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Kai’s fingers covered hers Only then did she realize she’d grabbed hi hand

"I’m sorry," said Kai "You don’t need to worry about all that right now Torin and I are taking care of everything Making sure the injured are taken care of, getting the city cleaned up … oh, and the antidote We’re preparing so ship to produce more batches We’ve already sent more than a thousand doses home with the diploo out to his face "The antidote is produced using shell blood, and there’s a whole co the shells, and the antidote, and I didn’t feel cooing to have to deal with, when you’re ready" He trailed off, though Cinder could see the struggle warring in his eyes The relief of having the antidote at his disposal, coupled with the horrible things Levana had been doing to obtain it

She tried to smile, but she kne drained she must look "Thank you, Kai"

He shifted his head, chunks of hair falling across his brow "I’ood to see you awake To talk to you about all this"

"How long was I out?"

"Al "Three days What a luxury"

"A much deserved one" Kai lifted her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckles "Take your ti The hard part is over"

"Is it?"

He hesitated "Well The dangerous part is over"

"Can you do so for e any crazy ideas, but the "

"Have all the Earthen leaders gone back to Earth?"

"No We were able to sneak all the Earthens out of Arteot the ports open, but most of them came back after they learned you succeeded I think they’re all waiting to ? You, me, the Earthen leaders … and … does Luna … do I have a cabinet, or a pri?"

His lip twitched like he wanted to tease her, but he withheld the urge "Nore would act as second in coe Aiht now, I’m afraid"

"Well, whoever you think should be invited then, to an officialAn important one"

"Cinder…"

"And my stepmother Is she still here?"

He frowned "Actually, yes She and her daughter have been given a spot aboard one of our representatives’ ships, but it won’t be leaving until to her too And maybe that doctor that was just here"

"Cinder, you need to rest"

"I’m fine I have to do this--as soon as possible, before anyone else tries to kill rinned, but it was a tender look "You have to do what, exactly?"

"Sign the Treaty of Breht a real smile to her lips "I want to make our alliance official"