Kriss kept her promise. I was blackballed from working anywhere in the city due to 'unlawful money intake'. I wasn't allowed to call Amara, and neither was Damon. It was something that killed us both. I couldn't see my kids. They didn't have show choir or orchestra or art. They didn't have anything, and I couldn't go to them.

So they came to me.

"Damon?" I asked opening the door. It was pouring and the poor boy was soaked, although I had a feeling his face would have been wet anyway, "Come on in, darling."

I got him a towel and a hot chocolate and we sat in silence for a minute, the silence that Amara usually broke.

"I've never been to your house before."

"How'd you find it."

"Miss May. She still helps with art sometimes."

"I know."

"You don't come. You don't come, Mama."

"I know, baby, I know. I'd only bring you trouble."

We sat in silence again, then Damon said, "I need you to get me into the palace. I know you have connections within the guards. Get me in to see her."

"Damon..."

"She needs me. She needs us. We can't-"

"Grab my keys."

"Sweet."

"There's someone here to see you," Jackson said, popping his head into the dining room. He made sure not to say our names.

"Who is it? We're not supposed to have any more guests today." Kriss' voice rang.

Jackson let us walked in, and, as we did, he squeezed my hand. A simple message: we're all with you.

Damon walked in first, bowing to the king, and I followed in. I stayed a little ways away from my boy, giving off the impression that I was only the driver. I had nothing to lose, but I wanted Maxon to know that if he wanted me to keep my distance I would respect his wishes, but just barely.

"Damon?" A small voice asked. Amara, who looked even more pale and sickly, launched herself into his arms. The only sounds in the room were Amara's sobs and Damon's deep voice, telling her it was alright, as they sunk to the floor, clinging to one another.

I looked up at the table full of people. The German Federation was here.

"...Hi."

Kriss slowly stood up. She was infuriated. "Guards. Why don't you escort Miss Singer to the city jail."

No one moved except Maxon, "What? She didn't do anything!"

"She disobeyed a royal order. I have authority to have her arrested."

"Not without my consent, Kriss." Kriss looked surprised. She didn't think Maxon would challenge her on this.

"Daddy?" Amara said, "You can't let her do that to Mama."

William, knowing his big sister was upset, shrieked a high pitched yell, seeming to agree with her.

Amara, who seemed encouraged in having her brother's approval, continued, although quietly, "She fired her. Mama can't teach anymore. She can't teach anyone."

Maxon was stunned, before he stood up, and turned toward the men from the German Federation, "If you'll excuse us, gentlemen, we all have some business to attend to."

He then rushed his family, Damon, and I into the throne room.

"What is going on?" he said, and Kriss immediately started yelling.

"She's been putting our daughter up against us. First with the pranks on the princes and then almost totally ruining our country. I won't have it! I won't!"

"So you kept her from getting any intake whatsoever? She's a teacher! If she can't teach she will starve! Think Kriss."

"Oh please. Don't even try to tell me you are using logic with this! If it was anyone else, you wouldn't even care!"

"You're right! America listens to Ames, she talks to her, gives her advice!"

"What are you saying?!"

"That you don't! America is more of a mother than you are!"

Kriss was silent for a minute, and I knew what she was going to do before she did it.

"Let me remind you what she did to you before you go any farther."

"Kriss!" Maxon said, trying to get her to stop. But nothing could stop her now.

"She cheated on you. You were going to propose to her, and she slept around with a guard."

Everyone was quiet for a minute, until Amara turned to me, "You...you were in the Selection?"

I stayed quiet for a minute, "...Yes. Yes I was. But your father chose your mother, and I went home."

"Because you slept with a guard?"

I almost broke down crying,but I answered her, "Something like that."

She shook her head at me, "You lied to me."

"It was the only thing I ever lied to you about. I thought you knew, but you were just too young to care. Then, when you grew up and you didn't know, I had just guessed that your parents didn't want you to know. So I didn't tell."

She looked disgusted at me, "You're a monster. I don't want you to talk to me ever again. And I know you won't disappoint me."

I stood there for a second, realizing I had lost them both, just like I had thought, "I could never stand disappointing you." I looked up, noticing one particular guard, "Aspen, will you please take Damon home, after he's done."

"Yeah Ames."

Jackson looked at me, "We'll take care of your kids, Ames. Celeste and Liss are here to take you home."

They knew to call them, to get them here, "Thank you boys."

And I walked towards the door, until Maxon said to me, "America. You have your teaching license back."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."