The Assistant Chapter 14, a divergent trilogy fanfic

Thank you so much to Bamberlee for editing this!

Sorry for the late update! I got the edited version back while out at dinner and heading to a movie and couldn't update until I was home. Happy Friday and have an amazing weekend :)

Thank you so much to those who reviewed the last chapter.

"Oh come on, Amity. You can do better than that."

The voice of Eric is rich and dark as his lips graze my ear. I pretend I don't notice. His chest is against my back, and his hand has a firm grasp around my wrist. His fingers are heavy as they press around the skin near my wrist bone, guiding my hand into position.

"Did Four teach you anything?" He mutters again, nudging me when I don't move. "Amity?"

"He missed my group. Karl showed me how to throw them. I was struggling, so he threw it for me. All Four saw was a knife in the target, and Karl cheering." My answer is quiet, fearful he'll revoke my position over this confession. "I tried a bunch of times, but I never quite got it."

My chest is so tight I can barely breathe. I've been his assistant for a single month, and he's never once questioned how I ranked. Today, he's decided to prepare me for a trip to Candor, and he's settled on making sure I know how to throw a knife at someone.

As if we will be attacked, and I won't be armed with anything other than a kitchen knife.

"Oh, so Karl taught you how to throw a knife? I wasn't aware he was the newest trainer." Eric's tone is mocking, and his grip tightens on my wrist. "I must have missed that meeting."

"He's pretty good," I answer, struggling not to move when Eric's chest hits my back harder. My nerves are on fire at the close proximity. I can feel every inhale and exhale, and though he's much taller, he keeps leaning in like we are the only two in the room.

We aren't.

But he doesn't care.

Off to the side, several members are practicing. Some are sparring, some are climbing ropes, others are working out in preparation of being sent on patrol. Eric ignores all of them, focusing on the most outdated fighting method we have for whatever reason has struck his fancy.

"If I hit the target, are we done? I have to finish your report." I am very careful how to word my question, and he knows it. My list of his demands is long, sometimes given to me just to see if I'm willing to do everything he says. I am. Because I don't want to be factionless or relegated to another mindless job in one of the shops, I make sure to complete everything he assigns me. "Max said he wanted your thoughts on how many initiates are passing. I didn't know if you saw it yet."

"Too few if you ask me," he mutters, pulling my arm back. "Aim higher than you think. Your trajectory is downward. If you aim low, you're more likely to throw to the side."

"Why too few?" I glance up at him out of the corner of my eye, and it should be a mistake. His lips press together at my question, and he shakes his head. "You'd keep more than we cut?"

"I changed my mind a few years ago." Eric pauses, and his words are gritty. "We used to keep the top ten, until we discovered what the rest do after being kicked out. I don't need an army of factionless who were recently trained how to kill. We should be accepting those willing to fight, not in the higher positions, but in order to keep the faction running. Four's scoring is questionable these days given the last class, and he threw a fit when we changed the requirements." His words surprise me. I've seen him sneering at the initiates, and my assumption was he loathed anyone who believed they were brave enough to come here. "You did well, though."

"I did alright." I accidentally lean back against him, and he stiffens. "I didn't want to be factionless. I still don't."

"Then hit the target," he retorts, and I can't tell if he's being sarcastic or not. He rears back with my hand in his, then kicks my leg forward. "Now."

The antiquated skill of knife throwing was hard the first time I attempted it, but it's even harder with Eric's hand holding mine. The position is awkward, until I realize it isn't. He helps aim the knife, and though the force is all my own, he keeps me from losing my balance.

I smile when the knife hits the target with a satisfying thud. I'd watched him throw the weapon with lethal precision. It landed in between the eyes, whereas mine hits just off to the side. I assume the person would crumble regardless, and when I lean back in surprise, I can practically feel Eric smirking.

"Again, Amity."

By the time we are done, my arm is numb, and my wrist bears the faintest print of his hand. He steps away with a pleased look on his face, and it only shifts to irritation when Harrison shows up. He wanders over with an enquiring look on his face. I rarely see him down here, and today he looks bizarre. His hair is a mess, his shirt is a garish floral print, and he smiles when he stops a few feet away.

"Are you training her?" Harrison squints at me, and his question immediately irritates Eric. "You know she passed, right?"

"I'm making sure she's prepared," Eric answers smoothly, shifting his weight like he's about to attack. "Why do you care?"

"Turn down the aggression, Coulter. I'm surprised you're so attached to this part of the training." Harrison puts his hands on his hips, nodding at the outline of the body. "Her odds are better with a different weapon. She's far too small to get close enough to stab someone, and anyone's odds of throwing a knife at a moving target aren't great. They'd have her head bashed against a wall in a flash."

"Unlikely on my watch," Eric arrogantly snaps. His eyes find mine, but he looks momentarily uneasy. He frowns, like he's remembering something that's never happened, then his eyes narrow in anger. "Who the fuck is going to get close enough to bash her head in when she's with me?"

"You never know. I just got a call that some factionless infiltrated the market by posing as members of Abnegation and stole a bunch of goods. They knocked someone into the wall and caused a scene. Stranger things have happened," Harrison shrugs. "Everly, did you get a chance to visit the market yet? It's lovely this time of year, aside from that."

"I haven't." I step away from him and Eric to fix my hair. "I'd like to, though."

"You should go. Bring your knives. Who knows when you'll need to throw one at a very still target." Harrison looks at Eric, not even bothering to hide the amused grin on his face. "Are you done, Coulter? When are you heading out? Tonight?"

"Tomorrow," Eric answers coolly.

"Good." Harrison rocks on his heels, and Eric shifts his weight. They both look at me, then each other. Eric's shoulders pull back, his chin juts forward, and Harrison gets the message. "Everly, would you mind grabbing the knives? I'll put them away for you if you're done."

"Sure."

Eric nods in silent agreement. Happy this lesson is over, I leave them to their standoff, trotting over to the target. It's much larger up close. I have to stand on my toes to reach the knife, and to my dismay, it takes some time to wiggle it loose. The low voices of Eric and Harrison occasionally reach me, and their discussion becomes heated when the word 'pretty' is spoken.

"She's pretty isn't she? Is that why you're down here, forcing her to throw knives for hours?"

I turn to glance at Eric, noticing the way he looks ready to slam Harrison into the wall. His face holds enough contempt that I would immediately back away, and he's visibly annoyed when he looks in my direction. He eyes me up and down, and his lips curl up in disgust over such a question.

I highly doubt he finds anyone pretty.

"No."

His answer is snarled at Harrison. It's a sucker punch to the stomach, even though it shouldn't matter if he thinks I'm pretty or not.

I've been hired as his assistant, and nothing more.

"Everly?

"Yes?"

My answer comes from atop Eric, nails dug into his back and my head to the side. My hair hangs loosely, hitting his chest and occasionally falling in my eyes, and my bare skin burns when his hands snake between us. They greedily slide up my side to my throat, and his thumb touches my lower lip.

Eric's hips thrust at a pace too fast for someone who just got shot, and far too focused for someone drunk off Peace Serum.

"What?" I ask again, my hands winding over his back to hold on. My legs are around his waist, my hips move to meet his, and I can't stop the whimper in my throat. "What's wrong?"

When I look up at him, his eyes are dark. Glazed with lust and want, along with a substantial dose of a serum meant to make him less argumentative, and hopefully ward off the pain from a gunshot wound. It worked for a while, lingering enough to leave him eager to celebrate our marriage, despite the thick stitching on his chest. The thought of him wanting this again burns along with my thighs and the warm, dizzying feeling in my stomach. My lips part when his thumb stays on them, and his free hand moves to cup the back of my head.

Eric stares, his gray eyes locked on mine, and his lips turn up. "You're really pretty."

"What?" I try to focus, but my brain feels like it's made of cotton candy. I blink, tightening my grip around his neck, and he smirks. "Did you just say I'm pretty?"

"You are. I should have married you a long time ago."

He snickers as his mouth crashes against mine. He tastes like minty toothpaste, and he smells like Amity. Like the warm fire burning across from us, the thick scent of pine and wood. His arms tense around me, his biceps solid and his thighs tensing beneath me, and he could live here. He'd hate it. But he's strong and fit, hearty enough to spend a day building a house, and smart enough to know what we'd need for the winter.

When I pull away to shift closer, I know he's not one to stay here. The piercings are too sharp and dangerous, the tattoos too bold for someone to ever think he'd exist quietly, and the way his hands move to push me back into the sheets tell me everything I need to know.

