A/N: So sorry for the delay with this! I finally pulled myself together. This is set between chapter 28 and 29 of Playing the Game- not entirely necessary to read if you haven't already, but some things will make a lot more sense if you do. Thanks for reading!
I laugh as America frantically dashes to the sink, twisting her hair into a knot.
"Do I have time to put something nicer on?" she calls back to me.
"No," I answer, opening a drawer on my nightstand to find a bag of hair pins that I asked one of America's maids for a few days ago. She pouts in response, so I steal a kiss. "Here." I hand her the packet of metal contraptions and she kisses my cheek in thanks.
I pick my dress shirt up off the chair where it's hanging.
Was that just a few minutes ago?
It's frightening how much influence America has over me, truly. I've been planning for the last two years, trying to think of a way to avoid telling my wife about my back, but one ounce of comfort from her, and suddenly I've told her everything. At least now I know I'm strong enough to fight back. It will never happen again.
America creeps up behind me as I wind my tie around my throat, but I see her in the mirror before she can scare me. I open my arms, and she's wrapped herself around my torso before I can begin to pull her closer.
I smile, winding my arms around her waist, and kiss the top of her now neatly braided hair.
"Carter doesn't know we're engaged, right?" she asks.
"No, not unless Marlee's told him."
America sighs. "She won't. I'll have to leave my ring here," she pouts.
"I can take it," I say, pulling my hands behind my back to find the ring on her finger, slide it off, and drop it into my suit pocket. "Good?"
America nods against my chest and squeezes me tightly. "Not as good as wearing it, but still good."
I return my arms to their place around her waist and squeeze her back. "Thank you."
She pulls her head away from my chest. "For what?"
I shrug. "Everything. For assaulting me the first time we met, for loving my mother, for standing up for Marlee, for dumping Aspen. For everything."
America slides her arms up to clasp them behind my neck, bringing me down for a chaste kiss.
"Thank you," she whispers, leaning her forehead against mine.
"For what?" I grin.
She rolls her eyes, but smiles nonetheless. God, I love her.
"Everything." She mimics my shrug. "For dating four other women at the same time as telling me you want to marry me, for hiding my best friend in your kitchen, for letting me stay when I told you that Aspen was here. For everything."
"Three," I correct her as I release her, kissing the tip of her nose. I turn back to my armoire and pull out my suit jacket. "Ready?"
"Three what?" America watches as I open the secret passageway and motion for her to go through first. I close it behind us and guide her down the steps, taking her hand in mine. I rub my thumb over her ring. I can't wait until she never has to take it off again.
"Girls. I'm going to dismiss Celeste tomorrow. There's no real point in keeping her here anymore."
"Oh." She's trying to hide a smile, I know. "What made you decide that?"
"She's made it clear enough to everyone that she doesn't want anything to do with the responsibility of being Queen, I think," I explain. "People won't ask too many questions, though she definitely has a fan base."
"That puts us a little closer to the end," she says softly, turning away slightly.
"It does, indeed, my dear," I say absentmindedly, pulling her hand to my lips for a kiss.
"Your what?" America quirks an eyebrow, not moving an inch.
"My- my dearest love, of course."
"Mm," she agrees, managing to make that single sound seem more sarcastic than any sentence could. "One of these days, I'm going to have to come up with a real consequence for that."
I smile as we turn another corner, stretching down towards the staff's quarters. "Let me know when you think of one."
We walk in silence for a few minutes, content to clasp hands as we wander through the palace catacombs.
"I can't believe Marlee's really getting married," America finally marvels.
"I was wondering if that had really sunk in," I grin. "We had to wait awhile, but I finally managed to get a magistrate in here."
"We promised to be each other's Maids of Honor," she says to herself. "After- well, I didn't think we'd be able to."
I squeeze her hand. "She won't be able to be yours," I apologize, "but I'm glad that you can be hers."
"Will they ever be able to come back?"
"I think so," I admit. "But maybe not for awhile. Once I'm king, we can help them a little more. But we will have to wait much longer, for people to forget a little more, before they can go back to normal. And, my father-"
"I understand," America says gently, squeezing my hand in hers.
I bring her hand up for a kiss again, and she lets me this time.
"Here we are," I announce, coming to a door that looks like every other door in this hallway, except for the small name plate on the wall reading "Mallory Pal." I knock on the door, looking out for anyone who might be walking around down here.
Marlee opens the door quickly, and she and America fall into each other's arms, chattering unintelligibly. I gently push them back into her room, closing the door behind us, laughing all the while.
"I can't believe you're getting married!" America whispers excitedly.
Marlee waves her off. "Oh, psh. You're getting married, too, and every girl in the world is going to be jealous when they find out."
