Winter (14 page)

“Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider. We are not
losing
this war. Not yet.”

“But we aren’t winning it, either.” Kai’s lips twitched upward. “And one thing has changed. Until now, Levana has been calling all the shots, but for the first time, I might be a step ahead of her.”

Eyes narrowing, Torin took a step closer. “This isn’t about an alliance at all, is it?”

“Oh, I fully intend to form an alliance with Luna.” Kai glanced at the cyborg foot again. “I just intend to put a different queen on the throne first.”

Fifteen

The communication link took ages to connect, while Kai stood before the netscreen with his hands clasped behind his back and his heart thudding louder than the Rampion’s engine. He hadn’t bothered to change from the white silk wedding shirt he’d been wearing when he’d been kidnapped, though it was wrinkled and had a tiny hole where Cinder’s tranquilizer dart had punctured it. Still, he thought Levana might appreciate that contacting her was his first priority—above a fresh change of clothes, above even alerting the Earthen media to his return.

He was going to use every tactic he could think of to get on her good side. Anything to make this believable.

Finally,
finally
, the small globe in the corner stopped turning and the netscreen brightened, revealing Levana in her sheer white veil.

“Could it be my dear young emperor?” she cooed. “I had all but given you up for lost. What has it been, more than a month, I believe? I thought for sure your captors had murdered and dismembered you by now.”

Kai smiled, pretending she’d made an amusing joke. “A few bumps and scratches here and there, but nothing so horrible as all that.”

“I see,” Levana mused, tilting her head. “That bruise on your cheek looks recent.”

“More recent than some of the others, yes,” said Kai. Pretending his time aboard the Rampion had been a trial, barely endured, was the first step in his strategy. “Linh Cinder made it clear from the start that I was a prisoner aboard her ship, not a guest. Between you and me, I think she was still bitter I’d had her arrested at the ball.”

“How savage.”

“I’m considering myself lucky for now. I was finally able to negotiate my freedom. I’ve just returned to New Beijing. Informing you of my return was my highest priority.”

“And to what do we owe this happy occasion? I suspect those negotiations must have been cumbersome.”

“My kidnappers had many demands. A monetary payout, of course, and also that I call off the ongoing search for the fugitives, both Linh Cinder and Carswell Thorne.”

The veil fluttered as Levana adjusted her hands on her lap. “They must have believed their capture was imminent,” she said, her tone unimpressed. “Although I can’t see how that would be, given that you could not apprehend them whilst they were
in your own palace
.”

Kai’s smile remained poised. “Nevertheless, I agreed to it. However, I made no guarantees for the rest of the Union, nor Luna. I expect these criminals will be found and brought to justice for their crimes, including my own assault and kidnapping.”

“I expect they will,” said Levana, and he knew she was mocking him, but for the first time the knowledge didn’t crawl beneath his skin.

“They had one additional demand.” Behind his back, Kai squeezed his hands together, forcing his nervous energy into them. “They insisted that I refuse to follow through with the alliance terms you and I had agreed upon. They asked that the wedding not be allowed to continue.”

“Ah,” said the queen, with a spiteful laugh, “now we get to the reason that contacting me was such a high priority. I am sure it killed you to agree to such egregious terms.”

“Not really,” he deadpanned.

Levana leaned back, and he could see her shoulders trembling. “And why should these criminals concern themselves with intergalactic politics? Are they not aware that they are already responsible for starting a war between our nations? Do they not believe I will find a way to sit upon the Commonwealth throne regardless of your selfish bargain?”

Kai gulped painfully. “Perhaps their interest has to do with Linh Cinder’s claim that she is the lost Princess Selene.”

A silence crackled between him and the netscreen, still as ice on a pond.

“She seems to think,” Kai continued, “that should we proceed with this wedding and coronation, it will weaken what claim she might have on the Lunar throne.”

“I see.” Levana had reclaimed her composure and her flippant, whimsical tone. “I had wondered if she would fill your head with falsehoods. I imagine you were a captive audience.”

He shrugged. “It’s a pretty small spaceship.”

“You believe these claims of hers to be fact?”

“Honestly?” He steeled himself. “I don’t care one way or the other. I have over five billion people living under my protection, and for the past month, every one of them has gone to bed wondering if this would be the night their home was attacked. If this was the night their windows would be broken, their children pulled from their beds, their neighbors mutilated in the streets, all by your … by these
monsters
you’ve created. I can’t—” He grimaced. This pain, at least, did not have to be faked. “I can’t let this continue, and Linh Cinder, whether or not she is the lost princess, is not the one in charge of the Lunar military right now. I don’t care about Lunar politics and family dynamics and conspiracy theories. I want this to end. And you’re the one with the power to end it.”

“A heartrending speech, young emperor. But our alliance is over.”

“Is it? You seem convinced that I would bow to the whims of criminals and kidnappers.”

She said nothing.

“You had my word long before I gave it to Linh Cinder. Therefore, I feel my agreement with you takes precedence. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The veil shifted by her hands, like she was fidgeting with something. “I see that your time away has not diminished your impressive skills at diplomacy.”

“I hope not.”

“You’re telling me that you wish to proceed with our previous arrangement?”

“Yes, under the same terms. We both agree to a cease-fire on all Earthen land and space territories, effective immediately. Upon your coronation as empress of the Eastern Commonwealth, all Lunar soldiers will be removed from Earthen soil, and you will allow us to manufacture and distribute your letumosis antidote.”

