A/N: Yes, yes another chapter! I am working on a one-shot for ONWTP (aka One Night with the Prince, which I will forever now on abbreviate), so those of you that like those, I should have it posted in the next few days.

I'm trying to keep on a weekly schedule, but this new job is messing with my sleep. Once I get back in the groove, I should be more consistent. Oh and a little surprise: you get a Maxon POV! Eeek!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all of the wonderful reviews. I write this for you guys, and to know that you are enjoying the story means the world to me! Ya'll freaking rock!

I hope you enjoy. I edited this at 3:30 in the morning, so...yeah. I most likely missed something. Whoops.

-Maxon-

I'd spent every moment that I could with America over the past few days. When I wasn't busy with my duties or doing some ridiculous task for my father, I was with her.

Having her back at court was amazing. All the drama that seeped in with the inflow of courtiers and other nobles seemed to fade away when I was around her. There was no task too insurmountable. I could deal with the pointless flirting, with the power struggles of men competing against one another. I could deal with my father, and his insistent demands that I spent time with Kriss. My mother was working on him. She wanted me to choose, and if America is what I wanted, then she supported it.

The truth was I could do anything when I was with America. She made me want to be a better man, a better king for my people. Yesterday, we walked to the village, and she was so kind and caring towards our people. Together, we bought bread for the children, and we talked to the people. They were doing as well as could be expected. We were managing as a country, but I wanted to do better for those living in it, and I would. My father was way too focused on conquest, on obtaining more power, and that is where the majority of our resources went. I wanted to focus on strengthening the country, on making it a better place to live. And I would.

I sat in a chair by the fire, watching America brush out her hair. She was easily one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen. Her beauty was different than the other courtiers. Hers was innocent, absolutely and enchantingly honest. She didn't make herself up as much as the other women did. She didn't have to try very hard to be beautiful; it simply shone from her, from the inside out. That's what made her so enchanting to me.

Her hair fell to the middle of her back. She was slowly brushing a section of it, humming gently with her eyes closed. I recognized the tune, one that had played at the ball the other night. She opened her eyes, catching my gaze in the mirror.

"Why are you staring?" she questioned with a timid smile.

"I can't help it," I admitted as I walked over to her. I placed my hands on her shoulders, her hand coming to rest on mine. She looked up at me with eyes the color of the sky. They were so deep, honest, and passionate. You could see everything in America when you looked into her eyes. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her look even lovelier than she already did. Her lips brushed my hand, and she sighed deeply.

"I can't persuade you to stay?"

"I wish I could, but we can't spend every single night together. Besides, there will be plenty of that once we are wed. It won't be very long," I promised as I leaned down to kiss her cheek. America always smelled so good, like roses and crisp spring air. She wound her fingers through mine, and I helped her stand. We walked over to the bookcase, and I slid it open. I took a few steps and turned, facing my future wife. America was leaning in the doorway, her arms crossed. I reached forward, wrapping my arms around her. She rested her head on my chest.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" she questioned hesitantly as she looked up at me. I tucked her hair behind her ear and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Of course you will. Meet me at our spot by the river after lunch. I should be free by then. I have a meeting with father and a few nobles," I groaned.

She nodded her head, and I held her tightly to me. I loved holding her, having the feeling of her being so close. It was wonderful. Here in my arms, she was safe. Nothing in the world would harm her.

"Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight, Maxon."

I took a step back, keeping my eyes on her until she slid the bookcase shut. Even with just that thin amount of wood between us, I could already feel her absence. I took a deep breath and walked to my room. The walk was short, only a few minutes, and I popped open the secret entrance at the back of my room. It came out right by my bed, easy for quick escapes should the need arise. I walked over to the table, grabbing the pitcher of wine and pouring myself a glass. I felt restless for some reason, and a glass always helped me sleep.

"You are sneaking in awfully late."

I dropped the half filled glass, spilling the wine all over the floor as the glass shattered. My father was sitting in the chair in front of the fire, his hands steepled under his chin. He looked as he always looked: haughty, proud, and in complete control. Looks wise, the only thing I had inherited from my father was his fair hair. In all other ways, I looked more like my mother. He got up, walking over to where I was. He reached for the pitcher, pouring a small glass. I took a step back from him, wondering what exactly my father was doing in my chamber so late.

"What are you doing here?"

