***Author's Note** I know, the last chapter was a bit weak. Hopefully this one puts us in the right direction! I'm trying to make every chapter of the book a chapter in this story, but sometimes one chapter leaves on a crappy cliffhanger or others are just too short so I'll try to keep them in order, but potentially, I might merge two and since I name my chapters after the PB chapter names, it might look like I skipped one.

Then again, maybe none of you are paying that much attention. lol. And sidenote, my prince is the Asian one, so that's why I mention dark hair, looking different, etc

Violet walked outside to join Riley, Olivia, Hana and the other noble ladies as they got drinks from an ornate table display. Approaching Riley, she could tell she was getting interrogated by the other girls.

"Riley, you were awfully familiar with the Prince. You didn't say that you knew him!" scowled Olivia, hands on her hips.

"I've met him once before," admitted Riley, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Whoa whoa whoa, can we please back up for a bit here to the part when you suggested Riley kiss the King's shoe?" cut in Violet, glaring at Olivia.

She smirked in return. "Just a little hazing for the new girl." The other noble ladies laughed along with her, with only Hana not partaking. "But Riley, I can't imagine when a girl like you would've met the Prince."

"That's because you have no imagination. Just empty air," retorted Violet.

Riley narrowed her eyes at Violet. "Vee, be nice." Turning to Olivia, she answered wistfully, "Let's just say it was once upon a time."

Violet sighed. "Well this is going well."

Frowning, Olivia replied, "That sounds like you are hiding secrets. I don't like secrets. And I don't like you. This isn't a fairytale, and you aren't the underdog princess. Leave before you embarrass yourself. We'd totally understand." She glanced around smugly at the other girls.

"Pretty sure you sound like an evil stepsister," muttered Violet under her breath.

Olivia spun on her. "Who are you even? There's no way you are a contender and if you are from any of the noble houses, you have some of the worst etiquette training I've ever seen."

Violet smiled sinisterly. "I am your worst fucking nightmare. I -"

"She's my assistant!" interrupted Riley, much to Violet's dismay. Covering Violet's mouth with her hand, she confirmed, "She's here with me."

Olivia smirked, "Ah, a working girl. Well we all can't be rich and beautiful." Riley pinched Violet, begging her not to respond to her taunt. When Olivia saw that Violet wasn't going to take the bait, she continued. "Listen, Raley -"

"Riley," corrected Riley.

Olivia waved her off. "Whatever. You should know that whatever happened between you and Liam, you don't really have a chance with him. Maybe you were able to capture his attention when it was just the two of you, but you can't keep up with the ladies here. We're from the finest families in Europe, and we've been training and preparing our whole lives to marry a prince."

"Sad," frowned Violet, earning her a leer from the other girls.

"You can't just waltz in here at the last minute and steal him away from us! Kiara here is the daughter of a diplomat and is fluent in ten languages..."

Olivia nodded to an olive skinned woman with dark hair who smiled at the introduction. "Le Prince va tomber amoureux de moi."

"Bless you," offered Violet.

"Penelope can track her lineage back through six hundred years of royalty."

A pale woman with dark hair stepped forward. "It's an honor to represent my people here."

Violet failed to stiffly a yawn.

"Even Hana's been training to learn the courtly graces of conversation and seduction."

Hana looked confused, unsure if that was a compliment or an insult. "Um, thanks?"

Penelope cut in. "But if anyone's got the inside track with Prince Liam, it's you, Olivia. You've known him his entire life."

Violet raised an eyebrow and nudged Riley. "So this is what Maxwell meant. None of them are complimenting themselves, but instead set up the others for compliments."

Riley nodded. "Noble people are strange."

"It's true," agreed Olivia. "We grew up at the palace together as childhood friends...Before his older brother abdicated, it was just assumed Liam and I would be married one day. I've got no intention of losing him to one of you harpies." She smiled a sickeningly sweet smile. "No offense."

"What a second, I can't believe that ..." Riley started.

"You guys let Olivia talk to you this way!" cried out Violet, frustrated with the passivity of the group.

Olivia laughed. "That just shows how much you don't know about life as a noble. You don't know anything about Liam, or about me. "

"Olivia can be quite charming when she wants to be!" defended Kiara.

Violet put her hands on her hips. "Ok, but what about times like now when she's not trying to be charming?"

Penelope glared at her. "Don't waste your breath, Kiara. These two won't see that side of Olivia."

