Lovely to know that the unrealistic beauty standards of our society look like dystopian modifications to an outsider. It is kind of weird to see the airbrushed version of reality presented on TV after being away from all that messaging for so long. I don’t think I’ve bemoaned having pores in months. Yesterday I ate a second slice of pizza with zero guilt.

It’s hard to tear Hypatia away when it’s time to go. “We are wrong about provincials,” she says as she solemnly hands me the remote. “Television is an amazing invention.”

As the three of us make our way down the elevator, I ask Rafe, “Are you worried?”

“No. It’s my brother, not my father.”

Prince Alex is in the lobby, attracting a lot of attention with his long hair and large physique. He looks handsome and intimidating but very unprincely in a lot of leather and denim. My heart skips a beat when I realize that Michael is with him. He looks worried and exhausted and adorably mussed.

Sweet, non-blood-drinking, non-life-threatening Michael. Well, perhaps life-threatening; when he looks up and our eyes lock, the pace of my heart certainly feels heart attack–inducing. As he takes me in, I watch the anxiety drain out of him. I want to run to him. Hug him. Tell him everything that’s happened. But neither of us moves.

Alex rushes over and clutches Hypatia to him. “Thank the Conductor,” he breathes. Then he quickly turns on Rafe. “What were you thinking? I told you I had it in hand! Do you not trust Chorus? There is a very delicate balance—”

“I’m sure Chorus told you we’d all come back safe and alive. And see, we have, thanks to me. And Ada.”

Alex’s furious eyes turn on me.

“Oh, don’t blame her for anything,” Rafe drawls. “You know it was all my idea. I needed help from someone who didn’t know better.” Then his smile turns devilish as he continues. “And I wasn’t about to spend a night in a fancy hotel all alone.”

I’m dying to roll my eyes.

Alex skeptically eyes Rafe’s jacket, which I’m wearing again.

Whatever. I was cold

“Are you okay?” Michael asks me, approaching cautiously. “I didn’t know where you were—if you went voluntarily or were taken or—”

I lay my hand on his arm. “I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.” I hate that I’m about to lie to him again, but there’s no way I can tell the truth. “I was just so worried about Hypatia, and when Rafe suggested it, I got excited to see New York again. I didn’t realize it would be a big deal.” Look, if Rafe’s willing to take the fall for me, I’ll let him. He definitely deserves it.