I hated those days, and most of the time I hated the rebels because it felt like they were the ones hurting me by incurring the Kaiser’s wrath. I knew those faces most of the time: Guardians who had served my mother, men and women who had given me candy and told me stories when I was young.

Once a week, I would be dragged out to the capital square to be whipped by one of the Kaiser’s men and made an example of while the heads of fallen rebels stood rotting on pikes behind me. In the years after the siege, there were always stories about rebel Astreans striking out against the Kaiser. I don’t tell her what I’m really listening for, that I sift through each vapid rumor for whispers of Astrean resistance, for any hope that someone is still out there, that someday they might rescue me. “That’s because I listen,” I say with a wink. “You always know the best gossip, Thora.” When I only smile in response, she sighs and elbows me lightly in the side. “Really? Where did you hear that?” she gasps. “I suppose when you consider her actual father’s debts…” I trail off, arching an eyebrow.Ĭrescentia’s eyes widen. He’s old enough to be her father and he smells like rotten meat.” She wrinkles her nose. “Yes! They say she’s hoping to entice Duke Clarence,” Cress says.

“No!” I shriek, pretending to be scandalized. You could practically make out her intimate attire-or lack thereof!”

Ash princess