“And what assurances can you give me that our wedding won’t be subjected to the same mortifying spectacle as the last one? Surely your cyborg and her friends won’t be pleased when they learn you’ve ignored their demands.”

“I’m afraid I haven’t had time to develop a plan. We’ll increase security, of course. Bring in military reinforcements—I know how much you admire them.”

Levana scoffed.

“But Linh Cinder has proven herself to be resourceful. One option would be to hold the ceremony in secret, and not release the proof of the wedding until after the coro—”

“No. I will not leave any question in the minds of the Earthen people that I am your wife, and their empress.”

Kai’s clenched his teeth to keep from gagging at the words. Y
our wife. Their empress.
“I understand. We can consider other locations to host the ceremony, something more remote and secure. A spaceship, perhaps? Or even…”

He hesitated, trying to look appalled at his own unspoken thought.

“Or even what?”

“I was just … I doubt this would appeal to you. It would require a lot of work, and I don’t know if it’s even plausible … but, why not host the wedding on Luna? It would be impossible for Linh Cinder to interfere then.”

Here, he paused, and tried not to seem like he was holding his breath.

The silence grew thick between them. Kai’s heart began to pound.

It was too much. He’d made her suspicious.

Kai started to chuckle, shaking his head. “Never mind, it was a stupid idea.” His mind whirred for another angle he could take. “I’m sure we’ll find a suitable location on Earth. I just need some time to—”

“You
are
clever, aren’t you?”

His heart skipped. “Excuse me?”

The queen tittered. “Somewhere remote, somewhere secure. My darling emperor, of
course
we should host the wedding on Luna.”

Kai paused, waited, then exhaled slowly, keeping his expression neutral. Another moment, and he remembered to even be skeptical. “Are you sure? We already have everything set up on Earth. All the transportation and accommodations, the catering, the announcements—”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” She fluttered her fingers behind the veil. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. We will host the ceremony here in Artemisia. We have plenty of space for accommodations, and I have no doubt you will be pleased with the hospitality we can offer.”

Kai pursed his lips, worried to dissuade her from the idea, and equally worried to appear too enthusiastic.

“Is this a problem, Your Imperial Majesty?”

“I don’t doubt Artemisia is … lovely. But now that I’m considering it, I’m concerned this might alienate those guests who would have been privileged to attend the wedding here on Earth. In particular, the leaders of the Earthen Union.”

“But of course the invitation will be extended to all Earthen diplomats. I would be disappointed if they didn’t attend. After all, our union will be a symbol of peace, not only between Luna and the Commonwealth, but between Luna and all Earthen nations. I can extend the invitation to each of our Earthen guests personally, if you think that would be appropriate.”

He scratched behind his ear. “With all due respect, there may be some …
hesitation
from the Union leaders. If I may be blunt, how can you guarantee that we—
they
won’t be walking into a trap? You’ve made no attempts to disguise your threats against Earth and there are suspicions that you might still use your status as empress as a launchpad for, well…”

“World domination?”

“Precisely.”

Levana tittered. “And what do you fear, exactly? That I might assassinate the heads of the Earthen Union while they’re here, as a way of paving an easier path to taking control of their silly little countries?”

“
Precisely.
”

Another giddy laugh. “My dear emperor, this is an offer of peace. I want to earn the trust of the Union, not alienate them. You have my word that
all
Earthen guests will be treated with the utmost courtesy and respect.”

Kai slowly, slowly let his shoulders relax. Not that he believed her for a minute, but it didn’t matter. She had acted how he’d hoped she would.

“In fact,” continued Levana, “as a show of my goodwill, I will agree to your request of an immediate cease-fire throughout the Union, and that cease-fire will be upheld in every Earthen territory whose leaders accept our invitation to attend the wedding here in Artemisia.”

Kai flinched.

That was one way to increase attendance.

He rubbed his palms down the wrinkled fabric of his shirt. “I can’t argue with the point that Artemisia is more secure than any place we could choose on Earth. I will discuss this with the leaders of the Earthen Union immediately.”

“Please do, Your Majesty. As I’m sure the change of location will not be a problem, I’ll begin making preparations for your visit, and our matrimonial and coronation ceremonies.”

“Right, and … on that note. When would you like—”

“I suggest the eighth of November for our wedding and celebratory feast, followed by both coronations on the day following the new moon. We can schedule it to coincide with our sunrise—it is a beautiful time here on Luna.”

Kai blinked. “That’s … my days might be a little off, what with the whole hostage thing, but … isn’t that only a week away?”

“Ten days, Your Majesty. This alliance has been deterred for too long. I do not believe anyone wishes to see my patience tried further. I do
so
look forward to receiving you and your guests.” She dipped her head in a courteous farewell. “My ports will be ready to receive you.”

Sixteen

The audio feed disconnected with a soft click, leaving the cargo bay in silence. Sitting atop one of the now-empty storage crates, Cress glanced around, taking in Cinder’s tense shoulders as she stared at the blank netscreen, the way Wolf was tapping his fingers against his elbows, and Iko, who was still focused on the portscreen on her lap, trying to figure out her next move in the game she and Cress had been playing for the last hour.

“He did it,” mumbled Cinder.

“Of course he did,” said Iko, without looking up. “We knew he would.”

Turning her back on the screen, Cinder scratched idly at her wrist. “The eighth is a lot sooner than I’d expected. I bet Earthen leaders will start departing within the next forty-eight hours.”

“Good,” said Wolf. “The wait is driving me crazy.”

No, the separation from Scarlet was driving him crazy, Cress knew, but no one said anything. Maybe the wait was driving them all a little crazy.

“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.