I press a hand to the edge of the mask, realizing the magic of Infinity holds it in place. I turn to look at the mirror and feel my heart quake.

I look like Naoko. Like the character my father created for me.

“Thank you,” I say, and my voice is a whisper.

When I turn back around, he strokes my cheek gently with his thumb. “I thought it was fitting to let you go to the palace dressed as the person you always said gave you the most strength.”

I press my hand against his and squeeze. He notices the Reaper, and tightens his jaw.

“I’ll be okay,” I say like I’m making a promise.

He nods once, pressing his forehead against mine. “Come back to me, okay?”

“No matter what happens,” I reply.

We make our way toward the waiting vehicle and find the others standing stoically, like they’re seeing me off to battle.

Annika puts her hands on my shoulders, the yellow scarf glinting under the light. “May the stars watch over you.” A smile stretches across her face. “I’m proud to have you on the team.”

I nod, turning to Shura next, who bounces on her toes. “I was going to drive to the border with you, but I think I’m too emotional to be much help,” she admits, half giggling, half crying. I think it’s a mixture of excitement and fear, and I can’t say I blame her. I feel it too.

“I’ll see you when I get back,” I say, and then I feel her crashing into me, arms closing around my back.

“I’m sorry I called you a jerk,” she sobs into my shoulder.

I hug her back. “I’m sorry I was a jerk.”

She pulls away, scrunching her face. “I feel like you grew up so fast.”

I laugh despite my heightened emotions—or maybe because of them—and turn to Theo.

“Don’t you start too,” I warn, noting the glistening in his green eyes.

He flattens his mouth, too fractured to smile, and pulls out the sea-glass knife I gave him. “Here,” he offers. “For tonight. I made some slight adjustments.”

I pick up the weapon, noting the sharpened gleam around the edges. A blade worthy of a spymaster.

“Thank you,” I say, and he gives me a final nod before stepping back into the small crowd.

Ahmet tilts his head toward the waiting vehicle. “Come on. We don’t want you to miss the ball.”

I give Gil one last glance, trying to memorize the shape of his face, the color of his hair. I soak in every detail of his curved mouth and serious eyes and promise myself I’ll find a way to come back to him.

To all of them.

We set off for the palace forest into moonlight and hope.