"Do we have to get married in Dauntless?" I gasp, groaning when I hit soft, lush pillows. He is over me in a second, thrusting inside before I can say his name. The position makes my head spin, and my body reacts like this is familiar. My hips rise to meet his, and my hands fumble to hold onto him. "Do we have to have a wedding?"

"Yes."

He attacks viciously, wet open mouth kisses down my neck, sloppy in their endeavor and meant to lay claim on my skin. They are not gentle or sweet, and when his pace becomes erratic, I know he's close to coming.

Not long ago, Eric awoke from his slumber like a wild bear. I've never seen him look quite so pissed off, especially when he threw off the covers and stormed to the bathroom. He returned a short time later, vicious and irate, and he stopped to stare at me.

In all our time together, he'd looked at me a lot of ways. Annoyed when I messed up his email, or unexpectedly proud when I got ahead of his workload. Occasionally amused, often exasperated. At times, he looked at me like he was about to share something, a secret only I would understand, and other times, it was like he couldn't help himself. A lingering glance when we walked to visit the armory, or a slow, possessive stare when we stood in line for our table at Clyde's and Michael's patrol group sat at the bar.

I knew what each stare meant, and this one was different. Not because it was overly affectionate or romantic, but because it was intensely selfish. His eyes trailed over me, ending at my mouth, and he was back in bed before I could utter his name. There was a bruise on his chest, and in the middle of it, the stitches pulled taut every time he moved. He'd tossed the bandage after his shower. His stare when he reached for me was the same, wanting this: us together, with no one interrupting or dying or calling to demand useless information. He wanted us, just him and me, in a faction far away from our own, celebrating a marriage I believed was for someone else.

As his assistant, I had assumed my place in his life was menial, but I was finding out it was far more than that.

"In front of the other Leaders. Your parents will be invited. So will the Leaders from the other factions, assuming they're still standing after all this. I hope you're ready for Jack Kang to grill you about your hopes and dreams," Eric's teeth sink into the skin of my neck. "After everything dies down, Max will offer to host it. It's mandatory, but you can pick when and where and how many people."

"And you want that?" I shiver when his mouth moves to my shoulder. My head spins with thoughts of a Dauntless wedding. A Leader's wedding would be an important event, and it was unlikely it would be a small affair. I flash back to Kacie, asking if I was sad Eric was getting married and how she thought it would be me.

"I want you." He mutters, thrusting harder. I cling to him, bracing my feet against the starkly white sheets, groaning when he returns to my mouth. "We can have whatever wedding you'd like."

I forget everything when the coiling in my stomach becomes impossible to ignore. My whole body grows hot, tensing and moving toward his. I hear him groan my name, and my thoughts are scattered, almost incoherent.

I forget about Ashley's dead body, presumably dragged away by Carole and her blood washed away by the rain. I forget about the death of his mother, and the eventual arrest of Jeanine. My fingers skim his side, grazing just above where he'd been shot, and his pace becomes uneven. The beat of everything is too much; his heart, his hips hitting mine, the grunt when he comes right after me.

He collapses above me, warm sweaty skin and a quick brush of his lips against mine, then onto his side. I move to lie against him, content when he flings his arm over me, and the world falls away.

Beneath the barest hint of cold sunlight, I stand with Carole.

We are dressed in a horrifyingly similar manner. Today, in honor of the disposing of a body, she has chosen to wear a dark dress. My own is one that I wore for years as an unconscious sign that I would one day leave Amity. In her hair are a dozen, dark, haphazardly placed flowers My own hair is braided around to one side, after the advice of Harrison.

His call came this morning, urging Eric and I to lie low and attempt to fit in.

At first, I thought he was joking. He seemed to take great joy in telling Eric he was to stay in Amity while he went to find Jeanine. But his tone quickly changed, and the situation became more serious than I ever thought.

A few hours earlier, I learned that Jeanine was actively on the hunt not for Eric, but for me. This whole fiasco was going to be pinned on me, not only as the person who destroyed Ashley's pending marriage, but as someone who is currently working to dismantle the factions.

Eric's phone rang, and my lips parted when I realized it was Jeanine. She greeted him like nothing was wrong, and through a breezy speech, she threw out words like Divergent, something about the test results, and hinted that I was not who I said I was. Her belief was that the best option for Eric was to go along with what she was saying. She ignored the fact that the Dauntless army was circling Erudite, she ignored the fact that most of the faction knew she was involved, and she also ignored the fact that Eric had been working for her long before I chose Dauntless.

She kept saying my name, emphasizing it on purpose with a nasty tone, and I almost couldn't breathe. I stood in the kitchen, listening to Eric's phone call, and my heart nearly stopped.

"Bring her to me. I have a way of making this disappear. We'll inject her with some of the newer serums, and she'll be unfit to stand trial. The memory loss serum has been tweaked to make it work faster, and there's another version designed to make the person forget to eat. They lose the desire to exist, and nature does the rest. Listen to me, Eric, there are ways out of this. Your involvement won't go unnoticed. But if you bring Everly to me, we can make this work for both of us. I'll tell security to let you in."

Her tone wasn't as frantic as one would have imagined. It was calculated and cool, bordering on eerily calm.

"Do you really think that will make this all go away?" Eric turned to look at me, and in that moment, I was terrified. His stare was slippery, gliding over my skin like he was sizing me up for something. "Fine. I'll see what I can do."

He hung up on her, facing me with a huff.

He stared with his head cocked and his lips pursed, and had we not had sex a few hours ago, I would have thought he'd lunge to bash my head into the wall and drag me to Erudite. His gaze turned darkly mean, but my heart resumed beating when his phone rang again, and this time, it was Harrison.

He had caught wind of Jeanine's plans to find me, and he was calling to warn Eric. He offered a brusque offering of condolences for the death of Eric's mother, but Eric ignored it.

"Yeah, I heard. She just called from someone else's phone to demand I bring Everly to her. If Everly's test shows even half a percent of divergence, it means nothing. You and I both know the tests mean absolutely nothing. They're rigged by her, to whatever criteria she fancies. There's absolutely no scientific proof behind them."

Eric's stare became less violent as Harrison rattled off some theories on Jeanine's location. He stepped toward me, reaching for my wrist, and in that moment, my fear vanished.

"How long are we staying here? Is Everly still on vacation?"

He was displeased with our current assignment, and even more displeased to know that while this war raged on, the safest place for us was Amity. Jeanine was reaching out via someone else's phone, and her location was never the same place twice. Dauntless couldn't even get into Erudite, and the only reason Harrison hadn't rammed right through the temporary wall was his desire for Jeanine to come find him. He planned for her to self-destruct while everyone watched, but it was taking some time. She wasn't going down without a fight, or at least a last attempt at clearing her own name.

That left us here, in a faction Eric loathed, while the world around us descended into chaos.

"Did they teach you how to bury a body?"

Carole's morbid words break my train of thought. I look up at her in surprise, but she's dead serious.

"In Dauntless? I would assume that was part of your training."

"No, they didn't." I look at her as her hair is ruffled by the wind, and I wish I had grabbed a jacket. "Do you know how to bury a dead body?"

"They teach you how to kill, right?" She eyes me warily, crossing her arms over her chest. "Under the guise of protecting each faction. I've heard Dauntless is a very violent place."

"They teach something like that, but it's not what you think. It's mostly how to defend yourself and how to diffuse the situation. The soldiers are armed, but only when they're on patrol. No one is wandering around Dauntless, waving a gun around." I scan the yard for signs of Ashley's body, but there are none. "Did you move her?"

"I did. I couldn't leave her there all night. The chickens were upset by the noise, and I didn't want them to find her. It might startle them."

"Right." I agree, side eyeing her as I step away. "What about the blood? And the gun?"

"The rain took care of most of the blood, and the gun was given to Rylan. Goodness knows what he'll do with it. I didn't ask. He was far too enthusiastic at such an early hour." She pauses, blinking into the wind. "I made sure there won't be a single trace of her left behind. If anyone asks what happened, we'll say it was an injured deer. Don can burn the grass later, once the ground is dry."

"So…what did you do with her?" I walk over to the spot where Ashley had collapsed, feeling nervous, like she might reanimate and appear out of nowhere.

Carole is telling the truth, though.

There is plenty of dirt and grass, and a few damp spots near where Eric had fallen. The grass should be stained with blood, but there's nothing. The only indication of disruption is the telltale sign that something was dragged a few feet, and some bent weeds that appear to have been trampled.

"Don't worry about it. The details are unnecessary. All you need to know is that she's gone, and no one will ever find her." She stares at the spot by my feet, and her smile is quick. "In my defense, if anyone were to question me, she showed up screaming and firing a gun at my neighbors. I have the right to defend myself and everyone here. I'm sure you'd have done the same."

