Cinder was weary of allowing Clay to roam around free. Though she did not contradict Thorne's judgment. She knew he had a plan for everything, and all variables of change seemed to be accounted for when he crafted his plans.

All of this went completely against his foolish and carefree personality. Then again, so did his tragic explanation for why he had mermaid tears. Losing someone you love, someone so generous and kind, it must kill him every day to know that they're gone.

She watched him at the helm as he directed the ship onto its proper course. It seemed as though he was uncomfortable with steering this particular ship. Perhaps he was ship sick for his own vessel.

Whatever would happen to the Solstice once Thorne had his own ship back, Cinder had no clue. She suspected Thorne might sell it or give it to Wolf to get them off their backs. Or present it as a compensation to the crew for their services. For one, because Thorne had no way to pay them for such services. And two ...

because Cinder suspected they would have no need of a crew once they got back to Thorne's ship.

Something about the way he spoke about it, or anyone for that matter, gave Cinder the impression that it had magical properties. Like many of the objects Thorne possessed as Cinder was coming to realize of late. The mermaid tears, the bag of junk he held firmly to his side at all time, his compass, all of it. All of those things had magical properties. So why shouldn't his ship?

Another thing was reeling in the back of Cinder's mind. Even though she'd been a low-waged blacksmith, she'd heard many stories about the dangers of the Caribbean. She could recall a few select tales of mermaids, and their mercilessness. Some said that their tears were more valuable than diamonds. That they had long whips of seaweed, stronger than any rope. They had the strength of ten men, speed surpassing any ship, teeth sharper than any blade. Hearts more cold and black than Hell itself.

She'd seen that the rumors the impossible healing properties of mermaid tears were true enough. But one part of that truth laid unanswered. How a mermaid had given up the tears. Was it willing? Or was it by force? Some said that mermaids would rather be tortured to death by any means than give up a single tear. Other said that the only way to get one was to cut out their eyes, and rip the droplets from the back of their sockets.

So how had this friend of Thorne's been able to capture a tear? And could it be the reason why they were now missing?

Or, were Cinder's sneaking suspicions correct? Could the person Thorne loved so dearly have given the tear to him as a last resort for healing? Could that person love him so much that they would do anything to protect him?

Could the person Thorne love, indeed, be a mermaid?

Well, that was just something Cinder was going to have to ask Thorne.

...................

Kai paced in his chambers, ponder of what in the name of Luna could Cinder and her new friend could possibly be up to that would involve the two of them escaping Port Royal Prison.

Why Cinder would run from her fate at the Gallows was simple enough. She didn't want to die. But why she would go out of her way to free the pirate as well was still a profound mystery to him.

Something ate at his brain as he thought of this. Maybe it was Levana's constant advances even when she was supposed to be organizing a search party for Cinder and the pirate. It could have been his father's worrying and constant despair at the relations between Port Royal and Luna.

Yet, Kai felt it had something to do with Cinder's Lunar Mark. Something about it did not seem right. For answers, Kai knew exactly where to look. And as fate would have it, Levana was finally out of the Governor's household for the day. She was back at her own place of residence in Port Royal for the time being. Supposedly plotting the best ways to locate and capture Cinder.

As if Cinder could be so easily caught.

Still careful to avoid anyone, Kai left his room for the Library. He seemed to remember a certain book his father once showed him. One that could clear up his confusion.

Cautiously, he tread down the stairs of the house and avoided all the servants. All of them were doing their regular jobs. He acted as though he was doing the same. He was only on a walk through the house. He wasn't up to anything. Certainly nothing that could be linked to attempting to betray the agreement of cessation of hostilities between Luna and Port Royal.

Though, in Kai's defense, even if he was committing such an act, Levana broke that agreement first. Call it a bit of payback for all the people who have been killed because of Levana.

Sneaking past a few attendants, Kai entered the Library and began to rummage through the books. He knew there was one that could help him. One that was solely based on the history and beliefs of the Lunar colony just across the sea. Books old and new bundled onto such small shelves. He scanned the titles on the spine of the novels and searched for that one book that could prove his hunch correct, and give him the argument he needed to save Cinder from her otherwise grim fate. He could help her, and if he was right, save her from death.

He could bring her back, save Port Royal, Luna, and her in one fowl swoop.

At last, he found the book tucked away from the world, under the cover of dozens of others. He snatched it from the shelf and blew the dust from the top. He set it down on the table behind him and flipped through the pages. He caught glimpses of stupid, insignificant facts of how Luna was founded and on what principles they ruled their colony.

They rule it on lust for power and rage, Kai thought. Though if his hunch was right, that could change. He just needed to be right.

After what seemed like hours, Kai found the chapter on the tattoos Lunars wore so proudly – in most cases. He read that they magically appeared on the wrists of Lunar babies within an hour after their birth. That they could not be removed or altered in any way. What the completeness of the center circle pertained to.

A full circle meant you were fully Lunar. Most of the inhabitants of Luna were of course. There was next to no intermingling of Lunar and non-Lunar people because of the Non-immigration Act of Luna, imposed by an ancestor of Levana. But those few who have Non-Lunar lineage, there were tattoos for them as well. There were half shapes, for one Lunar parent and one Non-Lunar. There were one quarter tattoos, three quarters tattoos, even completely empty ones to signify being a Shell – a Lunar ungifted with a Glamour. The side of the filled in bit relied on to which side of your family your Lunar heritage came from. Left for your father, right for your mother.

But then, Kai got the very interesting tidbit about the marks of the Royal Family. Seeing the image drawing to replicate the mark, Kai nearly yelled out in triumph. The mark was that of Levana's, true enough.

It was also the mark Cinder bore on her wrist. The one she'd been arrested for having. She was no ordinary Lunar. She was part of the Royal Family!

Kai sighed in relief. So the stories were true. The rumors of another heir to the Throne of Luna were not false after all. Queen Channary had a child after all, and she'd survived Levana's wrath. Well, until now.

Sudden realization washed over Kai. Levana knew that Cinder was the true heir, and that if word ever got out, she would lose her place as Queen. She would lose all claims to the Throne and be forced to step down. She would be released and placed on trial for her crimes against Luna.

Levana was determined, she was powerful, and she had all the force necessary to find and capture Cinder. Worst of all, Cinder had no idea that she was of Royal Blood. She didn't know that he mark was special, just like her. She had no idea of the true meaning of her mark.

And Kai doubted that even if the pirate knew of the true meaning of the mark, that he would tell Cinder. Instead, he bet the pirate would use her to his advantage. To gain some sort of prize for aiding the true heir of Luna.

Or worse, he might sell Cinder off to the highest bidder. Possibly even Levana ... or anyone worse. If anyone could actually be worse than Levana was, that is.

Kai shut the book and ran back to his chambers. He had to find a way to warn Cinder of Levana's intentions. He had to tell her of her heritage, of her birthright. He had to find her and get her away from that dreadful pirate.

He threw open his door, already planning where he would hide the book. Inside his room, he found his father and Torin, expecting him.

His father looked at him, sternly. "Kaito. What are you doing with that book?"