Olivia grinned like the cat that ate the canary. "Don't worry ladies. I'm sure these two will learn their place here, eventually. Or else I'll make their lives a living hell."

Violet glared, but was startled when Riley spoke up. "And what exactly, do you think is my 'place' here?"

Assessing the group, Olivia answered. "Oh, somewhere below Penelope and Kiara, but you know what? Probably above Hana. Though I'm surprised Hana's here at all after what I heard about her last attempt at an engagement."

Hana's eyes widened. "Olivia!"

"Well we all know that your family will throw you at any available bachelor as long as it means you can climb another rung on the social ladder...But honestly, it's a bit much to expect that Prince Liam is going to accept 'damage goods.'" She looked Hana up and down. "You aren't all bad, Hana. I heard House Beaumont is pretty desperate. Maybe there's hope for you and the younger brother, even though he's nothing important to the house, it would be a step up."

Hana looked at Olivia, and then to Riley and Violet. "I ... Uh...Excuse me."

Pushing past everyone, Riley caught her arm right before she went inside. "Hana wait, I'll go with you."

Shaking her head sadly, she replied, "That's awfully sweet, but...I'll be fine."

As she walked inside, Olivia announced loudly. "Girls like her shouldn't bother being here if they can't handle the truth..."

Riley turned on her. "Olivia, you are acting like a child, not a queen. If this is how you behave, I wouldn't trust you with childproof scissors, let alone a kingdom."

Startled, Olivia stuttered. "I...you can't."

"She just did," threw in Violet, making a motion like she was dropping a mic, and then twisted her wrist so that she was flicking Olivia off.

"Now if you'll excuse us..." Riley linked her arm with Violet's. "We are going to enjoy our drinks inside."

The pair turned to rush back inside after Hana, entering the door they saw Hana escape into. They found her face down on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Riley, Violet. What are you doing here?" she asked between her sobs.

Both girls sat on either side of Hana, putting a protective arm around her. "We were just making sure you were ok."

Hana sniffled. "That's...that's so kind of you. Thank you."

Riley smiled, "It was the least we could do."

Violet nodded. "You shouldn't let Olivia bother you so much. She'll only continue as long as she gets a rise out of you."

"I know, I know. You guys probably think I am a fool." She put her head into her hands.

Riley glared at Violet, who was nodding in agreement. "No Hana, you are just being human. I mean, you'd have to be a robot to not let Olivia get under your skin when she talks to you like that."

"But Olivia is right!" wailed Hana. "Last year, my parents arranged a very advantageous match for me. But only a few weeks before the wedding, the groom pulled out of the arrangement. It was handled quietly, but it was still regarded as rather scandalous. Since then, my parents have been desperate for me to find another match. They've all but thrown me into this competition. I thought Cordonia was far away enough that I could escape my past but it looks like the rumors have followed me here."

"Hana, who cares about the past? I lost out on a 100 million dollar inheritance and was disowned by my mother, but you just gotta move forward. You are here now, you might as well make the most of it," suggested Violet.

"You are right, ladies. I just wish Olivia wouldn't have said that in front of everyone," Hana hung her head.

"At the heart of it, I think we both know why Olivia singled you out." Hana looked at Riley blankly. "Olivia bullies you because you are her biggest threat. Look at you! You're gorgeous, well-composed, compassionate, articulate. All things Olivia isn't."

Hana shrugged. "I dunno, she is kinda gorgeous."

"Maybe if you like shrill, she demons," offered Violet.

Riley frowned at Violet. "You aren't helping! Ok, maybe Olivia is gorgeous, we'll give her that. But you're clearly a front runner for the Prince's choice. No wonder Olivia's threatened by you."

"You're not though," stated Hana.

"I'm not like Olivia," smiled Riley.

Wiping away her tears, Hana beamed. "Well guys, I see that I've found myself in your debt already."

Violet shrugged in a dismissive way. "Don't worry about it."

"On the contrary, your words have spoken volumes about your character. I won't forget this." She drew the two into a group hug. "How bad do I look?"

Taking in the bleeding mascara and the red eyes, Violet found herself grimacing. "Maybe a touch up is in order?"

Hana laughed and dabbed at her eyes. Fixing her make up in the mirror, she asked, "Do we have to go back?"

"I'm totally on the boat of let's not go back," offered Violet, yawning widely.

"You both know we can't! C'mon!"

