A long silence was followed by Thorne grumbling, “I still plan on punching him if I ever see him again.”
Scarlet rolled her eyes.
Cinder tapped her fingers against the table. “I don’t understand why Levana tried to have you killed now. She has Kai. She’s getting what she wants.”
“I believe she’s afraid of losing her grip on Luna,” said Winter, “especially with the rumors that our true queen is still alive. She’s become paranoid, afraid of every potential threat.”
Cinder shook her head. “But you’re not her real daughter. Isn’t there some superst.i.tion about bloodlines?”
“Yes. Only a person of royal blood can sit on Luna’s throne. It is believed that should a person of nonroyal blood ascend to the throne, the gift bestowed upon our people will cease to exist. There have been countless studies proving this.”
Scarlet laughed. “Let me guess—the studies were paid for by the royal family.”
“Does it matter?” said Winter. “Whether the people believe it or not, my stepmother is frightened. She’s desperate to maintain her power. That is why she tried to kill me.”
“Good,” said Cinder. “People make mistakes when they’re desperate, and trying to kill you could be a big one.” She leaned back on her hands. “From what I can tell, the people adore you. If they knew Levana tried to have you murdered, it could be just the thing to persuade them to choose me over her. Listen, Your Highness—we have a video. If Cress’s program works, we’ll be able to play it across all outer sectors. It will tell the people who I am and ask them to join me in ending Levana’s reign.” She inhaled. “I’d like to include a message from you, to show the people you’re alive and tell them Levana was the one who tried to have you killed. Having your support would mean a lot. To them, and to me.”
Winter held her gaze for a long time, considering, before she sighed. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. Levana would find out, and she can’t know I’m alive.”
“Why not?” said Scarlet. “The people care about you. They deserve to know the truth.”
“Jacin was ordered to kill me,” said Winter, her voice growing weak, “and he went through a lot of trouble to make it look like he succeeded. I won’t endanger him by announcing the truth. The longer she goes on believing that Jacin is loyal to her, the safer he’ll be.” She looked up again. “The safer your Cress will be too.”
Thorne looked away.
“I’m sorry that I can’t help you with this. For what it’s worth, you do have my support, even if it must be a secret.” Winter slumped. Scarlet could see her withdrawing into herself and her worries over Jacin’s safety. She wished she could offer some comfort, but she had spent enough time under Levana’s thumb to know there was nothing she could say that would make Winter feel any better.
“All right,” Cinder conceded. “I understand. We’ll just have to hope the video succeeds without you.”
The front door opened and they all started. Scarlet spun around as a woman shut the door behind her. She wore coveralls dusted with regolith particles and was carrying a worn wooden box full of food. She had Wolf’s dark hair and olive-toned skin, but she also had the bone structure of a bird. Wolf could have crushed her with his fingertips.
Scarlet felt weird for having such a thought.
Everyone relaxed. Everyone but Scarlet and Wolf, whose arm turned to iron around her.
Leaning against the door, Maha surveyed the room with a fluttery smile. “They were giving out sugar,” she chirped, “in celebration of the queen’s upcoming…” She trailed off, noticing Scarlet with Wolf’s arm across her shoulders.
Winter stood up, drawing Maha’s surprise to her. Scarlet scrambled to her feet, but Maha’s attention was caught on the princess now. Her jaw had fallen.
Winter curtsied. “You must be Mother Kesley. I am Princess Winter Hayle-Blackburn, and I’m frightfully sorry about the crackers.”
Maha stared, speechless.
“I hope you don’t mind our intrusion into your hospitality. Your wolf cub welcomed us. He’s surprisingly tender, given the teeth. And the muscles.” Winter raised her eyes to the chipping plaster around the door. “He rather reminds me of another wolf I once knew.”
Scarlet grimaced.
“Your … Your Highness,” stammered Maha, looking like she wasn’t sure if she should be afraid or honored.
“Mom,” said Wolf, “this is Scarlet. She’s the one we told you about—that was taken off our ship by the thaumaturge. She’d been held prisoner in the palace, but she’s … she escaped. This is her. This is Scarlet.”
Maha had not yet managed to pull up her jaw. “The Earthen.”
Scarlet nodded. “Mostly. My grandfather was Lunar, but I never met him. And I have no … um, gift.”
With that statement, it occurred to Scarlet that Maha probably did have the gift. They all did to some degree, didn’t they? Even Wolf had had it, before the scientific tampering took it away.
But it was impossible to imagine this pet.i.te woman abusing it like it was abused in the capital. Was that naïve? How hard it must be to navigate society here, never knowing who was controlling and who was being controlled.
“h.e.l.lo, Scarlet,” said Maha, composing herself enough to smile. “Ze’ev failed to mention he was in love with you.”