America felt herself dreaming it was beautiful but she knew even in the dream she knew she would not remember it. She felt a warm flutter on her check. Maxon was kissing her Cheek. She didn't remember falling asleep but when her eyes fluttered open she was sitting in her office at the Palace. It had been about 6 months since the wedding and they had been working so hard . They have removed the two lowest castes and things in the kingdom were settling, giving them hope. There had not been a single attack since the few tiny skirmishes outside the palace walls arresting the last of the rebels just after the attack that killed maxons parents, and the threat of attack felt like a distant memory . While nothing about their reign had been easy, America had figured out how to open up and ask for help without imploding and had actually managed to accept her role more gracefully than she thought . Maxon had proven to be a great leader like she knew he would so she felt at ease, and revealed in his kisses till it dawned on her … she had been asleep in her office and sat up with a jerk. Noticed the setting sun out her window.

" I think you need a day off my love." Maxon said sweetly.

When did I fall asleep, she thought . Then felt the queasiness she felt the last few days and focused on not letting it show.

" I have so much work to do." She said trying to look like she was busy again but had no idea what she had even been working on before she fell asleep. Her mind was torn. She wanted to talk to him about what she knew but it wasn't the right time.

" America, It's ok, you can take a break. You have been Queen non stop for weeks with this latest cast merger." He said and scooped her up out of her chair . She tried to resist him but she couldn't.

"What are you doing ,I need to work."

"Not anymore today, I'm taking you to bed ." He seemed more tense than usual. But maybe that was just the nagging doubts that have been steadily taking over thoughts the last few days.

When they got to the hallway , Aspen was at his usual post outside their side by side offices . He nonded to Maxon, looking amazing in his new generals uniform, he had just come back from his honeymoon to Lucy and taken over as head of the Royal guard . He and the rest of those inside the palace were used to Maxon showing affection to her everywhere in the palace. Afterall it was their home, and they agreed that guards, advisors, and the rest of the staff inside the walls was just a part of their lives, and they were a young married couple in love so they were going to be just that inside their home.

Maxon dropped her into his bed below a beautiful photo of their wedding day and proceeded to take off her shoes and Jeans for her. I was in a soft blouse so it just as comfortable as a nightgown so I encouraged him to come lay with me . I thought maybe we could talk because this was our space. Most of our married life as husband and wife was spent in maxon's room even though I had my own. By the time Maxon had taken off his suit and laid beside me on his stomach in his black boxers I was almost asleep. I rolled over enough that I could trace my fingers along his back. It would always be scared, but many nights I fell asleep tracing my hands across his back. He had told me it felt good to feel my warm soft touches, he admired me for never hating what he felt was repulsive, and it was time spent like this that was retraining his brain to love being touched by love in places that had known so much pain. They had also made it a rule that under no circumstances was anyone to come into his bedroom unannounced… So we both felt safe here to take off our crowns, and just be us. A married couple in love with our own ups and downs. So it was utterly shocking when Aspen Burst into the room seconds before the rebel alarms went off, gun drawn shouting at us to stay down slamming our door behind him . Maxon instantly placed his body in a defensive position ready to protect me from any threat . Shouting at Aspen to get a better understanding of what was gone on. Suddenly there was a crash just outside our bedroom door. How had rebels gotten this deep into the palace without more notice? My whole body shook in fear . Fear had paralyzed me and Maxon in our bed . I saw Aspen open the wall to the hidden safe room, Maxon had scooped me up and all three of us moved into the tiny space , not much bigger than my closet in carolina. Maxon remained wrapped around me and noise echoed around us . This was not the best saferoom be in, it was one of the first ones added to palace and it was not well thought out or as advanced as the ones added as attacks became more commonplace. Finally, I began to process the situation differently, I could see fear in Aspen . I never knew he could fear before that moment , his hands were tight on the gun he carried , body trained between Maxon, I and the door poised to take down any threat that came though it but he eyes were on his wedding ring. His body responded to his training, but now locked in this room he was hurting for Lucy. I looked Maxon in the eyes and I realized he didn't have time to grab a shirt . Aspen would most certainly know about his back… he looked deep into my eyes where I'm sure he read my thoughts and whispered in my ear . "It's ok." And relaxed his back to the wall and stretched his legs as best he could . I sat beside him then instantly drew my legs into me suddenly flushed at being in just a shirt and underwear. Aspen was still ridged.

