Hello everyone! So like I promised, chapter three is up for you! I've had some time on my hands and I worked really hard on this one. Tell me what you guys think!
Elite Countdown: 8 days!
Standing stock still, I blinked at him in surprise. His eyes looked me right in the eyes, his expression slowly crumbling before me. I realized that if I didn't say something, anything fast, then he would start to doubt himself.
"Maxon... I... I just don't know what to say..." My voice sounded hoarse, my voice failed on me, cracking halfway through the sentence.
"Then don't say anything." He replied, leaning down toward me, closing his eyes.
Our lips met within seconds. His were soft and warm, reminding me of the early days of spring, where the sun was finally waking up and the flowers were halfway out of the ground.
It was slow and steady but then it turned into something more urgent. Maxon pressed us closer by putting his hand behind my neck. I wrapped my arms around his neck, not wanting to let go.
We paused for a breath and Maxon moved down toward my neck, planting soft, wet kisses, throwing shivers up and down my back. He stood up and I followed, lifting his head up to meet my lips once more. I began to pull him towards my bed, first sitting down, then laying down. He stroked my hair with gentle, feeble hands.
"America, oh America." He said, in between kisses.
"Oh just shut up." I said, shocking both myself and Maxon. He raised his head and lifted his eyebrows, an amused grin on his face.
"Saying shut up to a prince? How romantic." He smiled against my lips and pulled me under again. We stayed this way, kissing, for a few more minutes. Then I stopped to take a breath. He pulled me into his arms and we laid there, wrapped in each other's arms for a while.
"Maxon?" I said, breaking the silence.
"Yes, my dear?" I groaned inwardly at the nickname, but continued.
"I know you said, well, that you think you love me and all, but—"
"Shhh," he silenced me, turning my head so I faced him, "I don't want you to say anything you will regret. I know you aren't ready yet to make your decision and I'm prepared to wait. Please just don't make up your mind this second. I want you to be sure."
I smiled and pressed my lips against his again, surprising him. I pulled away and whispered, "thank you Maxon."
"For what?"
"Just... For being you."
• • •
Maxon left shortly after, saying he needed to go take care of business. I took this opportunity to go into the bathroom and put myself together. What happened out there? Did he really just kiss me like that? And did I kiss him back? I did have to admit, I felt really good. Maxon always seemed to say the right things, even without trying. He was so gentle and cautious, unlike Aspen.
Aspen.
My heart did a lurch. I just kissed Maxon. About 48 hours ago I was kissing Aspen. This was not right. I can't tell Maxon that Aspen is here. But if Maxon found out and knew that I knew... He might never trust me again.
I went back into my room and flung myself against the bed and looked up at the beige colored ceiling. What was I going to do? A knock on my door made me swing right back up into an upright position.
"Um, come in?" I said, uncertainly.
Suddenly the Queen opened the door, gracefully walking in, stopping just a few feet from the door.
"Lady America." She said, with a smile. "I was just wondering if you would care to go for a walk with me."
Bewildered I nodded and stood up. "Of course."
As we walked down the hall together, she tucked her arm into mine. I realized that this is what her sister had been talking about. Queen Amberly didn't want to attach herself to any of the girls because she knew she wouldn't see a majority of them again. But since there are only six left...
"So Lady America," the Queen began.
"Oh, please call me America." I said and she smiled at the that.
"America, I'm so pleased to finally have some time to talk to you alone. I've been starting to get to know you girls a little more. I'm sorry I haven't been around much but since there are only six of you left now..." She trailed off, as if lost in thought. I looked up at her and she slightly shook her head.
"Pardon me." She said. "Anyways, I just wanted to start by getting to know you. What's your family like?"
Her question honestly startled me. Who ever thought in a million years that I would be talking to the Queen of Illéa, especially about my family.
Showing a small smile I began, "Well I was born the middle child of five children. My oldest sister, Kenya, is already married and almost ready to have her first child. My older brother, Kota, is a remarkable painter. The three of us used to play together until they grew up and left. Then comes May who is a couple years younger than me and looks exactly like me. She's absolutely adorable. And last, is Gerad, the baby. He's only seven but he still hasn't found his artistic calling yet. All he likes to do is play soccer and catch bugs." I smile at the thought, suddenly feeling homesick.
The Queen smiles sympathetically, as if sensing my homesickness, and pats a hand on my shoulder. "It seems like you really love them."
It wasn't a question, rather a statement and I nodded. "I don't think I can love anything more than my family. They've alway been there for me. I didn't have many friends growing up, but they were always there for me. It's like my music, I don't think I could live without them."
"You know, America, I know a thing or two about being brought up in a lower caste. It's tough, and it seems like you're a very strong girl who is capable of many things. And you seem to understand the people who are of a lower caste. It's admirable. And it's a trait that is very rare in a person of higher power."
I looked up at her, shocked. Was I really a strong person? Maybe I looked like I was, but was I really like that inside? Even so that the Queen believed it?
We had made our way around the castle and were almost back to my room. As she stopped at my door, she turned to face me.
"America, you seem like an incredibly sweet person and to be honest, I really do think you would make a rather remarkable queen. It seems like Maxon has taken quite an interest in you. He can't seem to stop talking about you and he's always looking at you. Just please be careful with my son. He's very strong an vivacious, but he doesn't have much experience with women."
I smiled at that, remembering how I was his first kiss. "Well thank you for the walk Queen Amberly. And I will be sure to be careful with Maxon. I truly do care about your son." The Queen returned my smile and turned to walk the other way.
As she disappeared around the corner, I faced my door.
What a day.
