Chapter 4- The Spy
(for real now)
*minor[ish] spoilers for The One*
So I realized I haven't been putting this is a couple of my chapters, but I don't own any of the characters, or backstories, or the really anything. ALL RIGHTS GO TO KIERA CASS and honestly, that's a very good thing…
Maxon stood, moving to pull me into his cocoon of warmth. A blaring noise reached my ears, just before I sank into his embrace. I froze. The sound was familiar, but I couldn't figure out what it was. It wasn't until I looked up to see Maxon guiding me to the secret door at the back of my room, that it clicked. Rebel attack. This was a rebel attack. North or south? North or south? North or south? The words were screaming in my head.
"Maxon," The door slid open. Maxon turned. "Maxon, north or south?" He didn't answer. Of course, he didn't. How could he?
"Darling, we need to go." I heard the words he didn't say. Illea cannot lose its princess. I cannot lose my princess. He pulled me into the stairwell. The door shut behind us and Maxon locked the passage with a key he pulled out of his pocket. The stairs were silent except for the sound of our breath. Footsteps approached from behind the stairs.
"Honestly August, I have no idea where the damn diaries are." I knew that voice. Who was she talking to in the middle of a rebel attack? And what were the diaries? "He's never mentioned them before. But if he would tell anyone about them, it would be the five, America. He spends most of his free time with her."
"Fine. But figure it out. If we ever want to get rid of the caste system, we need proof that they were made for terrible reasons and that the almighty "King Gregory Illea" was a rotten person."
I turned to Maxon, eyes wide. What were they planning on doing? The shock was written in every feature, a dozen different ways. Neither one of us would have guessed she was a rebel. "Don't move until she leaves," he mouthed the words in the dim light. A warm, sticky liquid ran down my arms. I glanced down to see that my nails had cut little crescent shaped lacerations into my hands.
"I have to go. We'll be back in the next day or so. Be prepared." the stranger said. Footsteps receded. I let out a sigh of relief, I knew I was holding. Another set of footsteps went in the direction of the safe room. I felt Maxon's arm wrap protectively around my waist, as he guided me to the bottom of the stairs.
Before I knew what was happening, cool metal met my forehead. "What exactly did you hear?" Her voice, the voice of someone I never thought was anything friendly, so cold and empty. So wrong. So not the girl I thought I knew.
"Kriss put the gun down." Maxon's voice was calm, but I could hear the lethal rage behind the words.
"I'm sorry, America." Her voice softened. "You were one of the good ones." Maxon wrapped his other arm around my waist. Slowly, he started to ease me behind him. But Marlee just stepped forward.
"What do you want Kriss?" Maxon's voice was lined with steel. There was something else, though, in his words. Some hidden emotion sparked behind his words. My eyes were glued to Kriss's finger inching closer and closer to the trigger. I willed myself to be strong, to be the princess that Maxon- and Illéa needed. Someone shouted in the distance, a guard, perhaps, come to look for the prince. There was a finger on the trigger when the guard appeared behind Kriss.
The man gasped. I shifted my focus from Kriss to the person standing behind her. It was someone I would know anywhere. His eyes met mine- Aspen. I had forgotten he was in the palace these past couple weeks. "Kriss, this wasn't the plan." He hissed. My stomach dropped. The ground spun and only Maxon's arms, keeping me upright. "What the hell are you doing? You weren't supposed to get caught!" Aspen took Kriss's arm holding the gun, guiding it away from my head. The air kissed my forehead. They stepped back. Kriss threw up her arms. It looked like they were fighting. I couldn't make out what they were saying though.
There was a noise behind them and three palace guards came running up. "Guards!" Maxon called, "Seize them." The true guards approached Kriss and Aspen, guns raised.
"Put down the gun, Lady Ambers." I rolled my eyes. The gun clattered to the passage floor. Aspen raised his arms, eyes filled with panic. I wonder if he knew the man behind him.
"Avery, cmon, you know me." His voice wavered. I almost pitied him. Aspen was like my brother. More of a brother now than Kota ever was. But brothers didn't attempt to kill their sisters.
The last guard came to Maxon and me. He dipped his head at Maxon in respect. "Your Highness? Are you alright?" Maxon looked to me. I nodded slightly.
