I woke the next morning surrounded by a flurry of activity. May was already up in a robe with hair and make up fixed.

'Oh you're up, Ames, wonderful. You need to start getting ready.' She said casually not even bothering to look at me. Moments later Anne, Mary and Lucy entered the room looking flustered.

'What happened to you three?' I asked pulling myself out of May's bed.

'Miss, the Prince is…missing.' Anne said nervously wringing her hands so tightly that they were turning white.

'What do you mean, missing? Who saw him last?' I demanded a little panicked.

'Well, apparently after you left Prince Maxon's room last night King Frederick arrived and sort of kidnapped him.'

'What do you mean he kidnapped him?' I asked alarmed. What had the evil mastermind come up with for Maxon's final night as a free man?

'He said he had something special planned for Maxon. He came with two guards and had Prince Maxon bound before taking him from his room.'

'This is ridiculous. Where's Queen Olivier?'

'Her majesty is with Princess Nicoletta getting ready, where you should be.'

'I need to find Maxon first. How can I have a wedding if I don't have a groom?' I demanded desperately, feeling myself begin to hyperventilate. When I get my hands on that King… 'Does, anyone have any idea where he might be?'

'The entire Palace is looking for them.' Anne replied. I quickly threw on the robe which was resting on the end of the bed, pushing past my maids into the corridor and raced up to Maxon's room. May was close behind me trying to keep me as calm as possible but it was too late for calm. Maxon was missing. His doors were already open when I got there and there were two guards there waiting for Maxon to return I presumed.

'Lady Singer.' They quickly got to their feet and gave me a slight bow but I could tell they were nervous. They must have been the two who let the king in last night.

'Were you two here last night when Maxon was taken?' They nod guiltily, looking at my feet instead of my face. 'Please, did he say anything about where he was going to take the Prince?'

'No, he just said he had a test planned for the prince and then he took the two guards in with him. We're sorry Lady Singer.' One of them finished.

'Don't worry I'm sure we'll find him, king Frederick has an evil side and it's almost impossible to stop him when he has an idea in his head. Even if you had known what he was planning you wouldn't have been able to stop him.' I sighed and I saw the two men physically relax before I left the room and started searching the corridor and all the rooms on the top level.

'May why don't you go and help search the lower levels and see if you can get some guards out in the gardens. They could be anywhere.' I instructed. May gave me a quick hug and told me everything was going to be fine but it did little to calm my anxiety.

I was passing a door that looked like one of the maids secret entrances when I heard muffled voices and they didn't seem to be very happy. Slowly, I opened the plain wooden door and it revealed a long set of stairs leading upwards, but where did it lead? This was the top level of the palace. The only thing above this was the roof.

Tentatively, I started my way up the old wooden stairs, each one creaking loudly as I rested my slipper clad feet on them. I realised the voices were getting louder with every step I took. When I was only a few steps away realisation hit me. I would know that voice anywhere. Maxon. What was he doing up here?

I didn't have time to ponder all the questions I had rolling around in my head before I burst through the door into brilliant sunlight. I found myself on the roof top staring at four unkempt men. Two who were up and glaring daggers at each other, one lounging back against the wall on the roof enjoying the display and the fourth looking nervously between the three.

'Maxon?' I asked, wrapping my robe around me tighter. Despite the sun it was still chilly outside as we were still in the middle of winter.

'America?' 'Mer?' The two men said turning to face me. This was not going to end well.

'What's going on here?' I didn't make a move to either of the men, directing my question at all three. The remaining guard looked uncomfortable and slightly confused.

'Aspen? Maxon?' I promoted when no one seemed to want to answer my question.

'You seem to be a very sought after woman, America.' The king finally answered walking over to me confidently.

'What did you do?' I asked cooly, unimpressed that the king seemed to be trying to ruin my wedding day.

'I needed to be certain.' He shrugged, taking one of my limp hands and placing a mocking kiss on it. 'Waldo,' He shouted, looking back at the other guard who quickly moved across to the king. 'Lets leave these three to it. I think they have a lot to discuss.'

