Resealing her fingertips, she peered at the doctor. Thank you.

My pleasure, said Dr. Nandez, standing. Ill be back to check on you in a few hours.

As soon as she left, Cinder felt the air change. A sudden tension, a sudden stillness.

She licked her parched lips. Are you the king of Luna now?

Kai looked surprised at the question. No. As Levana was never the true queen, she didnt have the legal power to appoint anyone as king consort. I am technically a widower, but I think I can get that little mishap annulled.

Little mishap? For something she had risked her life to prevent multiple times, Cinder wasnt sure she could consider Kais marriage a little mishap.

A temporary mistake, he said, shoving away the surgeons light so it was no longer blinding Cinder. With all that was going on, we never even had time to consummate.

Cinder coughed. Unnecessary information.

Really? You werent curious?

Id been trying not to think about it.

Wellthink no more. Im still thanking all the stars, one by one.

Cinder would have laughed, except it hurt too much.

Pacing around the bed, Kai claimed the doctors stool. The wheels clacked on the floor as he pulled himself so close his knees pressed against the bed frame. What else do you need to know before I let you get some rest?

She ran her tongue against the roof of her mouth, wishing she would have drank more water. Am I do they think Im?

The queen?

She nodded.

Yes, Cinder. Youre the queen of Luna. The words were unrelenting. So unapologetic. They ran your DNA while you were unconscious and youre definitely Selene. According to Lunar law, that means you were the princess regent until your thirteenth birthday, at which time you became the queen of Luna. Levana was the impostor. Theyre calling you the lost queen. Theyve been celebrating your return since the night of the battle. Of course, they will want to have a ceremony eventuallymore for tradition than anything else.

Cinder bit her lip, thinking of the years shed spent under Adris care. A mechanic, a servant, a piece of property. All that time shed been royalty, and she had no idea.

Even the thaumaturges, the ones who are still alive, say their loyalty is to the Lunar throne and whoever sits on it. At least, thats what theyre saying now. Well see how they feel once things start to change around here. Kai scratched behind his ear. The army is being problematic. Were recalling all those who were sent to Earth, but some of the soldiers are well, not convinced the war is over. Some have gone rogue on Earth and the Earthen militaries are doing their best to track them down, but were hoping to

She reached for his hands, silencing him.

She was still working through the fact that she was the queen.

She was the queen of Luna.

She reminded herself that this was what she wanted. This responsibility, this duty, this right was what shed been fighting for all along. The chance to rid the world of Levana and change the country shed been born to. To change it for the better.

Kais fingers covered hers. Only then did she realize shed grabbed him with her cyborg hand.

Im sorry, said Kai. You dont 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. Were preparing some big shipments for Earth, and the technicians have been working to produce more batches. Weve already sent more than a thousand doses home with the diplomats and they say well have triple that amount ready to go out tomorrow evening, although He hesitated, a shadow crossing his face. The antidote is produced using shell blood, and theres a whole complicated mess of laws surrounding the shells, and the antidote, and I didnt feel comfortable doing anything without you. Thats something were going to have to deal with, when youre 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 knew how drained she must look. Thank you, Kai.

He shifted his head, chunks of hair falling across his brow. Im sorry. I should let you sleep. Its just its really good to see you awake. To talk to you about all this.

How long was I out?

Almost three days.

She turned her eyes toward the ceiling. Three days. What a luxury.

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

Is it?

He hesitated. Well. The dangerous part is over.

Can you do something for me?

Kai frowned, like he didnt want to encourage any crazy ideas, but the moment was brief. Anything.

Have all the Earthen leaders gone back to Earth?

No. We were able to sneak all the Earthens out of Artemisia during the fighting, once we got the ports open, but most of them came back after they learned you succeeded. I think theyre all waiting to meet you.