Page 114 (1/2)

Thinking it, Kai shut his eyes and bit his tongue against a s the fantasy was petty But oh, hoould love to see their faces if--when--Cinder becaent way of life was co his attention over his shoulder Torin stood in a forh it was hours away

"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Rikan," Torin said It was a code they had devised with the rest of the Earthen guests--to begin eachsome other person who had been present when they had first formally met It had been Kai’s idea, so they could alwaysto the person they believed they were speaking to, rather than a Lunar using a tricky glamour

Kai s Torin, who had been a permanent fixture in the palace since before Kai’s birth

"My aze dropped down to Kai’s bare feet and rolled-up slacks, but didn’t linger "Any news?"

"Nothing You?"

"I spoke briefly with President Vargas earlier He and the other American representatives feel threatened They feel we’re all being held hostage"

"Smarthis toes into the wet sand "Levana believes she has us right where she wants us"

"Is she wrong?"

Kai frowned, and didn’t respond His silence was followed by a sigh

Glancing back, Kai saw Torin untying his dress shoes and re to stand beside Kai in the surf

"I told President Vargas that once Levana has the title of empress, she will feel less defensive and we’ll be able to set rational boundaries around a new Earthen-Lunar alliance" He hesitated, before adding, "I didn’t say anything about Princess Selene I felt he would see any hope placed in her as nothing more than a fairy tale"

Kai bit the inside of his cheek and hoped that wasn’t the case He had been putting his faith in Princess Selene even before he’d found her Even before he’d known she was the most capable, resourceful, deter fantasies of a royal Earthen-Lunar e that didn’t involve Levana at all

"Your Majesty," said Torin, with a tone that said he was about to broach a subject Kai wasn’t going to like Kai braced hiht to what your next move will be should our hoped-for outcome not come to pass?"

"You mean if Cinder is dead and the people don’t rebel and to I find myself stuck with an empress ants to kill e war on my allies until they all succumb to her will?"

Torin made a derisive sound in the back of his throat "I suppose you have been thinking about it"

"It’s crossed my mind a time or two" He peered at Torin fro at his adviser felt like looking at an older, wiser version of hiray-flecked hair, a longer nose, and thin, stern lips But standing barefoot in the water, each with their hands in their pockets and their faces turned toward the lake, Kai thought it wouldn’t be a bad thing to grow up to be as stable and capable as Konn Torin Or as thoughtful and intelligent as Kai’s father had been