A/N: Hey guys! I meant to post this last week, but work has been CRAZY. I had to go out of town for a week and a half, and I've been working 10 hour days...not very fun.
Anywho, I'm editing this in a hotel, so please forgive me for missing things. Also, like I said last time, I'm trying to focus on getting this story done, but bear with me. It's hard to write on 50 hours weeks :)
I really hope you enjoy this chapter, and then next one should be up a lot sooner!
IMPORTANT Q: So i had a request on my tumblr for some RoM smut? What do you guys think? Something you'd like to see?
WARNING: little time jump here.
"And what about that one?" Aspen whispered in my ear.
I took a tentative sip of my wine, my gaze following his. "The girl with the dark hair or the man beside her?"
Aspen pinched my leg playfully, and I struggled to keep my wine down. "Not fair, my Lady."
"All is fair in love and war, Leger. That's the Lady of Whitley. She's agreeable, but I heard her family has a lot of secrets. What about the Duchess of Angeles? Have you met her?" I suggested.
"She's an absolute bore, America. All she does is agree with everything anyone says. I'll end up marrying her and then I'll find out she's completely different. No thank you," he added before popping a piece of fruit in his mouth.
I looked around the room. Court had been extremely tedious these past two weeks. I longed to be back in that cabin, wrapped in Maxon's arms, to have the simplicity of it being just me and him. Even now, just thinking about it sent my thoughts into an uproar. This throb of longing tore through me, and I quickly took another gulp of wine. I just had to be patient. I wasn't getting to see him as much, but it would be for the best in the end.
"Okay, fine. What about Earl Luca's daughter? She's sweet and very pretty."
"Which one is she again?" he murmured.
"Six down from the King, on his left."
What was the saying? Speak of the devil, and he shall appear? As soon as I mentioned the King, he looked in my direction. He only smirked haughtily at me before turning his attention back to Duke Ambers. I took a deep breath, willing my emotions to stay in control. Aspen took my hand under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Don't let him get to you," he whispered. I nodded my head. Aspen had done a fantastic job acting the part of suitor, but I feared that I was hurting his chances of finding happiness one day.
Honestly, Aspen deserved to be happy. He went out of his way to keep me cheerful. We went on horseback rides, sat reading in the vast library, and he listened to me play the pianoforte. He was a fantastic friend, trying his best to keep me distracted from the drama. If it wasn't for him, I don't know that I would have been able to do this. I wanted for him what I had with Maxon. Now, we played a game at court gatherings, trying to find a potential match for him.
We were executing our rouse quite successfully. I had acted weary for a week, which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I ached for Maxon, and every time he escorted Kriss somewhere, exchanged smiles, or gave her a kiss on her hand, a pang of unease hit me. I trusted Maxon with my life, with my heart, but I missed him doing those things to me in public. I missed having those late nights in my room where we just held each other. I had to remind myself that he was mine, and that was something Kriss Ambers would never get. I had seen him, but it was far too little for my liking. We had to keep them random and short so the king would not suspect us.
"Now, you said six to the left?" Aspen repeated. He looked in her direction, his eyes wide. He shook his head, and I shot him an amused smirk.
"And why not?"
"Apparently she and the Lord of Fennley have a thing. I caught them in a deserted hall the other night."
"You are joking!" I exclaimed in a hushed tone. Aspen shook his head.
"I had just met with the Prince, and low and behold, I find that pair stumbling into a room."
"And when you say stumble?" I ventured.
"He had her pushed up against the door in a very provocative position, his hands somewhere no one but one's significant other should venture. Thank God they didn't see me."
This time, I was unable to contain my laugh. Aspen looked pleased with himself. I wiped my mouth with a napkin, and I saw Maxon give me a bemused glance. I shook my head and rolled my eyes, smiling back at him. Kriss was talking to the Queen, so I was able to hold his attention for a moment. He mouthed something, later, I thought. I nodded my head, turning back to Aspen.
"If only you'd let me court Celeste," he sighed in a wistful tone. He looked in her direction, and when she noticed, she gave Aspen an alluring look.
"If you truly want to be in love with your wife, I'd suggest someone else." I'd grown to care deeply for Celeste, but I didn't think she was the best match for Aspen. I'd kept her secret, and even though Aspen kept asking why, I refused to tell him. "I know! The Earl of Sonnage has a daughter. Her name is Lucinda, but everyone calls her Lucy. I've never met her, but I heard she's delightful. She's arriving some time tomorrow," I added.
