I am seriously blown away that there are 800 people following this story! Thank you so much for your continued support. I appreciate every single comment and message about this story. It's been a blast to work on :)

Major thanks to BK2U for editing and collaborating on these chapters. I appreciate all your hard work so much!


It snows for hours.

Endless, heavy, wet flakes fall from the sky, building up in large drifts against the wooden cabins. It's pretty to watch, but I'm relieved when it finally starts to lessen. The change is gradual; it happens after the hours pass, and the snow seems to glisten in the moonlight, sparkling as the lighter snowflakes flutter in the wind. By this time, Eric is fast asleep, his unprompted words still hanging in the air. I watch from the comfort of the bed, my head on Eric's broad chest.

I don't mind any of this one bit.

I bury myself closer to Eric. His breathing is slow and deep; in his sleep, he's completely relaxed. One of his arms is flung to the side, and the other is curled around my waist, keeping me close to him. I think about what he's said, his voluntary 'I love you' uttered in the exact same place he said it the first time, and I feel blissfully happy.

He's all I've ever wanted, and he's helped me to create the life that I so desperately wished for when I left Amity. I sometimes wonder what would have happened had he never invited me into his bed, never offered to let me sleep beside him. It has gone far beyond just allowing me to be close to him, and sometimes I think he might not realize how immense his actions were.

For both of us.

I fall asleep against him, and there's no place I'd rather be.


It's early in the morning when I watch the sun rise from the large windows, wrapping my arms around myself to stay warm. All of the compound is still silent; although it's snowing more moderately right now, everyone's actions have ceased until the snowfall lets up completely.

We've been in Amity for three days, and we haven't left this room once. There's no reason to. All of Amity is shut down, except for a few dedicated souls who still man the kitchens. Someone has dutifully dropped off our meals, not bothering us past politely knocking on the door.

Though I don't want to let her occupy my thoughts any more than necessary, I try to imagine Evelyn out there, scrounging for shelter and food in the snowy wasteland. I wonder if she's made it to the wall? Past the wall? Was it any better out there? Could she survive in such a storm?

I watch the snow start up again — at first, just light flakes that seem to protest as they fall to the ground, then a dense flurry as they pick up in speed and intensity. I feel Eric when he comes up behind me, his strong arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me back against his solid form. He's still warm from the bed, and I know Eric has no real desire to be up at this hour. It should feel extravagant to have spent so much time in bed together; instead, it really doesn't feel like enough.

"It's awfully early to be up looking at the snow." Eric's words are rumbled in my ear in a low, rich voice.

I lean back into him. "I couldn't sleep."

It's the truth. I'd woken from a dead sleep, and despite my comfortable surroundings, I hadn't been able to fall back asleep. It isn't a terrible problem to have; I enjoy the quiet, and I had stayed pressed against Eric until I decided to see if the storm was lessening.

"Do you think we'll be able to leave soon?" I ask him, my eyes still trained on the snowfall. Although still steady, it looks a little bit better out there. I can't even begin to imagine that the trains are running yet. I don't mind staying in Amity, and I know Eric certainly hasn't minded spending the past few days in bed, but I'm starting to think we'll never be able to leave, and maybe I will end up living here again.

The ridiculousness of the thought makes me smile.

"Doesn't matter," Eric answers offhandedly. "We can't go anywhere until it's clear enough that the trains can run. Unless you want to walk back." He pulls me tighter against him and I shake my head. I feel his head rest on top of mine and I relish in the safe feeling of him.

"I'll pass, thanks. We can stay here," I answer him wistfully, suddenly feeling an impulsive urge to crawl back into bed with Eric and stay there for the day. I feel him pull me backwards, and I fall with him willingly.

I know he feels the exact same way.


The snowstorm finally comes to a complete stop two days later.

After days of my skin being warmed by Eric's, the outside air feels biting. We walk along the snow-covered pathways to the Dome, and I stick close to his side. Amity has come alive now, members waking up slowly as though they've all been under some sort of sleepy spell. A few small children rush past me, excited to no longer be cooped up.

