*All characters belong to Kiera Cass*

Chapter 21

Maxon held my hand as we made our way to the cells. Georgia and August were already there, apparently.

It wasn't a surprise, seeing as how Maxon and I slept in. Plus, my morning sickness made us extra late today, delaying us. But sleeping on the roof, in the fresh air, was worth everything. The blankets were enough to keep us warm, as well as Maxon's body heat. He and I held each other all night, not wanting to let go.

Now, in the light of day, the palace looked even more run down. Parts of it, at least. When we came through it earlier, servants and maids were already cleaning, and probably had been for hours. I even saw Mary, who gave me a smile before getting back to work. There was a lot to do and it would take time. All of the bodies were gone at least. I shuddered at the thought of what their families must be going through, learning that their loved one died.

Now, as Maxon and I entered the cells, I thought of my own family. Hopefully they knew I was safe and alive. I made a mental note to call them when I could today as I didn't want them worrying over nothing.

The guards bowed when we made our way in. They led us through cells, which were full of Southern rebels that were caught last night, not the leaders, but the followers. Some glared as we walked by, others didn't bother looking up. It was the ones that starred that made me look away. These were the people responsible for last night, for countless other nights. Each of them were probably killers, and I couldn't bother sparing them a longer glance because of it.

"Your highnesses," Georgia greeted us both with a curtsy. She was standing outside on of the cells, leaning against one of the stone walls. Her clothes were the same as yesterday, but cleaner. I wondered if one of the maids washed them or if she did.

"How long have you been here?" I asked her. "And where's August?"

"He's inside with leader number three at the moment," she replied, nodding towards the cell. "Getting some answers. And we've been here for a couple of hours. Couldn't sleep that well. Though, it looks like you two slept. You both look way better than you did the last time I saw you."

"Thanks," I mumbled a reply. We showered and changed our clothes too, which helped. "What information have you gotten? Anything yet?"

"Just a confirmation of the location, Angeles. Kriss was right," she told us. "Also, the leader is apparently a she. One of them slipped and used 'she' instead of 'he.' That's it so far, but don't worry, August and I are experts at interrogation."

Maxon and I shared a look. He stepped forward, "I don't believe in torturing, if that's what you're getting at."

Georgia shrugged, "We haven't had to do that. Yet."

"No," I came forward, standing beside Maxon. "Maxon is right. We can't stoop to their level."

"Do you want to catch this leader or not?" Georgia asked with a sigh. "If we want to end this war, then we have to do whatever is necessary to do so."

August suddenly came out of the room, closing the door with a thud. His sleeves were rolled up and he looked a little disheveled. My eyes quickly caught sight of his red hands, covered in blood.

"I got more information about..." he started saying, but stopped when he noticed us there. He bowed his head, "Good morning."

"Good morning," Maxon replied. "What else did you get? Georgia was just filling us in."

He glanced at her and continued. "He told me the location. Right on the water, about twenty miles south from here. At an old lighthouse."

"How did you get this information?" I asked, meeting his gaze.

He wiped his hands on his pants, as if by instinct. "I think you already know, princess."

"Although I don't condone any of this," Maxon interrupted. "I'm glad that we know the location. We need to come up with a plan of some sort."

"Yes," August agreed. "But we need more than just a location. We need to know how many people they have guarding this place, as well as more about this woman. What is she capable of? We can't just go barging in without more information."

"And this guy is in a talking mood now," Georgia added. "I think we can get more from him."

"Not by hurting him," I stepped forward. "Let me go in there, I'll talk to him. I think I can persuade him somehow."

"No," Maxon said sharply. "You don't need to go in there. I can."

"I think I can reason with him," I turned to him, pleading with my eyes. "Please, just let me do this."

He sighed, giving up easier than I thought he would. "Let's go together then."

A compromise. I didn't mind that. "Alright," I said.

"And if that doesn't work," Georgia spoke up. "Then August and I can try."

I gave her a tight smile, walking to the door. Maxon opened it with a key, one that he had in his pocket. I wondered how he got that, or when.

The room was dark, except for a small light bulb at the top of a high, stone ceiling. There was a single mattress in the corner with a blanket. On the mattress, one of the men from last night sat, his arms and legs were in chains. He had new bruises and cuts on his face, though they were hard to see as he had his head tilted down, creating shadows.

