Chapter 37

America's POV

Climbing the stairs was difficult. With all of the technology available to the Royal family it was beyond me why they couldn't install an elevator. As I moved towards my room, the weight of the day crushed down. Looking around, I looked at the hallway, really looked at it for the first time in a long time. How many times had it been painted and patched since my arrival? How many times had the carpet been destroyed by rebels and replaced? How much money was spent on repairs to create this splendor that I now took for granted.

I slowed, leaning my right shoulder against the wall. I took a few more steps and stopped. Leaning my head against the Wall, I just stood there. I didn't have the energy to go forward and going backwards seemed useless. I felt stuck. I slipped down the wall and sat with my knees hugged to my chest. I felt so small; so alone. I missed Aspen. I missed May. I missed my life. But I knew that I could never go back.

I was becoming use to feeling over whelmed and emotional. I didn't like it but it seemed to be my new normal. But this was different. I felt no anger. In fact, I felt nothing at all except sadness - an overwhelming, insidious sadness that crept into my soul. I just wanted to curl up right there and never move again but I knew I couldn't. I knew I had to move because I would be extremely embarrassed if I was found sitting in the hallway.

I mustered up my strength and tried to stand. I clutched at the wall trying to gain purchase and pushed with my legs trying to rise, but I stumbled and toppled to the right. My hand jerked forward to catch my fall and I let out a small cry. As I laid there I became aware that my face was wet and I was frightened.

"Oh my God, Lady America, are you okay? Please let me help you. I'm here to help you." A Palace Guard bent down and scooped me up. I knew I should feel embarrassed but I was too relieved. I remembered snuggling in and feeling his uniform on my face. I felt safe.

I regained consciousness in my room with Mary and Anne by my side...again. This was becoming a regular thing and I did not like it, not one bit. I hated being weak and I hated being dependent.

I started to get up while saying, "Please help me get into my night clothes. I am so tired and I can't wait to get some sleep."

Anne placed her hand gently but firmly on my shoulder. "The doctor has been summoned. I think you should stay resting until he examines you."

Now the anger returned. I pushed Anne's hand aside and sat swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "Please my Lady," Mary begged. "Officer Clarke found you and brought you here. He has gone to fetch Prince Maxon."

I closed my eyes and groaned. "Really?! Now Kris is going to think that I staged a fainting spell to interfere with her date." God it hurt to think of Maxon on date with Kris. Hadn't he promised me that the Selection was over, or did I dream that. My head felt muddled and confused, but I knew that I wasn't going to let any of them see me like this.

I rose from the bed and began to walk towards the ensuite. "Ladies, you can continue to sit there twiddling your thumbs or you can get up and help me. I have had a really bad day and yes, I don't feel well. But I feel well enough to wash my face, brush my teeth and change my clothes.

Mary, could you please help me with my hair? I just want it taken down and brushed.

Anne, could you please grab my t-shirt from home and my pair of jeans. I want to be comfortable and normal. There is just not enough normal around here." I looked in the mirror and was taken aback by the dark circles under my eyes. No wonder everyone keeps going on about how ill I look. I will have to remember to have make-up applied more often tomorrow. It seemed ironic to think that, as I washed off the remainder of today's make-up.

Anne entered carrying the clothes I had requested. Her lips were pursed in a silent protest over my refusal to stay in bed. I ignored it. "Thank you for the clothes. I am going to get dressed on my own, so if you could both wait in the bedroom, that would be great."

"What if you pass out again?" Mary asked with worry.

"I did not pass out. I was tired – very tired – and I sat down for a rest. When I tried to get up, I slipped. That is when the guard found me. When he picked me up, I felt safe, and allowed myself to drift off to sleep. As I continue to take my iron supplements and heal from the poisoning, I will get stronger. It is that simple. Now please, I would like to change my clothes before everyone arrives." What I really wanted was to send everyone away and sleep for the next two days.

I heard a knock on my bedroom door. Let the games begin, I though sarcastically. I took a big breath, wiped the wash cloth across my face again, and turned towards the door, just as a knock sounded on the bathroom door. I opened the door and found Maxon standing on the other side.

"Hello." I said. I really didn't want to have to deal with him right now.

"America. Are you alright? I am so sorry. After today and everything that happened, I really shouldn't have left you alone."

"Don't worry about it Maxon. Daddy snapped his fingers and you had to jump. I am just going to have to get use to that. Aren't I?" I knew I was being bitchy, but after the day I had had, I really didn't care.

"So, when are you going to get over your little temper tantrum and release Officer Leger from custody?" Yeah, now I was really pushing it. I closed my eyes and took another deep breath. When I opened them I was staring into the eyes of a very angry Maxon. "So... you aren't going to release him then. Lucy is going to be very sad. She likes him and has been beside herself since finding out about his arrest."

"Lucy. Really? Are you sure it's Lucy who wants him back? All day you don't mention him, but less than an hour after seeing me with Kris, now you ask about Officer Leger's release. Is this the way it's going to be?" Maxon demanded.

"I could ask you the same thing." I glared at him. I wanted to burn holes into those perfectly chiselled cheek bones and watch him dance around the room while slapping himself in the face. I would have laughed at the imagery if I wasn't so annoyed at seeing him with Kris.

I pushed passed him and laid down on the bed. "Let's be clear Maxon. I did not ask for you to be called. I didn't want you called. I don't want you here. I don't want the doctor here. If it wasn't for this foolishness, I would be in bed sleeping right now. I already know what happened and what the doctor is going to tell me...but ... I guess, if you want to be helpful, you could find out what happened to your Aunt. When she left your mothers office, she said she was going to get my supplements, but she never came back. I will need them for tomorrow."

Maxon nodded, "I will have them delivered to you by tomorrow."

"America, I know you hate the Selection and I am sure seeing me with Kris ten minutes after leaving my mother's office must have been a surprise, but you are really going to have to control your comments. Kris was actually worried I was going to send you home because of your rudeness towards me tonight."

I couldn't help let out a laugh. "She was worried was she? You don't really believe that she was worried, you can't be that obtuse. She would be glad to see me go." I could feel the cold sadness I had felt earlier begin to creep back in. "Do what you have to do Maxon? I will just be happier if I don't have to see it. Although I am sure your father will take great joy in reporting any juicy details to me first hand."

"Please do not let him come between us. Please, just focus on us," Maxon implored.

"Maxon, I have to ask you something. Actually I have to ask you a lot of questions."

"I know but do we have to tonight? It really has been a long day. I wish I could crawl right in there beside you and sleep here tonight."

"Did you ever do that with Celeste?" The question was out of my mouth before I could stop myself. I figured it must have been my sub-conscience asking the question, because my conscience was pretty sure it didn't want to hear the answer.

Maxon let out a big rush of air. "No America. I didn't."

I nodded, not trusting myself to talk. Thankfully, there was another knock at the door which Maxon promptly answered. Dr. Di Angelo walked in with his little black medical bag. "Lady America, you are certainly making me earn my keep." The doctor chuckled, but straightened up when he realized neither Maxon nor I was amused.

"So please tell me what happened," asked the doctor.

"I would be happy to do so but I do not want Maxon here during our discussion."

"What? Why?" Maxon asked incredulously.

"It will be different if and when I ever become your wife, but for now, I am simply one in three and I have some personal questions to ask the doctor. I do not want you here during my appointment. It would be embarrassing."

Okay, so I lied thought America. The truth was she did not have any embarrassing questions to ask, she just wanted him to leave.

The next chapter will be the same time period but from Maxon POV.

Thanks,

L.M.