I stay back at the door. I hate it when people talk about me like that. I know Marlee means well, but I'm still just a man. Nothing special. I take a deep breath and walk up closer to the two of them.
"I must take my leave, " I inform them. "I'll go get Carter and the magistrate. You two get ready, and we'll be back soon." I kiss Marlee's hand and America's check then they turn around and ignore me. I smile as I close the door behind me and quickly make my way to Carter s room at the other end of the wing.
This hallway is identical to the one that houses Marlee's room, but the names are all male instead of female. I knock at the door whose name plate reads "Carson Wooler" and am quickly granted entry. There is a man in a suit there with Carter, but they seem to have been sitting in tense silence. Both men bow when I come into the room, and I quickly acknowledge the gestures so they may rise.
"Your Highness," they say at the same time.
"Good evening, Justice Lea. Congratulations, Carson."
"Thank you, sir," Carter grins. "I appreciate your setting all this up."
"Of course. I'm sorry I couldn't do more." Truly- I would've stopped everything if it were possible.
Carter claps a hand on my shoulder and I barely contain a wince. "You have done far more than anyone else would have," he says solemnly. "Mallory and I are well aware of that. We will never be able to repay you."
The back of my neck goes hot. "There's no need," I deflect. "The only reason my help is necessary is because- well, nevermind." I can't exactly openly criticize my father and the monarchy of which I am the future. "Your Honor, I trust you have been given everything you require?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Justice Lea confirms, patting the breast pocket of his suit. "The certificate will require signatures from two witnesses."
I nod. "Lady America and myself will both be present. Though I do demand your discretion," I point out. "Lady America and I are quite fond of Carson and Mallory, and are not ashamed to be here, but it would be unfortunate should other residents of the palace expect the Prince to attend their wedding."
"Of course, sir."
"Shall we?" I gesture back to the door, smiling at Carter's excitement. I wonder if he notices his fidgeting. Or if, as we walk down the hall, that Justice Lea and I struggle to keep pace with him.
"Are grooms always this energetic?" I ask the magistrate.
"In all the best matches," he says with a small smile. "Some find officiating marriages tedious, but I quite enjoy meeting young couples in love."
"Does it ever get old?" I continue as we round another corner, Carter slowing a tad to let us catch up. "Saying the same words over and over again, everyone using the same vows?"
"Not really," he says thoughtfully. "I have many other duties, of course, and I am a bit of a romantic. I find that many couples focus on different aspects of the vows. Some find the physical commitment most meaningful, some the emotional, and some seem to be marrying for other reasons still. Considering a career change, Your Highness?"
I chuckle as I tuck my hands behind my back. "Not in the slightest. Merely curious, as my own nuptials are fast approaching."
We reach Marlee's door- just a minute or two of a journey- but Carter acts as if it were hours. I could mention that he broke protocol - the highest ranking person (me, in this instance) is always supposed to walk in front. I doubt that would be a productive thing to bring up.
Carter raps on the door twice, and America opens the door just wide enough to see through.
"Stay back," she says. "Maxon, lead him in with his eyes closed and I'll sneak Mallory out, so we can at least pretend she's walking down the aisle."
Carter stands on his toes, trying to see beyond America to his fiancée. I laugh and pull him back. "Very well, my dear." I tug on his arm and he follows easily. America's eyes narrow and I can hear the wheels turning in her head as she tries to think of a punishment for me. I wink at her.
I look up to make sure that Carter's eyes are shut and pull his hand up to my shoulder. America opens the door wider to let us through, and I see Marlee facing the corner behind the door. Once Carter and I get past my fiancée, Justice Lea behind us, America quickly guides Marlee out. She stands in the doorway as she pushes Marlee to the side, out of Carter's line of sight.
"Ready," she calls. Carter opens his eyes and turns toward her voice, but his face falls when he realizes he can't see Marlee.
Justice Lea smiles fondly and clears his throat. "Shall we get started then?" Carter nods, and we all laugh when Marlee calls her support from the hallway.
America smiles like the sun and holds an elbow out. A small white hand wraps around it from beyond the door frame. Marlee steps into view, and I'm sure Carter's eyes are fixed on her neat yellow curls or her sweet smile, but I just barely notice either before my eyes are fixed on my own love.
Her hair looks like fire in the candlelight, and even though she wears just jeans and a sweater, she has the natural bearing of a queen. She doesn't so much as spare me a glance, but her sly grin tells me it's purposeful.
"Who gives this- oh, well, we can skip that bit," Lea mutters, flipping through the book he pulled from his jacket pocket.
"I do," America says clearly. "I have seen how Carson cares for Mallory, and she for him. I have every confidence that he will be able to provide for her every need. As her closest relation here, I give my unmitigated support to their union."