"Is she delightful as you?" he quipped. I pushed Aspen's leg lightly, earning a hearty laugh from him. "Are you done?"
I nodded my head, having my fill of food. It seemed unfair to me that we ate in such splendor when the countryside had practically nothing. The King could afford to get grain from other countries. Our people? Not so much. My father had left to go home with a shipment, to sell it to the vendors in our province. He'd be back in a few days, when a lot of the nobles were planning to meet.
Over the past fortnight, rebel activity had picked up. It was another reason that I hadn't seen Maxon as much. They were trying to reach an agreement in hopes to prevent bloodshed. It worried me because the King was anxious for Maxon to take Kriss as his wife, and with the possibility of fighting ahead, the King might push it forward a lot sooner than either one of us would like.
Aspen offered me his arm, and we rose from the table. I tried to catch Maxon's eye again. Kriss had his attention now. She didn't notice the slight strain in his smile, but I did. It didn't have the ease of the one he gave me.
We walked out to the gardens, taking our usual wayward way around the castle. We could've stayed inside, but the walk was much nicer this way. It was the perfect temperature outside, the air damp with the threat of rain. We talked about politics, about the newest rumors plaguing the castle. Others ventured through the pathways, the flames from the pillars filling the area with warm light now that the sun had finally set.
We approached the door that led back into the castle, but Aspen pulled me back.
"Why are we stopping?"
"Because my duty at safeguarding your well-being is done for the evening. Now, someone else can have you."
I looked at him in confusion, and then a panel behind him slid open. Maxon stood in the shadows, an easy smile on his face. I ran into his waiting arms, and he pulled me in close for a kiss. His arms surrounded me in warmth, obliterating all negative thoughts. I knew he was going to try and see me tonight, but I just assumed it would be in passing like all the times before. Maxon parted from me, his thumbs gently brushing my cheeks. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested by head against his chest. Maxon planted a kiss in my hair before addressing Aspen.
"Thank you."
Aspen bowed his head and began to close the panel. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Which gives us a lot of lead way," Maxon added before the panel slide shut. Even through the wall, I could hear Aspen's bark of laughter.
We were left in the dark, but Maxon had a candle situated on a shelf nearby. He tipped up my chin, pressing his lips softly against mine.
"I've planned a little outing for the two of us tonight," he explained as he grabbed the candle from the shelf. He offered me his arm, and I gladly took it.
"Where does this go?" I questioned.
"You'll see."
I shook my head. This was a passage I was unfamiliar with. We were in a different wing from our rooms, and most of this side didn't have any guests unless there was a gathering at court for some reason. He led me up flights of stairs, carefully guiding me the whole way. We came to the end, and Maxon placed his fingers against his lips. I nodded my head in understanding. He opened the door, checking to make sure that we were in the clear.
After a few seconds of tense waiting, Maxon looked back at me with a smug grin. He opened the door the rest of the way, and we entered a room that looked like it may have been the old library. It was much smaller than other one. Dusty books lines the shelves. Carefully drawn maps decorated the wall, showing all the different places in the world.
"What is this?" I wondered.
"Old war room. Father has his study now, but this use to be the old one. I don't think anyone has used it since my grandfather passed. But this isn't where we are headed."
Maxon grabbed my hand, pulling me towards a spiraling staircase in the corner. It looked to wind up in one of the parapets. I grinned in excitement, doing my best to keep up with Maxon on the stairs. He looked back at me a few times, his grin absolutely infectious.
Finally, we reached the top. From up here, we could see everything: the lake near the castle, the steady march of soldiers patrolling the grounds. We could even see the courtiers milling about the gardens after dinner. The stars shone brightly, looking like tiny jewels scattered across the sky. The moon cast a soft glow when the clouds weren't blocking it. At the other end, a bedroll was laid out, something for us to lie on while we gazed at the stars. It was perfect.
Maxon pulled me close, his front to my back, resting his chin on my shoulder as he took in the view below.
"I've missed you," he whispered as he placed his lips against the top of my shoulder. My eyes closed, his touch finally freeing the stagnant desire inside of me.
