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Her oas brand-new Although she had intended to wear one of Winter’s dresses again, a few Arten her coronation dress, proclai what an honor it would be Cinder hadn’t even known she had expectations until the dress surpassed them

Done up in Luna’s official colors of white, red, and black, the goas made of more material than she’d ever seen in her life The heavy white skirt draped around her like a bell, with aaisle Red and black geh the bodice A modest neckline with capped sleeves fit her perfectly

She had expected the sea hand, but they didn’t "No gloves," one of the seamstresses said when she asked "And no veil"

A knock drew her attention to the door and the guard, Kinney, entered "Your Majesty," he greeted His respectful expression turned sour as he addressed Iko, "Madame Counselor"

Iko’s eyes went coppery with pride at her new title, even though she lare of her own

"Yes, Kinney?" said Cinder

"The captain and his crew are requesting an audience"

"Ha!" Thorne’s voice carried froet him to call me the captain"

Cinder rolled her eyes "Let therinning and dressed forh Cinder couldn’t iine it had been easy to find one to fit his altered body on such short notice His red shirtspectacularly with her hair Thorne was in a tuxedo and bow tie He ca contraption--Cinder had heard that her wounds were healing well and she was expected to be walking in short bursts by the end of the week She earing one of Winter’s gauzy yellow dresses, heuard unifor epaulets,him al than usual in a white gown that would have looked plain on anyone else Kai followed the group in a black dress shirt with aa silver platter topped with a round, single-tiered cake covered in swirls of pale yellow frosting Cinder knew immediately that it wasn’t from the royal pastry chefs, whose creations were almost too i and lack of decoration, was reuard slipped out the door Iko stuck her tongue out at his retreating back

"What’s going on?" said Cinder "The coronation starts in twenty minutes You should all be seated by now"

"It wason her toes "I knew you’d be nervous, so I thought we’d have a celebration first"

"And you made a cake?"

"Scarlet did," said Thorne

Scarlet brushed her hair off her shoulder "It’s a leaze swooped down Cinder’s dress--"you et frosting all over yourself"

Winter snorted and grabbed the tray away from Kai "Let’s not be cruel One should never save cake for later when it can be eaten now" She slid the cake onto a priceless silk divan

"I’ve never had cake before," said Cress, drawing plenty of surprised looks She was holding Thorne’s hand, but for once she didn’t shrink closer to hi the center of attention

Iko crossed her ar all the wonderful, marvelous food we’ve never had?"

"That settles it, then," said Thorne "Who brought the silverware?"