A/N
Look, only 24 hours since the last update! Comments at the end. :) I hope you enjoy this next installment. Thanks for reading!
-SJ :)
A breeze plays in my hair, and I will my eyes open. Maxon is where I expect him to be: standing on the balcony, looking out over the grounds. I just don't expect him to be half-dressed. The muscles in his arms stand out as he leans against the railing, and the old scars stretch across his back. Almost as if he senses me watching him, he looks over his shoulder. When he sees I'm awake he motions me over, and I grab his button-down from the bed post and join him. I'm in awe, watching the moments before dusk rolls across the landscape. The sunset overflows with orange and pink and gold, giving the tree tops an other-worldly glow. Maxon told me once that photographers call this the "magic hour."
"It's not fair that everything is so beautiful right now," I whisper. "It should be raining, big ugly gray drops."
He takes my hand, bringing it to his mouth. "Oh, but love. I've been standing here, pretending. We have nothing but time and each other, and no reason to leave this room."
"Sounds wonderful," my voice cracks a little as he reels me closer.
"No responsibilities to anyone else. Just my beautiful bride and me, completely alone for a minute or two more," his voice is husky in the back of his throat. He slides a hand behind my neck, and places the other gently in the curve of my hip. "I can't think of a better way to pass the time before dinner," his breath teases my lips.
Before, I needed to erase the feeling of Didasko's hands on my body. I needed the reassurance that something was still right in my world. Now, both barefoot, only his oxford separating our skin, I can block everything else out. Almost forget and steal this time for ourselves. The headiness of the scent that is particularly his urges me closer to him, and I run my hands up his chest and around his neck. Intense longing overwhelms me as his lips finally meet mine.
A sharp knock at the door breaks our reverie, and it crashes down around us as Aspen pokes his head in the room. Maxon's face immediately hardens, and he steps in front of me with an arm out protectively. His other hand points directly at Aspen, as he barks, "Your fifteen seconds starts now."
Aspen puts both hands up and avoids our glares and state of obvious undress, "I'll share the details at dinner, but if you get a call from France, she's in a coma." The door shuts as quickly as it opened, and within the allotted time.
We both freeze, but I know that the moment will not be repaired. "Go ahead. Follow him."
"Do you want to come with me now or wait for dinner?" Maxon asks, barely sparing me a look as I hand him his shirt and turn my back to wrap myself in my robe.
"No, no. Apparently, I am clinging to life," I say as I crawl back up on the bed. "Doc gave me strict instructions to relax and recuperate. I don't think you're quite distraught enough. You might need to turn it up a few degrees if Daphne calls."
Within moments, he is ready. I use every ounce of restraint to avoid pouting, the tenuous position we are in should be enough to ground me. "Could you please have someone send up a glass of orange juice?"
He raises an eyebrow, but nods, drops a kiss on my forehead, and heads out the door. I flop back into the pillows, deciding to catch a few more minutes of sleep before dinner.
I take my time heading back to the dinner meeting. The extra nap served only to make me more tired, and I was now feeling the soreness in the bruise on my wrist. The extra guard is evident. Carter and Aspen have tripled the in-palace security, but I have yet to run in to any staff besides Mary when she brought my juice.
I take a deep breath, and enter the room to an interesting tableau. Elise, Georgia, August, Carter, Gavril, and Aspen sit with Maxon around the table. All except for Aspen and Maxon are eating their dinner in complete silence. Aspen is scribbling on scrap sheets of paper and passing them to Maxon, who is on the phone.
"Yes, yes," Maxon says. "We are sure that New Asia is behind it. Every time we are attacked, Elise is visiting or just visited. She made wild accusations and confronted America at a meeting with the German Federation." Elise makes an exaggerated and voiceless, who me?, motion, almost causing Maxon to lose his composure. He shakes his head no, and Aspen glares at her. "Oh, that's what your intel says, as well. And that's why you called. Thank you for looking out for us." I take the empty seat on the other side of my husband and cross my arms across my chest, pushing away the plate Georgia sets in front of me. Apparently, this is part of the plan. "At least America's brother is here; he has really helped us by stepping into Stavros' place. I don't know what we would do without him." His voice softens, "I do need the support of our oldest ally." He listens for a bit, and I feel my face fixing in a frown. "America?" Aspen slips him another piece of paper. "Yes, it is sad," his voice is cold, but his eyes are apologetic. "Yes, she is. But, maybe it is for the best." He's quiet again for a minute or so, and then says, "I look forward to your visit. Yes, see you soon." He hangs up the phone.
