I tell the driver to slow down. I sigh and lean against the leather seat and think about the last few months, my face pulling into a grin, then I shake my head conflicted again. I look out my window trying to figure out what I was going to stay to America, my America. It breaks my heart if I ever hurt her. I internally groan as the image of her crying over me flashes in my mind, I shake my head trying to push that image far away. The car ride seems to end too soon as I am stuck without a solution to my growing problem. The sun has started to set and glows over the palace: Home, but that doesn't seem like the right word anymore. The driver clears his throat, hinting that my time here was strangely overstayed. I slowly get out of the car, and lean up against the side of the door. I waited not knowing why I was waiting, and then the door opened and out popped a red haired goddess. She seemed to glow as she searched for me; her hand covering her eyes so she could see. Finally her eyes connected with mine and my heart skipped a beat. The way her dress hugged her curves and how her hair was swept back made me take a double look. Her beauty was blinding, I felt like I was orbited to her. She was the sun and I was a helpless planet gravitating toward her, slightly off orbit. I couldn't help but smile at her, my face totally deceiving on how I felt on the inside.
His smile took my breath away, and I couldn't help as my feet made a break towards him. I took the stairs two at a time almost tripping over myself. Maxon meet me half way and we flew into each other arms. I clung to him still in shock that he was here, in person. I didn't want to let go, not now, not ever. I felt his lips kiss the top of my head and I smiled into his chest. I wanted to savor this moment and relive it over and over again. I want to be able to remember the way his hand felt on my back or the sound of his sigh as he pulled me closer. I wanted to remember the scents and the colors. I wanted to relive the feeling of the butterflies in my stomach. Nothing could have compared to this moment, and I was a little unwilling when he broke away, but happy again when I looked up and saw his smile. He took my hand and lead me up the stairs without taking his eyes off of me for one second.
"I've missed you" I managed to say, breaking the silence.
"Wish I could say the same thing" Maxon said breaking our gaze, but then he chuckled and kissed my cheek whispering in my ear, "only joking Mer".
I playfully pushed him, but the words seemed to stick. I felt for a second that he meant what he said. I pushed that thought out of my mind, I was only worrying myself over assumptions and my emotions being all over the place recently. I knew Maxon of course he missed me the way I missed him. He squeezed my hand bringing me back to reality.
"Did you hear me mer?" he looked at me with a confused look. "I asked what did you want to do my first night home?" We had entered the palace now. The place was extra quiet. I bet everyone was giving the queen and king the needed privacy they deserved.
"We could go to the garden" I mummer looking back up at his face. I wanted nothing more than to sit at our bench in his arms for the rest of the night and the nights to come.
"Maybe not tonight, it is getting late" He looks away from my face, and I look away not wanting him to see the hurt on my face. He never rejected that idea before and I had to admit it stung a little
"Alright then" I respond trying to hide the discomfort in my voice. He lets go of my hand and I look at him shocked
"If you don't mind America, I would like to unpack right now"
"No I don't mind" I try to smile and proceed to walk in the direction of his room, I didn't care what we did as long as we did it together, but he stops me.
"Preferably alone" he continues. I look at him in disbelief the change of mood caught me totally off guard. His eyes look above my head at the wall, he can't bring himself to look at me. I'm si confused it takes me a minute or two to gather my senses.
"Did I do something?" His eyes meet mine, they look distant. He holds my face with both hands and leans in close til we are inches apart.
"No of course not love" He says, but it sounds all wrong like it hurt him to say that. He kissed my forehead and steps back. I feel like this is my hint to leave, so I turn and head to my room totally winded. I pass a few bystanders and they look at me with questioning looks, but I pay no attention to them lost in thought. What was up with Maxon? Did I do something wrong? I am convinced that he was lying when he told me no. Did something happen while he was away? My thoughts are flying a mile a minute, I'm so caught up in myself that I run straight into Asher.
"America! What are you doing by yourself?" he jokes, but stops when he sees my face. "Everything ok down there?"
"I'm fine" I mutter.
"Things not going smoothly with prince charming" He places a hand on my shoulder.
"They could have gone better" I manage.
"Well I can cancel my date with Lucy if you need some counseling" He pulls me into tight hug. I laugh and squirm my way out of it.
"No have fun!" I exclaim "I'm not some delicate animal I can take care of myself."
He looks at me unsure then ruffles my hair ruining it and turns to leave.
"Whatever you say Mer" he calls halfway down the hall. I rush to my room not wanting to run into someone else. Once safely on my bed with my doors shut I let out a muffled whimper confused with what is going. My head hurts from trying to analyze the whole evening from the car to the hall. But I can't see where it went wrong. Am I missing something? I throw a pillow over my head trying to block out anymore thought of the past, and the dramatic and quick change in events. But then I end feel pathetic from sulking on my bed because things didn't go my way, and head to my bathroom. It's spotless clean and I remind myself to thank Lucy later. I look at my reflection in the mirror my hair looks more like a birds nest than a bun. My face is smeared and my dress is a wrinkled. I look like a girl recovering over a breakup. I groan, how could I have already made a mess of thing in less than 24 hours. I hear a knock on my door.
"Come in!" I yell. I guess Asher sent Lucy after all probably unconvinced that I could manage on my own. I roll my eyes, he was right yet again. I hear a laugh from behind me. I look up and see Maxon in the mirror. He leans against the door frame his arms crossed over his chest with a smile plastered in his face.
"Oh" my hand covers my mouth in surprise. I try smooth my dress trying to make myself less crumbled. He comes and hugs me from behind his head resting on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry for my behavior" He whispers in my ear; I can feel his breath on my neck. "I came immediately here once I realized that I made a mistake."
I look at his face through the mirror it's hard to tell if he means what he says because he has buried his face against my neck. I grab his face in my hands to look in his eyes, and I see the hurt and agony in his face. I know I can't help him with whatever he is going through and I too nervous to ask. He kisses me and I sigh with relief.
"Your forgiven your highness." I smile at him with little force. He chuckles and then begins to kiss me again.
"You look a little crazy I must admit" He mummers. I pull away my brows frowning. "But beautiful" he adds.
"You're too kind" I roll my eyes; he grimaces. I hit a rough part, but not wanting to press on it I change the topic, "Anyways I should fix myself" motioning to the mirror.
" I'll help" Maxon insisted.
"After I change" I say and motion for him to leave the room. Once the door is shut I reach for the zipper but my arms can't reach it. I try helplessly as I move my body in ways to help my arms reach the zipper but each time I come up short. I go back and open the door to find Maxon on my bed.
"A little help" I call. He looks over at me and sees me still in my dress, once he realizes what I mean, he throws me a grin. His over to my side as soon as he can reach me.
"Anything for you your highness" he mimics me from earlier. I laugh and turn around so he can unzip the dress. He looks down at the dress and well the bottom half of me. "This is some dress isn't it." he chuckles. He carefully unzips the back and I let the green fabric fall off. Then I quickly grab the bathrobe on the door. Then I grab a rag from the shelf pouring water over it and scrubbing the makeup off my face. Maxon reaches over and takes the rag from my hands and gently continues where I left off. He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear letting his fingers linger on my cheek. When he's finishes he kisses my forehead
"Done" he breathes.
"Thank you" I mumble while unwinding my hair brushing through it and putting back into a ponytail. He picks me up and spins me out of the room and plopping me on the bed kissing me as he does so. I giggle at lighten mood glad it is back to where it was an hour ago.