Chapter 47

Jed Maddox, Four, Kent

Jed was sitting with Ray in a small study. They were playing Go Fish, right now. They'd been playing different games all afternoon. It was clear that something was on Ray's mind, but Jed wasn't sure if he should pry or not. Ray hummed in thought, "Got any…..3's?"

Jed shook his head, looking at his hand, "No, Go Fish."

Ray sighed and dug through the extra cards. Jed watched him carefully, as he asked, "Got any 5's?"

Ray groaned, and tossed over a card. A 5 of Hearts. Ray shook his head, "How are you so good at this?"

Jed chuckled, "I'm not, you're just not good."

Ray stuck his tongue out, and looked back down at his cards. Jed shook his head, "What's wrong, Ray? Something is clearly bothering you."

Ray glanced up to him, and Jed thought his eyes looked a little fuzzy, as though he were in a daze. Ray eventually sighed, and set down his cards, "I guess I am easy to read."

Jed scooted over on the couch, and patted the spot next to him. Ray thought for a moment, then stood from the other chair, sitting next to Jed. Ray took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. He stared at the ground, and Jed felt a pang of sorrow for him.

"I have a lot going on. That much is obvious, I have the Selection, royal work, the rebels, and now I'm fighting with my dad, and trying to work out my heart from my head, and it's so confusing."

"You're fighting with your dad?" Jed asked in surprise. He hadn't expected Ray to be one to fight with his parents.

Ray hesitated, paling, then nodded, "Yeah, he's uh, he's having trouble coming to terms with how my Selection is going."

"The rebels?"

"No."

That….wasn't the answer Jed had expected. Jed's brow rose in surprise, and he tilted his head, "I- I would have thought that he'd be upset about the rebels interfering."

"He is, trust me. But uh, don't tell anyone, but he doesn't want me to marry a guy." Ray sighed, shoulders slumping. He looked exhausted, as though keeping that inside had physically made Ray ill.

Jed shook his head, trying to form his thoughts. "I- I thought your dad encouraged this? I thought that-" Well, Jed thought he'd actually stood a chance. But if the king had done this all for show, was it even a chance? Or was Jed here, slowly giving his heart to a boy he'd never have?

"My dad did encourage it. Or, at least pretended to. I can't tell anymore what he means. I just know he doesn't want me to marry a guy because then I couldn't have kids, plus, he seems not to like any of you. But I do. I like all of you." Ray groaned, leaning his head on Jed's shoulder.

"I...don't know what to tell you. I mean, you should follow your heart, but I know it must be difficult to go against others, and what your mind tells you is right." Jed replied, running a hand through Ray's hair.

They sat in silence for a moment, neither speaking, just thinking, Jed listening to Ray's steady breathing. He seemed to be calming down. Jed was afraid to even move an inch until he was sure Ray wouldn't break down.

Eventually Ray sat up, looking at Jed for a long moment, then he said, "I want to follow my heart, but even my heart is confused."

Jed fought a shiver, but he still got goosebumps. Ray leaned forward, one hand cupping Jed's face. Jed leaned forward too, and their lips met. It was sweet, and slow. They separated, and Ray smiled, prompting Jed to smile back. They kissed again, and neither wanted to separate this time.

When they broke apart, both seemed relaxed, and Jed was happy to see Ray's eyes were bright and clear now. "What's your heart telling you now?"

Ray searched Jed's eyes, and Jed hoped he could see that Jed really cared for him, Jed almost thought maybe it was love. Ray smiled, "My heart is telling me it's very fond of you." But he sighed, "I'm not sure if you're the only one though."

Jed's own heart sank a little, but he nodded, "I'm in the Selection, I suppose it's not fair to expect I own every bit of your heart yet."

Ray smiled sadly, "Thanks for talking to me, for understanding."

Jed nodded again, "Of course, anytime."

They sat there together, talking quietly for a while more, just the two of them in a crazy world filled with prejudiced family and complicated hearts.

