Hello. So I've noticed that lately you've all been extremely quiet. And then I realized that it was because I hadn't given you all something to talk about. (This is the part where you all start to worry.) I'm going to challenge you all not to look ahead in this chapter to see what's going to happen because I have a feeling that you'll want to.
Super cool contest at the end of the story. (Trust me, you'll want to enter.)
Vote, vote, vote for your favourite male character if you have not done so already.
Any important links/things will be on my profile.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Selection. That belongs to Kiera Cass.
Happy Reading!
Chapter 11
As Maxon led me up the stairs, I began to get excited about what was to come. Even though we can't go too far, we can still have our moment. I'm aching to take off my dress, and I'm dying to be able to kiss him again. How do some couples manage not to fight the urge to kiss each other when they see the other person? It seems like such an impossible task.
We turned down hallways and had made it into his room. Now, we were sitting next to each other on his bed. The temptation to kiss him overcame me, and I gave in to my heart's desire. Luckily, Maxon did too.
The kiss was hot and steamy, filled with romance and passion. It consumed me like a wildfire, so when the rebel alarm went off, I wasn't surprised that I didn't hear it.
"America," Maxon yelled, pulling away.
"What? What is it? Why did you stop," I complained.
"It's them! They – Celeste – she's here, at the palace!" Rage filled my body, as I grabbed Maxon by the wrist, and dragged him into the now overcrowded hallway.
"Everyone just calm down. There's nothing to fear. It's just one of Maxon's ex-girlfriends trying to mess with him," said King Clarkson, addressing the crowd. Then he spotted the two of us. "Isn't that right, Maxon?"
The look on my boyfriend's face was absolutely priceless, as for a moment, he was caught off guard.
"Yes, yes it's just a harmless girl trying to cause a bit of trouble. She's suffering from a broken heart, I'm afraid. But for your safety, please proceed to the royal safe room in the basement level. If you need any help getting there, the guards would be more than willing to assist you, as will my family and I."
And that's how we ended up spending the rest of our evening. Helping people get to the safe room and hiding in fear.
"Maxon," I started when we'd finally got back to his room. "What are we going to do? We can't go on like this. Eventually we need to fight back. We can't let her control our lives forever."
"You know what she did to her parents, how she murdered them in cold blood and how she hung their bodies from the roof of their house. And that was just her parents. Imagine what she'd do if she got a hold of you. She'd definitely do something much worse and I can't, and I won't let that happen to you."
He is such a sweetheart, always caring about others. But lately, something's been on my mind and I couldn't resist the urge to ask him.
"Maxon, do you still love her? Do you still have…feelings for her?"
The look on his face said it all. And slowly, I drifted into a deep sleep.
I dreamt of guns, and blood. Murderers littered the streets, shooting one another. Among them was Celeste. She was dressed in a red dress, with a deep v-neckline and a slit that went to the top of her tight. She had a smirk on her face, as if she'd already won the battle that has yet to be fought.
"I've got you know who, America. What are you going to do now, huh," she yelled. "Give it up already, would you? You've already lost the war and it hasn't even begun yet."
I woke up with sweat coating my face, neck, and back. I had fallen asleep in my gown, with my makeup still on and I'd gotten it all over the pillow. And oddly enough, I'd also gotten some on my dress. Maxon was lying next to me. His suit was wrinkled and his tie was hanging loosely around his neck.
"Maxon, wake up," I said, shoving him around in hopes of waking him up.
"Yes," he slurred, his eyes remaining closed.
"Today's the big day, sleepyhead. We've got a lot of work to do before the Peace Ball this evening."
"Not more work! I want to sleep! Why doesn't anyone around here understand my dilemma? I'm too tired to host another ball," he whined.
"Maxon Schreave get up this instant! If I have to help, then so do you," I yelled.
Then, there was a knock at the door. "Who is it," Maxon called.
"It's Silvia, Your Highness. There's something I need to tell you." The look on his face was one of surprise.
"Hide," he mouthed to me. I quickly ran through the room and into his closet. I'd only just made it, when Maxon opened the door.
"Good morning, Silvia. What can I do for you," he asked as politely as possible. You could hear the slight irritation in his voice.
"It's alright, Lady America. I know you're in here," was her reply. I stumbled out of the closet and straight into Maxon's desk, which sent me flying headfirst onto the floor.
"Are you alright, my dear?"
When I got up two minutes later, I saw that Maxon was still laughing, bent over and clutching his stomach.
"It's not that funny," I complained. "You don't have to laugh about it for five minutes."
"It was more like two," he argued.
"Enough, both of you. Last night the king, as well as many other guests saw the two of you leave the party early. Anyone care to explain why?" Maxon and I exchanged devious smiles.