Maxon and I stood at a distance. "You're Xander, right?" I asked, my voice making him flinch slightly. "We've come to ask you a few questions."

"All we need are some answers," Maxon added. "We won't harm you, you just have to cooperate."

"That's what that other man said," Xander replied. "You do see my face, don't you?"

He tilted his head up, into the light. I thought it looked bad before, in the shadows, but now, it was way worse. August must know how to throw a punch, I thought absentmindedly.

"Do you know who I am?" Maxon asked the man.

He squinted. "Of course, the King." He looked over at me. "And his new princess. The reason I'm in this mess."

"Just focus on me," Maxon said, clearly not liking Xander paying any attention to me. "As King of Illea, I promise you that it will be better for you if you cooperate right now. You're future sentencing will not be as harsh as your comrades if you choose to do so."

Xander thought for a moment, clearly unsure of whether Maxon meant what he was saying or not. Though, if I knew Maxon, he was being honest. One thing he wasn't, was a liar.

"Can you tell us what the lighthouse is like?" I asked, bending down so I could be eye-level with him. "What things should we be aware of?"

He ignored me, keeping his eyes focused solely on Maxon. "If I cooperate, I want something in return."

"What is it?" Maxon asked.

"My wife and kids. They can't be punished." The look in his eyes when he spoke of them showed just how much he cared about them. It made him look more human, something I didn't think Southern rebels were.

Maxon nodded. "I promise. They won't be sentenced for your actions."

"She cooks meals for all of us sometimes, my wife. And my kids, they sometimes come to meetings. They're thirteen and ten. Boys." He looked away. "They aren't part of our group, not officially, but they participate in stuff like that."

Maxon moved forward, bending down nearly in front of him. "I understand. You have my word, as King of Illea, your family will not be held accountable for any of your actions or their participation in Southern rebel events."

They stared at one another for a moment, before Xander finally nodded. "Alright," he said. "I believe you. I'll tell you want you want to know."

"Good," Maxon replied. "Now, answer Lady America's questions."

"There are usually anywhere from fifty to one hundred fifty people at the lighthouse, just depends on who is coming through," Xander said.

"Coming through?" Maxon questioned.

"Assignments come up all the time, all over. As leaders, we give the orders to go places," he answered. "Just depends on who is coming or what attack we are planning. For instance, the attack here, we had more people come to the lighthouse yesterday so we'd have more people to come here."

I could see Maxon's jaw clenching. "Go on."

"I think there will only be fifty or so, maybe a hundred if she's planning another attack," Xander said.

"What's her name?" I asked.

He made eye contact with me. "Ruby. She doesn't share it with too many people. She's a private person, one you should be careful of."

"Why's that?" I wondered aloud.

He gave a bitter smile. "She's out for pure revenge. She's the one who formed the Southern rebel alliance in the first place. She hates all of you royals. I guess your father," he nodded to Maxon, "sentenced her parents to death a while back, when she was younger."

Maxon looked confused. "To be sentenced to death, the crime had to be quite big."

Xander shrugged. "I'm not sure of the full story, like I said, she'd a pretty private person. I've only seen her a handful of times."

"Why do you follow her?" I asked him, making his attention turn back to me.

"Because I believe in ending the royal family," he said, not hesitating to answer. "I hope that doesn't come as a surprise to you. But I'm helping you now because my family always comes first. And it doesn't look good for our side lately, so I'm thinking it's better to cooperate now."

"But you'd kill us still, if you could," Maxon stated.

Even though it wasn't a question, Xander still answered. "I probably would. Or capture you two and bring you to her."

Maxon and I exchanged a look before he went on. "What should we expect when we go to the lighthouse?"

Xander shrugged. "Just more people like me, ready to kill you when you attack. I promise, it won't be an easy fight if that's what you're asking. We got some skilled people guarding that place."

"Is there a point of weakness?" Maxon asked him.

"Not really, unless you count the water. The buildings right on the edge of some rocks where the water hits. Every other part of it is guarded by us. You might be able to sneak in there, I guess. If you're a good swimmer and don't get slammed by the waves."

"There's no other way?" I asked, not liking the idea.

He thought for a moment. "If you wanted to come on land, the tunnels would be the best route. There's a huge network of them, leading to various parts of the forest and city. One near the palace, where we came in."

"Could you make a map of them?" Maxon questioned. "One we could follow. A tunnel that doesn't get used often would be best."

