"Wasn't it just lovely, Maxon?" Celeste smiles, leaning across the table towards me. I jerk, shaking out of my thoughts, and look towards her with an inquisitive glance. "Our walk?"

"Oh, yes, wonderful," I reply, giving a polite small. I've had to spend the entire afternoon with Celeste, a request from my father. I took her for a walk on the beach and listened to her drone on and on about herself. It was barely tolerable, but knowing that I'd see America tonight made me get through it.

"The beach is very beautiful here," Marlee adds, cutting into her chicken. "Maxon, I hear you're very fond of swimming in the ocean?"

"Yes, your mother mentioned you enjoyed that!" Kriss grins.

I'm taken aback. The girls rarely ever inquire things about me - they're usually trying to shove all of the details of their lives in my face. Elegantly, of course. But still. "Yes . . I, um, enjoy the quiet of it. It's very calming," I lie, though my visits to the ocean are anything but calm.

"I would love to go swimming. Perhaps we could all go tomorrow?" Natalie inquires.

"Oh, yes, please, Maxon!" Marlee coos, her face lit up in absolute delight.

I want so badly to say no, as the possibilities for disaster are numerous, but the looks on the girls' faces persuades me otherwise. They've had to stick to Silvia's schedule for the past few weeks, acting proper and refined. Swimming would let them escape for a bit, be free. "Alright," I smirk. My parents, absorbed in their own quiet conversation, don't even notice this. Further reason to go against their structure for the Selection. "Tomorrow afternoon, we shall spend the day on the beach."

"Wonderful!"

"Yes!"

The girls all cheer, squealing with excitement. If I can't make them happy by wedding me, at least I can let them enjoy their last few weeks here.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to. I'll see you all in the morning," I say, giving a slight bow to the girls as I stand up. They all grin widely, except Celeste, who raises an eyebrow at me seductively. I turn away in response, heading for my room.

I quickly change into my swim trunks, anxious to get away. I tell my guards not to disturb me, as I am "working" on very important business. They nod and shut the doors, leaving me free to slip out the window. Luckily, my parents have installed emergency ladders that coil down from nearly every window, in case of rebel attacks and the need to escape. I climb down the sides of the palace, nearly falling in my rush. I'm grateful that nobody seems to be outside, for I slip rather easily onto the beach without notice.

I'm in the water before I know it, swimming rapidly towards the caves. When I reach them, America's leaning against the wall, her head resting gently on her arm, asleep. It's still very dark, as their is no daylight to guide me, but the moon casts and eerie glow on the cave. She looks ghostly pale in this light, but still so beautiful.

I swim over to her, scoop her up gently in my arms. Her head shifts to rest on my shoulder and a light sigh escapes her mouth. Her tail, heavy in my lap, sways as she struggles to get comfortable. The feel of it in my arms is foreign, but I like it. I stroke her hair gently, brushing the tangles of scarlet and smoothing them away from her face. Her lips are so pink. I can't help myself. I lean over and place a soft, quick kiss on them. She blinks and I silently curse myself. I didn't mean to wake her.

"Maxon?" she grumbles, her voice foggy with sleep. "What . . . what time is it?" She tries to rise but realizes I'm holding her, which only makes her smile. She settles back onto my lap and hooks her arms around me.

"It's nearly eight," I say, brushing strands from her eyes.

"Eight?" her eyes go wide with fear.

"What's wrong?"

"I just . . . I didn't realize I'd been here so long. Aspen will be worried," she mutters.

"What do you mean?" I question. Why would Aspen know how late she's staying out? What does he have to do with anything.

"Oh," she gaps, realizing her mistake. She obviously hadn't meant to said that. "I told him I was visiting a friend, but he'll be concerned as to why I'm not home yet."

"Home?" I'm nearly furious, struggling to understand what she's saying. "Are you . . . are you living with him?"

She swallows hard and looks down. "Yes."

"What?"

"It's custom, Maxon. When you're to be mated, you must live with your betrothed so that you can adjust to them. It's how things are."

"But you're not . . . you know?" I don't know much about mermaids' love life, but I know enough to decipher that mates, well, mate.

"No! No, of course not, Maxon," she blurts out, appalled by the idea. "I'm just supposed to stay with him so I can learn his habits in order to be a faithful wife. It's not . . . we're not doing anything . . . yet." She whispers the last part and I feel my eyes pop out of my sockets. She takes in my furious expression and sighs. "Maxon, I can't do anything about it! It's not like I have a choice in this matter. He's going to start . . . he's going to initiate something soon. It's only natural."

"Yes, but you could refuse him! You could do something!"

"And be executed? Maxon, in my world we don't have a say over these thing. Women are faithful to their mates. If Aspen asks something of me, I must obey. I would be punished otherwise."

"Yes, but-" I start but realize I don't have another point to make. I lean back, closing my eyes.

She swims to the opposite side of the cave, her anger flourishing. "And it's not like you're any better! You're living with six girls, Maxon! And you're taking them out, flirting with them, kissing them-"

"America, I have to!"

"And so do I."

We're silent for a minute, just looking at each other. I break first, unable to stare into her sad, storming eyes a moment longer. "I'm sorry, Ames. I'm being a hypocrite. You're completely right. I just . . . I'm jealous, that's all."

"And you think I'm not?" she whispers. But she doesn't continue. Her point is made. She simply sighs and leans against the cave walls, closing her eyes. "This isn't easy for me, Maxon. The lying, the hiding, everything. I just . . "

"I know," I agree.

"I should go," she murmurs, swimming down the dark tunnels.

"Ames, wait!"

"I've already stayed long enough, Maxon. Aspen will get suspicious."

I try to catch up with her, but she swims ridiculously fast. "America! America!" I call, paddling frantically through the water. I can barely see, it's so dark now. I use the walls to guide my way, but I can't help but feel scared. She's gone, and I'm left here alone, in the dark.

Thank you for all the kind reviews! I decided to continue the story (as you can see). I'll try to have another chapter up sometime tomorrow or Saturday! Thanks for reading