Maxon's guards had placed handcuffs on his wrists before I even realized what was happening.
"Apologies, your majesty," I heard one of them mumble under his breath.
I caught Maxon's eye as they led him from the room. His face was pained as he stammered, "America… I will.. I'm sorry." And they turned the corner down the hall.
Aspen handed me my robe without meeting my eyes.
"Aspen, I'm so sorry," I whispered, putting on the robe. "I didn't mean for you to find out like that."
He looked at me, nothing but pain left in his eyes. "I can't believe this is happening." His gaze travelled to my ripped dress, lying on the floor.
"Nothing happened," I said, standing up. "This is a… a… misunderstanding."
Disbelief crossed his face, followed by resignation. "It doesn't matter. It is too late for that. Come on, I have to escort you to His Majesty's office."
I swallowed hard and allowed him to lead me down the hall. "This is going to be bad," I whispered.
Aspen looked confused as we turned the final hall to the King's office. "It is his son, I'm sure he wouldn't…" and he trailed to a stop as we took the final turn into the outer waiting area, where Maxon was tied to a chair.
"Let go of her," he hissed at Aspen. He turned towards his father desperately. "Leave her out of this."
Clarkson walked up behind his son, placed his hands on Maxon's shoulders, and squeezed tightly. Maxon shuddered, reminded of what was to come. "I tried to leave her out of this," Clarkson said. "I told you to send her home but you didn't listen to me." He strode over to where Aspen and I were standing and roughly grabbed my arm, dragging me inside the office. With his free hand, he pointed at Aspen and another guard. "You two stay. The rest of you are dismissed." The other guards bowed and walked away. Clarkson continued, "Ensure my son remains… contained. Silence him if you must. And do not enter this room, no matter what you hear."
I saw Aspen looking at Clarkson's grasp on my arm, fear filling his eyes. Clarkson swung the door shut behind us and I could hear Maxon pleading, "Please. Nothing happened. Take me instead," he choked out the last part through tears. Then I heard muffled words what could have been a gag was shoved in his mouth.
MAXON'S POV
I struggled against the bonds but I knew it was useless. A guard stood beside me and another had followed my father towards the door and was now pacing in front of it.
America, I thought. What have I done? What had I gotten her into? I should have sent her home when I had the chance. The thought of her alone with him made me struggle even harder.
I could hear murmured, low pitched words and wondered what he was saying to her. He liked to stretch it out, revel in the anticipation.
"Please," I tried to communicate to the guard nearest me, although it came out unintelligible. His stone-faced look told me I wasn't going to get anywhere with that one anyway. I turned my attention to the guard pacing outside the office door, who I recognized as Officer Leger. He looked my way and we heard the noise at the same time. A strike, followed by a small yelp. Horror overcame me as I continued to plead wordlessly with Officer Leger. Another strike and a muffled cry. I froze as I took in Officer Leger's face, a mirror of my own pain.
No, I thought, time frozen in that moment. It wasn't possible. But as I took in his expression, I knew it was true. This whole time, he was here. My mind raced as I thought of the first time I saw Officer Ledger, his gasp as America and I strolled happily by. Her willingness to trust him with our secret rebel meeting. The love note, taped to his wall and covered in hearts. His strained expression the last time we heard America's muffled screams as her bullet wound was cleaned and stitched. It was written on his face, he cared for her. He had been stationed outside her room this whole time. The thought briefly crossed my mind, did she still love him?
I didn't have time to continue the thought, as we heard another striking sound and a round of sobs. I struggled, tipping the chair over. The guard nearest me reached down to sit me upright as I saw Officer Leger bring down the butt of his gun on the guard's head, knocking him out.
He ripped the gag out of my mouth began untying my bonds. "Fix this," he choked. As he unlocked the handcuffs, we met eyes, both understanding at that moment that we would each die to prevent another scream from escaping that room.
I had been struggling for so long but I hadn't thought of a plan. I looked down to the guard, unconscious on the floor, and realized most of the other guards would have the same dedication to my father. Who could stop a raging king? As my arms were freed, I grabbed Aspen's arm. "Bring my mother here. Quick." He nodded in understanding as I raced to open the door.