Up until this point, I'd never once imagined pointing a gun at anyone, even after being taught how to shoot one. I can imagine it now, though I suppose having one's life threatened does that to a person.

"I would."

I smile at Carole, and behind her, Eric watches from the porch.

Dressed entirely in black and his Leader's jacket, he defies every word Harrison said earlier.

Sophia and Courtney are exactly the same as they were the day we said goodbye.

Sometime after twelve, they greet me with overly excited squeals, as though it has been years since we last saw each other. We are dressed alike, in the same style dress in varying colors, and their hair is just as long as mine. Sophia has no shoes on, having run in from the rain with a laugh, and Courtney has a pair of pale pink flats. They hug me tightly, squishing me between them, while Eric blinks from the living room.

He's not entirely horrified by them, but he is mildly curious.

His head tilts while they flit through the entryway. They have brought numerous gifts, and for the moment, it's easy to forget I am stuck here because someone is out to kill me. Generous as ever, everyone in Amity is welcomed, and today is no exception. Sophia hands me flowers and a bottle of something sparkly, and Courtney hands me a basket filled with cookies and brownies. A second bag is filled with fabrics, and the third has several books in it. Once they make sure I have everything, they both turn to stare at Eric.

He stares right back.

It's a frosty glare, but they don't back down.

"Hi!"

"…hello."

He offers them the barest, darkest of greetings. He takes in their clothes, the tangled hair and short sleeved dresses, and his lips curl up into a sneer. He stops himself before truly snarling at them because he can see me looking at him. His gaze is accusatory when I smile brightly from behind them, and I swear regret flashes across his face.

"Eric, these are my friends, Sophia and Courtney. We grew up together." I wait for him to say anything else, but he merely widens his eyes, leaning back in his chair with a shake of his head. "Um, this is…my husband, Eric."

Saying the word husband should sound odd, but it doesn't. It comes out easily, causing his attention to snap to me. My friends are unphased. They smile even wider, inching toward him like he's the newest member of the Amity faction and they are the welcome committee.

"We know who you are. Rylan told us." Sophia tilts her head just like Eric, staring at the heavy jacket and the tattoo on his throat. "Is that real? Did it hurt?"

"Is what real?"

To his credit, he responds to her, though it's a very sharp response. He's staring like she's from outer space, and it dawns on me that he's being given a glimpse into my life before him. Oddly enough, there's an obvious difference between my friends and I, one that I hadn't expected. Working with Eric has made me grow up much faster than had I stayed here. I can see it in the way they take in his appearance, mesmerized by the sight of him, and the youthful way they gaze at him.

In Dauntless, most of the members look like Eric.

Edgy, with dark clothes and sharply styled hair, far more dangerous than Landon bouncing down the path in a pair of clogs.

But to them, he might as well be from another planet. Seeing someone from Dauntless up close is much different than catching a glimpse from afar.

"The tattoo on your throat. How did they do it? Did they hold you down and force you to get it?" Courtney steps toward him, and her stare falls to his hands. "You're very large. How tall are you?"

"Are you six feet tall?" Sophia chimes in. "You look taller than my brother."

"How tall am I?" Eric raises his eyebrow at me, then smiles mockingly. "Are you two related to Rylan?"

"No," Courtney answers sweetly. "But I know him. He comes by to say hello sometimes. He even brought us coffees from Dauntless once. He said they're the best in the world. He was right."

"He visits Kerrie. Do you know Kerrie?" Sophia asks. "She has a house not far from here."

"Fascinating." Eric stands, and their eyes follow to see how tall he really is. "I'm going to call Max and see if they've made it back to Erudite. I'll be upstairs if you need anything."

"You don't want to sit with us while we have tea?" I struggle not to laugh at the look on his face. He stares me down like he does the initiates, unblinking and unimpressed. "I can make you something to eat, too."

"No thanks." He answers slickly. "I'll be back later. Camille said to take whatever it is that she left and it'll help it heal faster. So, I'm going to go…do that."

"It was really nice to meet you. I hope we get to see you again," Courtney says, and Sophia nods. "Maybe you can join us for dinner sometime. We can have Kerrie come, too."

"Doubtful."

I laugh when he stalks away, throwing me a pointed stare before he makes it to the stairs. He doesn't look back again, and my friends watch until he disappears out of sight.

"He's hot. Not very friendly, but hot." Courtney whirls to me, and her eyes are wild. I know I'm in for an interesting visit, because she takes hold of my arm, and all but pulls me into the kitchen with a very excited look on her face. Sophia follows, and the two of them immediately start making something to drink, insisting I sit. When they hand me a pink cup full of lavender tea, the interrogation begins.

Rylan must visit frequently, because it's obvious he's been giving them pointers on what questions to ask.

"What's he like in bed?"

"Is he good? He looks like he'd be very rough."

"How many times have you had sex with him?"

"Is he even hotter without his clothes on?"

"Did he tell you how tall he is?"

"How long have you been together?"

"Does he wear anything other than black?"

Their questions come rapid fire, one after the other, spoken with very honest curiosity. Sophia waits patiently for me to answer, while Courtney nudges my foot.

"You don't have to tell us everything, but we hope you will. We miss you so much. Rylan likes to tell us how you're doing, and sometimes, he'll show us a picture of you and Eric. He mentioned you were hired by Eric to be his wife, and he was just waiting for Eric to make it official."

I choke on my tea.

It burns when it reaches my lungs, no matter how much I cough.

"What?! I was hired as his assistant, not his wife." I shake my head, then take a careful sip of my drink. "What else did Rylan tell you?"

"Lots of stuff. There's someone named after a number, and he's the worst member of Dauntless. There's a guy who runs the kitchen who lets Rylan take whatever he wants. Oh, and Rylan has his own office and a wife. Mostly stuff about Rylan," Sophia laughs. "But he told us you were doing great, and he was happy Eric was happy."

"He mentioned you'd get married months ago. We heard it just happened." Courtney sits up straighter, fixing her hair before looking back at me. "So, was it good?"

"Um," I hesitate only because my cheeks are burning, even though I have no reason to be embarrassed. I grew up with the two of them knowing everything about me, and not too long ago, I'd missed them terribly. I don't have a ton of girl friends in Dauntless, and the closest potential is Christina. I give in, having missed them more than I realized. "Okay, yes. He's really good in bed. I didn't expect it to happen, but yeah. He is really good looking, and you can just imagine what he looks like without his clothes on."

They both immediately blush. I feel a tiny bit guilty about revealing anything, but it's nice to share this with my friends. They lean in, wrapping their hands around their mugs, and nodding encouragingly.

"Go on," Courtney offers, sounding exactly like Rylan. "Tell us more. You're the first one to get married, so we need the details. Is he romantic?"

"Far from it. He's very intense. I don't know if I would have expected anything else. And no, I've never seen him wear anything other than black, except for here. I think he wore a green shirt because it was all he had." I pause when they nod, still waiting for more. "As for how many times have we had sex? A few. I would imagine we would have more, but he got shot, so he doesn't feel great. I don't think it was bad. Camille said it grazed his skin."

"He got shot?" Courtney's eyes widen. "Oh shit! I don't know anyone who's been shot before."

"Me either!" Sophia adds. "And you still had sex with him? He's unstoppable!"

"Or he's just really into having sex with Everly." Courtney laughs. "Are you going to have kids? I'd have twelve of his children, no questions asked. Your mom said he looks very fertile and it won't be hard for you to get pregnant."

"What?!" I choke again, the hot liquid effectively burning away the lining of my esophagus. "When did she say that?"

"This morning," Courtney says. "We told her you should wait a bit. Everyone around here is so baby happy. I don't even know if I want to have kids. Jake asked if I wanted a large family and I almost threw up."

"Are you dating him?" I ask, wondering what else I've missed. "I didn't know you liked him."

Jake and I were fairly good friends before I left Amity. He grew up not far from me, and we spent a lot of time together at school. Courtney used to tease me that he had a crush on me, but when we turned thirteen, he seemed to dislike me more than not. That only lasted a few months, then we became friends again, and he seemed genuinely bummed when I left.

"No, oh no. He's dating someone named Lilac. He and I were working in the kitchen, and I think he's contemplating his life choices. She only has a sister, and he's probably trying to figure out what his future holds." Courtney shrugs. "I'm not dating anyone. I started working last month and it's taking up all my time. But I'm not in any rush. Landon is, though. He was heartbroken when he heard you came back here with someone."