As Riley dragged both of the girls back into the ballroom, the opening strains of a waltz began to play. Maxwell ran up to the group. "Riley! There you are! The last dance is starting up, and I think you and Liam deserve this one..." he noticed Hana. "Um, no offense Hana."

She smiled at him. "None taken, but that does mean that I won't have a dance partner... unless you are free?"

Maxwell looked between Hana and Violet, uncertainly. "Um..."

Violet turned and walked away in disgust. As she headed away from Maxwell, she could hear him reply, "I guess...I guess I would be honored."

The orchestra played a dreamy waltz as Violet came up upon Drake. He offered up his plate, filled with random assortments. "Come to eat your feelings?" Snatching an item off the plate, Violet chewed angrily. "I can just see the rage seeping from you," stated Drake. "You are normally so vocal, why did you let Hana take Maxwell?"

She glared at him, midchew. "Don't."

"Fine," said Drake, shrugging indifferently. "If you want to go on a push him away, be my guest. Does not matter one way or the other to me."

"I thought you didn't like Max," fired back Violet as she crossed her arms. "So why are you pushing me towards him? Or is it because you don't like him that you want us to get together, so I can embarrass House Beaumont?"

"Hey hey hey, down girl. Don't overthink this. But you are like this close-" He held up two fingers to emphasize." -to just freaking out on someone, and since I don't want that someone to be me, I would rather you guys just finish this sexual tension dance so the rest of us don't have to be on our guard all the time."

"Fuck off, Drake." Violet snatched a bottle of wine off the table and exited the ballroom. Not knowing exactly where she was headed, she exited through the rear of the castle and out into the gardens. Pulling a swig from the bottle every couple of feet, Violet found herself at the top of a hill overlooking the hedge maze.

Plopping down on the ground, Violet faced the countryside of Cordonia. She was in awe of how dark it got outside, since there was no light pollution in Cordonia - no street lights, no random neon signs, nothing to distract from the night sky. Looking up at the sky, Violet felt small and insignificant. She shuddered - either from the realization or the cold, she was unsure.

She took another swig from the bottle to find it empty. "Piss."

"So I know I said House Beaumont wouldn't pay for your vices," stated Maxwell as he sat on the ground next to Violet. "But I snagged this bottle from the Masquerade so I don't feel quite as bad." He grinned at Violet, who frowned at him. Shrugging off his jacket, he draped it around Violet's shoulders. "Here. Maybe this will help thaw that cold shoulder you are giving me."

Violet fought the urge but couldn't help giggling. "You are so cheesy."

He beamed back. "And who doesn't love cheese?" Taking a drink, he passed the bottle to Violet who accepted it gladly.

"Surprised you aren't still with Hana," sneered Violet.

Maxwell turned to look at her. "I'd rather be with you."

Violet couldn't help the retort that came out. "Didn't look that way on the dance floor."

He grinned at her. "You know, it's kinda hot when you are jealous." Her face flared. "Don't be."

Huffing, Violet snapped, "You can't just tell me to not be jealous."

"I could try showing you that you have no reason to be jealous...but then again, I thought we were trying to just be friends?"

She reluctantly returned his grinned. "You are the worst."

"Me?"

"Yeah. I want to be angry and mad at you, but you are so freaking..."

"Sexy?" he offered with a wink.

"You wish." He pretended to look hurt. "You are...I don't know how to explain it. Endearing is the word I'm looking for, I guess."

Grinning widely, he nodded. "I'll take it."

After a few minutes in comfortable silence, Violet asked, "Hey Max?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why is Liam asian and Leo is white?"

Maxwell busted out laughing. "Sorry, it's just..." He sighed. "Everyone here is so proper...so politically correct. So they just dance around things while you just go out and say it." He smiled at her. "It's refreshing."

Violet rolled her eyes. "I'm an acquired taste, I know." Maxwell winked at her, which caused Violet to flush, remembering their first night together. Punching his arm, she urged him. "So tell me the reason!"

"These last few decades have been a bit rocky for us...Us being House Beaumont and Cordonia in general. The first queen abandoned the King and Leo...I'm not clear on the details but I think there was a rumor going around that she couldn't handle the pressures of courtly life. She came from a lesser noble family, so she hadn't been long at court before the marriage. And then Liam's mom died when we were all young. The current queen is actually a wonderful woman who's done her best to lead Cordonia alongside the King. Which is good, because instability in the monarchy is always dangerous for a small kingdom like ours."