Eric and I find ourselves at breakfast with the community, and I fervently wish I was back in our room. The Dome is cold, but after so many days of being snowed in, everyone mills around as though it's a warm spring day. My patience grows thin when someone bumps into me for the third time before delightedly announcing my name, and Eric smirks at the look on my face.

"No clue why you didn't want to stay here, Everly," he remarks as we walk away, and I resist the urge to shove him into Gladys and her tray of croissants.

"When will the trains be running again?" I ask him, trying to politely smile at the familiar faces. It takes far longer than I'd like to find an empty table, but I'm relieved when we finally sit down at one that's quiet and out of the way. I've been a little surprised to discover that, while spending several days secluded with Eric is everything I hoped it would be, I still want to be home. I want to sleep in my own bed, in my own apartment, with Eric beside me. I don't want to see any more snow, and I certainly don't want to be blearily eating breakfast in freezing temperatures while my mother enthusiastically heads towards our table.

"Oh, good. Your mother's here," Eric announces dryly, looking up from his plate. I'm half-tempted to torture him and tell him not even the fruit is safe to eat, but I don't get the chance. My mother sits down across from me and she grins widely.

"Everly! Eric! How could you two not tell me you were here?" she asks. There is nothing mean in her tone; she's just overly excited at the sight of us at breakfast.

"Easily," Eric mutters under his breath, and I kick him while smiling at my mother.

"We got kind of stuck," I tell her, never wishing harder that one of my brothers or sisters would appear and need something. It's much too early in the morning for her to be here, and I'm not quite awake enough to answer all her pressing questions. "The snowstorm made it so the trains couldn't run. We weren't planning on staying here, but we didn't have much choice. But it was nice to spend some time with just the two of us."

Her face falls for a moment, and I feel like a huge jerk. Keeping to ourselves had nothing to do with her. Well, not entirely. "We've both been really busy lately," I tell her, trying not to look at Eric. I can almost feel him waiting for my mother to offer up some cringe-worthy commentary.

"That sounds lovely, dear," she waves her hand at me and takes a sip of her tea. "It sounds like exactly what you two need. I'm sure your lives in Dauntless are very action-packed."

Eric gingerly takes a bite of his eggs, swallows, then clears his throat before addressing my mother. "They are. This has been a nice break. But in an odd coincidence, Everly was just talking about apparating by some time to see you." He flashes her a smile and raises his eyebrows in mock delight.

I glare at him.

My mother looks confused. She throws him a funny look, and eventually nods her head. "You two are more than welcome to come by anytime. Zander has been asking for you. So have Paisley and Holly. And Leif and Wesley. They miss seeing you around."

"I'll have to come by. I miss them a lot." I can feel Eric's eyes on me, and I know he's calculating just exactly how many children my mother has. We haven't really discussed my siblings; the topic has simply never come up. I'm older than all of them, and I spent a lot of years with them all over me. I love each of them and enjoyed being close with them; I just wish someone had bothered to ask me if I wanted to watch them. My transfer to Dauntless marks the first time I have been responsible for myself and only myself.

"I have some things for you," my mother answers before Eric can say anything. "I wasn't sure how to get them to Dauntless, so it works out well that you are here. And something for your dad as well, Eric."

To his credit, Eric simply nods. I'm sure he's hesitant to ask what she's got for his father, or maybe he's too afraid to find out what's she's concocted. But he stays silent, taking another bite of his eggs.

"Great," I respond, finally taking a bite of my breakfast. "We'll come by sometime after lunch?"

"Sure. How long are you staying?" she asks, and she tightens her shawl around her. The Dome is warmer now, but still a lot colder than normal. I pull my own jacket tighter, trying to stall before I answer my mother's question.

"We'll head back as soon as the trains are running," Eric announces and he glances around the Dome. It's completely full now; everyone is spilling into the free space, happy to be able to eat together. An annoyed look flashes across his face before he turns back to Eden. "Though this has been a very productive trip."

My mother throws me a knowing look, and I focus my attention on the way the community seems to part for Johanna. She's walking through the Dome with a determined look on her face, and I realize she's looking for us.


"Do you think you're pregnant?"

My mother's words echo across the kitchen. Her house is full, with everyone home today. The snow has canceled all plans, all work, and all schooling. Zander is playing not-so-quietly in the living room, Holly and Paisley are each sitting on the couch, their noses buried in books, Leif is helping out by shoveling the snowy paths around the house, and my oldest brother, Wesley, is not-so-subtly listening to our conversation while he slowly chews his sandwich. I throw him a dirty look, and he rolls his eyes but doesn't move. Apparently, this is too fascinating of a subject for him to miss out on.

"Or is that why Eric said this trip was productive? Are you trying to have a baby?"

I watch as my mother works on something on her kitchen counter. There are all sorts of herbs and flowers, several vials filled with oil-like substances, and a set of empty vials. I don't know what she's making, but I watch her with curiosity. She cuts up a few of the herbs before tossing them into a pot on the stove, and she turns to cut some of the flowers up. She pauses and stops to look right at me.

"Is it expected for you two to have children?" She frowns, as though the idea has just occurred to her.

"Expected by whom? The leaders of Dauntless? No. No one has ever told me I'll be forced to have a child if I don't want one," I answer, throwing her a bemused look. "They don't have any rules about that sort of thing."

My mother looks relieved. "I just thought maybe since Eric is one of the leaders of the faction, you might be expected to provide some sort of legacy."

I shake my head. "No. Not in any way. If I told him I didn't want a child, he'd be fine with it." I reach for the book on the table and flip it open. Now that Eric has made his feelings perfectly clear, I'm much more confident about making this decision.

"How did you know you and Dad were ready to have a baby?" I ask her the question without looking at her. This is the first time we've spoken of my father since his passing, and I can feel my chest tighten at the mention. I wonder what he would have thought of all this.

My mother doesn't answer me for a moment. She sorts some herbs quietly before she shrugs. "I just knew. I couldn't imagine not having a family with your father, and it seemed like there was no better time. None of us are guaranteed forever. Especially not someone in your position."

I nod and skim the table of contents.

"You must be considering it if you're bringing it up," she presses gently.

"We've talked about it," I answer her. I watch her out the corner of my eye, pretending to be fascinated with the book in front of me. It's some sort of astrology guide, and I skim through the pages looking for Eric's birthday. I don't really believe in this stuff, but I'm mildly curious. "He told me he wants a family," I toss out offhandedly.

She nods and finishes her chopping. "I think he'd be a good father. He's very intense. But in a good way. Like he would do anything to protect you."

"He has," I answer. I find Eric's birthday and let my fingers trace over the picture of his astrological sign. I read over the characteristics and my fingers hover over the last paragraph.

When it comes to love, Capricorns are ever devoted and never emotive.

"You worked well with the children here. And you've always been wonderful with your brothers and sisters," my mother says brightly. Wesley makes a face, and I ignore him.

"I've always been surrounded by children," I tell her, hoping I don't sound rude. "I wouldn't want to have that many. And besides, it will be a little different raising a child in Dauntless rather than Amity."

My mother nods, her eyes fixed on the pot in front of her. "Of course it will. Amity and Dauntless are very different. I'd imagine you'll have to adapt to the way Dauntless prefers their young to be raised. And you'll have to find lots of very small black outfits."

I glance up at her sharply and realize I can't tell if she's being serious or not.

"There are a lot of things I like about having grown up in Amity," I tell her, shutting the book. I'd found nothing enlightening. I could have written a better description about Eric's astrological sign. "And there are a lot of things I like about Dauntless."

"You can take the best of both worlds and use what you like. And besides, Eric would be adorable with a baby."

I try not to laugh at that. I watch her mix up her potion, slowly stirring it around, and I realize it's almost mid-afternoon. "Do you think Sophia and Courtney are busy?" I ask suddenly. "I meant to stop by and say hello to them as well."

My mother shrugs as she stirs the boiling water. The smell is familiar in a comforting way, and she's probably making something I've drunk my entire life. "Head over there now. I don't think anyone is too busy in this weather."

"Everly." My mother says my name suddenly, and her tone holds a hint of seriousness behind it that is normally not there. "Make sure the decision is your own, honey. You're awfully young. You and Eric have miles to go in your relationship, with or without adding a child to it. But if you feel like you are ready — and I don't doubt you'd make a wonderful mother — then go for it."

I look up at her in surprise. Out of everyone's input on Eric and me, my mother's words surprise me the most. I thought for sure she'd jump all over the idea, or sneakily send me home with something to hurry up the process.

"Thank you. I'll be back in a bit, and I can pick up whatever you have for me then," I tell her.

My mother smiles, and I can tell she's back to being distracted, easily lost in her own world of whatever she's making.


Sophia and Courtney are thrilled to see me, and even more thrilled that Eric is in Amity with me.

"That snowfall was insane. But it's cool that you guys have been stuck here," Sophia announces with a grin. She brought cookies with her, and we're huddled around the kitchen table at Courtney's parents' house. Her mother was elated to see me, and she hugged me tightly before dragging me towards the kitchen and rushing away to grab something for us to drink.

"It was so boring with everyone stuck inside. Did you and Eric do anything besides each other?" Courtney asks as she hands me a cookie. She's raised one eyebrow at me, and she looks like she already knows the answer.

"Courtney," her mother scolds gently, even though the expression on her face is amused. "Be polite. If you're going to ask about your friend's sex life, do it quietly. Or go upstairs."

Courtney throws her mother an exasperated look, and Sophia tries hard to keep a straight face.

"Fine," Courtney announces loudly. "Everly, would you like to come upstairs so we can talk about your boring married sex life?"

This time even her mother laughs, and I forget about everything but how good it feels to laugh with them.


I stop laughing a little while later.

We've taken over the floor in Courtney's room, and our girl talk takes a different turn when Courtney asks me if Eric ever wanted to know any details about Landon.

"Do you think he compares your relationship to the one you had with Landon?" Courtney asks, her eyes fixed on me.

"I doubt he ever thinks about that. There really isn't any comparison anyway," I point out. I try to ignore the bad feeling that Landon's name brings up, but it doesn't work.

"Does he ever ask you about him?" Sophia inquires, and she sounds hesitant. "Does he ever wonder why you were back here with him?"

"He's asked a few things. But I don't think he really wants to hear anything about Landon," I tell them. "He pretty much hates him."

"I would hate him, too. I mean, he brought you back here out of nowhere and pretended everything was good. Even when it was clear you weren't happy to be here," Courtney tells me.

"I wasn't, that's true. I don't think I ever could be. Eric and I haven't talked much about my time here. Eric doesn't even know Landon was the one who brought me to Amity instead of Dauntless."

The room falls eerily silent.

"He doesn't know?" Courtney raises her eyebrows, and she pushes her hair out of her eyes. "You didn't tell him, Everly?"

A feeling of guilt rushes through me. "At the time, I didn't even give it a second thought. Eric took me back to Dauntless, and I spent all my time trying to remember him and who I was."

Sophia doesn't answer right away. She's busy fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. She finally blinks up at me and tilts her head at Courtney.

"Everly." She chews her lip, and I can tell she doesn't like this revelation. "Your husband would flip if he knew that Landon was involved. You shouldn't keep things like that from him. That's not fair," she adds softly.

"I didn't intend to not tell him," I answer honestly. "We just never really discussed how I got here." I glance down at my hands, and I stare at the wedding ring Eric had slipped on my finger. I can picture the serious look on his face as he placed it on my finger. "He's going to be so mad," I groan.

"You should tell him. I don't think he'll be that mad. But he should know that Landon was involved with everything that happened. I'm surprised no one said anything to him," Courtney states.

I can feel myself frown as I try to think back to before I woke up here on that terrible day. Maybe I should have known the day I woke up and everything felt wrong, but I didn't. At the time, I couldn't remember how I'd arrived in Amity, but I'd had no reason to assume I'd been brought here against my will. I didn't know anything about it until Sophia and Courtney filled me in, after which I confronted Landon and insisted he tell me what he had done.

"I guess I'll tell him." I try to ignore the dread that's building in my stomach. Landon following Evelyn's orders is exactly the sort of information Eric would love to hear, but hearing that I didn't tell him sooner is going to piss him off. "I've never kept anything from him before."

My words sound miserable, and both girls nod.

"He might not be that mad," Sophia offers, but she doesn't look entirely convinced.

"Can I ask you guys something? That day that Landon brought me back here, didn't anyone else find it odd that he just walked back in with me?" I ask flatly.

"No one thought it was weird but us. You and Landon had been so close before, so it didn't seem all that crazy that you'd be back with him," Courtney counters. "But you were clearly unhappy. He thought you'd fall back into Amity easily, but he was wrong."

"Why didn't anyone say anything to me earlier? Or to Landon?" I hold her gaze and she squirms for a moment.

"We talked with Landon a few times, but once you ditched him, he was always coming and going. He wasn't here all that often, and when he was, he was awful to be around."

"He was really rude," Sophia interrupts. "He was obnoxious to everyone, and he seemed fishy. Like he was doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing."

"He was working with the factionless, and he brought me here instead of taking me to Dauntless," I tell them. "Why is he still here? Walking around Amity like he did nothing wrong?" My words sound harsh and annoyed, and both girls look uncomfortable.

"I don't think anyone else ever realized that something suspicious had happened. Even if Johanna found his story strange, she didn't have enough evidence to do anything. And you weren't really here very long before Eric came and got you." Courtney sort of smiles and offers me another cookie.

I shake my head at her and look down at the floor. "Has Landon said anything to either of you?"

Both girls are silent for a beat too long.

"He's not happy that you went back with Eric. He said Eric brainwashed you," Sophia quietly answers. "But no one in Amity thinks that. We can tell you're happy with him."

"I am. I'm very happy with him," I announce firmly. "But I'm not very happy that Landon took me here instead of to Dauntless and no one has held him accountable for it."

The girls exchange looks between themselves before they look at me. "Are the factionless the ones he was meeting with? The ones we told you about before?" Sophia looks curious; I had all but forgotten they'd seen him with them once.

"Yes. They were about to start a war against Jeanine. He was in the middle of it."

Neither of them know what to say. It's a long time before Courtney looks at me and her face is apologetic. "I'm sorry, Everly. We were just really happy to see you. After Eric came and got you, things were quiet here. Landon hasn't done anything crazy lately. He's just been mopey and distant."

Sophia agrees. "He's annoying, but he's Landon. Do you want to talk to Johanna about him?"

I shake my head.

I don't say much else for the rest of our time together. The girls try to change the subject, picking things that are easy to talk about — their upcoming summer plans, the spring festival Johanna wants to plan, and the latest gossip about the couple who live next door to Sophia. I can't focus on any of it. My mind is racing with a thousand thoughts.

We are interrupted by a knock on the door. Courtney stands up and flings it open, and I hear her talking quietly with her mother. I glance over, and Courtney throws me a worried look.

"Everly." Her mother calls my name. "Your husband is here."


Courtney looks a little nervous to see Eric standing in her kitchen, and so does her mother. He looks tall and intimidating, and his dark stare matches his current mood. I can only assume his talk with Johanna did not go well. He smiles tightly as everyone files in behind me, but it's short-lived. By the time I approach him, he's scowling.

"I need you and your friends to come with me." He sounds authoritative, and everyone shifts their focus onto me.

"What happened?" I ask him.

Eric shifts his weight. "We need to have a quick talk with Johanna. I think your friends can help provide some insight into something that was brought to my attention. Certain matters that could be a threat to the faction's security."

I glance back at my friends; Sophia looks startled, and Courtney is standing beside her mother with wide eyes.

"What is this about?" Courtney's mother asks, and Eric's eyes flash in her direction.

"Your daughter may have witnessed something pertaining to a kidnapping. This won't take long."

I watch as Courtney nods and steps away from her mother. She reaches for Sophia's arm and the two of them share a quick look before they take a step closer to me.

"We'll go," Courtney says.

Eric doesn't say anything else; he simply leads us out the front door.


The walk to Johanna's office is silent.

I know my friends must be thinking about everything they've told me, and I have a feeling Johanna and Eric had a similar talk. Sophia and Courtney walk quickly, trying to keep up with Eric and me. When we arrive at the stables, Johanna is waiting for us, her arms wrapped around herself. She greets us warmly, and we're ushered upstairs immediately.

I soon realize I'm right.

Eric must have talked with her about my untimely return to Amity. She asks the girls a few questions, gently prodding them to talk about their interactions with Landon, both while I was training in Dauntless and after Eric came to take me home. It's not until Sophia confirms that Landon was the one to bring me back to Amity that Eric's face hardens and his jaw muscle twitches.

"He came back with you, and he told us you'd been given another chance to stay here. I think he thought you'd want to stay with him, but you made it pretty clear you didn't." Sophia is looking up at me nervously, and I force myself to smile. I can feel Eric's cold stare on me, and I try to ignore it.

"Has he left Amity since Everly's been gone?" Eric asks. He cocks an eyebrow at my friends, crossing his arms in front of his chest. It's odd to see him like this again; I've spent the past week with him lazily smiling at me while he kissed me senseless. This Eric is all business; his features are steeled into a stern expression and his posture is as rigid as ever.

Courtney nods her head. "Not as much as he used to, but he's still coming and going. No one really pays attention to him if they can help it. Since Everly left, he hasn't been a joy to be around."

Johanna stays quiet, but I can see she feels guilty. Her lips twist downwards, and she stands with her hands clasped tightly together.

"When was the last time you saw him leave here?" Eric asks Courtney.

"I don't remember. It's been a while," she tells him. She sounds hesitant. "Maybe a month ago?"

Eric exhales sharply. "You both saw him come back with Everly. And no one questioned his actions?"

"We tried," Sophia says quietly. "It was weird, but he made it sound like it was the way it was supposed to be. Everly was home and she needed a place to stay. Landon told us it was for the best that she was back."

It's all Eric needs to hear. He snaps his jaw shut angrily and stares Johanna down with a disgusted glare.

"You'll come with us," he tells her, and I know exactly where we are going.


Eric looks irate as our boots crunch along the snowy path; his features are fixed in a snarl, and his eyes are cold.

"What are we going to do with him?" I ask him, our hands intertwined. He stares down at me with an inscrutable expression, and I start to wonder if he'll ever answer me.

"We're taking him back to Dauntless. He'll be prosecuted as an accomplice to Evelyn's plans," he finally responds. "He's wanted for being an accessory to your kidnapping. Forgery. Conspiracy. Factional treason. Multiple other charges that will be brought forth once he's put on trial." Eric announces the words with dark satisfaction. This should thrill him, my ex-boyfriend being found guilty of such offenses, but he appears more infuriated than anything else.

Eric continues tersely, "Do you remember seeing him when you were with the factionless?"

"Yes, he was there. He said he would help me," I snort at the memory. "I don't really remember much of what happened the day that Evelyn injected me, I just know I woke up here the next morning. And even though it felt weird, everyone acted like I'd never left," I tell him with a shrug.

A look of unease flashes across Eric's face. It's brief, and it's soon replaced with disdain. "You didn't find that suspicious? That you couldn't remember anything and no one else seemed to think anything was wrong?" His eyes flick to the side for a moment. "We never talked about this after you returned. I was too focused on the fact that you were back where you belonged to ask you how you got here."

I'd never really given it much thought, either. "I was confused and miserable here. All I could think of was getting out of Amity. It never even occurred to me to think about how I got back in."

Eric nods, and his grip on my hand tightens as he draws me closer to him. We walk side by side, a few yards behind Johanna, until she abruptly stops and points out Landon, alone in the distance. Eric shoves his way past her, and we take the lead.

A shudder runs through me when I realize I will be face to face with him again in a matter of moments.


He smirks.

Landon's expression when he sees Eric marching towards him is a mixture of emotions — anger, frustration, hatred, regret. I can see each one flash through his eyes as we approach him. We're accompanied by Johanna, and though there is no one else with us, it's easy to see Landon has no chance of escaping.

Landon stands his ground, his feet planted firmly in the snow, and he stares at us with a look of defiance on his face. He keeps his hands in his pockets, his ease mocking us. I briefly wonder how easy it was for him to do all this; for someone who used to love me to blindly ignore the commitments I'd made. To have neglected to help me when I was at my most vulnerable, bringing me back to the one place I didn't want to be, solely for his own personal reasons.

I know Eric thinks his actions are cowardly.

They are opposites, he and Landon. While Landon had doubted every decision I'd made from the get-go, Eric had stood by me. Even when I made the wrong decisions, Eric had appreciated that they were mine to make. He'd guided me through Dauntless when I could have failed; he'd pushed me to better myself, to want the best for my life with him. Landon had never thought I'd amount to anything.

I stare at him, watching as he leers at Eric and me. It isn't until Eric speaks that he looks the least bit uncomfortable.

"You need to come with us."


The train ride is quiet save for the wind rushing past the open door.

I stand beside Eric, trying to keep my eyes ahead of me. Eric is too furious that he had never put together Landon's involvement, and I have the sinking feeling he's going to question me about my time in Amity when I don't have all the answers. I bite back the urge to tug him away from Landon, who's standing there held in place by nothing more than Eric's dark glare.

Landon shifts his weight, alternating between smirking at Eric and looking at me contemptuously. It takes everything in me to not wipe the look off his face. He'd been unfazed by Eric's announcement that he was guilty, and he'd outright ignored Johanna's presence. She had look saddened and disappointed in his actions.

I knew he didn't care. It was obvious he didn't think very highly of Dauntless or anything that had to do with it. It made me furious, the smarmy look on his face every time he glanced at me. He always thought I made a mistake by leaving Amity, but he couldn't have been more wrong.

I've accomplished more in the year I've been in Dauntless than Landon has in his whole life. I've found a sense of home, a purpose for my time, a faction in which I feel comfortable. I have Eric; the only person who has ever fully believed in me, the only one who has ever looked out for me with every fiber of his being, the only person who has loved me for who I am.

The man before me is not the same Landon I once knew. The Landon I'd left behind in Amity would never have tried to keep me away from the man who loves me, he'd never have hidden me in a faction he knew I didn't want to be in, and he'd certainly never have pledged his loyalty to a woman waging a war he didn't understand. I swallow and look over at Eric. He's still glaring at Landon, but his posture is somewhat more relaxed.

He's obviously unconcerned that Landon will come after either of us, or maybe he just knows he can easily take Landon down.

"Eric," I say his name, but I don't think he hears me. He's cocking his head at Landon, watching him carefully.

"I don't see why I'm under investigation," Landon announces, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I did nothing but look out for you, Everly."

His words are a joke. I shake my head furiously. "You didn't exactly look out for me when you dragged me to Amity instead of returning me to my home. You knew damned well where you should have taken me."

Landon frowns, his face unimpressed. "I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand. You're different now. Less Everly, and more Eric's puppet, whatever kind of wife he wanted you to be. Seems like it worked out for you, anyway."

I bristle at his words but don't respond, doing my best to ignore him. There's nothing good that will come from anything that Landon spews out of his mouth.

"Does it bother you, Eric?" Landon drawls, refusing to stop. "Does it bother you that I knew where she was, that Everly was safe right beside me, while you sat in Dauntless sulking over her death?"

I jerk my head back to him. Eric has steeled himself, his whole body primed and aimed towards Landon.

"Were you lonely? Spending your nights by yourself, all alone in the bed you used to share with Everly?" He throws Eric a pointed look, and I can feel bile rise up in my throat. Eric stiffens slightly; it's almost unnoticeable, but I can tell Landon is starting to get to him. "Thinking of all those nights you spent with her that suddenly meant nothing."

Landon pauses, and his next words are full of nothing but spite.

"It was nice having your wife back in my bed."

Eric's head snaps over to me and his eyes narrow as he searches my face for the truth. Landon crosses his arms and sneers, a look of satisfaction crossing his face. His only goal is to hurt both Eric and me. To throw one final comeuppance at Eric, to taunt him with the thought that Landon had had exactly what Eric had wanted when Eric was at his lowest moment. I reach for Eric's arm, trying to pull him towards me. I need to tell him that Landon's words are meaningless, that he shouldn't let the idiot in front of us get to him. He's playing a game, and Eric knows it.

