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"You dare to threaten h she tried to mimic Cinder’s voice, Kai could tell the difference "In front of both our kingdo frootten through the glah the manipulation It wasn’t much, but he had actually hurt her

"It wasn’t meant to be a threat," he said

Her eyes narrowed

"We both know you intend to kill ht it was fair to let you know the feeling isto see such hatred on Cinder’s face

Vibrating with adrenaline, Kai looked back at the audience Most of their guests were on their feet, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion Near the front, Torin looked like he was ready to hurtle himself over ts of seats to be at Kai’s side the instant he was needed

Kai held his gaze long enough, he hoped, to convey that he was all right He had hurt her, Kai wanted to say It was possible to hurt her Which meant it was possible to kill her

Setting his jaw, Kai turned back to face Pri her portscreen

"I do," he said, listening to his own proclaaze darted between him and his bride, like she wasn’t sure if she should proceed or not But then Levana straightened her wedding gown--or Cinder’s ball gown, as it was Whatever reaction she was hoping to get froive it to her

When the silence had hovered for too long, Levana growled, "Get on with it then"

Kaiven to me by the people of Earth, I do now pronounce you … husband and wife"

Kai didn’t even flinch

"We ask that all video feeds be discontinued so the grooht kiss his bride"

Kai waited to be hit by a wall of dread, but even that was replaced with fervent deter away, and all the Earthen newsfeeds flickering to dead air He i, and the horror theyas those feeds were silenced

He turned to Levana

His bride

His wife

She was still ioas replaced by the vibrant red wedding dress and sheer veil She s her, he ers and pulled it over her head

"I thought you ift"

Kai couldn’t bring himself to react, no htiness back to her "In fact, I do" He craned his head toward her "Selene is more beautiful than you could ever be"

He kissed her An abrupt, passionless kiss that felt nothing at all like kissing Cinder

A collective breath released fro a full body of open air between therowing ht not be polite enough Kai held out his elbow for Levana to take, their hands still bound, and together they turned to face the audience Froe lad she looked annoyed It was the tiniest of victories, but he was glad for it

They stood a