Scooting closer to Maxwell, Violet laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Mhmm?"

Wrapping his arm around her, he continued. "Weakened currency, a rise in crime, a drop in tourism...all because of the lives of the rulers. That's why Liam can't just follow his heart, he has to pick the right queen for Cordonia, firstly." He nudged his shoulder. "Am I boring you?"

"Terribly," admitted Violet, earning a bark of laughter in return.

Getting to his feet, Maxwell extended a helping hand to Violet, which she accepted. "Ok, I'll let you in on a game we used to play when we were younger. It's called "Maze-Tag." It's where -"

Violet held up a hand. "Let me guess. You ran through the maze while playing tag?"

He laughed. "We weren't the best at naming things."

Bracing herself against Maxwell, Violet slipped off her heels. "Tag, you're it, Max!" Pushing off of him, Violet sprinted into the maze.

"Cheater!" called out Maxwell behind her, his long legs almost erasing whatever head start Violet had.

Making random lefts and right, Violet finally saw the tree the marked the center of the maze. Fairy lights hung in its branches, and a swing was attached to one of the branches. There was a small section of the tree cleared, with a platform for star gazing. Distracted by the sight, Violet slowed to a walk. "Whoa..."

Caught off guard by her sudden change in speed, Maxwell tried to stop in time, but his momentum knocked both him and Violet to the ground. Protecting her body with his, they both laughed as they toppled over, rolling a few feet before stopping at the base of the tree. "My bad, sorry. You alright?"

Violet pulled away slightly, looking down at Maxwell beneath her. "I'm good, but it looks like you might have a cut..." She gingerly touched a part of Maxwell's forehead, causing him to wince.

"Ouch, you know it feels like it might be a pretty major injury. Maybe you should kiss it to make it feel better?" he suggested hopefully.

Smirking, Violet pinched him. "You ham."

Maxwell's hands came up to rest on Violet's waist, while she straddled him. "I had to try." He moved one of his hands to cup her cheek, eyes betraying the worry that she might reject him again.

Violet turned her head to kiss his palm. "This is a bad idea, Maxwell."

His eyes sparkled with mischief. "I have yet to regret any of my bad ideas."

Hesitating for only a moment, Violet leaned down, capturing his lips with her own. His hands curved around her as he brought her closer to his body. Breaking away from her kiss, Violet moved onto his neck while Maxwell panted out, "You know, we ...could move to the star gazing platform...There's cushions." He inhaled sharply as Violet reached into his pants. "But the ground is good, totally."

Reclaiming her lips, he shifted so that Violet had easier access to freeing himself. Grinding against him, Violet smiled when he whimpered. "You tease."

She grinned seductively before adjusting herself to match up with him. Easing down, both parties let out a low moan. Hips meeting in rhythm, Violet rode him until she climaxed with a shudder, grinding the last few pumps until Maxwell's release.

Sinking down, Violet buried her head into Maxwell's neck, giving it a few light kisses. He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "So we might want to hurry back to the castle before the Masquerade officially ends. I don't know if we could properly explain why you look so disheveled and why I'm covered in dirt." He grinned. "Honestly I don't think I could resist telling people I got down and dirty in the maze if they asked."

Scoffing, Violet stood up and adjusted herself. Shaking her head, she admitted, "Sometimes I can't even understand why I'm attracted to you."

Standing along side her, Maxwell dusted off the dirt as best as he could. "It's my roughed good looks, probably."

Taking his arm to head back to the castle, she agreed, "Yeah, that's probably it." He kissed her softly as a reward.

Making it back into the castle with minimal interactions, Maxwell dropped Violet off at her room. He kissed her deeply, causing her to ask, "Will I be sneaking into your room later?"

Maxwell shook his head. "Not unless you want to cuddle with me and Bertrand." Violet made a face. "Yeah, I don't really feel sharing either." He kissed her again. "Rooming is a bit limited during the social season, so Bertrand and I are sharing, unfortunately."

Grinning, Violet shrugged aloofly. "All good, Riley's a better kisser anyways."

Slipping into her room, she left Maxwell wondering if she was just teasing him again.

Stepping out of the shower, Violet walked out to see Riley enter the room, a blissful smile on her face. "Ok, spill."