Ivy Bonham, Three, Waverly

Ivy was waiting for Christian. She was wearing a flowy sundress, and she was supposed to be going for a walk, or, at least that's what she'd been told. Christian finally appeared around the hall corner, and Ivy smiled. Christian smiled ever so slightly, and approached her.

"Hey, ready to go on our walk?" Christian asked, offering his arm to her.

Ivy smiled to herself, "Yes." She took his arm, and they started off.

Christian and Ivy chatted quietly the whole time, walking around the gardens, twice. Eventually Christian turned to her, "Come on, I want to show you something."

Ivy narrowed her eyes in suspicion, but nodded, holding on to his arm as he led her back into the palace. She was curious to see where he was leading her, but she trusted him. She was a bit nervous about people seeing them together since she was still technically in the Selection, but being with Christian was worth the risk of being seen.

Christian led her down hall after hall, eventually going down a flight of stairs, and where the castle seemed made more of actual stone than polished marble. Ivy didn't even know the palace looked like that down here. Ivy followed Christian, and he finally stopped before a small entrance. Ivy could hear water moving, and was even more confused than before.

Christian glanced to her, "This is...this is where I come to think sometimes. No one else knows about it. I maintain it myself."

Ivy tilted her head, and entered through the small alcove. On the other side was a spring, or a natural hot-tub like pool. There were small, unlit candles, and towels scattered about. Nicely packed was two towels, and a pair of bathing suits.

Ivy blushed, "Oh, Christian, how did you get the-"

"I just asked some maids for a basic swimsuit. I hope you don't mind, I guessed your size." Christian replied, shifting on his feet.

Ivy laughed, "I don't mind, but um, I'll have to leave to get changed."

Christian suddenly blushed, "Oh! Uh, of course! Yes, I- I didn't think that through."

Ivy laughed again, louder, "I know, I know."

Ivy grabbed the swim suit, and left to find the nearest secluded room to change into. When she came back, Christian was changed too. He was surprisingly muscular. Not buff in any way, but as though he did work out enough to keep a figure. He also had a few freckles scattered across his arms and chest that she wouldn't have ever guessed would be there.

Christian seemed entranced by her, but then asked, "Does the swim suit fit?"

Ivy nodded, "A little tight, but better tight than loose." The outfit was white, with black stripes down the sides, and had frills by the hips. Ivy quite liked it; it was elegant, yet simple.

Christian climbed into the little hot-tub, and offered a hand to help Ivy in. Ivy smiled, and accepted it, stepping in carefully. Ivy expected the seats and bottom to be rock like the rest of the hot-tub, but the rocks were actually smoothed. It was a pleasant surprise, and made her even more relaxed.

"Like I said, I maintain it myself, I found it a few years ago, and cleaned it up. I think it's a sort of natural hot spring, but I can't be sure." Christian said, shrugging.

Ivy smiled, looking around the cave-like room hidden away in the depths of the castle's base. "It's beautiful! I've never seen anything like it, and my grandmother has taken me to many saunas."

Christian's eyes brightened, and he almost cracked a smile. Ivy noticed he'd been doing that a lot more often around her now that they knew how each other felt. "Good, I'm glad you like it; I thought you might."

A few moments passed by, and Ivy sighed, "You know, I'll miss this when I leave."

"When you leave?" Christian asked, and Ivy could hear the worry in his tone.

"Yeah, you know, after the Selection? When I'm eliminated?"

Christian stared at a point on the wall beside her face, lost in thought. He hummed, "What if- what if you just stayed here when you were eliminated?" He asked, a small blush coming to his face. "Stay with me?"

Ivy went completely still, "Is this- Are you…."

Christian turned a bright red, "No! I'm not proposing, I just, we just realized our feelings. There's nothing saying you can't stay after you're eliminated as my guest."

Ivy studied his face, and smiled slightly, "I think that could work."