"Really?" I wrinkle my nose, and the thought of Landon makes my stomach turn over. "He's never liked me."

"Well…" Courtney hesitates, and we both know my words aren't entirely true.

Landon and I were more acquaintances, by my choice. His father is close with my father, and for a brief period of time, everyone assumed I'd marry Landon purely based on that. I hated the assumption, because Landon is the definition of boring. Safe, incredibly dull, almost angry when people upset his routine. He thrived in Amity, spending his days in the green house or the fields, and more often than not, preferred the company of nature over anything else. He's not hideous or unattractive. By Amity standards, he's good looking and hardworking, and will make an excellent husband to someone.

Landon's future holds everything I don't want: a husband coming home to a wife stuck inside, waiting on him hand and foot. While Landon wouldn't outright demand that I make all his meals and sit by the fire to fix his shirts, it wasn't a stretch to believe that he would expect something like that. His mother and father were the perfect examples of a happy Amity family, and he would want something similar. I knew that one day, he would go on to take a decently high position in Amity, and his wife's role would be to support him.

"He was convinced you'd come back before initiation ended. For months, he kept bringing you up and telling everyone how hard it is in Dauntless. He's never even been, so we weren't sure how he knew anything about it. He was preparing for your return." Sophia presses her mouth into a fine line, and her words are like a hidden confession. "He even said you'd tried to get ahold of him."

"Really?" Anger rushes through me, burning hot. Once it subsides, I find myself feeling disappointed in Landon and his lack of faith in me. "I never tried to get ahold of him. I couldn't. There's no phone to call home, and they don't let you leave. If I had failed, I would have been factionless."

"I think he assumed you'd fail and show up crying. We told him to shut up, but then got in trouble because he told Johanna and she said not to be rude and to try and understand what he's going through," Courtney says, rolling her eyes. "As if Landon were suffering with you doing your initiation elsewhere."

"He's been kind of weird. I saw him watching me the other day, just sort of standing there." I lean back, and the thud of heavy footsteps upstairs is loud. The house creaks, groaning when Eric wanders to another bedroom. "I should probably say hello at some point. But I certainly didn't miss him, nor did I call him."

"Only if you want to," Sophia suggests. "He's been busy in the fields, so who knows where he even is."

We lapse into comfortable silence, until Courtney asks if I want lunch. She and Sophia offer to make something. I let them, sipping my tea while they explore the kitchen, not wanting to be rude. I quickly check my phone while Sophia makes sandwiches, and to my surprise, there are several new messages.

I skim them, pausing only to read Kacie's.

Hey!

Congrats on the wedding. I won two hundred and thirty-six points in the bet, so when you're back, I'll buy you lunch. I hope the marriage is a success, and it's nice that Eric finally pulled his head out of his ass. I wanted to update you on a few things, and I know you're on "vacation". Harrison said only to message you if it was important, and it is.

1. Arlene is going to come looking for you the second you are back. Don't let her be in charge of your healthcare. We have other options, including these randos who showed up from Erudite and apparently are staying. The one is kind of hot, and I swear someone said he's Eric's father. His wife? Girlfriend? Is also staying and seems nice. I'm sure you know them, so I'd pick them over Arlene.

2. Speaking of Erudite, the situation is reaching its peak. At some point, Eric will be called to Erudite. You'll have the option of going with him, and if they can get Jeanine out alive, you'll be asked to testify in Candor. I'm supposed to warn you that Eric will be asked questions about you and your relationship, and what you witnessed Jeanine asking for. There's a small chance you'll be given Truth Serum. You won't be able to lie, and it tastes like shit. Since you've had access to his work emails as well as his personal emails, they'll question you about that, too.

3. Now that you are Eric's wife, you've officially been evicted from your apartment. There's a team who will pack up your apartment if you want, and get you moved in to his. Your estimated return time is after this week, and they'd like the apartment ready before you're back. I can make sure nothing goes wrong during this if you'd like. Otherwise, I'll give you the number of the guy in charge. If I don't hear back from you, I'll give them the go-ahead since it's supposed to be done sooner rather than later.

4. This one is off the record, but Christian is losing his mind over making you a wedding dress. Be prepared when you return. I'd hide as long as you can, because I saw the sketch and he's clearly forgotten how tall you aren't.

5. Lastly, tell Eric that Four sends his congratulations, though he looked like he just got punched in the face when Jason told him, so it wasn't all that congratulatory.

Enjoy your time in Amity. Hope Eric is letting you get some sleep.

-Kacie

I read the message twice, surprised that I'm already being asked to move. I'm not overly attached to the apartment, but it's a big step to live with Eric. He doesn't strike me as someone who wants someone in his personal space, let alone permanently. I wonder if he'll refuse or turn the movers away just like he did Ashley.

I also wonder how this was processed so fast.

I can only imagine that Rylan took the papers and sprinted back to Dauntless to demand everything be recorded right then and there.

"Would Eric like a sandwich?" Sophia interrupts my reading, and when I look up, she's made enough sandwiches for an army. "Does he like turkey?"

"He does. But you know what? Let me go see if he's hungry." I stand with a smile, pausing to glance out the window. In the yard, Carole is cleaning something up, and Don is helping her. Occasionally, they'll point toward the woods with a scowl. It makes me nervous, but she might just be telling him what happened. "I'll be right back."

"Perfect!"

I leave them in the kitchen, happily giggling as they begin to gossip about a few names I don't know. For a moment, I feel left out, but when I hear Landon's name mentioned again, I know I am better off in Dauntless.

I find Eric sitting on the bed, reading something on his phone.

I'm not surprised when he looks up with a frown. He's probably received a similar message about my apartment, and this is when reality sets in. A marriage in Amity is fine. He might have very strong feelings for me, he might even love me more than he's capable of admitting, but living together is something else entirely. Eric shared his feelings because he knew I wouldn't hang around forever as someone's second choice, but it doesn't mean he's ready to live together.

Surprisingly, I don't hate the idea.

There's something appealing about the thought of being around him while he's at home. The few nights we've shared together have shown that he likes the idea of us. It was a glimpse of what it would be like to live together, and I felt like I fit in with him.

Being told we have to live together is different.

I walk toward him with my arms crossed over my chest, and his gaze goes right to my hands. To the red string still on my wrist, then the apprehensive look on my face.

"Did something happen?" Eric cocks his head, and his voice is low and even. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sophia and Courtney are making sandwiches, and I came to see if you wanted one." I stop in front of him, and he reaches for my hand. His fingers are rough as they skim my wrist, and he works to undo the red string. "I got a message from Kacie. She sent me a few updates about Erudite, and…um, said to be prepared to be given Truth Serum in front of Jack if they find Jeanine. She also said that I have to give up my apartment and they'll pack it up while I'm here."

I wait for him to shake his head, but instead, he nods.

"I got a similar one from someone in the Housing Administration." He focuses on the knot, pulling at it until it gives. "If you're alright with someone going through your things, I'll tell them to get started. If you aren't, I'll have them wait until we're back. You've stayed the night before. It won't be any different."

"Are you sure?"

I give him the out, not because I want to, or because I think he's looking for one. Because the idea of living with him is intimidating. I've only lived with my family, and I have a feeling living with Eric will be nothing like that.

"I am." He looks up at me, serious as ever, and his eyes are light. "It'll be for the best."

He finally wins against the string. My connection to Rylan's club is severed, and rightfully so. Ashley is dead, so there really is no reason for me to keep it on my wrist. Though the club was amusing, it's a reminder of a time when Eric and I were apart, and it obviously bothered him.

After a few more pulls, the string gives completely. He undoes it slowly, and when his eyes find mine, a million emotions swirl behind them.

He stays silent, his gaze eventually dropping to stare at the string.

He turns it over, biting down on his jaw, until Sophia yells that lunch is ready.

They leave with one final, obvious giggle in his direction.

Eric ate lunch with us like he was being tortured. He chewed slowly, staring at them like they were going to announce they'd drugged him into spilling all his secrets. He sipped his water slowly, did his best not to eat the bread, and grudgingly finished the carrots and chips they'd added.

Sophia asked him a few questions about his job as Leader, and though he answered her, it was clear he wasn't a willing participant. When Courtney asked if he had a brother, I thought he might get up and leave. He darkly told her no, then returned to sneering at his food and occasionally me.

They left shortly after, unbothered by his crankiness.

To their credit, they didn't attempt to hug him, nor did they demand to come back soon. They bid him a polite goodbye, winked at me, then giggled as they skipped out the door. Sophia yelled that we were welcome for dinner, and Courtney added that she'd love to show us the new barn if we had time. There were baby horses we could visit, and if we wanted, we could feed them.

