Maxon's point of view.

We had just finished our last rehearsal before the wedding, we had filmed our portion of the Friday report earlier so we had a few hours free before we would need to go to sleep. I had thought about the meaning behind what caused America to drag me up to the roof last night. I was angry at her when I suggested we go to bed, but I didn't want to fight with her so close to the wedding. However, I snuggled close to her that night feeling her head on my chest. I realized what she was trying to do. I hated the idea of showing my scars to anyone, but with my parents gone I did need people I could trust with anything. I would form a circle of people and let them in. America was brave enough to trust me with her deepest fear which I had not realized till that night was asking for help. I would not let her down. It would take time but I would find my circle. But for now I planned an impromptu bachelor party. I didn't want any attention but I felt after what America said I'd make an effort so I invited Aspen and Carter to come watch a movie with me. During America's spa night she planned for all her friends,sisters, and maids. Before the movie started, Kota walked in. " Some party this is, for a king, I expected more" . I didn't know America's older brother well but I noticed no one who did liked him.

Aspen spoke first . "Kota what are you doing here?" It Sounded more like an accusation than a question.

"Haven't you heard, there is a big party tomorrow where my baby sister is going to cuckel a King. But I guess you know all about that , six ."

Aspen stood up looking every bit a guard of the Palace even out of uniform with his cane in hand getting square in his face with a shockingly calm but authoritarian "Get out of here Kota, your out of line"

This looked to me to be exactly what he wanted. He wanted to see Aspen squirm under pressure. I don't know their history but I could see Kota was enjoying it. I could see that this wasn't about Aspen, he was just an easy target, as Kota squared off to him . I realized it was about getting to me, but he didn't care about who he took down in his path to belittle a king .

"How does it feel to share your woman with a king who can give her anything she wants? . How's it feel to know You weren't man enough to feed your family after you dad died and my dumb sister is so in love with you she willing to be a kings whore to keep you from being sent to die in New Asia. I saw you kissing her in the garden the other day . This whole wedding is a charade. How long are you both going to pretend it's not… maybe" he looked at me over aspens shoulder confirming what I already knew about his motives smiling like a Cheshire cat "… when the kings first dark haired child shows up"

To Aspen's great character he didn't punch his lights out, I wanted to myself but I had the upper hand . " I saw him kiss her too, my office window overlooks the garden." Aspen spun around but didn't speak, I hadn't moved from my seat and tried to look bored by the situation. "Kota, I know you're bitter for reasons I'm sure only you understand. But Insulting my Queen could get you canned or worse so I would suggest you keep your mouth shut. "

He looked defeated . Like a gambler who just lost a winning hand, but still with chips left to play.

"So this is the kind of king you want to be, a pardoner of traders, with the leftovers of a Six."

I knew then what his issue was . It was simple . He was jealous of anyone who had climbed higher than him. Aspen was now a 2, America was going to be a 1. But soon none of that would matter. So I layed down my trump card.

"As king my first order of business is dissolving the castes. Everyone will be equal. Who are you going to try and belittle out of jealousy then Kota? How are you going to maintain your image of superiority when you have none?

He looked at me angrily but didn't have anything left to say.

Aspen moved first, followed by Carter and they both physically removed him from the theater, handing him off to other guards to lay low in his room.

When they returned Aspen started to apologize but I stopped him. "America loves you, she always will. But we both know that her heart is big enough to love us both. Carter added . " Now it's officially a wedding, you can't have a wedding without some drama from the In-Laws." The three of us roared with laughter

After I regained my composure I stated "It's going to take a long time to rebuild after the castes. If a lot of people think like him we truly have our work cut out of us."

Both went quiet and I felt like they did so because they saw me as their king. Carter spoke first. "Yes. You do sir." I saw Aspen nod in agreement.

"We…America and I can't do this alone. We need our friend to help us too." They both look at me processing the words I'd just said. We started the movie and joked throughout the movie about growing up, our wife's ( or soon to be wives in Aspen and my case) it was the first time I'd ever just kicked back with men I could call my friends.

After the movie I walked to my room, I wanted to jump into bed and smother America with love and let her know that she was right but I knew her mother would have me beheaded as she was adamant that we couldn't see each other at all before she walked down the isles tomorrow . It was shortly before midnight when I heard a knock on the door between our rooms. I opened the door and America fell into my arms .

"Shh…" she said and kissed me like it's been weeks rather than hours since she last saw me. Tuned and walked back into her room, locking the door behind her . I looked over at my clock and it was 11:58. She had left just before midnight so , she never actually broke her mother's superstition about weddings.