Christian's face brightened to hopeful rather than shy and embarrassed. He bit his lip, and scooted closer to Ivy. He turned, gently taking Ivy's chin in his hand, and turning her head to his. He searched her eyes, but Ivy tried to convey she wanted him to kiss her. Christian leaned forward, and Ivy let him meet her lips. She closed her eyes, and immediately seemed to be floating in the air. The kiss made her feel weightless, and the only thing keeping her there was Christian's hand now in her hair, and his other arm wrapped around her waist.

Ivy never wanted the kiss to end, but Christian pulled away, smiling sweetly to her. Ivy sighed happily, and pressed her forehead to his. "Yes, I think my staying here will definitely work."

Christian laughed, and pulled Ivy into his lap, kissing her again and again. "Me too." He whispered. The two stayed in the hot tub for another hour or so, exploring- but not too much- their new found love.

Ray's POV

Ray was finishing up his dinner, the Selected chatting quietly amongst themselves, each royal family member staying eerily quiet. It was odd, this was the quietest any dinner has been. Ray wanted to finish quickly and get to his date with Eva. He was hoping that he'd be able to talk with her some more. Lately she'd seemed closed off, but he was ready to see past the walls she'd built up, and even share whatever she wanted to know about him.

Ray finished, and not long after, Eva finished, and they walked outside together. Eva hummed to herself as they walked, admiring the stars that had started to appear. The sun wasn't fully set, so the sky was a mix of reds, pinks, purples, and blues.

"Look, Eva, we haven't spent a lot of time together, so I think it's time we start to fix that." Ray began.

She stopped humming, "Well, this is a good start I suppose."

Ray huffed a laugh, tilting his head, "Yeah, I suppose it is. So, tell me about yourself. I know you live with your mom, that you're a model, you have a great singing voice, though you're very shy, and that you are very sweet and selfless."

Eva laughed, "Well, you seem to have me down then." She joked, nudging Ray with er elbow. But she sighed, "When I was young, my mom was, and still can be, controlling. I didn't have many friends, and no boyfriends, heaven forbid, my mom would have had a heart attack. Anyway, I also took ice skating lessons. Part of me likes it, but part of me also knows it's probably her trying to live through me. Her ice skating career stopped after she fell pregnant with me…"

Eva trailed off, and Ray was silent with her. Was Eva's shyness and uncertainty driven by the fact that she's never really had a choice in her own life? Was Eva's job as a model even her choice? Ray sighed, "Well, if it helps, my dad seems to be living through me, or at least trying to."

Eva glanced up to Ray, and he could tell she was thinking. Ray felt her hand gently take his, and she intertwined their fingers. Her other arm rested on his forearm, and she hugged him in comfort. Ray hugged her back, offering his own strength to her. He felt as though today he'd broken barriers in his own thoughts by talking through with others. He's always had Christian to talk to, but something about the people in his Selection led him to a new type of freedom and peace when he talked to them.

They walked some more, and Eva eventually spoke, "I do like you, Ray. But if I'm being honest, it's more of a school-girl crush than anything."

Ray sighed, "And I like you, but it's more of a little sister thing."

Eva chuckled, "I suppose this means I get to go home?"

Ray looked to her, "If that's what you choose. I could let you stay." Eva shrugged at that.

"I think it's time me and my mother talked things out. I think I want to take a break from modeling, and rethink things a bit."

Ray nodded, "Of course-"

It was so fast, Ray almost didn't register what happened. A small, red dot appeared on Eva's dress, just below her chest. Eva didn't react at first, smiling still at Ray, but then she looked down, seeing the red dot grow into a large stain.

She gasped, her eyes darting up to Ray. Ray was frozen, staring, wide eyed at her. She started to collapse, and Ray caught her. Ray's mind was reeling, but he applied pressure to the red spot, now knowing it was a bullet wound. Ray kept them both low, and Eva was gasping for breath. If Ray had to guess, it sounded like she'd been shot in a lung. Ray looked around frantically, and saw guards rushing outside.