Unfortunately for Landon, Eric is close to reaching his breaking point.

"Eric, ignore him." I yank hard on his arm, still attempting to pull him back to me. His look tells me he's having none of it, but I don't let go. "His words mean nothing."

Landon smirks at me, his expression pleased at my attention. "You really should listen to your little wife, Eric."

My grip tightens and my nails dig into Eric's sleeve. I've had enough of Landon's rude dismissal of me and everything I've done. I'm hardly just Eric's little wife, and I've had enough of people thinking they know what's best for me.

"Fuck off, Landon," I snap at him, and the smug look on his face falls away. "You had no right to do what you did. And you're a terrible person for ever going through with anything Evelyn had her hands in."

Landon shrugs, but he drops his gaze down to the floor.

"You're no better than her," I continue harshly, letting go of Eric's arm. I walk towards Landon and glare at him. "Did you ever stop to think that maybe I didn't want to go back to Amity? That what she asked you to do was wrong? I'm sorry I ever trusted you."

The look on Landon's face reflects no remorse, just a bright anger that only intensifies when he moves towards me and shoves me back a step.

This entire time, Eric has been restrained. Despite Landon and his smug expressions and taunting words, Eric has kept himself calm and controlled. He's resisted beating him to a pulp, forced himself to be the bigger man.

But seeing Landon touch me triggers something in Eric, and his resolve finally crumbles.

Landon isn't done; he opens his mouth to say something else, to hurl more offensive words at us, but he doesn't get far. Eric lunges forward, and reaches for his throat, pinning Landon against the wall of the train.

The motion is brutal, full of malice and utter loathing for the man in front of him. Landon taunting Eric with the news that I'd unwittingly shared his bed was enough to push Eric to his limit. From what I was told about my absence in Dauntless, Eric had been at his darkest then. Landon is nothing more than a painful reminder of that time.

Eric's hand closes tightly around Landon's throat, and this time he aims to make his point final.

"I told you. Come at my wife again, and I'd make sure it was your last day," Eric snarls. He holds Landon in place, his fingers digging into his neck, and I watch in disbelief as Landon's eyes grow glassy. He struggles uselessly, and I realize he's having a hard time breathing.

I lunge for Eric just as the train makes a sharp turn. I lose my footing for a second, but Eric doesn't. I stumble until I can grab him, pulling at his arm as hard as I can.

"Everly, let go of me," he tells me, his voice deadly calm. He doesn't look at me; his eyes are still fixed on Landon and his rapidly reddening face.

"Eric, stop. He's not worth it. We'll take him back to Dauntless and you can deal with him there," I urge him, but he doesn't lessen his grip.

Landon fights uselessly to pry Eric's fingers off his throat. He claws at Eric's hands, but his eyes are starting to become unfocused.

The train veers sharply again, and I find myself clinging to Eric to stay balanced. The wind is rushing past the open door of the train car making it almost impossible to hear anything other than my heartbeat in my ears. Moments tick by before Eric seems to loosen his hold the slightest bit. Landon uses the opportunity to sneer at him.

"Fuck you," he rasps out.

Eric doesn't hesitate. He jerks his arm away from me, wrapping it around Landon's head and jaw, and his fingers close tightly around Landon's throat. There is a loud cracking sound as Landon's head is snapped up and to the side. Eric takes a large step sideways, dragging Landon with him to the open doorway.

"Eric!" I shout his name loudly, but not before he shoves Landon's limp body from the train.

My lips part and I stare wordlessly at Eric. He's not looking at me. He's standing like a statue, his body turned toward the open door, his shoulders held painfully high. After what seems like an eternity passes, he finally turns to me, and his steely grey eyes find mine.

I try to push the images of Landon out of my mind.

Eric takes a step towards me, his jaw tight and his breathing slow and even. The weight of his actions crashes down on me and I feel like the air has been sucked out of my lungs.

"Eric," I gasp, unable to tear my eyes off of him, "What the fuck did you do?"