Kai is back on Earth, the wedding is rescheduled to take place on Luna, and Thorne has returned safely.” She rocked back on her heels, a crease between her eyebrows. “I can’t believe nothing went wrong.”
“I would wait until you’re sitting on a throne before making statements like that,” said Wolf.
Cinder twisted her lips. “Good point. All right, everyone.” She slapped her hands together. “Let’s get started on any last-minute preparations. Cress and Iko, you’re in charge of making final edits to the video. Wolf, I need you to—”
The door to the sublevel hatch burst open, crashing against the wall. Thorne heaved himself up the ladder and immediately rounded on Cinder, who took a startled step back.
“You painted my ship?” he yelled. “Why—what—why would you do that?”
Cinder opened her mouth, but hesitated. She had clearly expected a different sort of greeting. “Oh. That.” She glanced around at Cress, Wolf, and Iko, like asking for backup. “I thought—wow, that was a long time ago. I guess I should have mentioned it.”
“Mentioned it? You shouldn’t have—! You can’t go around painting someone else’s ship! Do you know how long it took me to paint that girl in the first place?”
Cinder squinted one eye shut. “Judging from how precise and detailed it was, I’m going to guess … ten minutes? Fifteen?”
Thorne scowled.
“All right, I’m sorry. But the silhouette was too recognizable. It was a liability.”
“A liability! You’re a liability!” He pointed at Wolf. “He’s a liability. Cress is a liability. We’re all liabilities!”
“Am I one too?” asked Iko. “I don’t want to be left out.”
Thorne rolled his eyes and threw his hands into the air. “Whatever. It’s fine. Not like it’s my ship anyway, is it?” Growling, he dragged a hand through his hair. “I do wish you would have said something before I had a heart attack thinking I’d just hailed the wrong ship.”
“You’re right. Won’t happen again.” Cinder attempted a nervous smile. “So … how did it go?”
“Fine, fine.” Thorne waved the question away. “Despite my inherent distrust of authority figures, I’m starting to like this emperor of yours.”
Cinder raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know if I should be relieved or worried.”