Song Suggestion: Bumper Cars by Alex and Sierra

Going back to Piedmont and seeing my family and Kilorn and Farley should feel like a relief after the past week. It should feel like a breath of fresh air, but it instead it feels like another boulder placed on my shoulders. Every day I feel myself changing into someone I'm afraid they won't recognize.

My mom is overjoyed when I show up on the front steps. I guess she thought it would be like last time and it breaks my heart. Farley gives a nod. She inspects me to see how much I've changed. She's looking for the cracks. She doesn't find any, which is probably why she looks more concerned when she walks away later. Seeing Kilorn makes me feel better. The drowning feeling disappears as soon as we embrace.

"I missed you," I whisper.

He hugs me tighter, "The Hideout, midnight."

Apparently, he's missed me too.


The next day is more training. The other electricons don't question my absence but I'm sure they're curious. And Ella pretends not to notice the recurring smile sneaking its way to my lips. But on my way to the house for lunch, my smile disappears. I suppose I knew it was coming, especially since I left, but after what Jon told me, I not ready to face him.

"Mare," Cal breathes. We're just a few yards away from Officer's Row but too far from the barracks for Cal to show up here coincidently. I try to sidestep and keep walking but he's too quick. He won't let me off that easily. "Mare, we're going to have talk eventually." The tenderness in his eyes is almost enough to make me break. Almost.

"Talk about what Cal? How you made the same choice you made almost a year ago. Or how I was stupid enough to believe that you changed?" I force as much anger and pique in my voice as I can. If I don't focus on it, I'll fall into his arms.

"Mare, I have changed. Look at what's happened since that day."

"You're life changed, Cal. And maybe your perspective, but not what really holds your heart. That crown will always be what you strive for. It's all you were taught."

"Mare, I love you. It's because I love you that I'm doing this."

"Is that what you tell yourself? Tell me what happens when you're reign ends? Do you think any equity you've built will last?"

"No one in power wants this more than me. Who will if I don't? My grandmother's house rules over Delphie. She has influence and without it, the Rift is barely a kingdom. She'll help."

"What makes you think she's even on your side? Because she offered you a throne? She had an entire lifetime of believing that reds are inferior. Do you really think she would change her mind that quickly? Last time I checked, trusting family is what got you into this mess!"

It comes out before I can stop it. It's a low blow and Cal flinches.

"She wouldn't betray me like that." He whispers.

"Just like Maven wouldn't?" He nothing to say for this.

"Face it, Cal, everyone has a secret agenda these days. You have to be a fool to not see it." I've learned this the hard way. Too many times.

"And what's your agenda, Mare?" He steps closer. "I know what you've been doing, with Kilorn. What I don't understand is why."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Probably the worst lie I've ever told.

"I'm talking about the training," he prods. "The special training." And after a breath. "And the way you're using Kilorn."

"I am not using him."

"Is that what you tell yourself." He throws my words back in my face. "I know how he feels about you. You're just leading him on when you know you can never return those feelings.

"Kilorn is my best friend and he understands that."

"He's nothing but a distraction for you! You might think it may last or hope its grows into something. But I know that you're still in love with me. "

"So what if I am?" I take a daring step closer. "It won't change anything."

And before I can think to turn away. Cal grabs my shoulders and pulls me to him. His lips meet mine in a startling heated passion. He pours all his anger and frustration into the kiss, as well as all his sorrow. He tastes the same as always. I become lost in the kiss. I've spent weeks avoiding him for this very reason. But my heart is still in pieces but my body reacts and pulls him closer. Curling into him the way I used to. I have never wanted to be with him than in this moment. It's like after every argument we've had. The way our passion forms from anger to love. We fight because we love each other too much.

Seconds or hours pass, I don't know for sure. He's the first to pull away, to my displeasure.

"It seems some things don't change after all."

"Why are you doing this?" I say meaning all things. Tears begin to glass over my eyes.

"Because I love you." He lets go of my shoulders. And with a sigh, he asks, "What are you doing Mare?"

I open my mouth, but words refuse to come out. But not because I can't tell Cal, but because of the lean figure that stands a few yards behind him.

Cal sees my gaze waver and turns to see the golden haired boy and the tears trailing down from his green eyes.


I just broke my heart as well as Kilorn's. Oh, I love all three ships. And it pains me. But it has to be done. So I hope I did Marecal justice. Ironically, this chapter gets the ball rolling for Mareven. So Yay! Next chapter kicks off right after this.

Also, I've officially finished mapping out this fanfic. The entire story will be exactly 50 Chapters. The final chapter will be a twenty-year time jump. Get excited! I have a lot of ideas for the sequel. Mapping out that will be more difficult. So buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride.