I want to dedicate the last two chapters to winterprincess, ilona18, Property of Illea, and Shawwwtttttyyyy. They gave me some ideas on what should happen. Sorry if I missed anyone. If I did, please tell me and I'll give you credit next chapter. Funny thing is, Shawwwtttttyyyy's suggestion was unintentional. She said in a review "What if Luke goes back to the palace as a fake guard and makes Tess fall in love with him?" And I'm like *evil smile* :) MWAHAHA THE RETURN OF LUKE!

I also want to thank you for the reviews you guys! Fifty-five reviews... wow the reviews hit double digits! Thanks so much!

Love ya!- AcademicGirl

P.S. I want my cookie back :(

Tess's POV

I go up the stairs shaken up and wary. I really can't trust anyone, can I? I knock on the wall, and the blue-eyed guard unlocks it for me. I look at him dead in the eyes. He's handsome, but just by looking at him I want to kick his face. I deported him in Italy? What does that even mean?! And he joined the other rebel group because he's a coward. Yeah, that's what he is.

"Who's Luke?" I ask.

"What the heck is wrong with you?" the guard says intensely.

"The Southern rebels crashed my plane. I lost my memory. I have no idea who you are!" I retort.

"Wait, so you don't know who I am?" he asks.

"Not a clue."

Then he smiles, but it was in the same conniving way G grinned at me. "I'm Luke. G told you to give the diaries to me. You and me used to have a love affair, you know."

"Are you serious?" I ask.

"One hundred percent. Then you broke up with me to go to the Selection."

I look at him again. He's tall, but he has a slight slouch. He's stocky and his blonde hair is cropped short. I can't see why I would fall in love with Luke. When I think of Matthew, I know we had a past. I can feel it in my gut that I loved him. But when I look at Luke, I feel resentment and disdain. I hate it.

"I don't believe you," I say hotly. "And I will never trust you. You're a rebel, and my feelings of dislike will never change. Remember that."

Luke nods morosely, and he leads me back to the royal family's safe room. Along the way, he stops at a tall potted plant. "Leave a piece of paper here saying where you want to meet me. I'll take the books from you there."

I make a face. "Tell me why I can't just say where the library is once I've found it."

He smiles antagonistically. "Because G likes seeing any member of the royal family hurt. He wants to see you broken. So when you do what he wants because you have no choice, he wins two prizes."

My pace quickens, and I stop in front of the wall that leads to the safe room. "You barbarians disgust me."

"Tell anyone about this, and your family will be dead before sunset." Luke looks around quickly, and he leaves me in my place.

Then a guard with red hair comes to me. "The rebels have retreated, your highness."

I bite my lip and nod. "Okay. Go call for the royal family or whatever."

The guard—Officer Ronald, his name tag says—opens the wall and says it's safe to go up now. A few minutes later, Matt emerges from the wall. "Tess!" he calls. My eyes refuse to meet his. I'm ashamed that I'm helping the rebels, but I can't see this beautiful boy die.

"Tess," he repeats. He cups my face in his hands. "Love, are you alright?" A tear slips out of the corner of my eye. I look at the ground.

"Yeah," I say in a shaky voice. "I'm okay." He embraces me and kisses the top of my head.

Truth is, I'm far from okay. I am terrified.


Matthew's POV

I pull back and wipe away a tear on Tess's cheek. "Tess, what did those sons of bitches want? And why did that rebel guard look awfully familiar?"

"I don't know," she replies. "The rebels threatened me, and then they let me go. They were Northerners." So that's why she's not hurt.

Still, something's off-kilter in the way she says it. Tess is telling me the truth, but not all of it. "What did they say to you?"

She shrugs and says, "Nothing. They just, you know, said they—"

"Tess! You're okay!" Evelyn cries out. Eva gives Tess a hug of relief. My fiancée has a look on relief as well, glad to know she didn't have to continue her story. Then I remember my room is right next to hers. I could ask questions all night.

The rest of the day is uneventful, unless you count hundreds of maids cleaning the palace an occasion. The Legers are leaving in a few minutes. I think the rebel attack scared all of them. Well, at least Marian and Eli looked afraid. Mrs. Leger looked a little frightened, but her husband comforted her in the safe room.

We are all gathered at the front doors to lead the Legers out. Marian gives me a hug that lasts longer than I intend. I shake Mr. and Mrs. Leger's hand, and pat Eli's head. The boy reaches Tess and surprisingly gives her a hug too. "Bye, Fire Girl," he mumbles.

Tess giggles and says, "See ya later, Eli."

Marian gives Tess a hug, too, but I know it's just for show. "Thanks for everything, your highness." The girls pull back, and Marian looks like she has tears in her eyes. "Well, I'll see you every Friday on television!"

Eli gives a lingering hug to Maria. I've never seen my little brother look so predatory. Then Eli mouths, "Call me." Ha, no doubt Xander would rip the phone out of his house for sure. And maybe his mouth for that matter.

Tess gives a kind smile and the family leaves in a limousine. "So, darling, what do you want to do now?" I ask.

She takes a deep breath as if she's going to jump off a bridge. "Do you know anything about a secret library?"