My father swirled the wine in his glass, casting a smirk in my direction. "Can't a father want to stop by to check on his only son?"

"No. What do you want?" I demanded. He drained the glass and set it back down on the table.

"I want to know where you've been."

"I've been outside, walking the grounds," I supplied.

"And you took the secret entrance because?"

"Because I didn't feel like every guard and courtier should know my every move. I am entitled to just a smidge of privacy, don't you think, Father?"

He nodded his head, mulling over what I said. "Hmm, that's a good story, and I'd almost believe you, but we both know that's a lie. I didn't have any proof, but I had my assumptions," he claimed as he took a step towards me. He reached for my shoulder, and I fought the urge to flinch away. He pinched it, and when his hand pulled away, he held something up for me to see: a single red hair.

"I use to use these same tunnels when I was your age. I knew Lady Singer was of lower station, but I believe her father would hate to hear that she had given herself to the Crowned Prince."

"Do you think so low of me? I'm more of a gentleman than you. I haven't bed her, and I have no intention on it until I marry her," I spat.

"You still have that on your mind, I see. I'd hoped that I had put an end to it. I will not approve of her," he admitted.

"Why do you detest her so? How will she not make a good wife, a good queen?"

"Her father is radical, giving power to the people under his district. She will be the ruin of the kingdom."

"Yet you want to marry her off to Count Leger? He's becoming one of the most powerful men in the kingdom. You'd let them wed?"

"She has nothing to offer us! We need the Ambers' gold. We need their connections, their money-"

"You just want their power. You just want to add to your reservoir! This has nothing to do with America; this has to do with your insatiable greed for more and more-"

The blow came quickly. I fell to the floor, blood dripping from my lip. I wiped it away and looked up at my father, who had a look of murderous rage on his face.

"You know I can do a lot worse than that, son. Do not test me," he growled. The memory of pain flashed across my back, where scars of the lashings he had given me were. There was a time that I feared standing up to my father, but now, I had something to fight for. His power could only extend so far, and I would not let him continue to have control over me. I stood, using the frame of my bed for support.

"I don't need your blessing. You can't kill me. If you do, you have no heir. You can do whatever you want to me, but I will not change my mind about her."

My father studied me for a minute. His eyes darkened, and a cruel grin appeared on his face.

"No… maybe I can't intimidate you, but I can intimidate her."

"You wouldn't dare touch a hair on her head," I warned.

"I tried to nip this little relationship in the bud. When I learned it was her you were writing the letters to, that she was the girl that had ensnared you, I made the letters between the two of you disappear. Even with her back at court, you talk of marrying the girl. I set up a very advantageous opportunity for her. The Singers are decent people, but that is why they are so weak and poor. Leger can help with that."

"You will not make her marry someone against her will!"

"No, I won't. You are going to do that."

I stared at my father, rage pounding through me. "Never."

"Oh, I believe you will, my boy. The marriage between the two of them is practically set. Lord Singer approves, and it is approved and wished by their King. Who would oppose what I desire? If I wish it, it will happen. It sure would be a terrible tragedy if something happened to Lady America."

"What are you saying?"

"How easy would it be for a man to tarnish her honor? For a raid to kill her on the road home? For rebels to come attack and take her? Or maybe all it would take is a little poison in her drink? I can think of a thousand different ways to be rid of her, Maxon."

"You will not harm her! I will not let you touch a single hair on her head!" I yelled as I grabbed the front of my father's shirt. He laughed, an emotionless one that sent chills up my spine.

"Of course I won't, if you do as I say."

I let go of my father, staggering back to my bed. He straightened his clothes, looking at me with a pitying expression.

"You still haven't learned to play the game. As a King, you have to know other's weaknesses and use them against them to get what you want. Let this be a lesson to you."

With that, he walked out of my room, slamming the door behind him.

-America-

I sat on our rock, watching the water flow downstream. It was a beautiful day. The weather was warm, and I had already kicked off my shoes so I could feel the grass underneath my feet.

As soon as lunch was over, I darted up to my room to change. I had told my father I was going horseback riding. It was the perfect excuse to get out of the castle. I wasn't exactly fond of it until I had gotten a horse of my own. Before coming back to court, I rode every chance I could. It helped me forget about missing Maxon. We had brought my mare, Isadora, with us to the castle. After lunch, I changed into my riding dress, and I practically ran to the stables. The stable boy helped me saddle her up. We rode all over the property, and I could feel her need for freedom as much as my own. After riding for a little while, taking a short detour around the grounds, I had come to our spot at the river.

