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It made the most sense, but Elena was not convinced. “And you?” she asked. “What have you been doing whilst I’ve been away?”

Snowdrop smiled. “We’ve got a plan to rescue the prince,” she said. “And we’re going to need your help. But I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

“Youwantmetodowhat?” Elena screeched.

“I think you heard me.”

“Well, I must have heard incorrectly, because that plan is ludicrous. I think I’ve proven, time and time again, that I am no spy.”

“You’ve surprised me time and time again,” Snowdrop assured her. “Gears, you used your convalescence at the palace to break into the General’s quarters.”

“It wasn’t really breaking in—”

Snowdrop fixed her with a withering stare.

“I had a few moments of bravery! This… this is something else.”

“No one will catch on.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because people are stupid,” Snowdrop announced. “And also, slightly racist.”

Elena glared. “Princess Sofia looks nothing like me.”

“No one has seen her in years. It’s a masked ball. It’sperfect.”

Elena was not convinced.

“I’ll be right beside you the whole time.”

“Dressed as a servant.”

“Yes.”

“Ready to cause some distraction at the right moment and race off with the Prince once we’ve identified him.”

“Yes.”

“This is a terrible plan.”

“It’s abrilliantone.”

Elena sighed, taking in a deep, shuddering breath. This couldn’t be right. There had to be something else, another way.

But she couldn’t get the Prince out by herself. The Rebellion needed a way to get in.

The ball—and Princess’ Sofia’s arrival—was the perfect cover.

“I’ll need a dress,” Elena announced. “Unless Princess Sofia has had averybig growth spurt in the last few years, I’m not fitting into anything she’s brought with her.”

Snowdrop’s blue eyes gleamed. “Oh, we’ve already thought of that. Come on, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Snowdrop led her out of her own garage and down a couple of aisles, still limping ever-so-slightly. She knocked on another corrugated door a few streets away.

It rolled up almost instantly, revealing the bright, shining face of Clover. He beamed at Elena like they were old friends. “You’re going to do it?”

“For some foolish reason, yes.”