Xander looked up, shaking his head. "Man, I probably could. But I want more than just my family's safety if you are asking me to do this."

"What do you want?" I asked him.

"I don't want to die," he said, looking me straight in the eye. "I know that is probably going to be my fate, but I don't want that. If my family saw me get killed, I couldn't forgive myself. So you have to make sure I end up in prison or something. Just not death. And I want all of this written in a legal document, and signed by all three of us. And a copy sent to my family. If all of that happens, you'll have your map."

Maxon didn't respond, but he looked like he was thinking it over.

"How many people have you killed?" I asked him, breaking the silence.

He squinted, thinking. "Dozens."

"And why is your life more important than any of theirs? Why should we spare yours?" A bitter taste surrounded my tongue as I questioned him.

"Because you need me, sweetheart."

"Fine," Maxon snapped. "We'll do it, but we want the map by the end of the day."

"I want that contract by then too," he replied.

Maxon gave a sharp nod. "Let's go, America."

I stood, giving Xander a look of pure disgust. I knew Maxon had to agree, but I hated that this man got to live even though he killed countless others. It made me sick just thinking about it.

We left the cell, with Maxon locking the door behind him. As he told Georgia and August all about our conversation, I stared blankly ahead of me. I was mad about this whole situation, I was mad that this man was going to practically get away with being a murderer.

"Let's go to the conference room and discuss a plan of action with my commanders," Maxon told them afterwards. "I think we need to attack fast, before they have time to replenish their army."

"I agree," August replied. "Are you sure he'll follow through and make a map."

Maxon nodded. "I think so. I'm pretty sure he was desperate to keep his family from suffering. If he has one redeeming quality, it's that."

I huffed, "I don't think there's anything redeeming about him."

Georgia looked at me. "No, there probably isn't. But this is how things go in war, you never fully feel satisfied with your decisions."

"We'll meet in an hour, I'll have time to draw up the paperwork by then, as well as get everyone together," Maxon said.

They agreed and we all left the cells, going our separate ways. Maxon and I went to his office, guards following us as along the way. For once, I didn't mind their presence. As soon as Maxon closed the door, I sat on his sofa, feeling drained from everything that had transpired.

Maxon gave me a worried look. "You don't have to be a part of this, America. This stress can't be good for the babies."

"I know," I replied. "Do you mind if I call my family while you draw up the papers?"

"Of course not," he smiled at me, bending to lightly kiss my forehead.

I gave him a small smile in return and went into my office. Sitting down, I just sat there. My head was starting to hurt from all of the stress. Maxon was right, this probably wasn't good for the twins. Placing a hand on my stomach, I closed my eyes, picturing what they would look like.

If it were two girls or two boys, I wondered if they'd be identical or not. I hoped they would have Maxon's eyes. Maybe it would a boy and a girl. I could just imagine a little Maxon look alike running around with a small girl with fiery red hair alongside him.

As my eyes reopened, I felt better, calmer. Picking up the phone, I dialled the number I knew by heart.

After the first ring, my mother picked up. "Hello?"

"Mom," I answered, smiling at the sound of her voice. "It's me."

"America?!" Her squeal of delight made me pull the phone away from my ear. "Oh! We've been so worried! The newscast said you two were alright, but they never tell the full truth!" She paused for a moment. "Yes, May. It's her. She's fine. You are fine, right?"

I smiled. "Yes, I am perfectly fine. Maxon is too."

"I'm so glad! Oh! And Maxon! I am so happy you two are together again!"

"Thanks mom," I replied. "I am too."

"When are you getting married? I haven't received my invitation yet, you know. Oh! And have you gotten a ring? I can help you plan the wedding too, I am more than happy to help you. I can just imagine it..." She went on, talking about color patterns and different songs we could play. I just listened, loving hearing her voice. It was comforting.

"I should put May on now, she's been bothering me for the past ten minutes," she said, finishing her wedding talk. "Now, are you sure you're alright? I worry about you."

I didn't have it in me to tell her how close to dying I came to last night, so instead, I told her I was doing fine and I told her not to worry. Then she put May on.

"Ames!" May greeted. "I'm going to my room to talk to her!" I heard footsteps pounding up the stairs and a moment later, a door slammed shut. "Alright," she said, breathless. "Now that I have some privacy, tell me everything. Are you okay? Is the baby alright?"