It didn't bother me that Maxon wasn't here yet. If the meeting ran over, then it may be a little while. I checked on Isadora, making sure that she was content with being tied to the tree. She was grazing underneath it, nickering gently.

I decided to go put my feet in the water. I lifted the skirts of my dress, thankful it was made of thin green linen than the heavier stuff that was required of court. The water felt phenomenal. It was cool and refreshing, and I walked a little further in, until it was up to my knees. My dress was getting wet, but I didn't care. The feel of the water rushing around me, the slickness of the stones under my feet, was soothing and calming. The water began to feel chilly, so I stepped out of the river and laid back on the rock. I closed my eyes, letting the sun warm me. It was so incredibly comfortable. The rock was warm, and the sound of birds chirping and the river flowing was almost like a song.

"Fancy seeing you out here."

I shot up, looking wildly around me for the source of the voice. Aspen stood above me, an amused smile on his face. I quickly straightened my dress and tried to get my bearings. The sun was set much lower than when I had come here, and Isadora was snorting impatiently by the tree.

"What time is it?" I stuttered.

"Close to dinner. I was out for a ride, and I saw the horse. I didn't know you rode," he stated as he helped me up.

"I do. I must have fallen asleep. I didn't mean to be out this late."

"What were you doing out here all on your own? A lady like you shouldn't be out alone like this, even on castle grounds. It's dangerous."

"I-I was meeting a friend. We were going riding together, but they must have gotten tied up."

"Oh. Well, in that case, let me escort you back. I was just getting ready to head back and prepare for dinner."

I nodded my head. "Thank you, Aspen."

Aspen led me over to my horse, and he gave me a boost. I didn't need it, but it did make things a little easier. He tried to make small talk as we trotted back, but I wasn't really paying attention. Why hadn't Maxon come? Did his meeting last longer than normal or was something wrong? I had this anxious feeling in my stomach, like something had happened. Maxon wasn't one to forget or go back on his word. He would've sent a message if he could no longer make it. Maybe something had happened…

Once we made it back to the stables, Aspen helped me remove the gear from my horse. He really was a gentleman. He didn't seem upset at my almost non-existent answers on the ride back. He must have noticed my mood because he was doing everything he could to improve it. I was laughing as we brushed the horses. He was telling me stories of his younger siblings, and they reminded me of my own.

"So that's when Jemmy threw the frog at Kamber, and I have literally never heard a girl scream so loud in my entire life," he chortled. I grabbed my stomach, laughing from his family's antics.

"Okay, that beats my story. Your mother must have her hands full! How many brothers and sisters do you have?" I wondered.

"Well, I'm the oldest of seven, with four sisters and two brothers. It's certainly a full house. What about you?"

"Middle child. I have an older brother and sister, and a younger brother and sister. I hardly ever see my older brother. He left for Paris to study art. Kenna is recently married to Count Orders, and they just had a little girl."

"It always seems that women rule the house," he sighed dramatically. I playfully bumped Aspen's arm, earning a cheeky grin from him.

"As we are meant to! Like you men could do anything without us working and supporting you. I'd hate to see what your household would look like if your mother wasn't there!" I exclaimed.

"It would be a complete and utter disaster, my Lady," he replied in defeat. "I'll have to remember to never get in an argument with you. You are too clever for your own good."

"Lady Singer!"

A page ran up to me, handing me a note before quickly leaving. I ripped it open, reading the letter quickly. My eyes grew wide.

"Who is it from?"

"My father," I gulped. I read it once, twice, my eyes memorizing every word on the page. Aspen placed his hand on my shoulder, looking at me with concern.

"Is everything okay? I don't mean to pry, you just look extremely upset," he mentioned softly. I took a deep breath. Maybe I was just being paranoid today. Maybe I was just overreacting, but my father's tone in the letter frightened me. It was so formal and commanding, which meant only two things: either it was something serious, on a life changing level, or I was in trouble.

"My father wants to see me right away. He said it's urgent and to come as soon as I return."

Semi-cliff hanger? maybe? Don't hate me?

Please leave a review! Until next time my lovelies!

-holls