'You planned getting trapped on the roof didn't you?' Maxon growled from across the rooftop.

'Maxon, have you learnt nothing about me. I always have a plan. However, I wish I would have brought some popcorn with me. That was one of the most entertaining nights of my life.' King Frederick answered smugly before he and Waldo the guard exited the rooftop leaving just Maxon, Aspen and me.

A heavy silence hung between the three of us as Aspen continued to glare at Maxon, Maxon at the open door and my attention was divided between the two. What had the king done? The three of us hadn't been alone together in the one place since Maxon found out about Aspen and I.

'America, what are you doing here?' Maxon finally asked crossing over to me.

'Well, let's see, today I'm meant to be getting married but instead I'm woken up by frantic maids telling me the prince is missing and no one knows where he is.' I said a little angrier than I was.

'I'm sorry but he took me before I even realised what he was doing. Honestly, I thought it was you coming back to try and stay with me again.' He admitted stopping just in front of me not willing to close the rest of the distance between us.

'I know but it's still not how I want to wake up on the day I'm meant to be married.' I complained stretching my hand out for him and he took it eagerly moving to my side so I had a clear view of an uncomfortable looking Aspen.

'So what was happening up here all night?' I asked dubiously, not really sure I wanted to know what had transpired.

'We were just sorting out a few differences of opinion.' Maxon answered curtly, looking harshly at Aspen.

'What were you talking about?' I asked a little frustrated.

'Why don't you tell her, Prince Maxon?' Aspen spat out drawing my attention.

'What's going on here?'

'Officer Ledger believes I might not be the right choice for you.' Maxon ground out never taking his dark eyes off the man I once loved.

'I thought we talked about this Aspen, why are you acting this way now? On today of all days.' I demanded a little shocked by his timing.

'He's just using you Mer and I won't let that happen.' He said defiantly taking several steps towards us.

'That's a lie and you know it.' Maxon growled pushing me behind him moving towards Aspen in a threatening manner. Sizing them both up I had no idea who would win in a fight. I thought Aspen had the slight advantage being trained as a guard but Maxon and he were similarly built. I hoped it wouldn't come down to that.

'Is it you highness? Did you propose to her before or after the Italian's made their demands?' He paused but not long enough for Maxon to answer. 'Did you keep her safe from your own father?'

'What do you know about that?' I asked in alarm.

'I saw you when he brought you in Mer. I saw the look of guilt on the king's face when I tried to take you from him. You were in far too much pain for the single bruise that was on your cheek.' He said sadly before returning his severe glare to the man standing protectively in front of me.

'What about when you foolishly took her out in front of that crowd? You know what happened to her last time, I almost lost her and all because you were too weak to be the man she needed. Taking her up there yesterday just proves you are still the boy that allowed her to risk her life all those months ago. I'm not going to let you continue to risk her life.' Aspen had finally made his way to where we were standing and the two men were locked in a silent battle. Each waiting for the other to make the first move.

'I love America. I would never risk her life without reason. She knew what she was getting into when she stood on that stage with me. She has never been blind to the dangers of being with me and yet she said yes to my proposal.'

'I guess that's the difference between you and me. I would never risk Mer's life for anything.' Aspen replied fiercely.

'No, the difference between the two of us is that I recognise America's strength and let the world see it. Whereas you want to hide her away and selfishly keep her to yourself. You are too busy trying to shield her from everything, you forget she is strong enough to stand and protect herself. Despite the love I know you have for my future wife you will never be able to support her and let her strength shine through. Every time America tries to spread her wings you're there telling her to come back down from the ledge. This woman,' He said looking intently back at me before returning his attention to Aspen, 'has the strength, courage, intelligence, vision and power of the strongest eagle. She deserves the opportunity to fly as high as she can without someone tying her to the ground. I will protect America with my life but I will not be the one to hold her back from achieving what she is destined to.' He finished and I realised my eyes were brimming with unshed tears.