Steam. Steam must be coming out of my ears, as everyone around the table looks at me warily and then focuses on their plates. "So, what I know of this plan so far is that I am in a coma and my dear husband is not too broken up about it. Would anyone care to fill me in?"
"Aspen came to me earlier this afternoon, and shared the confessions of Bariel and Kota. I did a little more digging, and both have made several trips to New Asia over the last few years," Elise explains.
I look at her, "So my coma and my husband flirting with another woman was your idea?"
"No, I didn't say that, America. Aspen…"
Elise trails off as Aspen says, "Actually it was yours. Earlier this afternoon, you mentioned this could all be solved by Maxon taking Daphne to the treehouse. So we are. Metaphorically of course."
"And why the dramatics?"
Aspen clears his throat, "We need her to travel here without suspicion of ulterior motives. Our problem is how to reign in a monarch who is misbehaving. We can't arrest her or eliminate her without causing war. And war is exactly what we are trying to avoid." Maxon nods for him to continue, and the rest of the table looks at me expectantly. "We need to flush out if this is just Daphne, or if her whole cabinet. And, frankly, all we have to confirm our suspicions right now are the confessions of Bariel and Kota. Two people trying to save their own skin. We know we're correct, but is it enough evidence to go to war over? We need her to implicate herself in front of others."
"She underestimated your friendship with Elise, but if you were more suspicious of each other, she would have already restarted the Illean-New Asian war," August reminds us.
Maxon reassures me, "We have support around the world. People are horrified, and frankly not so surprised. Our staunchest allies, Swendway, Great Britain, Italy, the German Federation and New Asia are ready to remind France of its place militarily if we can't find a way to contain Daphne. She is correct when she says her power is fading. But, all of the allies would prefer not to punish innocent citizens for her crimes."
August adds, "They are traveling our way now, to make a concrete show of diplomatic unity. Everyone wants to be sure that international misuse of power can be condemned and contained peacefully by the rest of the world."
"An international alliance of nations?" I question and turn to Maxon. "We've always dreamed of that." He nods. "Maybe some good will come out of this, after all." I sigh and sit back in my chair. I'll be glad when this is over and I can get a good night's sleep. "Now what?"
"Now, we have to make sure that this is believable. We'll bypass your contributions on The Report tomorrow by sharing that you are ill," Gavril says.
"Won't that cause country-wide concern?"
"After your behavior in Sota, people will just assume another member of the royal family is on its way." In response to Georgia's comment, a smile tugs at the corners of Maxon's lips and he winks at me, causing me to flush. Everyone finds the statement amusing, and I just shake my head and purse my lips.
"Georgia, it sounds as if we need to schedule and assign staff, and plan the formal meals. Elise, we would welcome your help if you'd like to join us."
"I've already begun, Your Majesty," Georgia smiles. "I'll meet you in your study so we can confirm the arrangements."
That statement seemed to signal everyone to go their separate ways to complete their work. Maxon, Aspen, and I are left alone again, and Aspen says, "One more thing, Mer."
I cock my head, "Yes?"
"Once the dignitaries arrive, you need to stay in your common rooms. If Daphne sees you, this operation will crumble. All the time and energy everyone is putting in will be for nothing. We are tripling the guard."
"That should keep up appearances," I comment.
Maxon and Aspen share a look. And, I know without a doubt, that the guards will be there as much to keep me in as to keep anyone out.
agb1700: Thanks so much. What do you think of this installment? :)
The Devil Wears Westwood: I'm glad the chapter came at a good time. Your update was great, too! :)
prnamber3909: Maybe I sound like I'm stuck on the same track, but another literal LOL. Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
Strike OOO: I know, sad. But, I promise there will be a sequel!
maxamerica love: Thanks! You know when you have the choice between weeping uncontrollably and laughing, sometimes laughing is the only way to go. I'm glad you're enjoying it. How did you like this chapter? :)
BooksAndComics: I am so glad-thanks for reading and reviewing! It makes my day to read reviews like that! :)
Totalbooknerd13: I know. :(
jthornestudent: Thank you so much for riding the coaster with them. :)
JohnLegend: I have to say, answering music with music is difficult, but it's stretching my brain. Hmmm... how does this work:
Everything is great
Everything is grand
I got the whole wide world in the palm of my hand
Everything is perfect
It's falling into place...
Life is a Happy Song... And I think the last chapter explained Aspen. :)
Guest: I'm happy you're excited about a sequel-I am, too!