Eric's jaw tensed in a painful snap, and I knew he had little interest in seeing anything of the sort.

His hand grazed mine, fingers curling in for just a moment, then his phone rang. He looked down at me with a shake of his head, and when I smiled, he scowled.

"No."

He walked away with his shoulders tight, having had his fill of the Amity faction.

By the time Landon stops by to visit, it is dark.

I answer the door on the fifth knock, right in the middle of putting chicken in the oven, and I am not thrilled to see him standing there. In some ways, he's a lot like Eric. In other ways, they are worlds apart. He's fit and strong, but his hair is a mess of wild tangles, a loose hair tie, and a few dry leaves. His tan shirt is wrinkled, but fitted, and his boots are caked with dried mud. He looks out of place purely because of the look on his face, and the way his shoulders are tense.

He smiles when I open the door, but it's forced. Much like Eric, he stares in an oddly possessive way, his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. He's older than I am by a few years, and roughly the same height as Eric.

"Hi, Landon."

"Hey."

He greets me with little enthusiasm. Landon is more focused on scrutinizing my face, then he sighs. His gaze moves over my head to see if Eric is here, and unfortunately, he's not. He left to go help Carole move a couch, and he only went because I promised I'd have dinner ready when he got back.

"Um, how are you?"

"Are you going to invite me in?" Landon's mouth is a fine line, barely visible beneath his beard. He looks tired, like he just finished work. "Are you cooking something? Is it for him?"

"Actually, I'm right in the middle of making dinner for both of us." I pull the door closed behind me, hoping Landon will get the message. While I should be polite, I don't want to invite him in. He's being very odd, and I have the sinking feeling he's here for a reason. "Can we maybe talk later? I'd love to stop by and say hi to your father. I can come by in the next few days."

"Yeah, he's wondering why you haven't come by yet." He stares, and his sour attitude is strange. "I heard you showed up a few days ago. I assumed you'd visit sooner."

"I came to see my parents. I haven't seen anyone else really," I point out. I try not to sound defensive, because I don't owe Landon anything. "But um, how are you? It looks like you're doing great."

"I'm fine," he snaps. "I was fine until I heard you were back with…whoever that guy is."

"Eric?" I answer without thinking, but the way his face darkens tells me Landon knows his name. "He's one of the Leaders of Dauntless. But yes, he is here with me."

"Yeah, I've heard." Landon's expression turns annoyed, and his brow furrows. "And he came just to stay with you? Why?"

"Well, we're…"

Before I can tell him who Eric really is, Landon steps back. He glances left and right, then his posture becomes defensive.

"Landon, what's wrong? Are you alright?" I hesitate to let go of the door, and something nags at the back of my mind. "Did something happen?"

"You've changed."

"What?" I blink at him, confused as to how different I can appear over half a dozen words. "I don't…I don't live here anymore. I should be different, considering I live in another faction now. I can't stay the same. I wouldn't have made it."

"Did you cheat?" His tone is hotly accusatory. His stare drags from my face to my hands, curling into fists. I'm not about to punch him, but the idea isn't half bad. "There's no way you made it. I've seen the soldiers. You wouldn't survive their initiation. My buddy Cam went. He came back limping and bleeding six weeks later. He got cut after the second round. There's no way you made it to the end."

I'm almost too stunned to speak.

"You think I didn't really make it? You think I cheated my way through my initiation?"

"I just don't think you have it in you. Is that why you're with him? Did he agree to pass you if you date him?" Landon's face wrinkles with displeasure. "I really thought better of you, Everly. Your dad has to be so disappointed."

"Seriously?"

I waver between telling him off, or politely telling him to leave before my dinner catches fire.

I wind up taking a page out of Eric's book and settle on being the appropriate amount of annoyed and completely indifferent.

"Well, Landon, I'll let you in on a secret. If your friend really went through the Dauntless initiation, you would know there's no way to cheat. They watch everything. There's no privacy, no way to convince the trainers to let you pass, nothing like that. And my father should be thrilled that I made it, and if he isn't, it's too late now. So, on that note, I think it's time you leave." I start to step toward him, then I stop.

He wants a fight, but I have zero intention of giving it to him.

"It was great to see you, but I have to go finish my cooking." I stare right into his eyes, and he's nothing like Eric. Eric has never once accused me of cheating, and out of everyone in Dauntless, he'd be the first person to realize someone didn't belong. "Goodnight, Landon."

"Wait!"

He realizes his mistake a minute too late. I turn and slam the door in his face, then I stand there staring at it until my anger subsides.

His accusation bothers me because I most certainly did not cheat. I worked hard to pass, and the pressure to rank high was intense. I refused to be factionless, and I did everything I could to make sure I stayed. I did my best the entire training, with the exception of Karl throwing a few knives for me.

Feeling a flash of unnecessary guilt, I press my palms to my eyes, and remind myself that anyone who doesn't believe I completed the Dauntless initiation doesn't deserve a minute of my time.

Especially Landon.

"Did you tell him?"

I open my eyes to Eric's intense stare. His eyes are framed by dark lashes, harsh against his pale skin. His hair is slicked back, and his cheeks are rough with a day's worth of stubble. I sink lower beneath the bubbles, resting my feet at the end of the tub while he blinks impatiently.

Eric sits beside me, having come upstairs not long ago.

"Did I tell him what?" I sit up straighter when he reaches to touch my hair, coaxing a damp piece off my forehead.

I've been in here a half hour, though the water is still hot enough to be enjoyable. We'd eaten dinner together not long ago, but there was a strange, underlying tension that wasn't there before. Eric was quiet, lost in his head while he aimlessly stabbed his chicken. He eventually told me he'd spoken to Jeanine again, and this time, she'd asked to talk to me. He refused. He told her he didn't know where I was, and he wasn't hunting me down.

She wasn't happy with this take, nor did she like his suggestion that the two of them meet in the next few days. It became hard to swallow my food, and I was just as quiet as Eric. My head swam with a million thoughts, but I mostly kept thinking of Landon accusing me of cheating, and the way I'd slammed the door at him.

"Did you tell him that we're married?" He asks, his fingers stilling. "Or that he doesn't need to stop by unannounced?"

Eric's voice is unbothered, and it should be.

Even in Amity, he has the upper hand. I'm officially his wife, no matter how complicated the situation might seem. In reality, it's not complicated anymore. He was never going to marry Ashley, and I certainly was never going to come back to Amity. Eric and I have an obvious connection, and there was no reason for us to pretend otherwise.

"Did he say something to you?" I lean forward, and the bubbles tickle my skin. "Or did you say something?"

"I saw him on my walk back. He looked unhappy," Eric murmurs, leaning across the tub to look at me. His stare is concentrated on my eyes, and his lips part when I smile at him. He touches my temple carefully, working hard to be gentle as he strokes his fingers through wet hair. "Was he…someone important?"

"No. He was no one to me," I watch his eyes linger on my hair before they return to my face. "I never did anything with him. He just…assumed I'd marry him because our fathers know each other. In fact, he…"

I pause, unable to say the words.

"He what?" Eric leans in further, and his dark shirt catches a few bubbles. "Did he come inside? Did he hurt you?"

His concern is heavy with anger as his eyes flash.

"No. He accused me of cheating to stay in Dauntless. He said his friend went and didn't make it, and there's no way that I did. I guess…I never cheated. Karl threw a few knives for me, but you know I can hit the target." My words sound panicky until Eric nods. "He thought I'd come back here after getting kicked out."

"Oh, did he?" Eric mockingly purses his lips, raising both eyebrows. "He must be sorely disappointed with how things turned out. You certainly aren't staying here once it's safe to leave."

"I know what he's trying to do. He's trying to make me feel guilty for not going to see Jerry. I told him I came back to see my parents. It hasn't even been that long." I sit up further, and my face is mere inches from his. "I should go say hello to Jerry, but we've been busy."

"You have."

He leans in, and I'm taken aback when he presses his lips to my forehead.

The action is startling chaste, almost uptight coming from him.

But it must mean something more because he pulls away with one very intense expression.

"Eric –"

"Let him be mad." Eric shrugs. "If he bothers you again, I'll handle it. He must not have gotten the wedding announcement."

"Has anyone? Other than Dauntless?" I smile when he stares at the ceiling, because we both know that Rylan must have gleefully informed everyone the minute he could. "Do you think Landon is up to something? Maybe he's worried you'll see something he doesn't want you to."

