Cress (Lunar Chronicles, #3)

by Marissa Meyer

“You can help me pick out a tiara when we’re done saving the world.”

Theft, violence, trespassing, school suspensions, police reprimands. Yet Carswell Thorne, when given a chance to explain, always had a reason. A good reason. A heart-stopping, pulse-racing, awe-inspiring reason.

He was exactly the kind of hero Cress had been dreaming about her entire life.

The same wonder. The same enchantment. Though they were separated by two screens and vast amounts of empty space, she could feel the link being forged between them in that look. A bond that couldn’t be broken. Their eyes had met for the first time, and by the look of pure amazement on his face, she knew he felt it too.

“But you’re a prisoner,” said Thorne. “I prefer damsel in distress,” she murmured. One side of Thorne’s mouth quirked up, into that perfect half smile he’d had in his graduation photo. A look that was a little bit devious, and all sorts of charming.

Thorne tilted his head and peered at her through the screen. “All right, damsel. Send over those coordinates.”

“Let’s begin again, with some proper introductions. Did I hear your name was Crescent?” “Just Cress, please.” He extended a hand toward her. When she gave him hers, he tugged her closer, bent his head, and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. Cress stiffened and swooned, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her. “Captain Carswell Thorne, at your service.”

If you had even one small thing that brought you happiness, or hope that things could someday be better, then maybe that would be enough to sustain you.

“You have to trust me, Cress. I’m going to get us out of this.”

“Captain,” she murmured. “I think I’m in love with you.” An eyebrow shot up. She counted six beats of his heart before, suddenly, he laughed. “Don’t tell me it took you two whole days to realize that. I must be losing my touch.” Her fingertips curled against him. “You knew?” “That you’re lonely, and I’m irresistible? Yeah. I knew. Come on, Cress, you’re getting up.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he said, squeezing. “Maybe there’s a little bit of a hero in me after all. But … really, Cress. Only a little.”

She was a girl. A living girl, smart and sweet and awkward and unusual, and she was worth far more than they could ever realize.

“I guess it’s time.” While Cress’s thoughts continued to churn through the horrible things that could happen to her, she felt herself being suddenly spun around and dipped backward, a supportive arm scooping beneath her back. She yelped and caught herself on Thorne’s shoulder. Then he was kissing her.

Now he was the Carswell Thorne who had given her strength in the desert. Who had come for her when she was kidnapped. Who had kissed her when hope was lost and death was imminent.

She picked at the chiffon overlay of her skirt. “Do you think it was destiny that brought us together?” He squinted and, after a thoughtful moment, shook his head. “No. I’m pretty sure it was Cinder. Why?”

“I know. I’m sorry. I think you might be right, though. Maybe there isn’t such a thing as fate. Maybe it’s just the opportunities we’re given, and what we do with them. I’m beginning to think that maybe great, epic romances don’t just happen. We have to make them ourselves.”

Maybe there isn’t such a thing as fate. Maybe it’s just the opportunities we’re given, and what we do with them. I’m beginning to think that maybe great, epic romances don’t just happen. We have to make them ourselves.”

“Believe me, Cress. The pleasure was all mine.”