"So Liam and I were dancing, and so many of the other ladies tried to cut in, but I'm not about that polite 'oh of course' I was more like, 'oh hell no ho' and it was so magical. He managed to sneak out and we had our own little adventure on the castle grounds..."

Violet's face flushed. "You didn't happen to go in the maze, did you?"

"No, Liam told me that it took sometime to get to the center and I wanted to see the whole castle..."Riley's eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute. You...seem more relaxed than you have since you got here."

"I just took a shower?" offered Violet.

Riley slapped her arm. "You slept with Maxwell!"

"...Guilty."

Riley squealed with delight. "Thank god. I don't know why you were resisting him in the first place."

Violet held up her hands to settle Riley. "Hang on there. I'm probably going to regret it in the morning. But I had a lot to drink and I was really horny. Also..." Violet made a gesture of length with her hands and gave Riley a wink. "It's hard to resist."

The girls burst into giggles, which was interrupted by a knock at the door. Answering it, Riley exclaimed, "Maxwell!"

Looking over her shoulder, Violet noticed that Maxwell had showered too, and changed into casual sleeping clothes. He had a slight red mark on his forehead from the cut earlier. He smiled at Riley, then at Violet, eventually averting his eyes. "I know it's late, but there's someone you should meet." Stepping back, he introduced his brother. "Bertrand, this is the one I was telling you about, Riley."

His nostrils flared in annoyance. "This is the girl you've chosen to represent our house?"

Maxwell nodded. "Yep, nailed it!"

Riley extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Bertrand."

He looked at her with disgust. "The proper way to address a duke is 'Your Grace.'"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Your Grace."

"At least it looks like you can be trained."

"Hey, she's not your pet!" fired off Violet, pouting in the background.

"Ah, you, I remember you. Indulging my brother in his ... eccentric ways." He sighed. "I'm assuming we'll have to see more of you, as well?"

"Unfortunately, it looks so."

Bertrand cleared his throat. "Hmph. Maxwell, a word with you in private?" Grabbing Maxwell's arm, he hauled him out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The girls ran to the door to press their ear against it, faintly able to hear their voices through it. "That's the girl you picked to represent our family?"

"Yeah, that's Riley. Liam really hit it off with her when they met at the restaurant for his bachelor party. She was our waitress. Well I guess Violet was also our waitress, but Riley was the main one."

Bertrand sounded horrified. "A WAITRESS? You brought a WAITRESS. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you! We could've had our pick of any unsponsored duchess or countess in half of Europe!"

Maxwell sounded a less confident. "Well, sure, but like I said, she and Liam have a lot of, you know, chemistry. I think he really likes her. I know you probably don't care, but she could make him really happy. Like I've-never-seen-him-so-happy kind of happy. Shouldn't Liam have a shot at love like that, even if he is the Prince? Besides, you waited so last minute, if you had a favorite option, you should've jumped on it. But this love train has left the station. Choo-Choo." Violet could just pick him making the train hand motions and cringed internally.

"Spare me your sentimentality. You'd better hope that this waitress doesn't ruin everything. Cause even if she doesn't mess things up, that red head with the attitude sure will. You've made a mess of things, yet again Maxwell."

Unexpectedly, the door swung open, causing the girls to jump back. Bertrand growled, "You were listening to everything, weren't you?"

They nodded, knowing that they looked guilty. Violet defended them. "Well your room is only a few doors down, you could't just gone in there if you wanted privacy. Instead you blast it out there for anyone, not just us, to eavesdrop."

"We were listening, and don't like what you said!" agreed Riley.

"Perfect! Waitresses with no manners," stated Bertrand.

Riley threw her hands up in defeat. "Look, you're the ones who invited me here. If you're so unhappy with me, just get another girl."

"No!" cried out Maxwell. "You can't do that. We already said you were our pick, so if you go, we've got no one! Plus, uh. The whole true love thing."

"Maxwell is, unfortunately, correct. Perhaps Maxwell didn't fully explain this to you, but if our house puts for the Prince's choice, we'll win fame and recognition."

"Which is something we could really use right now actually, cause we're kind of broke..." Maxwell looked at Violet sheepishly before looking away.

"MAXWELL. You overstep."

He hung his head. "Sorry."

"So we're stuck with you." He glared at Violet. "But I don't think we should really have to deal with you."

Riley linked arms with Violet, defiantly. "We are a package deal. Take us or leave us."

Bertrand snorted in annoyance. "Fine."

