This is the rewritten version of the first chapter because I wasn't very happy with the writing in the orginal. Really nothing changed but some actions and I clarified a couple things.

The crowd smelled like expensive perfume, champagne, and a slight undertone of sweat from the dancing. Laughter bubbled from the mouths of the guests of the Annual Peace Ball. As Empress, Cinder had already made all the mandatory hostess greetings with Kai. Some of them (Adri) made her feel like she was ripping her own teeth out, but any job comes with downsides.

Someone tapped her shoulder. She spun to face her blonde friend, who looked uncomfortable and alone. "Winter's off dancing with Wolf, and I don't actually want to interact with anybody here," Jacin said, "Can I offer you a dance?" His eyes screamed please!

Cinder rolled her eyes. "I would just tell you to suck it up. Experiences like this build character." Before he could groan and turn away, she held up a finger. "But I'm just as desperate as you are, let's do it."

He placed hand on her hip and they put their attention into to beat of the music, allowing it to drown out the senseless chatter of the guests.

"How's your stepmother?" Jacin asked after a moment.

"Don't get me started. She likes to make underhand comments about 'deceitful Lunars', 'subhuman cyborgs', and only addresses Kai. Honestly, if she talked to me I might strangle her, so it's for the best."

He laughed. "I wouldn't mind seeing that. You outrank her now, and it's hilarious how bitter she is."

"You'd think dealing with powerful people every other day would give her some humility," she said, as they nearly spun right into a possibly drunk couple.

After regaining her sense of rhythm and balance, she continued the conversation. "So, how's finally practicing medicine going?"

"I have incredibly low standards for jobs, seeing as I spent a couple years guarding an actual witch, but either way it's amazing."

"Yeah, you achieved your childhood dream. Not everyone can say they did that."

"I'm sure. You're the Empress, but you probably dreamed of being something very practical." He smirked.

"Are you saying my current occupation isn't practical?" She raised an eyebrow, laughing.

Midlaugh, a light Cinder had never seen before blinked on her retina display. She stopped in her tracks, squinting to read the message.

Pregnancy Detected. Making necessary body adjustments. A list of chemical levels flashed on the side, showing her what was happening. She clapped a hand to her mouth, stumbling backwards

Jacin pulled her to the side of the floor and to one of the nearby tables, sitting her down. "What? What's happening? Are you ok?" When she didn't automatically respond, he gave her shoulders a light shake. "Talk to me Cinder, I'm a doctor."

She gave a shaky laugh. "Since about two years ago, how much experience do you have?"

"Not funny. What's happening?" He phrased more like a demand then a question, bent over her worriedly.

She inhaled slowly, then looked him in the eye. "I'm pregnant."

He stared at her for a few seconds, then the tension in his shoulders eased noticeably. "That's… good, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's fine. We wanted this, but, um, I wasn't totally prepared for it right now."

Jacin glanced at his surroundings. "Not really the best place to find out," he said, making her crack a nervous smile. "Do you want me to go find Kai?"

"Please." As he left, she laced her fingers together on the table. Pregnant.

Jacin shouldered his way through the crowds of people as gently as possible, but it was all he could do not to shove them out of his way. He spotted the familiar black curls of Winter, who was talking animatedly with Cress and Scarlet. She waved him over to their little crowd.

With a hand on his chest, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "Enjoying the ball?"

He made a face. "Not particularly. Have you seen Kai?"

"I think he was over that way," she said, gesturing to a crowd of people who looked very important, "entertaining the masses. You could rescue him."

Jacin nodded. "Will do."

"Is everything alright?" Scarlet asked as he was about to turn away.

"Fine, I'll catch you guys later." He needed to get the Emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth as soon as possible.

He kept his eyes on a splotch of black hair that he recognized as Kai's as he pushed through the crowd, apologizing before forging forward. He almost knocked over the drink of a young woman who gave him a death glare strong enough that he could feel it on his back as he kept moving.

Kai was speaking to an elderly man with Torin, probably about something serious and political. He spotted Jacin coming up to him and excused himself. "How's it going? Have you seen Cinder recently?"

He lowered his voice. "That's why I'm here. Could I borrow you for a minute?"

Kai's eyes widened. "Of course." He leaned towards Jacin. "What's going on?"

"Nothing bad," Jacin said quickly, "but you should probably come with me."

Clearly confused, Kai followed Jacin as they tried to push their way through the crowd with as little anger from the guests as possible. They found Cinder at her table, and tension cleared from her face as she noticed her husband.

He pulled out a chair and sat down next to her. "Are you ok?" His words were edged with worry.

Cinder smiled nervously. "I'm fine, I think."

He gave her a look of confusion.

She took in a sharp breath. "Umm, not exactly sure how I'm supposed to tell you this, but I'm-" she took in a breath "-pregnant?" She hunched her shoulders, biting her lip.

Kai stared at her, open mouthed, eyes searching hers. Jacin couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter at the ridiculous look on his face. The sound seemed to jar the Emperor from his shock, and his eyes flicked to jacin before returning to Cinder.

He shook his head. "Well, that is whole lot better than other options."

Cinder laughed, and pulled him to her by the collar to give him a kiss. When they broke apart, he gave her a wide grin, shaking his head.

"Stars Above, we're going to be parents."

"Add it to you list of titles." She said with a laugh as she felt herself relax and the excitement settle in.

"I think it's my favorite."

They kissed again.

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