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As the gap between the doors grew, Winter saw they were in a cave built into the side of a crater Beyond its ried rocks and pock as a black hole

"Jacin saved us both," she whispered, her chest aching

Scarlet harru in line with the others Ahead, the boosters on the ships nearest the exit flamed and thrust the with information But, yeah Remind me to thank him someday"

"Levana will kill hiernails, s her slippers She blinked, and the bloodstains began to seep through the fabric, spreading

Winter let out a weak breath It’s not real, Princess

"I’m sure he stayed behind for a reason," said Scarlet "He must have a plan"

Their ship reached the front of the line and the whole galaxy opened up before theo"

As Scarlet’s fingers flew over the controls and the podship hulanced back one last time There was a jerk Her sto bay and Scarlet was laughing and the crystal do smaller and smaller and …

Winter sobbed and pressed a hand to her mouth

"Hey, hey, none of that," said Scarlet, not bothering to hide her own effusive joy "We made it, Winter, and I’h"

Winter’s neck began to ache froaze away fros blurred together and the lights twinkled and went out, invisible beneath the dome’s surface

"She will kill him"

"I know you’re worried, but look We are out of that star-forsaken city We’re alive and we’re free, so stop ainst her chair’s back More tears were threatening to escape, but she held the silence, she felt a hand settle over hers

"I’m sorry," said Scarlet "That wasn’t fair I know you like him"

Winter sed "I love hi plant"

"Your ohat?"

"I don’t know My heart, I think My body I love him, every part of him"

"Fine, you love hi"

"Protectingme" She was startled by the unexpected scent of blood invading her lungs She looked down and gasped

"What? What’s wrong?"

Winter held the fabric of her dress away fro whiteit dark red Even the cloth they’d taken from the servant was covered The stench was so thick she could taste it

"Winter?"

"It--it’s nothing," she staine it away The blood dripped down her legs

"You’re hallucinating, aren’t you?"