Eric considers this. His fingers toy with the edge of the bathtub, and I wish he'd pull off his shirt and join me. There's no way the two of us would fit, but it's a pleasant thought.

"I think he's mad that you moved on, and don't regret leaving Amity," Eric finally says. "I imagine if you stayed, he'd have a vested interest in you."

"Yeah, maybe. I think… I'm trying to figure out why he's so mad while linking him to a situation that'll end with him taking some sort of memory loss serum to forget who I am. I wish he never came by."

I rest my head against the edge of the tub, while Eric rubs his jaw. The house is quiet aside from the faint sloshing of water, and the occasional sound of the chickens next door. He cocks his head when the wind picks up, and his brow furrows.

"Are you worried about Jeanine?"

"No. I don't think you'd hand me over to her." I watch his face carefully. There's the slight chance that if this were another lifetime, he would bring me to her. But he's no longer as loyal as he once was, and given the war on Erudite, I know he wants nothing to do with her. "You could tell her you will. Tell her I'll meet her. We could show up and –"

"Fuck no."

Eric stands, and his mood changes so fast I have whiplash. He glares at me, like I've insulted him, and shakes his head.

"Absolutely not. You are in no way to attempt to meet Jeanine. While I appreciate the offer, it won't end well. She'll have the security team kill you before you step foot near Erudite. As much as it pains me to say this, Harrison is right. You're safest here. It's the furthest from Erudite, and the last place they're going to attempt to visit."

"So, we're really just going to stay here?"

"You are."

"Eric," I sit up, worried he's about to leave, but I don't get the chance to say anything else. He nods, muttering that he needs to grab something, then he leaves the room in a huff. "Shit."

I sink back into the water, and my stomach turns over unpleasantly. I had a feeling this moment would come, but I certainly didn't expect it to happen so soon.

I wait for him to come back, but he doesn't.

In the morning, I wake to the sound of Eric slamming something on the bathroom counter.

I blink away the heavy feeling of wanting to go back to sleep, and my body protests when I slowly sit up. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust, even though the fire is still going. There is little sunlight thanks to the closed curtains and looming storm, and the only light comes from the fireplace. I squint in the direction of the bathroom, hoping Eric is okay, and when he heads back to bed, I know he is.

"Are you alright?" I sit up further, watching him climb into bed. Our conversation last night didn't make it any further than what was said in the bathroom; Eric didn't bring it up again, and I fell asleep not long after taking a bath. Judging from the look on his face, he's either about to defy Harrison's orders, or he's been told to prepare to help fight Erudite. "Eric?"

"I'm fine." He snaps the words at me, lying down and pressing his palms over his eyes. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Yeah, I did. Are you really going to Erudite?" I wait until he's settled back in bed, and my chest hurts when he pulls his hands away.

He looks pretty shitty.

Eric's skin is a shade paler than normal, and his eyes are dull. His hair is a mess, waving in the opposite direction it normally does, and uncombed. There is red around the stitches, and the blossoming bruise on his skin. He blinks at me, and when I smile, he shakes his head.

"I was going to. I told Harrison I didn't want to stay here while everyone else is out fighting." He mutters. He's quiet for what feels like an hour, and just when I think he's fallen back asleep, he turns to face me. "Kacie called earlier. They found the name of the factionless leader, and..."

He trails off, and my stomach tightens.

"And?"

"She's familiar with your brother's wife. According to Kacie, your brother was seen near the factionless a few weeks ago, and he spoke with her. It's not an exciting link, but they think they can get her to talk with his help. They've been using Four to scope it out." Eric finally answers, and his expression is downright violent. "As of now, initiation is on hold. The initiates are being used as stand in soldiers, despite having no training."

"Really?" I whisper, inching closer to him.

"Yeah, Rylan is being utilized in the field. He doesn't have time to train them, and since Four is helping out, there's no one else. They would bring in Michael or Karl, but they're both being placed near Erudite. For now, they're asking if I'll talk to Forrest. If he knows who their leader is, then we can arrest her and have her brought to Dauntless."

"Maybe Willow was factionless?" I take a wild guess, but it's not at all far-fetched that Forrest would fall for someone with absolutely nothing. "I can talk to him, too. Or I could go with you. He'll tell you anything you ask."

Eric doesn't answer.

He stays quiet, screwing his eyes shut even tighter.

"Eric?"

"Yeah, great. Wonderful. I was going to suggest we leave after breakfast. I have too much to do to be stuck here, while Carole walks around freely drugging people and Rylan is in charge of Dauntless and your brother's wife might have all the answers. Daniel and Camille are living it up back in Dauntless, and we're here, watching the squirrels fall off the roof. You know what, fuck it. Let's go. You can say goodbye to your friends on the way out." Eric announces, blindly reaching for me. His hand hits my arm, and he frowns. "Everly, move closer."

His attitude shifts again, and it's clear he's not happy about a few things.

It could be that we are stuck in Amity, it could be that it's about to rain again, or it could be Blythe. It hasn't been long since her death was announced, and I wonder if he's not sure how to deal with it. I know he didn't like her, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care that she's dead.

"Are you sure you're alright? Is it your mom?" I scoot over so I'm almost touching his chest, and he opens both his eyes. He doesn't look upset, but I wonder if he regrets not getting to say something to her. "Will you miss her?"

"Fuck no." Eric shakes his head, and his hand moves to trace down my arm. He then slips it to my back and nudges me to move over even more. He isn't content until I do. He presses his fingers up and down my spine, tracing a pattern that I can't make out. "I only spoke with Blythe when she wanted something. The only time she reached out was if Jeanine needed an answer she wasn't getting and she knew Blythe would do anything to help. My only regret is that it didn't happen sooner."

"Was she happy you picked Dauntless?" I ask, knowing enough about his mother that I doubt she liked having him in another faction, but she liked his position. "I wonder if Rylan told Daniel yet."

I let my head fall forward, and I have to admit, it's not entirely unpleasant to lie like this. As his assistant, I slept in his bed when I was exhausted, but this is different. He keeps shifting closer, his fingers stilling on my skin, and his leg touches mine. This is far from falling asleep on his couch, and he's warm enough that I could easily stay here all day.

"She liked the idea that she had a connection to the faction. Jeanine wanted someone on the inside, and Blythe offered up my name. By association, Blythe was revered for who she was. She liked the praise of her son being in charge of Dauntless." His voice becomes quiet. "She wanted the recognition for her brilliance, and she was willing to get it one way or another."

"She sounds horrible."

I think of my own mother, and the two are nothing alike. I try to imagine hugging Blythe or asking her to sit with me while I comb my hair. I try to imagine what it would feel like to want her attention, or need something from her, while she was focused elsewhere. I wonder if Eric ever asked for her help as a small child, cried when he was hurt, or showed her something he was proud of. My parents' kitchen is full of drawings everyone has made, art projects that were never finished, and multiple wild animals that have been snuck inside as a new pet. I wonder if he ever stood before Blythe with some sort of forest creature, happily asking to keep it.

I'm going to assume no.

I can't even imagine asking Blythe for toothpaste.

"Are you going back to sleep? You know we can't leave. Not yet." My hand finds his chest, and beneath my fingers, his heart beats steadily. The feeling is reassuring, and the pattern eventually makes my eyes close. "Eric?"

"Yeah. Why not? What else do I have to do?"

He sounds defeated, but less so when I nod. I rest my cheek against his chest, and he exhales heavily. He appears slightly happier when I slip my leg between his, and the two of us listen to the rain start again.

I don't fall back asleep until Eric does, and this time, I'm the one to sigh his name, my fingers curling into his skin until sleep wins out.

The hot water does not turn on.

I fumble with it for a few minutes, blinking in confusion when the water is ice cold. The shower appears to be broken, and for half a second, I wonder if Eric did it. He stands in the bathroom looking smug, in nothing but his boxers and a smirk. He crosses his arms over his chest, and the mazelike pattern on his arm appears darker than ever.

"You know where the showers do work? Dauntless. In my apartment." He calls out, casually leaning against the sink. "I can only assume that the ancient, half-assed plumbing here has finally gone out."

"It worked fine yesterday." I carefully turn the knob in each direction, and my hopes of taking a shower fall flat. "I don't know what happened."

"Probably Carole," Eric throws out humorlessly. "Or the fact that Harrison never stays here."

"Wait, it's working. I think."

My limited knowledge of how anyone in Amity has water loses out to my triumph when the water begins to warm up. I step back with a smile, but Eric remains unimpressed.

"It works!"

"Oh good. Now, we can stay here forever."

He rolls his eyes, but he stops when I reach for the bottom of my nightgown.

