A/N

Hi, Everyone, Thank you for being so patient waiting for this installment. It wasn't quite as quickly as I intended. I am responding to the comments at the end of the chapter. Some of your questions will be answered in this chapter-some throughout the next few. Again, thanks for hanging in there. I am enjoying wrapping this story up. Hope you are still enjoying reading! XOXO SJ

Maxon looks toward Aspen and nods.

"I'll be right outside," Aspen states.

I wait until the door closes behind him to say, "Don't even. Just don't. I won't ever be in the same room with him again. Much less grant him any sort of mercy. He deserves everything that will come to him, and more." My eyes are blazing, and I'm sure my cheeks are on fire, as well. I cross my arms, daring him to say the opposite.

"Believe me, I'd like nothing more than to give him what he deserves." He shows me bruised and swollen knuckles on his right hand. "I had to use great restraint so that he would make it here." He pauses, and looks up at me across the table, "But it's not only about what Kota deserves, love."

I say nothing, stubbornness radiating off of my form.

"America, we have a responsibility to our people. The only way to end this, for good, is tied to those two. We owe it to everyone who has fallen. We owe it to Stavros. We owe it to the memory of my mother." His voice falters, and he breaks eye contact. He is recalling the video, and he has yet to view for himself the signal that initiated the attack.

The confessions confirmed what I saw: Clarkson was the connection between the Loyalists and the Southern Rebels. In actuality, many of the leaders of the Southern Rebels were from Loyalist families, appointed and paid off by the former king. Bariel's husband, Alec, was actively involved in the attack at the end of the Selection. Bariel and Alec met in France—where many Loyalists went when we began to implement our reforms. Clarkson had never hesitated to take what he wanted, and Loyalists feared our caste dissolution plan included confiscating their assets. Of course, that was absurd. But how could they know how different Maxon would be?

And, Kota. Kota traveled to France at Daphne's behest. And, apparently they turned to each other, as both were bitter about their exclusion from the inner circle. His hand was purposefully broken to work on our sympathies. Who would leave their repentant broken brother to fend for himself?

Maxon takes a deep breath and continues, "What strikes me about these confessions, the current conspiracy, the actions of my father: the foundation is cowardice. They feared the loss of their control and would keep it by any means possible. And it's all a false perception. Alec and Bariel are better off financially than before we came to power. Kota was the darling of the rich and famous across the world, a celebrity in his own right. And my father. My father and his precious cast system: if he would have compromised at all, he would still be king. Everyone would still bow and scrape. But, Daphne is especially baffling. Did she really allow her fear to face her world twist her thinking this completely?"

I finally sit back down across the table from him, "Daphne's still in love with you."

"Now is not the time for jokes, America."

"I'm not joking. She's a psychopath, obviously. But, she is very much in love with you." I shake my head and try to swallow a giggle.

Maxon raises an eyebrow, "Love, this isn't funny. How would you like it if the entire Leger family was out to get me?" We meet each other's eyes, and Maxon starts to chuckle as well. Soon, we are laughing so hard tears are rolling down our cheeks.

Aspen steps back into the room, "What the hell is going on in here? I can hear you in the hallway."

"An urgent matter of state obviously. I believe this would be completely solved if Maxon invites Daphne into the treehouse." Our laughter breaks out again, despite our attempts to squelch it.

Thoroughly confused now, Aspen questions, "Have you made your decision regarding our new prisoners?"

The simple question sobers us, and the weariness returns. Maxon responds, "We will speak to them. But not yet."

"And what about the bigger issue?" Aspen presses.

"What do you do with a wayward monarch? I guess this is an act of war." Maxon looks deflated; he is so tied to his peacekeeping work. He prides himself on it.

Aspen responds, "Maybe not."

"What are you talking about? How can it be anything else?"

I sigh, "You have an idea."

"I might. I need to talk to Lady Elise first."

Maxon looks from Aspen to me, and back to Aspen. "We'll convene over dinner this evening. I'll look forward to your report."