"I'm good, it was a rough night last night, but I'll live. And the babies are good too."

"Babies, as in plural?" She asked, excitement filling her voice.

"Yes, we found out that I'm having twins." I was happy to finally tell her, to actually get the chance to tell her. "So much has happened since you were here, it's all be insane."

"Tell me everything," she ordered. So I did. Well, mostly everything. I told her about Kriss, about Maxon and I, about the pregnancy. All of it. And she listened to every word.

"So what are you going to do?" She asked. "What will you tell the country about the babies?"

I sighed. "I honestly don't know, and I haven't even had time to think about it. With everything going on."

"Yeah, that's understandable," she agreed. "What about that note? Who do you think wrote it?"

I shrugged, even though she couldn't see me. "Maybe it'll be a mystery forever. But I don't think Kriss did. She would have told me."

"I wonder what will happen to her," May said. "I think she should be punished, I mean, she almost killed you. I can't believe all of that happened."

"Trust me, I know."

"Maybe you should come home," she suggested. "I mean, it's safer here. You don't need to be a part of that lighthouse attack. You can be with us, away from everything. At least until everything is over and it's safer."

"The thing is, this is my home now, May. The palace, with Maxon, is my home. And I can't just go running when things get tough. Illea needs to see strong leadership, especially at a time like this."

"You've changed," she said. "I mean, grown up? It's hard to explain."

"Thanks, I think." I closed my eyes. "I don't feel all that grown up though. I feel like my world is spinning out of control."

May didn't say anything for a moment. "I think you're more than capable of making that world stop, Ames. You're right, Illea needs a strong leader. And I think you and Maxon are perfect for that job. As much as I want you here, with me, I know that you being there is more important. But please, for your sake and the babies, don't do anything stupid."

"You and Maxon seem to think I'd risk their lives in a heartbeat or something."

"Well, you do tend to act irrationally sometimes," she chuckled.

I smirked. "Not anymore. Not when I have two special humans to think about."

"I can't believe you are going to be a mother," she replied. "That this time, next year, you'll have two little babies there. And I'll be an auntie again. Mom's going to freak when she finds out."

"Oh, I know she is." I shook my head, not wanting to think about it. Checking the time, I realized that the meeting was going to be starting soon. "I should go, May."

"Alright," she said, disappointment in her voice. "Take care of yourself. I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, hanging up.

Heading back to Maxon's office, I saw him at his desk, finishing writing up the contract. I read over his shoulder as he worked, seeing that he had all of the terms written out, just as Xander had wanted.

"I hate this," I said when he finished.

He took my hand in his, squeezing it gently. "I know, but it has to be done. I've sent Officer Leger to monitor the map making."

"Good," I said. "We should get going to the meeting."

"Before we go, I wanted to talk to you."

I frowned. "What about?"

"I know how frustrated you are with all of this, and how eager you are to defeat the Southern rebels. But I want you safe, no matter what."

I wasn't liking the sound of this. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"It means that I don't want you anywhere near those tunnels or that lighthouse. And I want you safely guarded in the palace during it all." His dark, brown eyes met mine. "I couldn't stand it if anything were to happen to you and our children."

"And where will you go?" I asked him. "Are you going to go with them, to the lighthouse?"

"I'll go where I am needed," he answered.

"You don't need to go either," I said. "You can stay here and give orders from the palace. You don't need to go with them."

He sighed. "I also can't let Georgia and August's team go and do all the work, while I sit here in the safety of the palace."

"But you can," I insisted. "You're the King, you can do whatever you want."

He let out a small laugh. "I doubt I would be one of the people to go in the tunnels, but I may have to go there to help with the plan we come up with today. My point is, you don't need to be there, my darling. And I can't have you there, not in your condition."

I thought back to my conversation with May, she told me to stay safe and not do anything rash. As much as I wanted to go and be helpful, I knew I wasn't truly needed. Maxon was right, staying here was better.

"Fine." I swallowed my pride. "But as your advisor, I strongly suggest that you stay here with me."

He smiled. "I see."

"Even though I know you probably won't, I have to say it."

He stood up, pulling me into his arms. "I promise that I will come back to you, unharmed."

"I don't think you can make that promise," I said, looking up at him.

He gave me a small kiss. "As you said before, I'm the King, I can do whatever I want."