He quits sulking entirely when he joins me in the shower, and his hands find my hips. They find other things, including my neck, as he thrusts into me from behind. The hot water turns the air steamy, so thick it's hard to see. My inexperience is obvious as I struggle to keep my balance, but Eric doesn't mind. He kisses my cheek, dragging his lips across to my hair, then tightens his arm around my waist.

The position feels shockingly good, as does hearing him grunt out my name, hissing when the water begins to turn cool.

I don't care.

All I can focus on is how he feels, and how a few weeks ago, this would have seemed entirely impossible.

"So, can we go back now?"

Eric and I sit on the porch with Harrison, watching the storm rain down upon us. Summer is officially over, and the wettest part of Fall has arrived. I don't mind the rain. Eric claimed it was giving him a headache, but that might have been the Peace Serum finally wearing off. I couldn't be sure, but I had a theory that whatever Camille left him had something in it to help with the pain and the stress of getting shot. He was done taking the small, blue pills, and he'd been fairly grouchy since then.

It had been a week since we'd come to Amity.

Six days since I'd signed the paperwork to marry him, and five nights of celebrating.

I've spent so many evenings with Eric, so much free time outside of work, that it felt like it was inevitable this would happen. His touch has always been familiar, and his hand on my lower back reminded me of our days walking through the hallways of Dauntless, except now he had a reason to let it linger there. His gaze was now warm and personal, skimming over my face and often returning to look into my eyes. His body is familiar, and so is the way he grits out my name, sometimes gasping it like it's keeping him alive.

We spent most of our nights in bed, with Eric's hands in my hair and his mouth on my neck. My throat, my stomach, between my legs. At one point, I returned the favor, taking the length of him in my mouth, until he couldn't do anything but groan. The feeling was powerful, every twitch of his cock, jerk of his hips, and grunt that escaped from his lips spurred me on. I looked up to see him with his eyes half closed, his hand roughly yanking my hair, and his skin slick with sweat.

On the fourth night, I made him slow down.

With his body over mine, I made him hold onto me, my fingers wound through his hair and his actions carefully paced and achingly drawn out, and he hated it. He loathed the boring position and the monotonous movement, until something changed. Until his breathing was erratic, until the sensation felt a little too good, and the connection was overwhelming. I watched his expression change, tensing along with the muscles in his back, and he came a few strokes later.

He kept going, mumbling that I'd tricked him, and I smiled, holding on tighter and burying my face in his neck.

Our days were spent with everything and nothing to do.

We scoured Harrison's office to see if we could find anything else interesting, and the best thing I came up with was an official document leaving Kerrie one of his houses. There were a few things from Dauntless, paperwork shoved in the corner of his drawer, and it all revolved around Rylan. His scores in Dauntless, his performance report as a Leader, and his banking information. I skimmed a recent report, showing that Rylan paid for his wedding, but Harrison paid for the open bar.

I baked some cookies, while Eric sharpened all the kitchen knives. He helped me put away the dishes, and every so often, he'd stare into the cabinet like it held the answer he was looking for.

We spent some time cooking, but he let me know my help was never expected. I read a book while he sat on the couch reading his tablet, and every so often, I'd check to see if anything of importance had come through. So far, the biggest break in the hunt for Jeanine was Forrest. He'd been hard to find this week, but eventually, Harrison ran into him and spoke with him. He gave her the name of the factionless Leader, but admitted he didn't really know her, and Willow was afraid of the woman's ex-husband. When pressed, she very softly admitted to seeing children come and go, but it wasn't unusual.

Armed with this information, Harrison stopped by this morning, and told us that Jason and Four were now working to find this person named Evelyn. They were going to bribe her to tell them Marcus's connection, while the rest of Dauntless continued their hunt for Jeanine. Dozens had been escaping, often being found by Dauntless as they fled the faction. What they managed to explain wasn't completely helpful, as none of them had seen Jeanine. But according to Harrison, this was a reassuring sign that the faction would soon crumble.

"No, you cannot leave. You're needed here."

"No, we aren't." Eric's answer is as flat as his expression. I feel a flash of insult at how unhappy he looks, but he nudges my arm, and his fingers skim down my sleeve until they find my wrist. "Everly agrees that –"

"Everly is here on vacation. You are injured. An injured soldier will only slow us down. You can best serve the faction by enjoying your time with your new wife and making sure she's happy." Harrison looks at me, and his wink is quick. "By the way, congratulations on the big day. Quinten is very upset he wasn't there to witness it."

"Quinten?" I repeat, laughing when Eric looks like he's busy counting to a high number. "The guy who runs the kitchens is upset he didn't see Eric get married?"

"Yeah, he's a big fan. Always speaks very highly of Eric." Harrison laughs. "Regardless, your job is to stay here. Nothing is happening that can't be handled by the others. I know it's frustrating to let someone else take the lead but trust me. Enjoy it while you can. Soon enough, you'll be the one handling everything and you'll long for the week you spent here."

"Are you leaving?" I ask. My heart sinks, knowing that the only way out of Dauntless was to make yourself factionless, or jump down the Chasm. I didn't like the rule, or the thought that it would one day apply to Eric or myself. "Can you leave?"

"I can do whatever I want," Harrison shrugs. "If you're referring to the outdated idea that the proper way to bow out is through death, then let me reassure you that it's being revised. Max has no plans of jumping down the waterfalls, nor do I. I just meant that when things are said and done, Eric will be next in line as Max's successor. He will be given more responsibility, though the others will still have a say."

"Who is your successor?" I ignore Eric's curious stare, heavy with something I can't read. "Is it Rylan?"

"He could be what the faction needs," Harrison looks entertained, but he eventually shakes his head. "If he takes it seriously, yes. If not, the position will go to whoever is trained next. Rylan is very smart and very capable, but I don't see him staying forever. He thoroughly enjoyed his plans to defect to Amity if Eric married Ashley."

"Is he jealous that Eric is here now?" I smile when Eric's foot hits mine, and he leans back in his chair with a huff. "I bet he'd give all his points to spend a few weeks here."

"Let him," Eric scoffs. "Even he'd end up bored out of his skull."

"He is jealous. Any soldier would prefer two weeks off, with their significant other, rather than storming Erudite." Harrison takes a sip of his coffee. His plaid shirt is dark, but red and gold. His boots are the same ones my father would wear, and peeking out beneath the sleeve of his shirt, is the same red string I had on my wrist. "He said you two made up. I'm glad the feud is over."

"I wasn't the one who decided we'd pretend the other didn't exist," Eric snaps. "He made an entire club dedicated to what I was doing. Which was my job. In case everyone has forgotten."

Harrison's comment hits a nerve. Eric stares him down, and I'm reminded of the time Harrison reprimanded him in front of the coffee shop.

"Everyone is aware of your job. We were also aware that you didn't really want to marry Ashley," Harrison retorts just as evenly. "Rylan had good intentions, along with a little too much free time on his hands. He was very worried you'd go through with it. It was a rational fear."

"Well, now that that's settled, are you sure you don't want my help?" Eric stares at Harrison, unblinking. "I can't imagine that you have enough soldiers."

"I do want your help, but Everly deserves your full attention. I know Amity isn't your favorite place, but your wife is from here. Did you ever stop and think that she's having a good time? That for once, you aren't placing her life on the line by dragging her into a war she didn't start?" Harrison takes another sip of coffee before he smiles at me. "You should focus on that. You'll be back in Dauntless before you know it."

"I'm not –"

"There is a target on your wife's back. You return to Dauntless, and you run the risk of being attacked on the way. There's a chance someone will leak the information where she is. As far as anyone knows, Everly is somewhere in Amity, hidden away, or not. The odds of Jeanine finding her are very low. The odds of anyone hunting her down are low. The Amity faction has agreed to look out for her. It's in your best interest to stay out of sight for a few more days. I know you're antsy, and you're trained for this but let everyone else do the dirty work."

Harrison seems to understand Eric's frustration over the situation. He lets the words sink in, then smiles at both of us.

"Everly has another week here. Enjoy it while you can. Once you're back in Dauntless, things will be different. Trust me."

"Are you going to stay in Amity?" I try to read between the lines. He's pacifying Eric into staying here, but there's some logic behind it. Knowing that it's likely I'd die before even getting to Erudite is worrisome, but so is the thought of Harrison not being in Dauntless. "You aren't coming back?"

"I'll be around. I have a vested interest in both factions. But once Jeanine is taken care of, Dauntless will need strong leadership to make sure it doesn't happen again. We all know that it'll be handed to Eric. You need to be ready, mentally and physically. Both of you." Harrison toys with the coffee cup, and his gaze is far away. "I'm sure you understand."