Smiling sympathetically at him, she offered. "There's nothing to be ashamed of about being broke. We've both been broke many times!"

Bertrand rolled his eyes. "It's entirely different for us."

"Do you get money if I marry the prince?"

"Not...directly, but we can leverage the prestige to great effect. It would be best to get the leverage before others find out about our ...situation. In the circles we run in, if word got out of our financial ruin, it would be a scandal."

"But our name is still worth something in Cordonia!" chimed in Maxwell, optimistically. "At the very least, we can introduce you to the right people, get you invitations to the right events." He looked down casted. "I only regret we can't offer you more." He looked at Violet with that last statement, as if speaking directly to her, causing her face to flush.

"Speaking of which, have you prepared for tomorrow's event?" asked Bertrand.

"There's another one?!" cried out Riley. "So soon?"

"Yes, it's a derby," stated Bertrand. "You know what a derby is, right?"

"Sure sure, you were a big hat, drink mint juleps, bet on a horse that is going to run for 30 seconds," answered Riley.

Bertrand nodded reluctantly. "Technically yes. It'll also be your first opportunity to make an impression on the press. They'll be covering the event."

"They don't get a lot of opportunities to see the royals, so they'll jump at this chance," mentioned Maxwell.

"So they are important?" asked Violet.

"Yes. VERY. Everyone in Cordonia will be influenced by what they write about you. We're a monarchy, but we serve the people. You'll need their approval if you're going to become their queen. Speaking of which, you should consider your attire for tomorrow. The Queen will be present at the Derby, and the right outfit will go a long way to earning her favor." Bertrand noticed Violet yawning. "We'll speak more tomorrow right before we head out for the Derby. Good night."

The two turned to leave, with Maxwell hesitating in the doorway. Riley exchanged a knowing glance and left for the bathroom. "Bertrand, I'll be just a second!" Maxwell called out to him.

Violet approached him slowly, an awkward silence hanging over them. "So..."

"So..."

"You're...broke?"

"Is...that...a deal breaker?"

Violet sighed. "Honestly, back in the day it would've been. But I'm actually in a very similar position. I lost out on 100 million dollars of my inheritance...because I was a selfish and cruel bitch. I'm trying to get better, but after being such a miserable person for so long, it's hard to fight your nature."

"Yikes, that's a lot of money. What happened?"

"I..." Violet took a deep breath. "I actually never told anyone before, but my grandmother passed away and left me and my four cousins a series of letters with requirements in order to get sad inheritance. My one cousin, the one who married Leo, was instructed to get married at the end of the summer." Maxwell frowned and Violet tried to explain. "It was supposed to be to her then fiance, but he cheated on her and she found out and broke up with him before the letters came out and so funny story, the King actually annulled her one marriage -"she noticed Maxwell's face." I digress. Regardless, she completed her task, while my one cousin received a list on how to live life, the other one had to keep a job for the whole summer and the last one had to propose to his girlfriend."

"What was yours?" asked Maxwell gently.

Violet gulped. "I ...had to make a real friend."

He looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I guess I was just always raised that it was a me or them kinda of world, so I was always that bitch that was hostile to everyone and was always trying to manipulate or ruin someone else. My mother was partly to blame, but I guess I just was an angry person. I was a bad person." She hung her head in shame. "But anyways, I couldn't do it. I couldn't just pay someone to be my friend, I had to earn their friendship. At the end of the summer, I needed someone to answer five relatively easy questions about me, but no one could." Violet's voice broke. "My mother was so horrified that I lost all that money, that she kicked me out of the house with only a suitcase worth of belongings and left me to be eaten by the wolves. I haven't talked to her since, and it's been almost a year. I actually haven't talked to anyone from my family."

Maxwell tucked Violet into his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he promised. "I'm your friend, and by the end of this who ordeal, I hope to know the answers to whatever those five questions where, and many more answers to many more questions."

Violet buried her face into him, crying softly. "You don't know how long I've been waiting to hear someone say something along those lines to me." Maxwell brushed away a few stray tears and leaned in to kiss her. "Wait, Max..." He paused and Violet looked uncertainly into his eyes. "Promise me you won't break my heart."

The searing kiss was the exact answer she was hoping for.

More VioletxMax action. Whoo whoo. Love train is leaving the station and on it's way to pound town!

...I'm sorry, it's late. Read, Review, Fave please!