'Do you really believe that?' I asked in a small voice from behind Maxon.

'Only a blind man would miss the bright light shinning in you America.' He said turning to face me and taking both of my hands in his.

'I love you Maxon.' I whispered fighting away my tears. He quickly pulled me into a tight hug, and I was trapped in his loving arms, but there was no place I would have rather been.

'I'm sorry I worried you.' He murmured in my hair but I didn't even care anymore that he had been missing for all of the night and most of the morning. As far as I was concerned he just said the most beautiful vows I could have wished for. Pulling away I looked over at Aspen who looked uncomfortable and defeated from where he stoop only a few steps away form us.

'Maxon, would it be all right if I had a minute with Aspen?' I asked cautiously uncertain of his reaction.

'Just one, I'll be just inside when you're finished.' He said for me but he spoke it to Aspen as a warning.

'Thank you.' I breathed before he pulled me in for a passionate and possessive kiss.

'You get one Maxon.' I warned quietly so only he could hear. He may have needed to somehow childishly mark his territory but I wasn't happy about it.

'Of course, my love.' He whispered with a smile before turning to give Aspen another warning glare. I watched until he disappeared into the doorway.

'Mer, I don't trust him. He's wronged you too many times.' Aspen said quietly behind me and I slowly turned to face him with an impassive look on my face.

'I know Aspen but I do trust him and in the end that's the only thing that matters. I understand you want to protect me but the only way you can do that now is to let me go. You're only hurting me and yourself by hanging on. I thought you were over me or at least on your way. I've seen you with Lucy. Why are you still trying to hold on to me so tightly?'

'It's my default, I need to protect you.' He said as if he had no choice in any of this.

'You need to find a new default Aspen. You need to let me go otherwise you'll never have a chance with Lucy and she doesn't deserve half your heart. She deserves nothing less than all you have to offer.'

'I like her a lot Mer, but it's not like what we had.' He said sadly looking away from me.

'Of course it's different. You don't have to do it in secret, you don't need to hide in a treehouse just so no one knows you're in love with someone.' I smiled.

'I still love you Mer.' He breathed looking at me intensely.

'I know Aspen,' I sighed,' but it's time for you to put that love where it belongs, in the past.' He nodded dejectedly but I made no move to comfort him our time was over and there was a man waiting patiently for me and I didn't want to keep him.

'It's time to move on Aspen.' I said in a low voice turning from him and heading for Maxon, our minute was up. He didn't call for me and he didn't say anything else but I wouldn't have turned back even if he had. I was ready to be Maxon's wife today and nothing was going to stand in my way.

'Hey,' I breathed walking up to Maxon who was leaning casually up against the wall of the staircase, 'ready to get married?'

'You have no idea.' He quickly slipped his arm around my waist and we started down the stairs.

'You promise not to get kidnapped again before I get down the aisle?' I teased as we reached the bottom.

'Nothing is going to stand between me and that altar. If that king tries anything funny I'll have him thrown out.'

'Brilliant idea, that should be your first act as king.' I felt Maxon stiffen beside me and I regretted my words. 'Maxon, you're going to be an amazing king.' I said giving his side a squeeze as we reached his room.

'It's just a lot to handle. At the end of the day I'll not only be a husband but a king as well.' He said gravely.

'Hey,' I said placing my hands on either side of his face, 'you know what both of those titles include?' He looked at me blankly so I continued. 'A wife and a queen. You're not alone Maxon, I'll be here every step of the way and if you are a horrible king, I'm here to step in and take over running the country.' I smiled mockingly.

'Evil.' He laughed down at me before pulling me in and placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

'If this counts as seeing each other before the wedding then I think we might have broken your rules.' I murmured against his lips.

'They're not my rules, it's a tradition.' He corrected brushing away some of my hair.

'Does this mean we can't get married anymore?'

