Chapter 1
Maxon matters to me and I will fight for him, my own words echo through my head when I look in the mirror at the dress my maids have made especially for me. A mint green sweetheart neckline that reaches down to the floor at the bottom and is higher at the front to my knees. On my feet I wear white flats, thankfully they haven't wanted to see me face plant the floor when I fall down the stairs. My fiery red hair is pinned into a delicate bun with a few curls framing my face, as usual I don't wear a lot of make up. Pale pink blush, black mascara and pink lip gloss dusted on my lips. I look simple and elegant. Like a Queen.
"Thank you," I say to my maids, staring back at each of their reflection in the mirror. "I don't know what I'd do with out you girls." They give me a big smile and I leave the room, making my way out to the gardens.
My hands graze the marble stair rail, the cream coloured walls, the paintings someone like May took time to draw and colour and when I reach the gardens, my hands touch and feel all the flowers, from the simple daisies to the bold and extravagant roses. The smell of the new petals and crisp spring air fills my nose and clears away all my thoughts and troubles. Taking a seat on Maxon and I's bench I tilt my head to the clear sky and close my eyes, a small sigh escaping my lips.
When I open my eyes, I expect to see Maxon's worried eyes watching me, my nightgown covered in grass stains and tear marks cut through my face. The first night, instead my dress is billowed out around my knees and I'm all alone apart from the quiet whispers of the trees around me. I smile and get up off the bench and walk towards the edge of the Palace gardens. The boarder that seperates the Castle and Royal Family from the dangers of what is lurking in the shadows, just waiting for this countries downfall.
"America!" A sharp whisper of my name catches my attention, with curious eyes I serach over thw forest for someone but find no one.
"Who are you?" I ask with a small voice, a slim figure dressed all in black walks out from the safety of the hiding spot in the trees.
"It's me," She says. "Georgia."
"What are you doing here? You could be killed, Georgia your a rebel!" I warn her.
She waves her hand in the air and removes the black hat from her head, "Relax, I'm a nothern rebel. We mean no harm, besides Maxon knows about me and August." Her face turns stony and serious, like Maxon at Marlee's caning. I cringe, remebering her screams and how I could do nothing to stop it. "Look, I don't have much time," She checks behind her shoulder as if she were expecting someone to jump out and prevent her from saying any more. "Their coming, we can't stop them." She says quickly, stumbling and mixing the words together.
Footsteps rustle in the fallen leaves from the past autumn and Georgia's eyes open wide, "Be prepared for anything!" She warns and runs into the woods, leaving me confused.
"Georgia!" I call after her, but she's already gone.