"This isn't something that's going to blow up in our face later?" I ask, taking Maxon's offered arm, but looking at Aspen.

"I've been protecting you for years, Mer. Go home and keep a low profile, and I'll explain tonight. Don't you trust me?"

It's eerie. The palace is so quiet when we return. We are working with a small staff for the next couple of the days, until we make our decisions. With war looming in front of us, it seems like the activity inside the palace should match the frenetic pace of our thoughts. Guards nod at their appointed places throughout the corridors.

Aspen's warning for me to keep a low profile seems odd, but Maxon and I acquiesce and return to our common room. We sink into the couch, and it seems like I can almost hear the children in the next room. But it's just my mind playing tricks on me; it's where they are supposed to be. Bariel and Kota and Daphne have deprived me even of them. I can't remember the last time I sat here without a small person leaning against my side or spreading across my lap.

Now, alone like this, I can't keep the tears from sliding through my lashes. Before I know it, they are coming thick and fast, and I'm sobbing and apologizing all at once. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just can't. I can't." Maxon's pain is evident on his face as he pulls me to him. He strokes my head, pulling the pins out of the simple knot, and smoothing his hands over the thick strands. I'm soaking his jacket, but he doesn't move. He embraces me gently as I curl into his shoulder and the pain and the fear and the uncertainty flows, alternately leaning his head against mine and pressing his lips into my hair.

As my crying slows, I turn my head to look up at him. He's already looking down at me, his expression soft and a little sad. "I love you. I will do everything in my power to keep our family safe."

I don't respond with words, choosing instead to close the short distance to his lips. He pulls back a little from the kiss, cradling the sides of my face with his palms. I answer the question in his expression with a small nod, leaning in again to capture his lips with my own. I need the reassurance and safety I can only find in his arms.

waterpolo3: Thanks-hope it you enjoyed this chapter, too! :)

maxamericalove: How sweet! Thanks for the compliments and dedication to the story. Glad you are liking the book-maybe this chapter meets some minor maxamerica love? :)

AcademicGirl: Thanks so much! (Loving both of your stories, too.)

The Devil Wears Westwood: I guess the update wasn't soon, but I'm glad you liked it. (Patiently waiting for your updates, next...:)

coralsea25: Thank you. Really, America should have known better... ;)

Guest: More will be revealed over the next couple of chapters, but Kota sculpted for France... And Daphne-one crazy lady!

Strike OOO: Thanks so much...it's been hard to keep it hidden but provide clues that make sense. But, it is the end of the story is almost here... :)

agb1700: Thank you so much for the compliments. I know this post wasn't soon, but hopefully, worth a little wait? She'll show him what she saw soon. :)

prnamber3909: Again, you make me laugh. :)

BlueGirl 1234: Thanks so much! :)

jthornestudent: She'll show him what she saw exactly soon; he's still digesting watching Stavros off his dad. Hope you liked this installment! :)

Totalbooknerd13: ... I know ... :)

guest: Thank you so much-and thanks for the idea. I'm still not totally sure what I'm going to do. But, I will write a sequel! :)

fanficlena: Wow-what a wonderfully kind review. I appreciate it so much! Yes, Daphne is really the third leader. I try really hard to keep the characters true to their development, but acknowledge they are in their thirties now. So, hopefully they grew up a little. :)

Obsessed: Life has gotten in the way, but here you go! :)

sushi: Kota got involved with Daphne-she's the other woman he refers to when he and America meet back up. The lone surviving attacker (out of the 6 that included Didasko) took his cyanide before they could interview him. The only people they can get information from are Bariel and Kota now. Kota's motive will be fully revealed by the end.

AGreatBigWorld: How's this for a response? :) My apologies to One Republic.

Start
I'mma start with this
Just a single thought followed by words
I hope I don't miss
Miss anything...

Guessing you've seen the remix with the response, but I can't respond with the other half! :)

Thanks again, all. I hope to post again within 36 hours... :)