He turned back to the guard, "Yes, I think we're fine." He guided me past Aspen and Kriss. We turned a corner and the guards at the safe room opened the doors. Maxon grabbed my hand and we walked in.
Queen Amberly rushed up to hug her son. I smiled. Maxon let go of my hand to hug his mother. "Oh, I was so worried!" The queen pulled back and grabbed Maxon's shoulders, making sure he was alright. As soon as she had assessed Maxon, Amberly approached me. She took my hand, "And you are alright, as well?" I nodded.
"Good." She winked. "Can't have my future daughter being injured."
My mouth dropped. After a few seconds, I could almost hear Sylvia scolding me in the back of my head and I composed myself. Queen Amberly only laughed, walking back to the king in the back of the room. I turned to Maxon, eyes wide. He laughed as well. Maxon took my hand again. He led me to a cot in the corner of the room.
"I don't know why you're so surprised. Did you think I wouldn't tell her?" My fiancé whispered.
I laughed, sitting down on the cot. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see King Clarkson beckoning Maxon over. "Looks like duty calls."
Maxon turned. "I'm sorry," he murmured. Dropping a kiss on my forehead, he stood. "We'll finish this later, darling." I let go of Maxon's hand.
"I love you," I breathed.
Maxon smiled. "Forever."
My prince walked away. I looked up to find all the girls staring daggers at me. I almost laughed. But I just lay down on the cot and fell asleep with a smile dancing on my lips.
Everyone except for a few stray guards had all left by the time Maxon woke me up. "It's time to go, darling."
A smile stretched across my face. I opened my eyes to Maxon hovering on the edge of my cot. "How long until you can always wake me up?" I mumbled.
Maxon shook his head, but his eyes lit up with laughter. "Not soon enough, my America. Not soon enough. But we really must be going now."
I sat up. Maxon stood and then leaned over, taking my hand to help me up.
"Why thank you, my prince," I mocked.
Maxon laughed, "Anything for my princess."
We walked back to find Anne, Mary, and Lucy pacing in my room. They let out a visible sigh of relief when they saw I was safe, and with Maxon.
"We'll just be going, Lady America. Call us up when you need us." Anne said as she gathered her sewing basket.
"Oh there's no need, I can get it. Thank you!" I said.
My maids were just leaving the door when Maxon seemed to have some revelation and called out, "Wait."
They turned, glowing at being noticed by Maxon. "I'm going to assume that you are the masterminds behind all of Lady America's dresses." He paused and they nodded. "I was just thinking that I should know who exactly makes America look so lovely all of the time." I smiled. This was exactly something that he would do. My three friends were practically bursting with excitement.
Anne stepped forward. "I'm Anne, and this is Mary and Lucy." They dipped into curtsies Sylvia would be proud of as their names were said.
"Wonderful! Thank you very much. Now go get some rest. Have a good night." Maxon walked to the door and guided my friends out of my room. They waited until the door clicked shut before squealing happily.
I sighed, walking to the vanity. Sitting down, I reached up to pull the pins from my hair. Maxon appeared at my side. "Here let me."
His hands slid into my hair, effortlessly dropping the pins into the dish on the table. When he finished, Maxon placed his hands on my shoulders.
"Beautiful," He sighed. I twisted, swatting him playfully.
"They adore you. They all do and they're not the only ones…"
Maxon grabbed my hand. "It was nothing." He stood, dragging me with him. "Now, I believe we were in the middle of something before we were so rudely interrupted." He got back down on one knee. "Something about marrying me?" I laughed. "Of course I will marry you, Maxon. I love you."
He stood pulling out the box he must have slipped into his pocket when the rebel alarm went off. He went to open the box. I placed a hand on his.
"I'm going out on a limb here and saying this is our little secret." Maxon nodded in confirmation. "When you ask me in front of everyone, show me then. I want to be surprised."
My fiancé slid the box back into his coat pocket and wrapped me in his arms. I laid my head on his chest, listening to the soft thump of his heartbeat. Maxon pulled back. "It's late, I should be going."
I groaned, but let go of him anyway. "I love you."
"I love you too. I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast."
The door clicked shut. I made my way to my closet and chose one of the nightgowns. I changed and then slid into bed. My eyes closed and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.