Jacin grinned. Hopefully with fewer kidnappings.

She pressed her cheek against his shoulder. If Cinder wishes it, I would be honored to charm the people of Earth.

I had a feeling youd say that. Lying all the way back, he rubbed a hand over his forehead.

Ryu howled, crying his soul up to the menageries vine-covered glass ceiling. He was not usually so restless. Maybe it was Jacins presence. Maybe Ryu was trying to speak to her.

Maybe this was her own insanity, signifying nothing.

Winter started to speak, but hesitated. She looked down at Jacin, but he had his hand covering his eyes. She wondered if hed been sleeping much lately.

Dr. Nandez says she may have a prototype of Cinders device ready within the next week.

Jacins hand lifted. Already?

She doesnt know yet if it will work. She needs a test subject first.

Princess

Ive already volunteered. You can try to talk me out of it, but Im fully prepared to ignore you.

Jaw tensing, Jacin sat up again. The test subject? We dont know what the side effects will be. We dont know if it will even work. Let someone else try it first.

I want to do it. I am one of the most severe cases of Lunar sickness to date. She lost her fingers in the wolfs fur. But its occurred to me that, if it works, I wont see Ryu again. She smiled sadly. And what if what if people dont like me anymore?

Jacin shook his head. They dont like you because youre crazy. They like you because

She waited.

Because you were good to them when no one else was. Because you care. This device wont change who you are.

You want me to be fixed, dont you?

Jacin drew back, as if shed thrown something at him. Youre not broken.

Her vision began to blur. Yes, Jacin. I am.

No, youre He growled, a throaty, frustrated sound that made her feel giddy. Look, I would love to not have to worry about you anymore. That youll hurt yourself or that someone will take advantage of you. But youre notyoure

Im delusional, and crazy, and damaged. Ive known it a long time, we both have. Scarlet tells me all the time.

Youre perfect, he said, finishing his thought as if she hadnt interrupted. I dont care if you see dead wolves and turn into a living ice sculpture when youre having a bad day. I dont care if I have an imprint of your teeth on my shoulder. I dont care if youre fixed. He spat the word like it tasted bad. I want you to be safe and happy. Thats all.

Winter fluttered her lashes at him, and he turned away. Dont look at me like that.

I want to be the test subject. She reached for his hand. Ill be safe and happy when Im no longer afraid of my own mind.

Pressing his lips into a thin line, Jacin nodded. Slowly. I just dont like the idea of you going first, he grumbled.

Jacin?

He met her gaze again.

Winter scooted closer and linked her arm with his. You think Im perfect?

He didnt look away. Didnt look bashful or even nervous. Just stared at her, like shed asked him if Luna orbited the Earth.

Then he leaned over and brushed a kiss against her forehead. Just sort of, he said. You know. On a good day.

Ninety-Seven

All of them?

Cinder smiled at Ikos exuberance. She had already gotten more joy out of the way Iko was beaming at the rows and rows and rows of dresses than she ever would have gotten from the dresses themselves.

Every last one, said Cinder. I never want to look at them again.

She had already spent more time surrounded by Levana than shed intended. Her perfume, her gowns, her jewelry. She had no interest in her aunts wardrobebut Iko did, so Iko could have them all.

She had never seen Iko so pleased. Not even when Thorne had brought her that escort-droid body hed found in the desert. Not even when the shipment from Earth had finally arrived with the spare parts to fix her near-destroyed body. Cinder had told her that with so much damage it would be more cost effective to install her personality chip into a brand-new body. She could have had her pick of any model she wanted. But Iko had refused. She had grown attached to this one, shed said, and besidesnone of her friends bodies were disposable, so why should hers be?

Cinder had no argument for that.

The only upgrade Iko had requested was a pair of brand-new eyes that changed colors based on her moods. Today her eyes were sunburst yellow. Happy, happy, happy.

You wont mind seeing them on me, will you? asked Iko, pulling a slinky orange piece off its hanger and holding it against her chest.

Not if they make you that happy.

Where will I wear them? Before Cinder could answer, she waved her hand. Never mind. Where wouldnt I wear them? Hanging the slinky dress back up, Iko scanned the wardrobe again. Her eyes darkenedmore buttercup now, with a tinge of lime around the edges. I think I feel guilty.

Guilty?