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. It seems you ve been keeping secrets from yourroyal superiors.Do you wish to refute my claim? Kai turned to her, and she could sense his desperation,even if she couldn t look at him.She focused only on thequeen, her jaw aching with hatred.She was glad that no tears would betray her humiliation.Glad that no blood in her cheeks would betray her anger.Glad that her hateful cyborg body was good for one thing asshe clutched onto her shredded dignity.She leveled herglare at the queen.Her retina display began to panic, noting her increasedlevels of adrenaline, her racing pulse.Warnings wereflashing before her, but she ignored them, surprisingly calm. If I had not been brought to Earth, she said, I would bea slave under your rule.I will not apologize for escaping. In the corner of her gaze, she saw Kai s face fall, eyeswidening as the truth became undeniable.He had beencourting a Lunar.A cry rang out from the trembling crowd.A round of gasps, a soft thud.Adri had fainted.Gulping, Cinder squared her shoulders. I want no apologies, said Levana, flashing a wickedsmile. I only want to see the wrongs of your life righted,swiftly and surely. You want to see me dead. How bright she is.Yes, I do.And not just you, but allthose like you.You shells are a threat to society, a dangerto our ideal culture. Because you can t brainwash us into worshipping youlike everybody else? The queen s lips tightened, hardening like plaster on herface.Her voice fell, chilling the room.A sudden burst of rainbehind her shook the windows. It is not only for my people, but for all Earthens as well.You shells are a plague. She paused, a lightness returningto her eyes, as if she might laugh. Quite literally it seems. My Queen, said the dark-haired woman, refers to yourso-called blue fever that has wreaked such havoc on yourcitizens.And, of course, your own royal family& mayEmperor Rikan rest in What does that have to do with anything? said Kai.The woman tucked her hands into the bell-shapedsleeves of her ivory coat. Hadn t your brilliant scientistsdrawn that conclusion yet? Many ungifted Lunars arecarriers of letumosis.They brought it to Earth.Theycontinue to spread it, without concern, it seems, for the livesthey are taking. Cinder shook her head. No, she said.Kai turned to her, unconsciously taking a step away.She shook her headmore harshly. They don t know they re doing it.How couldthey? And, of course, the scientists have figured it out, butwhat can they do, other than try to find a cure? The queen laughed sharply. Ignorance is your defense?How trite.You must see the truth, the fact that you shouldbe dead.It would be so much better for everyone if youwere. And for the record, said Cinder, her voice rising, I mnot a shell. The queen smirked, unconvinced. That s enough, said Kai. I don t care where she wasborn.Cinder is a citizen of the Commonwealth.I will nothave her arrested. Levana did not tear her gaze from Cinder. Harboring afugitive is grounds for war, young emperor.You know this. Cinder s visibility dimmed as her retina cascaded anonsensical diagram over her eyesight.She slammed hereyes shut, cursing.Now was not the time for a brainmalfunction. But perhaps, said the queen, we can reach some sortof a compromise. Cinder opened her eyes.The darkened film remained,but the muddled diagram was gone.She focused on thequeen just in time to see a cruel tilt of her lips. This girl seems to think you love her, and here is yourchance to prove it. She coquettishly dipped her lashes. So tell me, Your Majesty, are you prepared to bargain forher? Chapter Thirty-Six BARGAIN, SAID KAI. FOR HER LIFE? Welcome to the world of true politics. Levana took asip of her wine.Despite her blood-red lips, no mark was lefton the glass. This is not the time or the place to be having thisdiscussion, he said with a barely restrained growl. Isn t it? It seems to me that this discussion involvesevery being in this room.After all, you want peace.Youwant to keep your citizenry safe.They are both admirablegoals. Her gaze slid to Cinder. You also want to save thishapless creature.So be it. Cinder s heart thudded, her eyesight flickering as sherefocused it on Kai. And you? said Kai. I want to be empress. Cinder squirmed against the guard. Kai, no.You can tdo it. He turned back to her.His eyes were turbulent. It won t make a difference, Cinder said
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