"You do it," I mouthed.
"No, you tell her," he mouthed back. The scowl on Silvia's face said that she was running out of patience.
"It was all Maxon's fault," I said.
"That's a good start, but would someone answer my question?"
"He kidnaped me and forced me to come back to his room with him."
"Stop lying America. I think we all know that you were very willing to come back to my room with me. If anything, you were practically begging to leave and I was only trying to make you happy," he clarified.
"Well," Silvia interrupted. "I want none of that tonight. You will both stay at the ball until you are told otherwise. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Silvia," we said in unison.
"Good. I will see both of you tonight at five o'clock sharp in the ballroom. Don't be late."
As soon as she left, the two of us broke out in laughter and I knew that it was going to be a long day.
At around one in the afternoon, my maids came running through the door to my room, a dress in Lucy's hands. It was a pale pink gown, with ruffles on the skirt. The top was skin-tight from my chest to my waist and I wondered how in the world I was supposed to be able to breathe in it. The sleeveless corset-style gown flared out and had a belt attached that was the same shade as the dress. The heels in Mary's hands were silver, with rose gold soles. They had a rose gold platform that had a shiny finish, while the shoe itself was sparkly.
"They're beautiful," I exclaimed.
"And they're yours. Now, we have to get you ready for the ball, My Lady," said Anne.
They dressed me in the clothes, layered diamonds on my body, and put my hair up in an elegant updo, that looked like a flower from the back. After applying eyeliner, and red lipstick on me, I was deemed ready to go.
"You look stunning," said a voice that I hadn't been expecting to hear for at least another few minutes.
"Your early," I said, turning around to face him. He was dressed in a simple suit and tie, his blonde hair tamed.
"Let's go. They're expecting us any minute now."
We went down the grand staircase, turning down the hall to get to our destination.
"Are you ready," I asked him.
"I was born ready. Don't forget, I've been to these before. It's you who should be worried."
"Well thank you for that. It's like you just told the butterflies in my stomach to go at the speed of light and they're obeying your orders."
He grabbed my hand, as the guards opened the doors and we walked inside.
The very first thing I noticed was that the room was coated in red. From the tables, to the curtains, the colour of blood was all I could see.
The next thing I noticed worried me a bit. Princess Daphne was wearing a dark green dress, with lace detailing on the bodice and skirt. The problem was that the top only consisted of the velvet lace detailing, the rest of her skin completely exposed. And for a second, she reminded me of Celeste.
Queen Amberly was dressed in a green gown as well, with strappy beige heels that had crystals on them. She quickly rushed over to us.
"You two look lovely. Is that a new dress, America?"
"Yes it is," I gushed.
A slow song began to play and Maxon held out his hand and asked, "Care to dance, my dear?"
"Of course." He led my into the center of the dance floor, and we danced for what felt like an eternity. Unsurprisingly, Daphne stared daggers at me the entire time. Maxon seemed to notice as well.
"Don't let her get to you. She's not worth your time," he said, spinning me around. I looked him in the eyes and we kissed, until something, or should I say someone interrupted us.
"Isn't that sweet? The two lovebirds are kissing," Celeste said mockingly from the top of the balcony that overlooked the room.
"What do you want, Celeste," Maxon asked.
"You know what I want, Maxon. It's the exact same thing I've wanted since the beginning. You, and the crown," she screamed.
"Over my dead body."
"Fine then. Maybe I can't change your mind, but I know someone who will. Bring the prisoner in, Daphne."
"Missed me," Daphne asked, dragging in the last person I expected to see.
"Stop it! Let them go," I yelled, shoving from the crowd towards them.
"I'll make you a deal. Give me Maxon and you can have the prisoner back," Celeste said.
"Never," he yelled.
And then I heard the gunshot and tears rushed to my eyes as I saw them fall to the floor.
Celeste was quick to recover, grabbing King Clarkson and holding her gun to his head.
"I'm giving you one more chance, pretty boy. What do you say?"
Thee cliffhangers are back! (Now you'll have plenty to talk about.) Did you like it?
Now, as for that contest... All you have to do is guess a few things to possibly win a sneak peek of the next chapter. (What?!) It's just that simple. Here they are:
- America asks Maxon, "Maxon, do you still love her? Do you still have…feelings for her?" but she never says who, and never tell us the answer Maxon gave her. Tell me who and what the answer was.
- Who's this prisoner that Celeste shot?
- What's Maxon going to say? Will he give up his father, or will he lose America?
- What team are you on?
- You have to follow, and fav this story.
For the few of you who'll enter (I'm expecting maybe one or two), you have to get at least one prediction right and do the last two things.
As always, thank you to my lovely readers.
Until next time...
- Hearts And Crowns