The sun was shining down in the garden as Maxon and I sat on a bench. He pushed my hair behind my ear and tugged it. I smiled at our own secret signal. I hadn't felt this happy and peaceful in awhile, since my rash decision to try to convince the country to discard the caste system.

I was pretty sure Maxon had forgiven me, but his father sure hadn't. King Clarkson was determined to make sure I didn't win the Selection. But that didn't mean I was going to give up.

How could I give up on someone so perfect? Someone I was sure was meant for me. I looked into Maxon's kind, generous brown eyes as he bent down slowly…

The rebel alarm shattered my dream.

"America, America wake up!" Aspen was pulling my arm as I blinked my eyes sleepily, still half-asleep.

"Aspen…?" I looked into his eyes and saw his exasperation in his green eyes.

"Mer, come ON." He pulled me out of bed and started tugging me towards the safe room exit. I was fully awake now, as I grabbed my robe off of the hook on the wall. Aspen tried to push me into the doorway but I couldn't just leave him there… What if the rebels were Southerners?

I knew that I had chosen Maxon but I still couldn't leave Aspen. He was a part of my heart. Maybe not my whole heart, like he was before, but I couldn't let anything happen to him.

"Aspen – Officer Leger, please –" I begged him, trying to pull him with me. His eyes burned with something I couldn't describe, and he leaned in, as if he was going to kiss me, but thought better of it. Putting my safety first as always, he knew there was only a short period of time before a rebel burst into my room.

"Be safe, Mer," he said, and pushed me into the staircase and locked the door. I laid a hand on the wood, wishing I hadn't let him go without saying something.

With one last glance at the door, I sprinted down the stairs and nearly ran into Maxon.

"Sorry, Ma – Prince Maxon," I stuttered, noticing Silvia off to the side. I would only make the mistake of forgetting his title in public once. He shook his head in amusement in spite of the whole situation. The way he looked at me, I could tell just how concerned he had been, and something fluttered in my stomach. He pulled me close and whispered, "I'm so glad you're okay", his breath tickling my ear. I hugged him back and whispered, "Me too", knowing that I had made the right choice after all.

I couldn't even begin explain the relief I felt when America ran into me. I feel responsible for anything that happens to her. And even though she has betrayed my trust, I can't keep myself away from her. I saw my father watching me handle the whole situation. His eyes narrowed when America entered the room, even though my mother's lit up a bit. Somehow she can tell that I've always had something for America.

I was about to walk over to her when my father cut off my path and tilted his head towards Kriss. "I think Lady America is holding up just fine, why don't you check on the others?" It wasn't a question, it was an order. I ducked my head and replied with, "Yes, sir."

It wasn't as if I didn't like Kriss. In fact, she was really quite lovely. She was definitely a good choice if America and I… didn't get through this whole mess.

If only she hadn't proposed that crazy idea to demolish the caste system! I glanced over at her, sitting cross legged on a cot, looking down at her hands. I longed to go over to her and find out what she was thinking, but I had a duty to attend to. As always.

"How are you doing, Kriss?" I asked politely as I sat down next to her. She gave me a kind smile. "Just fine, Your Majesty."

This bothered me. I didn't want my future wife to call me that. I wanted us to be equals. America never thought of me as a superior… Stop Maxon. Focus on Kriss.

"I'm glad. Is there anything I can do for you?" I smiled. She laughed.

"Thank you, but I feel better just having you here." She took my hand cautiously. "I get nervous about you every time there's an attack. What if…" Kriss's eyes got watery and her lip trembled. I grabbed her other hand.

"Lady Kriss, you don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself," I said gently, with a smile.

Well, most of the time, I thought, remembering my father. But only America knew about that. America...

I looked across the room and saw her staring at me and Kriss, a pained expression on her face. In a second, though, it was gone, and she turned away.

"I'm sorry, my dear, but I must go check on the others. I will see you soon." I said to Kriss, not meeting her eyes.

I checked on Celeste and Elise quickly, but as I tried to approach America, my father yet again blocked my way, saying, "That should be enough for tonight, Maxon. Get some sleep."

America caught my eyes from across the room as my father retreated, and I gave her an apologetic look, tugging my ear. Thankfully, she tugged hers in response, and turned over on her cot. A happy, relieved feeling spread through me.

No matter what my father did, he couldn't take that away from me.

A/N: I promise some action is coming soon! This is just setting the stage for some serious rebel action :)
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