"Can I ask you something?" I wait for Harrison to nod. "I found a vial in your office. I picked it up, and I was wondering if it's Death Serum. It has Spencer's name on it."

Eric sits up straighter, tilting his head in my direction. We both wait for Harrison to answer, and his nod is not a surprise.

"It is. A few months ago, I went on a tour of the labs. Every so often, Erudite opens them to the public. You can sign up to see what they're working on. It's meant to be inspiring, to encourage people to work there. I went under a fake name. I hung back, snooped around, and ran into Spencer. He didn't know who I was, but he became eager to show me his work once I explained I was there as an investor. When he wasn't looking, I knocked a tray over and pocketed a vial. I put it here and forgot about it." He pauses, looking toward the path. "If you want me to leave it, I will. It's the last version he came up with. It takes only a few drops to work. I was able to find out they stopped production once he became paranoid about the missing vial."

"So, if you gave it to someone, it only needs a few drops?" I lean closer to Eric, and his leg presses against mine. "And they'd die instantly?"

"Within a few minutes. The accelerated results were an enticing side effect, and Spencer believed it would offer both a kinder experience or the benefit of speed to whoever was administering it. The original version is slow acting. There's something to reverse the original or stop it completely. There's no antidote for this version, though. That's why Jeanine likes it."

"Does she have any?" Eric asks tightly. "Is there a chance she's out there with it?"

"Well, yes. She could have numerous versions of it, but it has to be ingested or administered. She'd have to get close enough to inject you or put it in your coffee." Harrison waves his hand dismissively. "I highly doubt either will happen."

"Got it. So, if we see her, don't get close or drink anything she offers us." I hate that I sound stressed over this, and I can't decide if it's better or worse to know she might have the serum. "Maybe she'll accidentally drink it herself."

"She might."

Harrison agrees. His phone rings before he can say anything else, and a quick glance down reveals Jason's name. Eric waits for him to answer it, frowning when Harrison stands.

"Give me a minute. It's hard to hear him half the time. He dropped his phone in the sink and it hasn't worked right since then." He walks down the steps, venturing toward Carole's.

Eric and I watch as he waves his hand around, and his expression is fairly pleased.

"What are the odds she'll come here?" I lean in toward Eric, and he moves his arm behind me. His fingers skim beneath my hair, grazing my neck, and I'm reminded of our time together in Clyde's. I scoot closer, and he kicks one foot on the small table in front of us. "Maybe she'll have a showdown with Carole."

"I don't think she'll come here. I assume she's holed away in Erudite, doing her best to control the narrative. She's running out of time, though. It won't be long before the faction turns on her." Eric's fingers still, curling into the nape of my neck. "I wouldn't be surprised to find most don't trust her. When I spoke with Jason, he said Abnegation has taken in dozens of people from Erudite. I think the end is near."

"Good."

I settle against his chest, watching the slow world of Amity pass us by.

Families walk down the path, returning after a long day at work. Little kids skip by, shrieking and shouting, while the older ones laugh and race one another. Some of the farmers appear, talking quietly amongst themselves, and lagging in the rear is Michael. He and Karl are walking with a few of Forrest's friends. He looks up right as I look at him, and for once, I can't read his expression.

In the middle of the week, I sit by the fire, reading a book about a family ruling over a kingdom.

The book is immense, the first in a series of seven, pressed into my hands by Forrest. He showed up to drop off something for Eric, but he was in a hurry. He hugged me, told me he'd see me later, then handed me the heavy novel. He swore it was good, but I felt like I needed a list of the characters to help it make sense. There were multiple kingdoms, more feasts than I would imagine possible, and the death of one very beloved man.

I read quickly, giving Eric some space while he takes a shower.

A few hours ago, I stupidly realized his crappy mood wasn't changing, and it probably had something to do with our time together. We were living together, even though this isn't our house. I watched as he kept answering his phone, first talking to Rylan, then Jason. Rylan filled him in on Daniel, insisting he was happy in Dauntless but worried about Eric. Camille had returned, and the two had been given a lovely apartment nowhere near Eric. Jason's news was grittier. Four was not handling the arrest of the factionless Leader as well as one would think. It was revealed he knew her, and his immediate actions caused Eric to very calmly ask if Four was involved.

Even Jason picked up on his tone, and we all knew what this meant. If Four knew the factionless Leader and her involvement, he was going down, too. His girlfriend had vanished into the night, but he was still in Dauntless, now under intense scrutiny.

The other calls were somehow more stressful.

Christian called a dozen times, insisting Eric give him any new measurements he could think of. Eric barked no several times, but Christian was undeterred. Quinten called once, asking what flavor cake I liked. Daniel called three times, and when Eric finally answered, they had a cordial discussion over the death of Blythe, but it left Eric scowling at the wall and shaking his head and telling Daniel he wasn't giving him his apartment number. Kacie called once, offering her congratulations before telling Eric they would send a truck to come pick us up from Amity when it was time.

Strangely enough, Michael's call made me feel better.

His voice echoed when Eric put him on speaker phone so he could take his plate to the sink.

"I wanted to offer my congratulations to you both. I hope you know everyone is really excited about the marriage, and they look forward to getting to know Everly. We've made some progress, and I wanted to update you both. The woman's name is Evelyn, and she's outed Marcus as the one taking the children. We have him in custody, and all that's left is the situation with Erudite. Harrison has asked that we hold off attacking until Eric is back. If Jeanine doesn't surrender by then, Eric is to lead the mission into the faction."

Eric's expression immediately turned pleased.

He smiled, and they went on to discuss the plans of attack. At some point, he reached for me, settling on the couch next to me, but it was brief. Michael asked if he could step outside to talk, and I was stunned to find he was here. I moved by the fireplace to read, and when poor Ned's head rolled away, Eric returned.

"Well?"

I look up at him. His skin is golden thanks to the glow from the fire, and he looks alive. There's a healthy dose of blood lust burning beneath his skin, and Michael's discussion must have been one he liked. For a half second, I start to feel the insult that Eric has not enjoyed his time here with me, but when he kneels down next to me, I know he has.

The Leader of Dauntless is not likely to be content hidden away in another faction, but it's very evident he's not as over it as I thought.

"He sends his congratulations," Eric answers blithely. His hands move to the hem of my dress, pulling the fabric up to my thighs. "He said he's very happy for you."

"Is he now?" I sound just like Eric, but it's hard to talk with his fingers sliding up my legs. Eric reaches one hand to pluck the book from me, and he tosses it aside. It lands with a thud, and when I look at him, he smirks. "Really, Eric? I wasn't finished with that."

"It's long and boring. Trust me."

He keeps no space between us, kissing me slowly. His hand braces the back of my head, while the other skims higher. Since my hands are free, I slide them around his neck, sinking my fingers into his hair. I pull him closer to me, grinning against his lips when he willingly moves over me.

"I wouldn't know since you threw the book across the room," I laugh, giving in when he pushes me back. The thick blanket beneath me is warm, and so is he. "You seem much happier. Is this because we're leaving soon?"

He laughs against my cheek, and I know he is. We still have a few things to do here. I need to stop by and see my father, I should say hello to Jerry, and I'd love to see Courtney and Sophia one more time. But admittedly, I miss Dauntless. I miss the sprawling compound, the high ceilings and dark hallways, and the thought of sleeping in Eric's bed. I miss walking through the faction with him, eating dinner while the members stare, even his friends.

I'm hit with a wave of homesickness, but it vanishes when his fingers touch my underwear, and he gently pulls them down.

"No. It's not horrible here. I'm happy to be leaving, but it wasn't…terrible."

His confession comes when he pulls back to reach for the collar of his shirt. His stare stays on me, not breaking eye contact, and I sit up to reach for the zipper on his pants.

I feel even better when he's back over me, the storm crashing and thundering, along with the howl of the wind through the trees.

Warmed by the fire and Eric, I no longer worry that he's miserable here.

I wake up to a shuffling sound.

I blink a few times, trying to wake myself up. My body groans as I sit up, and I realize we've fallen asleep on the floor. There is a blanket thrown over me, but only half covering Eric. Behind him, the fire is still going, and the storm is loud. I rub my eyes, and when I pull my hands away, there is someone standing by the couch.

I squint into the darkness, hoping I'm dreaming.

I'm not. They don't notice me, nor do they realize I am awake. The figure moves toward the office, and my heart stops beating when they open the office door. The floor creaks, and I know exactly where they are going.

"Fuck."

I reach for Eric, and I know we don't have much time.