Marlee kisses America's check, and she returns the affection as she places Marlee's hand in Carter's. I look up to see tears shining in Carter's eyes as he pulls Marlee to stand beside him before the magistrate. America steps over beside me, and I start to wind around her waist, but she dodges my touch and nudges my side.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Mallory Pal and Carson Wooler. Does anyone here object to this union?"
No one moves a muscle, as if we are waiting for someone to barge through the door and stop us.
Justice Lea nods and turns back to his book, looking up at Marlee. "Do you, Mallory, take Carson to be your husband in the eyes of Illéan law?"
"I do," Marlee answers quickly, staring into Carter's own infatuated gaze.
"Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him throughout your lives?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to respect, comfort, and keep him, in sickness and in health?"
"I do," Marlee says with a small smile. I suppose they've had that put more to the test than most couples have at their wedding.
"Do you promise to share your joys and sorrows, and forsaking all others, to be faithful to him alone?"
"I do." Again, she turned me down for Carter. If that doesn't tell him that she loves him, I'm not sure what will.
America has apparently developed the ability to read my mind and elbows my ribs. I try again to wrap my arm around her, but she sidesteps me again.
I shake my head, bemused, as Justice Lea asks Carter the same questions he asked Marlee. Shockingly, Carter answers the same as well.
"Do you have rings?" Lea asks him once Carter has vowed to be faithful to Marlee alone.
They nod, and pull twine rings from their pockets, but I stop them.
"No, wait." I take two jewelry boxes from my breast pocket and hand them to Carter and Marlee. "Here. They're yours. They should fit, but if they don't, just let me know and I can get them resized."
Carter stares at the small velvet box in his hand. "Your Highness- I can't- this is too much."
"It's not," I say firmly. "Take them, please."
"Thank you, Maxon," Marlee says, reaching up to kiss my cheek. "I can never repay you for everything you've done for us."
I bow slightly and kiss her knuckles. "I just wish you didn't need it in the first place." I move back to America's side for the rest of the ceremony.
"Carson, if you would place the ring on Marlee's finger and repeat after me." Carter slides the simple gold band partway down her left ring finger. "Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is unbreakable, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring, I take you to be my trusted partner for life."
I can't see Carter's face, but Marlee looks like a bomb could fall on us and she wouldn't care, as long as Carter was with her. I'd be surprised, but I know that's how I look at America when we're alone.
"Just as the circle is without end," Carter rasps- I'm not surprised at all to know that there are tears in his eyes- "my love for you is eternal. Just as it is unbreakable, my commitment to you will never fail. Um- I give you this ring- no, wait, what is it?"
Marlee laughs and wipes a tear from her eye.
"With this ring, I take you to be my trusted partner for life," Justice Lea reminds him, his lips quirking into a smile.
"Right, yeah," Carter says, rubbing the heel of his hand into his eye. "With this ring, I take you to be my trusted partner for life." He pushes the ring the rest of the way onto Marlee's finger, and then it's Marlee's turn.
Again, her vows are identical. She puts the ring partway, then recites her vows, without forgetting them, and then pushes it all the way onto his hand. Their hands remain linked, and Justice Lea finishes the ceremony.
"By the power bestowed upon me by His Majesty King Clarkson Schreave, I pronounce you husband and wife. Carson, you may kiss your bride."
Carter brushes his fingers down Marlee's cheek and tilts her head up to kiss her softly as her scarred hands clutch at the front of his shirt.
I find myself wishing that my wedding could be more like this. No heads of state, no crowns, no protocol. Just America, me, and the people we love. Marlee and Carter would be there, all of America's friends from Carolina could come, she could even wear pants if she wanted.
But no, it will be the biggest event in Illéa since my parents' coronation.
America tugs on my arm, pulling me from my reverie. Marlee and Carter stand in front of us, all three of them laughing at me. Justice Lea isn't here anymore- he must have slipped out to go home.
"Sorry." I shake my head to clear the cobwebs. "Congratulations, I'm so happy for both of you."
"Thank you, Maxon," Marlee says with a grin as she tries to avoid being smothered by America's hug.
"You guys are up next," Carter laughs, shaking my extended hand.
I start to thank him, but then realize that he isn't supposed to know. "Ames-"
"Marlee?" she pulls back from their hug, clearly confused. "Did you-"
"No! I would never!" she protests. She turns to her husband. "How on earth did you know?"
"Know what? I was just making a joke." Carter clearly has no idea what we are talking about.
America looks up at me, wondering what to do. I shrug. It's not like he can tell anyone without revealing that he isn't in Honduragua, and then my father would destroy them.
America steps away again when I try to put an arm around her waist.
"Okay, first of all, Ames, what the hell?" I ask, mostly teasing. But really.
"This is your punishment," she informs me, mirth sparkling in her eyes. "Everytime you call me 'your dear' I won't let you touch me for a few hours."
