Scarlets eyebrows jotted upward. This was Iko? Their spaceship?

Before she could reply, a sweet singing voice floated through the alley.

The parakeets sing ta-weet-a-weet-a-weet, and the stars twinkle all the night

Four pairs of eyes swiveled toward the cart that was now full of shimmering white rock, though the shaft from the building had fallen silent. At some point, Winter had crawled behind it, wedging herself between the cart and the wall. Scarlet could see the top of the red hood pulled over Winters hair.

And the monkeys frolic a-eet-eet-eet, while the rockets fly on by

Cinder approached the cart with her brow drawn and rolled it away. Winter was curled up on her side, facing the wall and drawing little designs into the dust. The tablecloth had fallen open, revealing her blood-covered skirt.

And the Earth is full tonight, tonight, and the wolves all howl, aa-ooooooooooh

The dainty howl faded away.

Scarlet could feel everyones curious gazes switching between her and the princess. She cleared her throat. Shes harmless, she said. Im pretty sure.

Winter rolled onto her back so she was staring at Cinder upside-down.

Cinders eyes widened. The others crept forward.

After three slow blinks, Winter rolled onto her stomach and pushed herself up to her knees. She turned down the hood, letting her thick hair tumble out around her shoulders. Hello.

Scarlet started laughing again. She remembered what it was like seeing the princess for the first time. Her full lips, delicate shoulders, huge eyes flecked with shavings of gray, all paired with the unexpected scars on her right cheek that should have made her less stunning but didnt.

It occurred to Scarlet that Wolf hadnt seemed to notice. She felt a little twinge of pride.

Stars, whispered Iko. Youre beautiful.

A loud click echoed through the alley. Drop your glamour, demanded Thorne, aiming a gun at the princess.

Scarlets pulse hiccuped. Wait she started, but Cinder had already put a hand on his wrist and was pressing the gun back down.

Its not a glamour, she said.

Really? Thorne leaned toward Cinder and whispered, Are you sure?

Im sure.

This statement was followed by another long, heady silence, during which Winter passed her sweetest smile between each of them.

Thorne clicked the safety on and shoved the gun back into its holster. Holy spades, you Lunars have good genes. An awkward pause followed, before he added, Who is she?

This is Winter, said Scarlet. Princess Winter.

Thorne guffawed and pushed a hand into his hair. Are we running a boardinghouse for misplaced royalty around here, or what?

Princess Winter? said Cinder. They just announced that you were murdered.

Jacin faked the murder, said Scarlet, and helped us escape.

Cinders eyes flashed toward her, surprised. Jacin?

Scarlet nodded. The guard who attacked us aboard the Rampion.

A shadow fell over Cinders expression. She looked away.

Shes just so pretty. Iko sighed, feeling her own face for comparison.

Scarlet glared. She can hear.

Cocking her head, Winter held out a hand toward Thorne. His eyes widened and it seemed an automatic response to help her to her feet.

He was blushing when Winter took her hand away and adjusted her skirt. You are all very kind, she said, but it was Cinder that her attention had landed on. She studied the cyborg, curious. Cinder scrunched her shoulders in tight to her body. And you, said Winter, are my long-lost cousin and very dear friend. I could not believe it until now, but it is true. Winter took Cinders hands into hers. Do you remember me?

Cinder slowly shook her head.

Its all right, said Winter, and her expression said that it was all right. My memories are hazy too, and Im a year older. Still, I hope we can be good friends again. She interlaced their fingers. This hand is unusual, she said, lifting the titanium-plated one. Is it made of ashes?

Is it made Im sorry, what?

Dont, said Scarlet, waving a hand. I find its better if you dont ask.

The princess grinned again. Forgive me. You are no longer only my friend or my cousin, and this is no way to greet you. She dropped into a dancers curtsy and placed a kiss on Cinders metal knuckle. My Queen, it is my honor to serve you.

Erthank you? Cinder pried her hand away and hid it behind her back. Thats kind, but you dont have to do that. Again. Ever.

Thorne cleared his throat. We need to get back to the house. Weve already risked drawing enough attention, and she He looked at Winter. There was an edge to his expression, like he didnt trust anyone who was more attractive than he was. will definitely draw attention.

Thirty-Three

Wolf helped Scarlet clean and bandage her wounded finger without asking her to tell him what, exactly, had happened. Though his expression had said he was ready to tear out Queen Levanas jugular, his hands had been breathlessly gentle. Afterward, Scarlet insisted she be given time to bathe, and though Wolf had looked borderline devastated, the time apart was worthwhile. The tiny washroom in his childhood home was by no means luxurious, but it was a far cry from the trough shed had in the menagerie, and she felt brand-new when she emerged. She and Winter were given new clothes out of Maha Kesleys meager stash while theirs were washed, though Scarlet was already anxious to have her hoodie back. It had become her own personal armor.