Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) - Marissa Meyer Page 0,58
the whole world watching, I was going to insist that Kai couldn’t marry her. I was going to tell the world about Levana’s plans to invade all the Earthen countries, so that the other leaders would refuse to accept her as a world leader. And then I would demand that Levana relinquish her crown … to me.” She pulled away from Wolf, finding that her palm had grown too warm. She rubbed it nervously on her pant leg.
Dr. Erland’s expression had gone dark. He reached forward and pinched Cinder hard above her elbow.
“Ow, hey!”
“Hmph. For a moment I thought you must be another one of my hallucinations, as surely your plan couldn’t be that stupid.”
“It’s not stupid. The news would go viral in minutes. There’s nothing Levana could do to stop it.”
“It certainly would go viral. Everyone would be clamoring to witness the tirade of the crazy cyborg who fancies herself a princess.”
“They could test my blood, like you did. I can prove it.”
“No doubt Her Majesty would stand by patiently while you did so.” He huffed, as if he were talking to a small child. “Queen Levana has her talons so deep into the Commonwealth that you would be dead before you finished the word princess. Your Emperor Kai would do anything to appease her right now. To ensure that war doesn’t break out again and to get his hands on that letumosis antidote. He wouldn’t risk angering her just to validate the claim of a sixteen-year-old girl who is already a wanted criminal.”
She crossed her arms. “He might.”
He raised an eyebrow at her, and she sulked in her chair.
“Fine,” Cinder said. “What do you suggest? You clearly know all about this political revolution stuff, so please enlighten me, O wrinkled one.”
Dr. Erland grabbed his hat off a small writing desk and pulled it onto his head. “You can begin by learning some manners, or no one will ever believe you could be royalty.”
“Right. I’m sure that poor etiquette is the number one reason for most failed revolutions.”
“Are you quite finished?”
“Not hardly.”
He pinned her with a glare and she glared right back.
Finally, Cinder rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m finished.”
“Good. Because we have a lot to discuss, beginning with how we are going to get you to Luna.”
“Luna?”
“Yes. Luna. The rock in the sky that you are destined to rule. I trust you’re familiar with it?”
“You expect me to go to Luna?”
“Not today, but eventually, yes. You’re wasting your time with this wedding business and viral media. The people of Luna don’t care what the people of Earth think. Proclaiming your identity here won’t persuade them to rebel against their monarch, or crown you as their queen.”
“Of course it will. I’m the rightful heir!”
She drew back, stunned by her own words. She didn’t think she’d ever felt so invested in her identity, and determined to claim her place. It was a strange feeling, bordering on pride.
“You are the rightful heir,” said the doctor. “But you have to convince the people of Luna, not the people of Earth. The Lunar people must be informed that you are alive. Only with them on your side can you expect to have any success in claiming your birthright. Of course, Levana will not give up easily.”
She massaged her neck, waiting for the adrenaline warnings to dissipate. “Fine. Let’s say you’re right and this is the only way. How are we supposed to get on Luna? Aren’t all the entry ports underground? And, I might guess, heavily monitored?”
“Precisely my point. We must find a way to sneak you through the ports. Obviously we can’t use your ship…” He trailed off, rubbing his cheek. “It will require careful strategizing.”
“Oh, good, more strategizing. My favorite.”
“In the meantime, I suggest you not venture too far outside the heart of this town, and stay inside your ship as much as possible. It isn’t entirely safe here.”
Cinder glowered. “In case you didn’t notice, everyone already saw me. There’s no hiding me now.”
“That isn’t what I mean. This area has suffered more cases of letumosis than any other on Earth. Although there haven’t been any severe breakouts in over a year, we can’t let our guard down. Not with you.”
“Um … I’m immune. Remember? That little discovery that kicked off this whole mess?”
He sighed, long and slow. The defeat in his expression shot a dart of worry down her spine.
“Doctor?”
“I have seen evidence that the disease is mutating,” said Dr. Erland, “and that Lunars may no longer be immune. At least,