'I'm going to be king, I can do whatever I want, including break a tradition.' He announced.

'That's what you think.' I said coyly walking away from him.

'What does that mean America?' He chuckled at my back.

'I guess you'll just have to marry me to find out.'

'You know, I'm tired of being blindfolded.' I sighed to the three women who were fussing over me. I heard May giggle from the other side of the screen and she was quickly joined by Olivier and Nicoletta only amplifying my annoyance. 'Are you finished yet?' I demanded in annoyance.

'Only if you want to get married in your undergarments.' Anne muttered, tired of my impatience.

'I'm sure Maxon wouldn't mind.' Nicoletta piped up and the room erupted into giggles again. I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment and I muttered something unintelligible.

'Don't be so naive America. You know what happens on your wedding night.'

'Mom.' I hissed, not comfortable with where the conversation was headed.

'Step up miss.' Anne instructed cutting off whatever my mother was going to say next. The fabric of the dress glided fluidly up my body. I felt soft lace brush against my shoulders and then there was several minutes as Anne, May and Lucy buttoned the back until it reached the base of my neck, covering my scars. They fussed over me a little longer before finally leading me carefully around the screen. I heard gasps from everyone in the room and my inpatience grew. I desperately wanted to see my wedding dress, the dress I would promise the rest of my life to Maxon in.

'You look breathtaking.' Nicoletta breathed, whilst I heard a sob come from my mother.

'Maxon is the luckiest man alive, Ames.' My sister gushed, but I still hadn't seen it.

'Can I see it now?' I asked not even trying to hide my agitation. Suddenly, the mask was removed and I looked into the mirror to find a girl I didn't even recognise. I looked twice before I realise the regal looking woman in the reflection was me.

'It's beautiful.' I whispered trying to take it all in. It fell gracefully from just under my chest where there was lace over the chiffon pulling it in close. The lace flowed around to my back and capped over my shoulders and hundreds of little diamonds dotted the lace catching in the light. The back of the dress flowed down freely after the lace ended mid back and pooled into a small train at the bottom. The sweetheart neckline met in the centre of the chest and in the very middle was a beautiful red stone that glowed with the same fire as the ring sitting snuggly on my left finger. However, the most impressive piece of the dress were the sheer wings that started from within the lace on my back and spread wide when I lifted my arms so it looked like I had the wings of an eagle. I was admiring my eagle wings when Lucy spoke up.

'Maxon had a lot of input for your dress. Both the ruby red stone and the wings were his idea. He wanted everyone to see your strength.' I felt a single tear fall down my face and I quickly lifted my hand to wipe it away, my wings fluttering with the movement.

'It's perfect.' I whispered turning around to face the three women who had pulled off the impossible.

'Almost perfect.' Nicoletta said getting up from her chair and moving to me with a wooden box in her hands. 'No princess should be without her tiara, that way the world will know her title and how much she is worth to her people and her husband.' Slowly as she stood in front of me she lifted the lid and revealed an intricate tiara that had so many diamonds it was blinding.

'This was Maxon's mother's tiara when she married King Clarkson. He gave it to me to give to you.' She said reverently walking behind me as I turned to face the mirror again. Gently, she rested the magnificent piece of jewellery atop my head of tightly curled hair. It was styled so that it stayed off my back of lace and wings. I looked at the tiara for a long time, admiring the flowing swirls on either side that joined in the middle where they encircled the largest diamond of all. It wasn't over the top, but it was regal. It represented the queen perfectly and I was honoured that Maxon would give me this to wear.

I reached up and touched it gently thinking of the late queen wishing she was here to share this day with us. Especially, Maxon. He needed his mother.

