Chapter One
His blonde hair is messy and tousled beneath the white sheets, his smile warms my heart and I feel myself glowing as he kisses me over and over across my shoulders and collarbones. I giggle softly as he comes to kiss my lips softly, my hands run through his soft hair and pull him close to me in an embrace.
"I love you, America Singer." He murmurs. I look deep into his eyes.
"My lady?" A high-pitched female voice cuts my dream short. My eyes fly open as I realise, I'm not with Maxon. I haven't been near him in two years. I roll over in my large bed and see one of my maids, Anne, smiling at me. In her hands in a tray of tea and croissants. "Good morning, my lady. I'm sorry to wake you."
"No," I wave my hand at her in dismissal, "no need to apologise Anne. I'm sure I should've woken up earlier. What time is it?" I ask, sitting up and accepting my tray.
"It's nine in the morning ma'am." She begins opening my heavy curtains. I adore Anne and Mary, they have become my closest friends besides Marlee, but I do miss having the trio greet me every morning like it used to be. Still, I had to let Lucy go and be happy. She deserved a true love like what she found with Aspen.
"I suspect Jackson has already gone to work?" I ask.
"Yes ma'am. He didn't ask me to say anything this morning though, so I assume it's a usual day at the office." Anne shrugs, opening the last set of curtains. Beautiful sunlight streams into my bedroom and perks me up a bit. I have nothing to do with my days now I was engaged to Jackson, he likes to work and bring home the money. It makes him feel worthy and powerful I suppose. I had no fight in me anymore to refuse, so I spent my days as Queen Amberly did in the palace, without the ball gowns and grandeur. Anne helps to dress me after breakfast, presenting me with a day dress that hugs my figure in all the right places. She does my hair up today in a bun with neatly curled strands hanging elegantly. I love my dress, but nothing compares to the attire at the palace. Once Maxon proposed to Kriss, I chose not to attend the wedding. I was given a beautiful mansion in the richer part of my home, where the other two's ad three's resided, I became a lady, with my fiancé the lord of somewhere. I didn't care to educate myself. Jackson was selected by the king for me, but I knew that man would happily have me stripped to an Eight.
"I think I'll go and see my mother and sister today, Anne." I say as I slip into some small heels. She nods, standing by the door waiting to see me off.
"Very good my lady. The car will be out the front for you." She smiles as I leave. I feel sorry for Anne, and Mary when she is working. The house is empty at the moment with just Jackson and I living there. We aren't married yet, I keep finding reasons to put off the wedding, and therefore won't have children until we are married. I take my seat in the car ad silently gaze out of the window until I reach my mother's house. May is thrilled to see me, as usual.
"America! You look radiant!" She grins as I walk down the garden path to my mothers cottage. After my father died, and I was dismissed from the Selection, my mother requested a private, subtle way of life. She was given a cottage in the countryside where Kenna and James and their children also live. The house is large, but it isn't grand like the palace or my mansion. It's homely. My safe place.
"Well so do you!" I bend down to hug my sister. I'm twenty now, so have grown a little. Her arms wrap around my neck and I am instantly at ease. "No schooling today?" May has a tutor now in any subject she could want, but she still prefers music.
"No, mom let me have the day off." She beams.
"Did she now? Where is she?" I ask as we walk towards the cottage.
"in the kitchen, I think she's baking." I follow my sister into the kitchen and the comforting smell of home cooking envelopes me. I greet my mom with a hug and she rubs my back lovingly. We sit and chat for a little while about what she has been up to and what May has been learning. The conversation dies, and she gives me a hard, but concerned look.
"America, I know you're not happy." She says, sipping her tea and eyeing me over the rim of her mug. I shrug.
"They warned me it would be hard to adjust to life after the Selection." Mom chuckles and shakes her head.
"No, America. I know you aren't in love."
Her comment surprises me. Whenever I am around Jackson, I'm bubbly and lively, but I know it's a mask. There are feelings that haven't faded.
"I don't know what you mean." I sip my own mug in order to deflect her gaze.
"America, listen to me. You have to allow yourself to love again, be open to the idea of it. Jackson is a wonderful man- "
"But he's not the man I chose." I sigh, drawing circles in the table with my finger.
"You love the prince?" She asks, her voice soft.
"Love? I don't know." I scoff, "I miss him. I dream about him nearly every night, I think of him daily. I see him on TV with Kriss and I just can't help but think, that should've been me." I feel my eyes brimming with tears.
"You didn't want to be the princess." Mom reminds me. I roll my eyes.
"I wanted to be his princess. His queen. I ruined it all." Tears slip from my eyes.
"Well, you might have another chance. This was sent here by mistake, but it's addressed to you. I assume the palace don't know your actual address." Mom grins, sliding a regal looking envelope towards me across the table.
"It's from the palace?" I ask, grabbing it eagerly. My mind rushes to Maxon, maybe he's wrote to me telling me he's made a mistake and still loves me. I've dreamt this scenario in my head so many times the last couple of years. I shake as I open the letter.
Dear Lady America,
You are invited by His Royal Highness Prince Maxon Schreave to attend a reunion of the Elite at the palace. The festivities will last one month, with events each week and planned appearances on a tour of Illea. You will be guests within the palace with your partner and welcomed back warmly.
Please respond as soon as possible.
I look forward to seeing you back in the palace.
Warmest Regards,
Siliva
It isn't what I expected, but it makes my heart speed up, nonetheless. My mom watches me with a fixed expression, waiting eagerly for my reaction. I place the letter on the table and stare at my mom in shock.
"I've been invited to the palace, for a reunion." I say, excitement filling my body. The thought of seeing Maxon again making me flustered.
"You have to go!" Mom grins excitedly.
"I don't know. I want to see Maxon, but I can't bear to see him with her. All happy and in love."
"You take Jackson, and maybe you'll see you are better off now." She takes my hand encouragingly. "You both need the closure." I nod and take another look at the letter. Perhaps she's right, I do need closure and one last talk with Maxon could help.