Chapter 2
It's a warm Angeles evening, with the golden sun slowly sinking behind the hills, the sky smeared in reds, oranges, and pinks. I sit on my balcony sketching a ball gown, as I sketch a soft breeze plays with my hair, whipping it around my head slightly. Just as I'm putting the finishing touches on the dress a knock sounds at the door. With a sigh, I put my sketch pad down and get up to answer it. I had sent Nenna, my maid, away for the evening after she brought me my dinner, feeling like just having a bit of alone time.
I open the door to find Kile leaning up against the door frame, with the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips, his hair starting to get just a hint of its original messiness.
"Hi Eady" He looks straight into my eyes and there's a softness in their pale blue depth that makes me smile.
"Hello Kile, come in" Kile pushes off the door frame and walks in, turning to face me as I close the door.
"So what are you doing here?" I ask, knowing that the selected boys aren't allowed to come up to this floor without an invitation.
"I came to see you. How are you doing?"
"I'm alright," I say with another sigh, walking past him to my balcony. "Just trying to get my mind off my mom. Everywhere I turn there's something there to remind me of her" I lean against the banister and stare out over the gardens and Kile comes and stands next to me.
"It's understandable, you're worried about her, who wouldn't be but you know your mom Eady. She's a strong person, she'll be alright"
I look over at Kile, the slight breeze ruffles his hair and his eyes hold understanding. I move closer to snuggle up against his side and he wraps an arm around my shoulders, holding me close.
I shut my eyes and lean my head on his shoulder, not knowing why I feel so calm in his arms. "I know," I say softly. "It's hard, though. I hate seeing her like that, so weak and sickly looking. She's always been strong, always so strong but now she just so...so..." I couldn't find the words and I felt tears build up behind my closed eyes.
"She'll be alright Eady," Kile said holding me closer. "But if I had to guess, your mom isn't the only thing on your mind."
He's right of course. Mom is not the only thing bothering me. Ahren is also taking up a lot of my thoughts. I still can't believe that he left, though, if I was being honest with myself I suppose that it's partly my fault that he's gone. If only I had keep my big mouth shut maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe Ahren wouldn't have left and mom would be fine. But if Ahren had left just because of what I had said then he was going to have left anyway, he just hadn't made up his mind to yet.
"I don't want to think about any of that right now," I say suddenly after a long silence, turning in Kile's arms so that I'm pinned with my back pressed lightly against the banister and Kile in front of me.
Kile gives me a soft smile, brushing his thumb softly against my cheek. I lean into the touch and allow my eyes close for a moment, before opening them and looking at Kile. His blue eyes search mine, looking into my hazel ones as though they held the secrets of the world.
I lean forward, pushing myself up on my tiptoes and wrapping my arms around his neck so that I'm almost as tall as Kile. We're a breath away when Kile speaks, it's a soft whisper that I barely hear.
"I'm not what you need right now Eady. You can't hide from what going on, I can't make you forget forever."
"I only need to forget for a little, not forever" I whisper. I look into Kile's eyes and I can see that all he wants to do is help me, so, knowing he won't deny me, I close the gap between us.
The kiss is slow and tentative at first, I can feel that Kile doesn't know if this for the best, but soon he starts to relax more and the kiss deepens. Kile wraps one arm around my waist and slides the other one into my hair. I let myself just let go and like I knew would happen, I forget. All my worries just slip away as Kile kisses me, all I focus on is the way his hand gently rubs small circles on my back.
The kiss grows more urgent as it continues and I groan softly as Kile slides his tongue across my bottom lips, asking entrant. I open my month gladly and sigh into the kiss. This is all I need, to be held the way Kile is holding me, to not think for just a little while.
I was so distracted by Kile, the way his hand moved up and down my back, that I didn't hear the soft knock that sounded at the door or the voice that called out my name. Kile backed me up a little more so that I was pressed against the banister fully and seconds later his hand is running through my hair, gently stroking my long curls in a way that makes me sigh.
But, like always, all good things must come to an end and this happy moment came to a screeching halt when my bedroom door opened and non-other then my father entered my room.
The sound of the door opening and my dad's started intake of breath alerted Kile and me to his present. We both jumped away from each other as though the other was on fire and I stare at dad for a moment, looking from his started face to Kile's blank one.
Finally, dad clears his throat.
"Eadlyn, I just came up to tell you that your mother wants to see you. There are a few things she wants to talk about so if you aren't too busy come down, alright."
Mutely I nod and, after giving Kile a look that obviously says that he's not impressed with him, dad turns and leaves the room.
"That. Was. Terrible!" I groan as I let my head fall back and close my eyes.
"It wasn't that bad." Kile tries weakly. I just give a very un-lady like snort. "Alright maybe it was but things could've gone worse. At least he didn't call the guards and have me dragged to the dungeons"
I shake my head at Kile's antics and give a small smile.
"I think I should go now, I know you'll want to see your mom"
He's right, though I very much would have liked to stay there with Kile and picked up where we leave off, I want to see my mom more.
So with a sigh, I push myself off the banister and walk over to my vanity. I take one look at my reflection and wince. My hair is a mess, my clothes are all rumpled and my makeup needs help.
I straighten myself up as best I can before turning around to see Kile running his hand through his now completely messed up hair, trying to fix his blond curls.
"You look fine," I say walking over to Kile and wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Just fine?" I grin at Kile's crooked smirk.
"Well," I say brushing our noses togeather. "Maybe a little better than fine."
I give a little giggle as Kile runs his hands over my sides, tickling me. He chuckles as well and I can't help pulling him down and kissing his laugh away.
"You really need to go see your mom now and if you wait too long they are going to wonder what's going on up here" Kile pulls away and I sigh and nod.