'America, we have to go.' My mother said quietly stepping up beside me, drawing me from my thoughts. I nodded in a daze, not truly understanding that I was about to get married to the man I loved. The road had been so long and hard it was difficult to believe that we were finally going to have our day of happiness. May, Nicoletta and Olivier led the way out in their peach dresses all in different styles to match them. My mother walked beside me until we reached the doors to the garden where everyone was waiting for me to make my entrance. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, careful not to disturb my make up, then made her way outside to take her seat in the crowd. I realised I didn't even know who was invited. I guess Sylvia took care of everything. I turned to my three bridesmaids and was surprised to find there was a fourth. They were multiplying, how was that possible? She turned to face me and excitement bubbled in my chest.

'Marlee?' I asked, shocked by her presence.

'Surprise.' She laughed walking over to me and wrapping her arms tightly around me. 'You promised I would get to be your bridesmaid when you got married.'

'I remember but how is this possible?' As far as I knew she was still in hiding and the public still resented her after what she had done.

'Maxon, arranged it. He thinks the people will be more receptive to reconciliation now that the country is changing.

'I don't even care as long as you get to be up there with me.' I smiled widely as a flustered Silvia made her way over to us.

'Positions ladies, we need to start.' She announced nervously as the four bridesmaids got in order and Sylvia handed them their bouquets of wildflowers.

'Hey, Kitten.' Dad said walking up beside me and taking my arm in his as I held my bouquet in the other. Sylvia was ushering Nicoletta out after Olivier until finally only dad and I remain.

'Are, you ready?' He asked quietly giving my arm a little squeeze.

'I'm more ready than I've been for anything in my life.' I said confidently looking determinedly out at the gardens. 'I want to marry him more than anything dad.'

'Then, lets get you down that aisle so you can both get on with the rest of your lives. You two are very important to this country but even more than that you're important to each other. Anyone looking in from the outside can see that. You have your own language, your own world where only the two of you exist. It's important through everything that the two of you never forget why you fight for everything you do.' I looked up at my dad curiously before he continued. 'Your love is the strongest weapon you both have and your greatest tool in leading this nation and having the happiness you deserve. Never forget that America.'

'I won't.' I answered quietly as Sylvia came up beside us and started to bustle us out the door. She walked us quickly over to a screen where I knew on the other side were many people who had come to watch the Prince of Illea wed his future princess and I felt the nerves start to flutter around my stomach. On the other side of that screen was my future and at times it was daunting but more than anything it was an uncertain one. Everything was just one big leap of faith and sometimes it was hard to see for all the chaos in mine and Maaon's lives. Dad, sensing the turmoil running through me gave my hard a reassuring squeeze and a soothing smile before Silvia signalled the musicians and the music began to drift above the crowd and settled in my heart. This was it. Everything waited for me at the end of that aisle.

Taking one last cleansing breath my father and I stepped out from behind our hiding place as every eye turned to us and they all rose from their chairs as one. They were all staring at me but I had eyes for only one person and he was standing at the other end of the aisle, his own eyes locked with mine and I knew even if the future was uncertain he would always be the stable ground beneath my feet. He was my future.


I apologise that this chapter has taken me longer than usual, I was struggling for ideas mostly because weddings are not my forte. I love that all of you guys enjoyed the humour in the last chapter. Just so you know, Basedonthosebooks I was grinning from ear to ear when I read your review. DaughterofSea you had a lot of suggestions so I managed to work in some Aspen but again I really struggled with the wedding, I'm not sure how the next chapter will pan out. I'm not sure if I should just go straight to the reception or have a really cute and meaningful wedding scene. I wanted to tie in something with America and her music but I don't want it to be corny and I think I've had Maxon making so many declarations of love that it's just becoming redundant, but I don't know.

Anyway, thanks all you guys for reading, I know I was a little vague about Frederick and his intentions but all will be revealed in due time. I love Frederick and there will be more shenanigans very soon. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, rhead-a-holyc I love your long reviews just so you know I mentally cheer whenever anyone does review, sometimes I outwardly cheer too. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter and again I'm sorry it took so long. Obviously, I like to talk, a lot, so at the risk of making this author's note longer than the chapter I'm going to stop talking now and get to writing the next instalment. Happy reading :)