Bliss {A Lunar Chronicles Fanfiction}

Chapter four

The sun blinded her as she awoke lying in a large bed, a velvet blanket draped over her. White wallpaper with delicate patterns on it covered the four walls of the immense room. Rising into a sitting position Cinder looked at the window that allowed for a vast view for Cinder to adore. The sun seemed to have risen only a couple hours prior, informing her internal computer that it was 7:30 in the morning.
Sleeping had not been easy for Cinder last night. Her head was still filled with worries and nausea even after they had announced it. Chugging down four cups of coffee definitely hadn't helped other than making her systems go haywire.
Looking around, her eyes caught on a closed door to her right possibly leading to a bathroom. Her memories of last night were blurry, conversations blending into each other. She could only half remember coming to her guest room. Except... this was not her guest room. It was Kai's room. The Emperor. Of course Cinder thought. She was engaged to the Emperor. She was to be Empress. This was to be her room too.
Eradicating her thoughts the door she had seen earlier burst open, revealing a sleepy looking Kai with shaggy black hair in his eyes.
"You're awake," he said.
"Yeah I think that's obvious, how about you?" Sarcasm was always Cinder's go to when she didn't know what to say.
"I'm awake to. Thank you very much."
The laughed for a few moments, and when the laughing evaporated into a calm silence, Kai made his way to sit beside Cinder on the edge of the bed.
"How are you feeling?" Kai questioned.
"Based on what you're really asking. If you're asking about that awkward feeling in my gut then I'll tell you that I'm still nervous," Cinder mumbled.
Kai laughed and by the way he looked at her she knew it was true. He was positive this was going to go well.

       {~•~}

The next month was something Cinder wished could have gone by faster. She was undoubtedly proud of herself for returning to Luna and retiring from being queen. Ending the monarchy. She had done it. The announcement had been incredible news down on Earth. The Earthens rejoiced when they learned that there would now be a voted government, that there would never be another Queen Levana. It was the ultimate political statement to the Earthens. The Lunars however were not as easy to convince. Sure there were protests but as the nominations were ensued and election campaigns underway, Luna also seemed to change its ideas drastically. Soon enough Cinder was no longer the Queen of Luna and that was a great weight lifted of her chest. Ambassador Linh-Blackburn was her official title but she hoped that in the commonwealth she would still remain the girl with the reputation of being the best mechanic in New Beijing city.... for two more weeks. And then there would be another immensely important crown  thrown atop her head.
Cinder tried to throw the discomforting feeling away. Tried to pull back to the happiness and bliss she had felt the moment Kai had asked her to marry him, the joy that had sizzled through her heart and into her lungs, the joy that she hadn't been able to conceal but instead had made effort to let Kai know. Let Kai know how much she loved him, how much she wanted this. Cinder was completely and utterly bewildered that she could pull that joy back by using - purely - her memories. She loved Kai. She always would. Nerves were something that would pass, overtime of course, but it would pass. It would float away as if it was nothing but smoke in the first place.
Jolting up from where she was sat, Cinder made her way towards the door. After a painful month of wedding planning and dress shopping the day had come. Cinder could not have been happier that it was about to be over. Opening the door she glanced around the barren corridor in which she found no one. Knowing what this meant she made her way to the white doors of the elevator and made her way in. The elevator doors opened wide revealing the corridor in which all her friends would be waiting. As she had expected Cress, Scarlet, Winter and Iko were waiting, looking bored, for Cinder.
"Let's get this party started," Scarlet commented.
"Couldn't wait another minute what took you so long?" Sneered Iko.
"Just get one with it," Cinder joked, winning her a giggle from both Cress and Winter.
"You spoke like you don't know Iko," commented Scarlet,"it's not gonna be just getting on with it."

{~•~}

The magnificent gown cascaded behind her as she walked into the ballroom arm in arm with Iko. The music played and ended and their vows were made. Colors bounced around the dance floor: purples, blues, greens. It was, with no doubt, a magnificent sight. Cinder danced like she had never done before, laughed like she had never been joyous before and smiled as wide as any person could manage.
Cinder thoughts strayed to how miserable her life had been only a couple years ago. She felt as if she were stealing somebody else's life, living in somebody else's world.
The rest of the night passed with calm music as couples made their ways to the dance floor. Almost tripping, Cinder was pulled to the side of the room. Her metal foot stood at a wonky angle and as she tried to fix it she looked up at who had pulled her over. Thorne's blue eyes had gone extremely thin, his brow scrunched.
"What's wrong?" Cinder tried to sound consoling.
"I umm. Er I... needyourhelp."
"Huh?" Blurted Cinder.
Thorne took a deep breath,"have you seen Cress?" Cinder nodded. "Where is she?"
"She was just talking with Wolf."
"Talking with Wolf where?" Thorne's sentences were quick and blurred and very unlike Thorne. As the charismatic one of the group he never seemed to slip on words but Cinder could swear that at that moment he was falling apart at the seams.
Cinder's eye twitched. Her retina scanner had caught a glimpse of Cress's brilliant blue eyes. She turned, "over there." And there Cress was by the chocolate fountain, doubling over in laughter, her magenta dress flowing around her. With a quick salute Thorne marched of in Cress's direction. Within a few quick moments Cinder saw them disappear through the crowd.
"You must be wandering what that was about," Cinder jumped. Turning to face the voice she almost tackled Kai.
"Woah didn't think you'd murder me in your wedding dress."
"Don't do that," Cinder fake frowned.
"Okay okay," Kai chuckled, "I see you've helped Thorne with his plan." Cinder shot a quizzical look at him.
"He didn't tell you did he?"
Cinder shook her head. What was Kai talking about?
"He's proposing to Cress."