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Seventeen

Kai stared out the atching the clouds swirl over the continent below He sought out the Great Wall snaking across the Commonwealth and s even the Fourth World War couldn’t destroy

He hoped this wouldn’t be the last tier he was putting hi with countless representatives from the rest of the Union He hoped Levana had been truthful when she said she meant them no harm He hoped this wasn’t about to turn into a bloodbath in which the na&iu did little to comfort him He didn’t trust Levana Not for a ive Cinder the chance she needed to face Levana and start her rebellion Cinder’s success would rid theue No h, he cast his restless gaze around the sitting roo view of Earth, Kai would have had no idea he was aboard a spaceship at all The décor held all the old-world decadence of the palace: ornate lanterns and gilt wallpapers and a theo, bats had been a syood luck, but over the years they had coh the darkness of space

Torin caught his eye from an upholstered chair on the other side of the roo his portscreen He had insisted on co that the Chair of National Security, Deshal Huy, would be capable of acting as head of the Commonwealth in their absence Torin’s place was beside Kai--for whatever it orth

"Is so, Your Majesty?"

"Not so far" He rubbed his palhs "You told the pilots I want to be informed if any ships hail us?"

"Of course I wish I could tell you they found it to be a reasonable request, but they see as they do it"

"And you’re sure this is a good idea?"

"Not in the slightest" The ship turned and Earth was no longer visible through theKai turned away "But I trust her"

Torin set down his port "Then I have no choice but to trust her as well"

"Hey, you’re the one who told her aboutchip"

"Yes, and I have since wondered if that was the biggest mistake I’ve everto relax "Cinder can do this"

"You mean, Selene can do this"

"Selene Cinder She’s the saree To the world, Linh Cinder is a dangerous felon who kidnapped a world leader and instigated a hile Princess Selene could be the solution to all our proble Linh Cinder, the world will think you’re nothing but an infatuated teenager By helping Selene, you’rewhat you believe is best for the Commonwealth’s future"

A wisp of a smile jotted across Kai’s lips "Whatever the world thinks, they are the same person I hat’s best for Cinder, and I hat’s best for "

It had been a relief to tell Torin everything--the only person he trusted to keep his secrets Cinder’s identity, the real reason they were going to Luna, the revolution she planned to start there, and Kai’s role in it all Though Torin expressed concern that Kai was risking far too much, he hadn’t tried to talk hi a little bit of faith in Cinder as well, even if he tried to hide it behind cold cynicism