Hi there! :)) Just to inform everyone, I might not be able to update in a week or so since it's mid-sem exams are coming up and I need to study. So, anyway, here's a new chapter for you all. :)) thank you again for the faves and follows and reviews. they make me so happy, so just keep 'em coming. :)

Enjoy!

p.s. I can't believe I'm gonna be meeting Kiera Cass next week! :)) yeeey so excited

"Ear-tugging is a classic, don't you think?" I whisper into her ear, making her gasp in surprise, obviously not expecting me to catch up with her in the hallway near the stairs. "Yes, yes it is." Her back is still turned to me but I know she's smiling that shy smile of hers. I hug her from behind. "Care to elaborate about earlier?" She turns and I'm shocked by our closeness. Her eyes flit downward, probably shocked by our closeness too. I see a hint of a blush in her cheeks. Wow, she's adorable. "I, uhm, well... What about earlier?"

"Oh, nothing. Just that you said I was tempting you to break the law," I say with a laugh. Feeling playful tonight, I take a step closer. She blushes even more. "Well, yes. What's there to elaborate about that?" She answers, holding her head higher and obviously feigning innocence. "How about some examples, My Lady? On which situations have I lured you so close to lawbreaking?" To be honest, I am genuinely curious of her answer.

"Well, there's that time when we ran away" she starts. I snake my arms around her waist and she blushes even more, if that's still possible. "We were practically sleeping in the same bed then. And that time when we stayed in the safe room, when i found out about your secret about your dad. We kissed and luehugged for the whole night then." I feel my smile grow wider with every word she says. I recall all those moments. Those were times when the temptations were strongest yet the situations, the worst. I feel relieved and a hundred times happier knowing she felt the same way then. I wonder if she still feels the same way now.

I lean in and look deep into her sharp blue eyes, asking. She gives me a shy smile and tiptoes as she gives me a kiss. I respond almost immediately. We stay that way for a few minutes, lips locked. I marvel at this moment of connection after such a long time we spent being apart. All your fault, I say to myself. But I shake away all negative thoughts instantly. I hug her tighter, pulling her even closer and pour her my love through the kiss that we're sharing.

However, as soon as I do, she pulls away awkwardly, her eyes avoiding mine. "Something wrong, America?" I try to keep my voice calm though inside, I'm anything but. "I'm still not okay with everything, Maxon. I just can't forget what you did to me in New Asia that easily. I'm sorry." She explains, almost too reluctantly.

I let out a sigh and bow my head, a bit confused about how to respond. I give her the most apologetic look I can muster. "Hey, you don't have to apologize, my America. I'm the one who should. I'm sorry for leaving you there. I'm sorry for letting go of you. I'm sorry for ever doubting your feelings about me. I'm sorry for calling off the wedding. I love you so much, America. I really regretted everything I said and did the moment I turned around but I let pride take over me and in a few moments, apologies seemed a little too late." I run my hands across her arms in a comforting and apologetic gesture. I inch closer.

She takes my cheek in her hand and brushes it lightly with her thumb. I lean in to her touch. "You know what happened after you left?" she asks. "What happened? I told the captain I spoke with to offer you a ride home when you're ready. Did he?"

Her hand falls and so does her gaze. "Yes, he did. What I meant was what happened with Aspen and I. He, uhm. He... H-He said... He w-was..." When I hear Aspen, I just see red. "He what, America?" I ask her a bit too forcefully. I calm myself in seconds, planning not to give a repeat performance of New Asia. "He told me he still loved me Maxon. You have to consider how I was feeling then. At that time, I felt too hurt and brokenhearted and vulnerable. You left me. He stayed with me. He took care of me the whole time I was trying to recover", she reasons. "What did you do then, America?" I ask as a hundred different scenarios enter my mind. I close my eyes, reining in my thoughts as she answers. "We kissed. I told him I'd marry him if my father becomes King because then, I'd be allowed to choose who I want to marry."

I feel my eyes glaze as I listen to her. I made a mistake but so did she. I don't even care about who's right and wrong right now. I just feel betrayed and helpless. "Are you telling me that if you were given a chance to choose who to marry, it'd be him?" I ask her. I feel her eyes, full of tears, focused on me. But even looking at her is too painful right now. "It wasn't like that that time." She's crying now. I'm seriously losing it.

"How was it like then, America?! What happened to staying loyal to each other?" Now, I'm mad. So is she.

"You tell me, Maxon. I don't recall leaving me in a different country being an act of loyalty either. You left me, Maxon. I had nothing."

"And what did I have then? A fiancee who seeks another man's attention? An abusive father? A kingdom that's not even rightfully mine? Tell me, America!" I yell. I am so frustrated and emotional. I've never lost control like this, ever. I punch the wall out of frustration. America flinches beside me, sobbing hardly.

Her voice comes out so small and shaky. "Maxon, I'm sorry." I will myself to look at her, to look into those beautiful eyes. "What's going to happen now, America? You just talked a soldier into becoming a rebel." "It wasn't like that." How can she still deny something so obvious? "You basically just gave the man two choices: fight for my dad and marry me or fight for the country and lose me to another."

She takes a step back, looking horrified. She brings her hand to her forehead. "Maxon, I didn't mean it like that. I was just confused then. My emotions were running high. I wasn't thinking straight. I-I-I..." She crumples to her knees and sobs so hard. Her shoulder heaves and shakes with every whimper. She tries to talk but I can't make out her words.

I look at the lost mess that is my America and my anger is overcome by the pain of seeing her so lost. I kneel in front of her and usher her closer to me. Her hands go around me as I stroke her back and try to comfort her. I kiss her hair as she continues to cry her heart out. I'm going to have to let go of my emotions right now. My America comes first.

I decide not to tell her that with what I suspect to be an inside job in the army, she might have just given Illea over to the rebels. I've had my speculations about that for a long time but I let it go. However, after the fire at the army base, I felt like I needed to dig deeper and that my speculations could be right. If I'm right and if this Aspen is really willing to do everything for my America, he might be one of many who decides on changing loyalties in the battlefield. Only, he has a stronger motivation and a wide set of skills.

My thoughts go back to my America. She has quieted down a bit now. Her whole body weakens after all the crying. I don't hesitate to take her in my arms and carry her from the hallway to her room. I let her change into sleeping clothes and tuck her in bed. I sit on the side of her bed, lean down and kiss her forehead. "Maxon, I'm so sorry. It's you that I love, I promise. I feel like I have just made an even bigger mess of things. I'm so sorry." I caress her tear-streaked cheek. "Hey, no more tears. I love you too America. We'll figure things out soon. And we'll do it together and for each other. Okay?" She gives me a nod. A yawn escapes her right after. "Good night. I'll leave you to sleep now, darling. I love you."

I walk out her room and close her door as softly as I can. That Aspen better not mess with America and me. I decide it's time to set some things straight in this kingdom.