They approached, and Ray was relieved until they grabbed him, and carried him away, but left Eva behind. "Wait, no! Go back! Get her! She's been shot, she needs help!"

"You're our first priority, Your Highness." A guard replied.

"What? No!" Ray cried, outraged. He felt his face heating in anger and desperation. He fought to break free from the hold the guards had on him, but they ushered him quickly.

Ray felt tears at his eyes, "Eva! Eva!" He shouted, not caring if those damned rebels heard him. For all he cared, they could kill him now, he couldn't let another Selected die. Not when he could help it.

The guards rushed him into the castle, and into the nearest safe room. They slammed the door shut on Ray's protests. Ray slammed the walls, and the door, trying to get out. How could they just leave her? How could they lock him in here with this knowledge? Ray looked at his shaking hands, bruising already from beating the safe room. They were covered in blood too, but it was already almost dried, and he knew it was Eva's. Ray felt hot tears trail down his face, and he let them fall. He no longer cared about appearances. He was getting hurt, and people were dying, really dying. It was all his fault.

No.

It was their fault; the rebels. Ray grew angry again. He would make sure these rebels paid. They couldn't get away with this. They had some dark, twisted mentality about what was right and wrong. Well, Ray would have to take care of that, wouldn't he?

Hours passed before Ray's safe room was opened. Guards surrounded him, bringing him to the medical wing. They offered no answers when he asked about Eva. People were checking in and out, Selected were ushered in, checked out, and they stared wide-eyed at Ray when he was brought in. He must have looked awful, but he didn't care.

People whispered, glancing around nervously. Nurses approached Ray, taking him from the guards, and sitting him on an exam table. They attached him to machines to check for vitals, and made notes of each. His pulse was still raised, but other than that, they concluded that he was fine.

Dr. Kay clucked her tongue as she examined Ray's hand. Clearly she disapproved of punching walls, but she gave him a small splint on a few of his fingers, wrapping it up. "I'm going to need to see it in a week."

She walked away before Ray could reply, but he wouldn't have even if she'd wanted him to. He hadn't uttered a word since he'd arrived in the hospital wing.

Someone approached, and Ray barely registered that it was Endra before he spoke, "She's dead, isn't she?" He could hear the bitterness and hidden rage in his own voice, and he saw Endra take a step back.

"...Yes."

"Why didn't they save her?"

"When they went back for her, she was already gone."

"No! I mean why didn't they save her with me? The rebels had shot her, but they didn't shoot me. They had the chance and they didn't take it. I was in no danger." Ray replied, glaring at his sister.

Endra's eyes were wide, and she seemed startled at his anger being directed at her, "I- I don't know. They were just doing their job. And as for the rebels. Well….we don't know their reasoning, do we?"

Ray sighed, no, he supposed they couldn't know the reasoning behind a heartless matter. "I'll make them pay for this."

Endra sighed, "Ray-"

"I will. They won't make it out this unharmed themselves." Ray stated, and the tone had switched to sure, steady.

He glanced to Endra, and a look of concern flashed over her face, "Ray, please, you can't fight an entire invisible enemy by yourself."

"But I'm not by myself. I have friends, an entire castle full of trained guards…" Ray felt sure he could find help among them. "Not to mention you and Christian."

Endra sighed in defeat, there was no bargaining with him now, "Where do we begin?"

Ray thought, "We get our eyes. I'll get in contact with one of them, don't worry. For now, get Kara and Brendan, they can be my eyes around the castle."

Endra nodded, and walked off. Ray hopped off the exam table, and marched out of the hospital wing. It was time to bring a real fight to these rebels, starting with finding out who had gotten Camilla and Eva killed.

Hey everyone! It's been a hot minute, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Or not...if it caused pain. Oh well, some delicious juicy content was here today. Thank you, Eva, you were lovely, you will be missed.

Happy new year, by the way! 2020! It's crazy to think of. I'll see you in the next chapter! (Hopefully it's not a super long wait, oof)