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Maxon paces by his desk, taking off his jacket and loosening his tie. "I don't like the idea." He had long ago abandoned the illusion of calm and dignified grace.

Stavros glances at me, my stony expression, and my arms across my chest, "If I may, Sire, the idea has merit."

"Explain."

Stavros glances warily at both of us, then around the table. Aspen and Carter hold their faces neutral. August looks like he is exerting a Herculean effort in resisting his urge to laugh. Stavros is serious. Georgia and Marlee both narrow their eyes and stick out their chins. It's a standoff down gender lines, and Stavros looks like he plans to broker peace.

"Commander Leger mentioned the Queen is a target, but she is also a favorite of many. And she hasn't been out as much as usual. Even after Abrielle, she completed double the appearances. And it softened those with negative opinions when she brought the young princess with her. The public can see how much Queen America cares about the people when she spends extended time with them. And the idea that she can build alliances with previous twos," he looks at me, "Might work. After all, you know some of their daughters personally."

"Only the Selected truly know what it's like to be a Selected. By the end, Celeste, Elise, Kriss, and I were friends. Even in the heat of the final rounds of competition, we were the only ones who understood the pressure. We depended on each other." I look reproachfully at Maxon as he walks a path around his desk. His jaw is set and his arms mirror my own.

"So we're willing to sacrifice the Queen's safety to continue this uneasy peace? Because I am not."

"It's not peace," I begin, looking him in the eye. "It's the calm before the storm. The storm that will take apart everything we have worked for—the end to the caste system, universal education, and a functioning parliament. The Loyalists live in the past because it favored them, even as they don't acknowledge how dependent we are on each other. The only way to find the other two Loyalist leaders is for someone unassuming listening in the right places at the right times. Would you rather invite all your father's old friends to stay with us in the palace?"

Maxon answers my sarcasm with a cold look that I think I deserve. I don't usually strike low, but I am barely containing my frustration. Georgia, Marlee, and I had come at the issue from all angles already. My education tour would be an opportunity to connect with the people and monitor system implementation throughout the provinces. But it could also be an opportunity to fracture Loyalist support.

"I think it will work, and we can minimize the risk." Aspen's quiet assent stills the argument, and Carter gives one short nod in agreement.

Maxon uncrosses his arms and runs a hand through his hair. Then he looks steadily at me, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"It's not that I want to; rather, it needs to be done. And it won't be expected."

He finally nods, relenting, and sits back down at the table. "But I want to double the usual security detail."

Two hours later, my education tour was planned. Georgia, Marlee, and Aspen would be joining me, though I had argued valiantly for Carter instead. I wanted Aspen back at home, protecting Maxon. Everyone had argued against me on that point. Aspen usually travels so much, his comings and goings wouldn't be noticed. Sadly, we wouldn't be taking the twins. It was too risky, and we didn't want to separate Paige from Cal. However, it would be conspicuous if I didn't take at least one of the children. So, Abrielle would be joining us, along with Mary. I was happy about that decision, because even though the schedule would be grueling, I would get to spend a little more time than usual with my little girl. We also decided my tour schedule would be unannounced in advance, under the guise that I didn't want to put undue stress on the schools. Really, it provides a touch of added security. Maxon, Aspen, and I would be choosing the order of the provinces. In each province, I would attempt to meet with Selected participants. Security would be heightened in all provinces at the beginning of the tour, since my visits would be unannounced.

Maxon squeezes my knee discretely under the table. I arch my brow a little and give him a small smile. Apology accepted. "Ladies and gentlemen, good work today." He checks his watch, "It looks like we'll have time for dinner with our families this evening."

Everyone pushes back from the table. Aspen and Carter salute Maxon and turn on their heels. Stavros tilts his head to each of us and excuses himself. August extends his hand to Georgia and they bow slightly as they leave the room. Marlee, the last to leave, smiles at us both. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Relax tonight, Marlee. The next two weeks of preparations are going to be brutal."

She curtsies and heads down the hall. Maxon and I linger in the doorway of his study, our sides touching a bit.

"It goes without saying that I'm still not truly in favor of this tour."

I sigh, "I already told you, Maxon. This isn't about what we want. It's about what we need to do." I move away from him and turn into the room, preparing for an argument I think is inevitable.

He cocks his head at me, "I know, love. I just wish we could go together." In two strides we are face to face again, and he leans down and kisses my cheek. "It's hard to send you out like this with all the unknowns." He tone shifts, "Plus, breakfast will be lonely."

I snort, "I bet Mary won't miss bringing a tray at a quarter 'til five in the morning." My expression softens as I touch the furrow in his brow, "I'll miss you, too." He covers my hand and brings my palm to his lips. After a lingering embrace, we walk leisurely back to spend a rare quiet evening with the kids.

Later that night, I slip my robe off and collapse into the sheets with a sigh. "I think Griffin's down for the night now."

"Do you want to make a wager on that?" Maxon grins at me over his book. "It's like he knows I was kissing his mother."

"I almost let May take care of it, but in two weeks…" I trail off. Being outside of the palace is a welcome change, but I hate leaving the boys behind. And the sinister edge to this trip even makes me nervous to bring Brie. Over dinner this evening, Cal had pouted and Brie was ecstatic over the impending trip. Cal had insisted he should be going because he was Crown Prince, and Brie had insisted in true four-year-old style that the trip was for "girls only." We couldn't tell them that because Cal was the Crown Prince is one of the reasons he has to stay home. That, and the logistics of an entourage that would have to account for his schooling and security just seemed too much to negotiate right now. We appeased him with the new information that he would be learning to shoot, something he had been advocating for since he could string sentences together.

Maxon places his book to the side and opens his arms to me, and I gratefully curl against him, head on his bare chest. I hear his heart beats increase as his hands span my back. His fingers tease the straps of my nightgown. Softly but mischievously I remind him, "Remember, our kissing wakes the children."