Nobody spoke. The information seemed to just add to the shock of everything that had already happened. Madame Rienne sighed and gestured towards the door.

" You will be returning to your room." The girls began to shuffle out of the room, many missing shoes and many with faces marked by distraught. I felt a tap on my shoulder.

" Wanna hang out?"

I nodded, " My room?"

" I'll meet you at 5." She disappeared into the crowd of girls. The guards took us a strange way to our rooms. Avoiding certain halls, I didn't want to know why. Cora and Aurora were waiting in my room, they looked a bit shellshocked. It felt good to see them. To know they were okay. Aurora ran to me, wrapping her arms.

" Lady Evelyn!" I returned the hug. She reminded me of my sister. She let go.

" Are you guys alright? All the maids?" Cora looked down, tears seemed to glisten in her eyes.

" They took 5 of us. Killed 2," Aurora said softly, a tear slipping down her pale cheek.

" What? How did they get that far?"

" The King does not keep guards in the maid quarters."

Anger flooded me. " Why would he do that? That's ridiculous, you need to be protected too."

" The King doesn't think so."

" He's an idiot."

Cora smiled a little. " Glad we agree on one thing." I returned her smile.

" You guys take a break. I'll talk to Holden. This won't happen again." I hoped I sounded earnest. They nodded thankfully and then left. This was absolutely unfair. Who knew what they were taking maids for? And who had attacked? I paced the length of my room, biting my lip. I sighed and then began changing into my sweats and tank top.

There were only three known rebel groups. The Protectors were the first. They were peaceful and considered more of a diplomatic group to most people, all people but the King. Some said they didn't actually exist. For a long time, they had been a secret organization. Then there were the Northerners. They had been there since Grandfather's time. Over the years they became a bit more demanding, a bit more hostile. But when they took over a city it was through diplomatic means. They held riots and parades, but they had never gotten aggressive. Then there were the Wolves. They started at the beginning of King James' realm. After the death of the Late Queen. When the country took a sharp turn for the worse. They were volatile from the start, hacking into the Report to send messages, some people even said that they had killed the Queen. The attacks on the palace started a couple of years ago. The Report never mentioned how many people were killed. I wondered now. How much were they hiding from us?

The sound of the door opening snapped me out of my thoughts. It must be Kaya.

" Come in," I said loudly, pulling my hair out of it updo and letting my dark curls flow down my back. I grabbed my pullover off my chair and turned.

" Prince Holden," I gasped. His eyes were level with mine and he immediately looked down, embarrassed.

" I'm sorry to surprise you like this Lady Evelyn." I was suddenly heavily aware of the fact that my hair was a mess, I was wearing no makeup, and I was not wearing a bra and quickly pulled on my sweatshirt.

" It's...it's alright." Wait, no. I was mad at him. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. " I know what's not alright. What you did. Today."

He sighed, rubbing his forehead. " May we sit?" I nodded. He strode past me and to the plush couch in my room. I sat next to him, crossing my legs and staying a good distance from the Prince. He looked at me. His eyes are so green. He reminds me of grass and from this close I can smell his cologne. It smells like sandalwood. I was still mad.

" I won't apologize." I was appalled for a moment. No one had been this blunt to me before. I was stubborn and I was often the one fighting. The one who wouldn't apologize.

" I had your back! I know how to fight, Holden. I'm not some damsel in distress…."

" I know that," he cut me off, his voice loud. He stared at me intensely. His face was so distraught that for some reason something in me twisted. I inhaled sharply, but I didn't let go. " You don't understand."

" Tell me then."

" I needed to protect you," he sighed.

" I don't need protection!"

" You did then."

" That…" he smirked a little as I got flustered. "Thank you."

" I'm sorry I didn't ask nicely," he smiled. He had dimples.

I laughed, " I probably wouldn't have listened." He nodded.

" What about you? Does the King know?"

" No. I was going to the servants quarter."

" You know?"

" My father...my father can be ignorant sometimes. Of certain things." He knew. He went to go to protect them. We were silent. I couldn't help but look at him. He looked weary again. So close to him. There was something tha danced behind his eyes. Something like grief. But every time I was close to figuring it out he would avert his gaze.

" Hello, Evie." We both turned to look up at Kaya and jumped up. She raised an eyebrow at us, a small smile pulling at her lips. Holden grinned a bit cockily. He was back. I was still a bit flushed. Holden leaned towards my ear.

" We'll make up that date." And then he was gone. That man had too many moods. Kaya walked in, smirking at me weirdly.

" So you gonna tell me everything or are we gonna have to get drunk first?"

Kaya:

As I got ready to sneak to Eve's room I pulled the beer I smuggled into an unassuming pink bag. Her room was four doors down and knowing Eve she would be down to be a little rebellious. A knock sounded at my door. I froze for a moment before cautiously inching towards the door.

" It's Jake." I stopped, crossing my arms over my chest. Why should I let that jerk in?

" Isn't too dangerous," I called, sarcasm dripping in my voice.

His voice dropped, " Kaya, please just let me in." I sighed, pulling the elaborate door open and letting him rush in. He made himself at home. Sitting on the plush couch in my room and pulling the blanket I brought from home around him. I sat on the bed, staring at him expectantly. He didn't seem to get the hint, twiddling his thumbs like an idiot.

" What do you want Jake?"

" Why are you here?"

" It's my room." He rolls his eyes, sitting up and glaring at me.

" Kay…"

" Don't call me that."

" Kaya," he whispered, rising and sitting beside me. I didn't move, keeping my arms crossed and refusing to move. " I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

" Are you working for them now?" He didn't answer. " You know I wouldn't tell anyone."

" Yes." We were silent. I could feel the tension between us. The tension created by a past we refused to look at. And I would continue to do so.

" You should've never joined."

I laughed, " Did you want me to ask you?"

" No! I…" he stood suddenly, his eyebrows scrunched together. He ran his hands through his hair, so hard I thought he would pull his hair out. I softened. " I joined to protect my family. To protect her. To...to protect you. You weren't supposed to…" I stood, putting my hand on his cheek. He leaned into my touch.

" You don't need to protect everyone."

" Please stay away from them. There's so much you don't know yet." I sighed, stepping away.

" I'm sorry Jake. I have to."

" Can you at least promise me you won't run towards the guns?"

" I can't."

His shoulders sagged. I wanted to hug him but I held back. We weren't the same anymore and I couldn't act like we were. " I do my job."

" I do mine."

Evelyn blushed as I smirked at her. I wasn't surprised to catch her with the Prince. Their chemistry was palpable. They were to people driven by ambition. I had read their files. Evelyn rolled her eyes as I questioned her but I could guess everything from her smile.

" What about you and Jake? Did you date or something?" Sadness crashed inside me and the memories played behind my eyelids. Like a photo reel I thought I had destroyed. But my smile didn't drop.

" No," I laughed. It was the truth.

hope you guys like that chapter. What were Jake and Kaya talking about and what is going on that Eve does not know about. Keep reading to find out!

Fae