"I know, but I don't want to see that look on dad's face," I say with an annoyed expression.
"What look?"
"You know what look. It's the way your parents look at you when they know what you've been doing with your spare time"
"Oh, that look. I have seen it before. Not pretty" Kile says nodded with a look of understanding.
"It's fine I'll survive, but I don't think I'll ever live this one down. The next holiday this will be the story that my dad insists on telling everyone"
"Would it help if I came with you maybe they won't talk about it with me there," Kile asks.
"No, I don't think it would help."
"Alright, well I'll see you later then?" It came out more like a question as if he was asking permission to see me. I lean up and press a gentle kiss against his lips before pulling back.
"Of course. Later"
Kile nods then he gone, closing the door behind him. I take one more look at myself in the mirror, rearrange my hair again then I too head out the door and walk down the stairs toward the hospital wing.
Mom will be for the next few days until the doctors finish their tests to make sure that she's recovering properly. She's already spent the whole week in there, what other tests could there be?
I get to the hospital wing and walk through the doors, rounding the corner. The guards that are posted at the entrance of the hospital move aside and bow as I approach, opening the large glass doors for me. I nod my thanks and slip into the room, looking up to see mom sitting up in bed with dad next to her. She's looking better, there is some color to her cheeks and her eyes aren't glazed over. She looks more...normal. More like my mom, just a very tired version of her. I walk over to her and dad and just like I expected dad giving me a look that ensures that there will be a talk later.
"You got here fast. Your father said you might be a while" Mom looks at me with surprise.
"Dad told me you wanted to talk so here I am. What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong darling, I just wanted to talk to you. How's the Selection coming along?" I give dad an irritated look as he mutters under his breath about something. Most likely how he's going to place guards on me at all times.
"Did I miss something Maxon?"
"When I went to go get Eadlyn I walked in on her and Kile. I don't appreciate him being in your room Eadlyn, it isn't proper."
"DAD!" I say in frustration, my face flushing.
"Why was Kile in your room?" Mom looks confused for a second before understanding dawns.
"It's nothing like that we were just talking"
Dad raises an eyebrow. "Is that what they call nowadays"
"Alright Maxon, leave her be." Mom saying placing a hand on dad's arm.
I give Mom a grateful look but she shacks her head at me. "Just don't let it happen again. The Selected aren't allowed in your rooms and it's not fair to give Kile treatment. The other won't like it if they hear that you're alowing him to be up there."
"I understand, I'll tell him that the third floor is off limits"
"Good, now, how's everything else. Are the boys behaving?"
I smirk as I remember Josey chasing my brothers around the gardens for putting hair dye in her shampoo. "They've been angels like always."
Mom gives me a disbelieving look and I give a soft laugh before leaning down a pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I need to go but I'll come with the boys to see you tonight"
"Alright darling,"
I saw my goodbyes then I leave to Hospital wing. I love visiting my mom but the chemical smell and beeping of machines in the place puts me on edge, which is why I usually stay away.
I wander the corridors; not meeting anyone on my way out to the gardens. It really is a beautiful evening and the fading sun casts the garden into faint shadows.
The sound of footsteps alerted me that I wasn't alone and I stop, looking around to find the source of the noise. I find myself smiling as Erik walks down the path between the two large bushes, heading straight for me with a small grin.
"Hello Eadlyn"
"Erik, what are you doing outside?"
"Just walking and thinking"
"What about Henri, doesn't he need you to translate?" I ask with curiosity.
"Yes, but right now he is just in his room and I asked if I could come out here for a little"
I tilt my head and give him a sympathetic look. "Translating getting a little tiresome."
"No, I don't mind translating for him. I enjoy it, but I have to wonder if there's a purpose to it."
"Purpose?" I'm sure the look of confusion I gave him was very un-lady like.
"Yes, purpose. I don't mean to overstep my boundaries Your Highness and if I do I apologize but are you thinking about marrying Henri or are you just keeping him here because you don't want to hurt him" He's looking at me so intently that I have to look away.
The truth is I don't know what to do with Henri or any of the other Selected. I never want to do this from the beginning and now that I'm starting to care about all of them; it scares me. But out of all the Selected Henri scares me the most. I care about him but deep down I know it could never really work. If we were to get married for years we wouldn't be able to communicate properly, always needing to use a translator to talk. I'm not sure if I could do that.
"He is so sweet and kind, but I don't know how I could marry him. How would it work I can't even go on a date with him because of how uncomfortable it would be to have to talk to him through you."
"Then don't you think it would be kinder to send him home, he thinks he really has a shot at being with you. Eadlyn he cares about you and if you can't see a future with him then tell him so; before he falls even more for you. He deserves better than to be lead on," I see a hint of sadness in Erik's eyes as he talks about sending Henri home.
"It would be kinder, but how can I. I... I like him. I want it to work if only we could communicate."
"But you can't and that's the problem. Will you talk to him?"
I sigh and bow my head, "I will"
"Good, now if you'll excuse me. I need to get back to Henri, he'll be wondering what's taking me so long. Your Highness." He bows elegantly and walks back toward the castle.
I run my hands through my hair, gripping it and closing my eyes. Talking to Henri is the last thing I want to do but I know I need to. I turn and walk deeper into the garden, a new weight on my back.
Yeah, guys sorry that I haven't updated in a while it's been crazy, but I will have the next chapter out soon just so you guys know there is going to be around 25 chapters and I should be updating weekly so if you want my of The Boy just stick around.
Also, plz plz plz leave a review on what you like so far and tell me what you would like changed of fixed and ill look into it, so long for now.
Sincerely
Hope for the Selection
