hear the hope shriveling inside him and he thought he understood the temptation to wait a second more, one second more …
The second passed, and Kai set his face in stone.
“—Empress Levana of the Eastern Commonwealth. From this day until the day that one or both of us shall die, you are my wife and I will share with you my throne.”
His voice cracked on the last word. Kai tore his hands away from the crown as if it had burned him.
The crowd erupted, streamers and flower petals emerging from hidden pockets, turning the somber, sacred affair into a cacophony of noise. Levana stood. Arms outstretched, she paced to the edge of the dais, accepting the torrential praise of the Lunar aristocrats.
Before she could speak, the triumphant cheers were interrupted by a shrill screech, the sound stabbing at Wolf’s ears like needles burrowing into his brain. He crouched down, snarling. The audience cowered. The noise erupted from everywhere at once.
Wolf lifted his head. This was his chance. Though the sound had turned his vision white, his oversensitive ears making him want to fall to the ground in convulsions, his hatred for the queen was stronger than the pain.
He lunged forward, his vision full of her and her most fragile spots. Her throat. Her stomach.
He heard a war cry. A guard dove in front of him, blocking his path. Wolf slashed at him with his newly sharpened nails and grabbed the guard’s knife from the scabbard at his side. He raised the knife over his shoulder.
The guard’s yell had drawn attention, even over the screeching. The queen spun as Wolf’s hand whipped forward.
Agony locked down on him all at once, like searing metal vises clamping around his fingers, his wrist, his arm. He released the knife half a moment too soon, knowing it was wrong the second his frozen fingers were empty. The blade grazed the queen’s neck when it should have lodged into her heart, and buried itself in the heavy draperies behind the altar.
Wolf crumpled to the ground, blinded by the torrent of pain that cut through his flesh, ripping his mind apart.
The noise stopped and, with it, the torment.
The sudden absence was like a vacuum sucking out every other sound from the great hall. They were left in crystallized silence, hundreds of bodies paralyzed from shock.
Wolf lay gasping on the ground, wishing he were dead.
He knew the chance would not come again. He knew his punishment had only begun.
Levana was also panting, her eyes ablaze. Her lips looked more red than usual, matched by the blood that was beading up on the side of her neck. “Control him!”
“Yes, My Queen,” said Mistress Bement. “It won’t happen again, My Queen.”
Then, cutting through the heady silence, came a voice. The palace paused to listen. Wolf focused on the ceiling, wondering if the pain had made him delirious.
It was Cinder’s voice.
“Hello, dearest Aunt Levana,” she said, her tone light and taunting. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to make sure I had your full attention. First, allow me to congratulate you. It seems you finally have everything you’ve always wanted. Now, it’s my turn.”
There was a long pause. The speakers crackled.
Cinder’s voice was no longer jovial when she said, “You have ten minutes to come to the front gates of your palace and surrender.”
That was all.
The people waited for more. More taunting. More threats. More explanation. But the message was over.
Levana looked visibly shaken, while the emperor looked ready to burst out laughing.
Then Kai’s gaze landed on Wolf and the grin fell. His brow twitched with concern.
Wolf glowered and moved to stand on his weak legs, glad when the thaumaturge didn’t prevent it.
“It’s a trick!” Levana screamed, her voice fragmented. “She can do nothing to me!”
A patter of hurried footsteps broke through the queen’s outrage. They came through one of the side entrances, Head Thaumaturge Aimery Park flanked by two guards.
A snarl tried to rip out of Wolf’s throat and he barely slammed it down again. This man had killed his mother.
“What?” snapped the queen.
“We’ve been informed that since the security breach occurred, our system has been neglecting to relay information from the tunnels—”
“Quickly, Aimery.”
His mouth turned down. “They are inside the city, My Queen. All eight of our barricades are down.”
“Who is inside the city?”
“The cyborg. Civilians from the outer sectors. Even some of our own soldiers have joined them.”
Levana was hyperventilating, burning with rage. “The next person who uses the word cyborg in my presence will be losing
Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 1 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 2 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 3 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 4 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 5 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 6 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 7 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 8 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 9 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 10 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 11 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 12 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 13 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 14 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 15 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 16 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 17 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 18 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 19 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 20 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 21 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 22 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 23 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 24 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 25 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 26 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 27 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 28 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 29 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 30 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 31 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 32 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 33 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 34 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 35 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 36 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 37 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 38 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 39 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 40 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 41 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 42 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 43 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 44 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 45 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 46 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 47 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 48 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 49 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 50 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 51 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 52 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 53 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 54 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 55 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 56 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 57 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 58 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 59 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 60 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 61 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 62 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 63 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 64 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 65 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 66 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 67 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 68 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 69 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 70 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 71 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 72 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 73 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 74 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 75 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 76 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 77 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 78 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 79 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 80 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 81 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 82 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 83 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 84 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 85 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 86 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 87 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 88 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 89 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 90 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 91 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 92 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 93 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 94 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 95 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 96 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 97 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 98 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 99 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 100 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 101 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 102 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 103 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 104 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 105 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 106 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 107 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 108 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 109 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 110 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 111 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 112 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 113 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 114 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 115 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 116 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 117 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 118 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 119 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 120 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 121 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 122 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 123 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 124 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 125 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 126 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 127 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 128 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 129 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 130 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 131 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 132 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 133 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 134 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 135 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 136 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 137 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 138 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 139 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 140 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 141 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 142 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 143 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 144 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 145 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 146 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 147 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 148 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 149 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 150 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 151 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 152 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 153 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 154 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 155 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 156 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 157 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 158 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 159 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 160 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 161 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 162 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 163 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 164 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 165 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 166 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 167 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 168 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 169 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 170 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 171 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 172 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 173 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 174 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 175 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 176 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 177 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 178 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 179 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 180 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 181 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 182 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 183 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 184 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 185 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 186 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 187 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 188 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 189 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 190 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 191 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 192 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 193 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 194 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 195 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 196 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 197 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 198 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 199 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 200 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 201 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 202 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 203 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 204 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 205 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 206 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 207 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 208 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 209 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 210 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 211 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 212 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 213 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 214 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 215 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 216 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 217 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 218 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 219 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 220 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 221 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 222 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 223 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 224 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 225 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 226 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 227 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 228 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 229 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 230 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 231 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 232 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 233 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 234 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 235 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 236 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 237 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 238 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 239 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 240 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 241 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 242 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 243 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 244 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 245 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 246 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 247 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 248 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 249 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 250 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 251 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 252 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 253 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 254 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 255 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 256 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 257 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 258 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 259 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 260 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 261 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 262 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 263 Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) - Marissa Meyer - Page 264