"So have I."
"I hope this doesn't have to last much longer," Maxon sighed as he led me to the bedroll. He lay down, and I followed suit, curling into him. "There's dissent among the nobles. Some think that attacking the rebels will be the best course of action, while others insist that change is what's needed."
"Like my father?" I questioned as I turned around to face him. He nodded his head. "He just wants what is best for the people, Maxon. That's all."
"I agree with him, actually. The people shouldn't suffer, and we have more than enough here. I'm not saying that we should punish those who are more fortunate than others, but I think it's in the fortunate people's duty to help those in need if they are able. The biggest worry is that if we appear weak, that neighboring nations might take advantage of that. We can't afford to go to war with ourselves, let alone another nation."
"Did I ever mention what a wonderful King you are going to be?" I remarked as I placed a kiss on his cheek.
"I believe so, but I could stand to hear it more often," he teased me.
For the few hours, we simply laid there together, talking about anything we wanted. We both dozed for a while, utterly content in each other's arms. Eventually though, it had to end, we had our few hours of bliss, and now it was time to depart. Maxon sighed deeply as he rose and offered me his hand. I gave it a gentle squeeze, hopefully giving him some comfort. Even though he didn't say anything, I knew the situation was wearing on him. My job was to support him, to be there to help in whatever way he needed. We ventured down the stairs, but when we got to the last curve, Maxon stilled.
"You are telling me there was another uprising in Kent?"
The King's voice drifted up to us, and Maxon looked at me with wide eyes. He pulled us closer to the center of the stairs, where we were less likely to be seen.
"Yes, your Majesty. They attacked the officers guarding the royal grain silo."
"Were there any casualties?"
"No soldiers. Only the common folk."
"That's my father's advisor," Maxon whispered in my ear. I nodded my head. It was silent for a few moments, saturated with the severity of the situation. It wasn't good to hear of more uprisings. Kent was near my province, and I worried for my father. A solution had to be found. I agreed with Maxon. If our country looked weak, there was a lot more we would lose.
"These are becoming far too frequent. We have to put the commoners in their place or they will rise up against us. We cannot have anarchy in this country, or everyone will fall. A firm show of force is what we need. Fear is an effective tool," King Clarkson remarked after a few minutes. I couldn't disagree with him. After all, he was using Maxon's fears concerning me to keep us from being together.
"Your majesty, I do not mean to overstep my bounds, but with the other nobles so firmly against it, attacking without the majority of them agreeing could lead to civil war."
"Then we stop them. We need them to change their mind."
"How, your majesty? With Lord Singer and Duke Tames-"
The advisor was cut off, not finishing his remark. I couldn't see the King, but I could see his face in my mind. It was that same calculated, knowing smirk that he'd given me plenty of times, one that sent chills up my spine.
"What if the rebels attacked one that was advocating for leniency? What if Lord Singer met them on his way back from his estate? I think if something happened to our opposition's leader, that it would lose a good bit of hold, would it not?"
I gripped into Maxon, covering my mouth before any sound could leave me. He held me close, both of us still as we continued to listen.
"Yes, your majesty," he finally agreed. "What about your son. Do you think he will suspect it?"
"Even if he does, he'll keep his mouth shut if he wants the girl to stay alive."
"And the family?"
"What do I care? Cut off the head, and you solve the problem. I'll give my formal approval of the engagement, and there's nothing they can do to stop it without committing treason. They'll become Leger's problem, and that will keep some of that new money in check. I get a very rich daughter in law, and the uprising gets halted."
"Of course. It will be done."
"Good. I expect to hear progress tomorrow."
Their footsteps echoed throughout the room, the marble causing each one to echo. The sound made their exit even more foreboding than it already was. We heard the door shut, but neither of us moved.
My whole system was in shock. Each breath came ragged and slow, my chest so tight it was hard to breathe. My eyes burned with unshed tears, but I wouldn't let any fall. I was angry, upset, hurt, and I felt utterly helpless.
I looked into Maxon's eyes, whose fear and apprehension mirrored what was in my own. Our plan had failed. I only knew two things for certain.
I had to save my father.
And we were out of time.
AHH I LEFT YOU HANGING DO YOU HATE ME?
Hehehe! Please leave a review! I want to know your reactions! And let me know about the smut! :D