So sorry I haven't been able to update lately. But thank you for favorite my story, following it, and leaving reviews. Can't believe it is doing this well! I rewrote this chapter several times but finally decided that I liked this idea for chapter 3 and that this was where it needed to be. Also, it's not that I necessarily plan on making Kriss mean/bitchy or anything but I do think that she would be hard towards any idea of America and still feeling threatened with her in the palace.
Maxon's POV
In the early hours of the morning everything that had been bothering me melted away. I was actually feeling happy to be engaged to Kriss. She was stable, which was something I needed in the wake of my father's death. I decided that I would head down early in the morning and have a surprise breakfast with my new fiancée. Afterwards, we would be ripped apart and she would have to take care of the funeral arrangements while I started to prepare for my coronation. I had one of my maids send an order to the kitchen to prepare Kriss's favorite meal: eggs benedict something I had never preferred but I wanted to spoil her anyway. I made sure to tell them not to include my favorite breakfast item afraid of how Kriss would react to strawberry tarts being at our engagement breakfast. I rolled out of bed and put on a plain blue shirt and a simple pair of black pants, what I had worn on my first date with her. Hopefully, she would like this surprise.
I walked outside and set down a blanket before sending one of the guards to go and get her. I smiled, leaning back enjoying the sun that was starting to peak out of sky. For once in the past few weeks, I knew it was safe to go outside. The Northern Rebels were still here and they would be staying now that my father had passed and I made the laws. I was beginning to think that nothing could be better than this view when lightly flowing green clothing caught my eye.
She nearly took my breath away. While I had always been captivated and overcome with America's beauty, I hadn't truly appreciated just how beautiful Kriss was. Her hair was curled lightly along her shoulders and collarbone with the necklace I had given her for Christmas sitting just above the bone. The green dress helped to bring out the light shine of green color in her blue eyes out. I stood and took her hand in mine, raising it to my lips and kissing it.
"Good morning, my dear," I whispered to her. That sent a shudder down my spine. I kept myself composed to hide it from her. I didn't want her to see me break at the small two words that reminded me of America Singer. They seemed to go unnoticed.
"What's all this?" She asked, excitement ringing throughout her voice like a song. I looked up and loved the smile that exposed how much gratitude she had for the simple surprise.
"Our engagement dinner was interrupted with all the things that went wrong yesterday and I had to take care of my mother. I just wanted to show you that I can't wait to be your husband and how grateful I am that you are brave enough to continue on with me even though you saw how dangerous this life is going to be."
I gestured her over to my picnic breakfast, serving her with the freshly made eggs benedict and all the fruits the kitchen staff had included. There were also several chocolate muffins which I buttered for her before setting out my own plate. There was silence between us as we ate but the smile never left her face. This was the perfect morning, finally a better way to start off our engagement. As we ate, she slowly leaned against my chest and we watched the sun rise together. The beautiful colors filled our breakfast with a new life. I finally felt relaxed, which was something that might be able to stay as I started to take over the kingdom earlier than I had been meant to.
All of those thoughts fled from my mind as Kriss turned around in my arms and whispered sweet words into my ear. I focused on her words, grateful I knew she wouldn't be saying them to someone else like America had been. She complimented me for the surprise and how I looked in the day's outfit. I ran my finger across her collarbone and lightly played with the charm on the necklace.
"You're beautiful," I whispered to her wanting to kiss her again. But I didn't know if she would let me have another. Her fingers brushed against my lips and I felt my heart flutter at her light touch. How happy she would be able to make me. How happy we would be together. These were the only thoughts that I would allow myself to focus on.
"Kiss me, Maxon, please."
I lightly put my hand on the back of her neck, pulling her closer. Her legs lightly leaned against my lap but she refused my advances to sit her there. I leaned back and finally pressed my lips against hers loving and gently. There wasn't a fire that burned inside me like there was when I kissed America but there was passion and love behind it. The kiss was warm and reassuring, fueling me to keep kissing her gently but fiercely. She returned every moment, her small lips finding their way around mine and finding a way to fit perfectly. I brushed a hand through her hair, gently twirling the curled parts around my fingers. Her hand rested against my chest another locking my fingers around hers. It was small but powerful. It was almost perfect.
My hand rolled out of her hair and down her arm. I wanted to be able to increase the passion in our kiss, let myself know that I could be as attracted to her as I was America. My hand found her waist and hip as my fingers rolled against the material of the dress. Her body was soft and inviting. She continued to kiss me, seeming to get more eager as my hand lightly loved against her body. I didn't want to go too far but the passion behind her kiss drove me to want more out of this meeting. We had only kissed once before and it hadn't gotten nearly as escalated. I rested my hand on her thigh, right above her knee.
Slowly as more passion began to fuel me and I tried to pull her in for a more passionate kiss, she pulled away from it but stayed holding my hand. I smiled soft at her, only slightly upset that I hadn't been able to increase the chemistry between the two of us. But I would respect her wishes.
"I want to give you everything Maxon, every part of me, but as your wife."
I nodded, kissing her forehead. "I know, Kriss. I'm more than willing to wait for that," I replied hoping she didn't think I meant to rush her. But I knew that this physical connection was going to be needed to get over America Singer. It wasn't fair to Kriss that I needed so much, but the look in her eyes seemed to understand. I stood up before helping her get up and kissed her hand once again.
Wrapping her arm around mine I escorted her back to her room. I apologized that we couldn't have very much time together. She nodded and told me that she was ready for all of this and there would never be any reason to explain or apologize. I smiled at that. That was one of the many benefits of marrying Kriss. I headed back to the Great Room knowing that I would have to begin preparing for the day's work in there. On my way I ran into Nicoletta.
"Maxon, may I speak to you," she whispered leaning into my ear as if she didn't want anyone to know that we needed to meet. I was surprised. While I had expected that I would be dragged here and there for the rest of my life, the Princess of Italy wasn't what I had in mind.
I followed her into a small empty room where she sat on a plain table that was in the middle of the room. I looked at her, waiting for her to continue with what she had to say. "Forgive me for being bold but Italy was certain that you would chose Lady America."
"That isn't really Italy's business, even though I understand she was your choice. As you can see, I have picked Lady Kriss and there's no going back."
"I understand that," she replied coldly. Clearly, I had done something wrong in the eyes of Italy by choosing someone other than Lady America. But I honestly didn't care. After the morning that I had had with Kriss, I couldn't wait to get all of the other girls home so I could focus on moving past the Selection. "But as your father has passed away, we would like you to become our ally. On some conditions."
"Conditions?" I was aware that alliances had certain give and takes but this was the first that I would be given complete control of making. But I was also worried about what Italy would want from us.
"Yes. We have decided that we will ally with you but on the condition that you make Lady America the diplomat for Illéa and Italy relations."
I'll update next if I can get 15 to 20 reviews for this chapter ;)
