Sorry for the long wait guys, here's the next part. I'll try to update more frequently now. Enjoy!

Holden POV:

" Yes?"

She looked perturbed for a moment at the fact that I hadn't addressed her as 'Majesty'. I hoped it didn't throw her off enough that she could guess I knew the truth. I straightened my back trying to stop myself from dragging my hand through my hair. She sat on the couch in front of me, splaying her shimmering gold dress around her.

The same anger that rose when I saw her sat at the pit of my stomach. Clenching my fists, I glared at her as she gestured for her bodyguards to step away.

" How are you today, Holden?"

" I am well," I answered curtly. She looked at me expectantly. I sighed quietly. " How are you?"

" I am well, also."

" What do you want?"

" My, that's a bit rude."

" I don't believe so." She froze, her smile dropping as her eyes bore into me. I stared back unflinching, as if not moving could ensure that she couldn't see through my facade.

" You're not as strong as you think, my dear Holden." She smirked, gesturing at one of her guards. The guard stepped forward with a glass of wine and I bit back a snide remark. Something, I had done too often near the Queen.

" You'd be surprised," I answered calmly. " What do you want?"

" I want your throne." I laughed.

" It's not mine, yet."

" Your father will be out of picture soon enough." I clenched my fists harder and grit my teeth. Holding back had never been this hard. Act normal, I heard Jake's voice in the back of my head.

" I noticed you took a liking towards that awful little peasant. What's her name? Ella?"

" Evelyn. And trust me I know what awful is and it's not her," I spat back. Her smirk remained on her face.

" She seemed very awful."

" What do you mean."

" Abdicate the throne the minute you get it."

" I won't."

" You will. Or, your dear Evelyn will meet a fate as awful as her." Despite knowing the falseness of her statement I jumped up, my anger propelling me to my feet.

" You can't touch her." I turned away from her, noticing that my palms were now scattered with crescent shaped marks.

" You shouldn't walk away from me, my dear son." I could hear the happiness in her voice. It chilled me to the bone. I don't know how I would have reacted had Jake not told me the truth.

" Watch me," I slammed the door behind me.

Queen POV:

" He knows, Your Majesty."

" I know," I snarl, throwing the glass at the guard who had dared to speak.

" What are we to do?"

" Go on. That throne will be mine."

Jake POV:

" They decided when."

" When what?" Kaya asked, bouncing on my bedspread. The Selection had almost come to a halt. It was public knowledge that Evelyn had disappeared and Holden had played the part of the distressed Prince looking for one of his Elite and taking no shit from the rebels. He came down often now, always exhilarated. Kaya and Holden had decided to be friends. And despite himself, he felt relieved when she told him.

" When to attack," I lowered my voice slightly. Kaya looked at me expectantly.

" Well, when?"

" I don't know, yet, Kay. We find out when we go down."

" Wait, I get to go too?"

I rolled my eyes. " Yes." Kaya jumped up excitedly wrapping her arms around my neck and forcing me to jump with her. Suddenly, she stopped and stepped back, her cheeks slightly flushed and her eyes wide.

" Oh, I'm sorry, I know we...you…" I sighed, burying the urge to kiss her in that moment and instead uncovering the reasons why I never kissed her in the first place. Even before. Because what I did was dangerous and I couldn't choose between my cause and Kaya. Or, so I thought before Kaya joined. What was stopping me now? I looked up at her, at her stupid grin, at her flushed cheecks, at her lips.

But before I could move a knock sounded on my door. I took in a sharp breath as Kaya moved away from the door and took her place on the edge of my bed, again. I opened the door to see Prince Holden in clothes normally donned by Sevens and Eights. I had obtained them a week ago and stashed them in a place only Holden and knew about. He stepped in, his expression confusing as he began pacing my room.

" She knows," he grumbled. " I snapped, and now she know." he pulled his cape of me, slamming into the ground. He froze as he saw Kaya. His eyebrows scrunching.

" Lady Kaya?"

" Hello," she seemed to tense for a moment, her eyes flitting towards me. He looked at her for a moment longer and then smiled.

" Good to be working with you." Kaya relaxed, her grin returning.

" You as well, Prince." Holden turned back to me.

" Are you sure?" I asked.

Holden rubbed his forehead. " I believe so. Either way, I doubt she'll change her plans. She'll find something else to hold over my head. She wants this too much."

" You still want to…"

" Yes. Let's go." I nodded, collecting my things and strapping my gun on. Kaya stood doing the same. Holden cast a strange glance but didn't say anything. I wasn't even sure how she had gotten the weapon, she refused to tell me. But I knew trying to convince her of anything else would be futile. I smiled at the thought. I turned back to Holden.

" Let's go."