I narrow my eyes at her. "We'll talk about this later."
"You can try," she challenges.
I ignore her, and turn back to Carter. "We will be next," I tell him. "No one knows except our parents, and Marlee, but I proposed on Halloween. We just can't announce it yet."
"No shit?" he says excitedly. "No, sorry, I didn't mean to swear-"
I wave it off. "Don't worry about it. Yes, it was an… exciting evening, in many ways."
Carter pulls Marlee into his side. "I don't… I am very aware of where we would be without you, Your Highness, and I will never be able-"
I hold up a hand to stop him. "And you would be fine if it weren't for the archaic laws about the Selection and without the complete invasion of the press into the palace. We could go back and forth all day. We're even now; let's just move forward."
He looks unsure. "But you've done so much-"
"Forward, Carter," I interrupt.
"You'd better leave it alone," America pipes up. "You won't win."
"Alright," Carter sighs. "I suppose I won't win this one."
"No, you won't," I laugh. "We should probably be on our way. Do you need anything else?"
Carter and Marlee shake their heads, then bow and curtsy respectively as we walk through the door after America gives Marlee another hug.
Something thuds from inside the room as soon as I shut the door, and there's a muted squeal. America and I lock eyes both laughing silently as we make our way back to the stairway to return to my room.
I keep my hands behind my back as we walk through the corridors, staying silent but looking at America out of the corner of my eye every few seconds. She appears to be doing the same- keeping a few more inches between us than usual, and keeping quiet.
Neither of us say anything until we have made our way through the residential wing and get to the secret stairway. I press the panel to open up the passageway and America moves to walk through ahead of me, but I sweep my arms around her waist to throw her over my shoulder as I climb the stairs.
She shrieks, but she's laughing. "What are you doing?"
"I missed you," I tease, stepping carefully so I don't hit her head on the ceiling.
"Well, then maybe you shouldn't call me the same thing as the rest of your girlfriends," she retorts.
I let my grip loosen so she falls down my back a few inches. "I'll consider it."
She pinches the back of my knee as we come to the door to my room. I open the door, and cross the room to toss her on my bed as she laughs louder.
"I will not be manhandled!" she giggles, trying to pull me onto the bed. I resist, tickling her sides and grabbing her ankles when they fly past my face.
"Oh? Who would you rather have handling you then, my love?" I tease.
She hooks her leg around my knee and trips me down to collapse on top of her. We both breathe heavily, hair in our face and limbs intertwined.
"Can I touch you yet?" I ask, reaching my hand towards her cheek.
"I suppose," she frowns, but she quickly kisses my palm when it makes contact with her cheek. I roll us over, so she is lying in her usual position - head on my chest, my arm wound across her back, cradling her to my torso. Our free hands tangle together over my stomach and we lay in our usual silence for a few minutes.
This has been the best day of my life, I think. I haven't done a single thing I did not want to do, and I've spent nearly every second with America.
Oh, speaking of-
I unwind my fingers from hers for a moment, ignoring her protests, to fish her ring out from my pocket.
"Want it back?"
"Gimme." America grabs for it, and I pretend to hold it out of her reach for a moment before sliding it on her finger with a kiss to her knuckles. She settles back against my chest for a moment before craning her neck to look up at me.
"What were you thinking about, right after they got married when you weren't paying attention?"
I move my hand up from her waist to unpin her hair.
"I was just thinking about how different our wedding will have to be. I've never thought about what it would be like to have a small wedding like that, but I think it would be nice."
America goes white. "Not to say that I hadn't thought about it being a spectacle, because I have, but I just realized how many strangers are going to be there."
"I'll take care of you," I promise, running my hand through her now loose hair. "Ames?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for today. It was… wonderful."
America props herself up to look at me. "Best day ever," she agrees.
My eyebrow quirks. "Ever?"
She nods staring at a spot on my pillow just above my ear. "I miss you during the day, usually."
I smile. "I miss you when we're apart too, love."
America grins and curls back up over me. "Thank you for setting everything up for Marlee and Carter."
"Of course. They deserve it," I shrug. "I just wish it could have been a bit nicer, or that their parents could have been there."
"I'm sure they loved it," she says with a yawn. "I'm going to fall asleep soon, if you want me to go back."
"Absolutely not." I tighten my arms around her.
She laughs sleepily. "As long as you're willing to carry me back before anyone notices I'm missing."
"Pinky promise," I nod, hooking our little fingers together. "Go to sleep, love."
"Night, Maxon, " she mumbles, trying to kiss my shirt. She isn't very successful. "Love you."
"I love you, too, darling," I say softly, gently stroking swirling patterns over her spine.
The rhythmic motion lulls us both to sleep, but I do manage to wake up and carry her back to her room before there are too many people bustling around the palace.