"Aspen, Lucy is going to be fine. At this he relaxed just slightly and turned his head to speak, then turned back to the door the flush rising in his cheeks .

" I'm sorry to rip you out of bed ." Aspen said. Despite my fear I felt I laughed.

That small chuckle released him from the awkwardness I'm sure he felt at being locked in a room with two people in their underwear. We hunkered down and a few hours later we heard a knock on the door and saw it open. It was Carter. Though not a guard anymore he was alone in the room. Aspen instantly changed from relief and took a guarded stance.

"Why are you here ? Why not a guard …?"

"Aspen, when the guards suspected you three were in this safe room they sent for me , out of respect of the kings wishes not to have guards or advisors in his bedroom,"

Maxon spoke up and put his hand on Aspen's shoulder . "Carter, thank you, do you know where Lucy is?" Aspen relaxed.

" yes, she is fine, she is with Marlee who's being looked at by my dr.Asher to be sure the baby's ok after the scare." . Aspen looked at Maxon and me.

"Go Aspen. We're fine ." I said And with that he took off running .

At this point Maxon Spoke up. " Carter now that we got the all clear, can you leave us so we can get dresses ."

Carter flushed, it was clear that up till this he had not processed he was standing in the doorway of a fortified closet with two people in their underwear. He turned and left and we both burst into laughter.

There was almost no damage to the palace . The attack had been a small band of teenage rebels , mostly children of the older leaders we had already arrested. The attack response had been delayed mostly due to everyone growing comfortable with no attacks for so long . However these rebels were not master criminals , they were set on advenging their parents' war and were unorganized and unarmed, just bent on causing a ruckus.

I felt uneasy after the attack intending to wait up for Maxon who was Meeting all his advisors following the attack. All the same heartache I have been feeling for the last few weeks resurfaced with vengeance. I knew I would need to talk to him about what was making me so uncomfortable but I just couldn't face it . When I looked at him there was nothing but love for me in his eye, I saw the truth in it. His actions also spoke to his unyielding love for me. Without hesitation he covered me with his body knowing that his choice in shielding me would reveal his darkest secrets to another person. I thought how can his heart be in two places at once … without any hint of wavering?

Late into the night Maxon slipped in almost silent expecting me to be asleep .

"Maxon, can we talk " I said, sounding like a petulant teenager.

This clearly struck a tender nerve in him and he looked hurt.

"America, you can talk to me about anything you never have to ask." He said stiffly.

His expression made my resolve falter as I wanted to kiss his pained face .

I stammered before I found my willpower to follow my plan .

" Who is Brice? " just three words that had the potential to ruin me.

Maxon shattered in front of me. I expected anger, denial, or anything else …but no utterly broken wasn't expected .

America, I don't know how you heard about her, I just wanted a plan in places before I told you everything to keep you safe. " he looked at me and struggled to continue. "America, she is my sister . I found her records when I was cleaning out my parents room before the wedding. But I had no way of knowing where she was then but I found her a few days ago. I'm sorry I didn't know what to do. If anyone found out my advisors would want her eliminated and anyone who knew about her as a threat to the crown …I couldn't put a bounty on either of your heads so I kept everything hidden to keep you both safe . Do you understand any of this ? " he asked, almost begging me with his tone.

I got up to stand in front of him and kissed him, wrapping my arms around him. " I want to meet my sister in law." Is all I said but it was enough to ease all the tension in his body and he felt heavy in my arms which was a strange feeling cause he carried me so easily, but I struggled under his weight. But I couldn't let go. I knew he needed me to be strong for him . I didn't have words but We didn't need them, we had each other . When he spoke next I knew why he became so shattered.

He told me of the first time his dad beat him and how it was over him cheating on Amberly. I had stumbled dangerously close to accusing him of being like his father with my tone and he knew it . I felt terrible but all the heartache that had been consuming me for the past few weeks lifted and in its place I found a new place in my heart open for a sister-in-law. The laws in our country were not on our side in this matter even as royals , but we would find a way to keep her close , and her true identity a secret. I mean , what a little treason to a couple like us ?