A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this took so long. I had it written but I hated it so I started over. Yay!

I'm trying my hand at getting a little hot and heavy without getting smutty at all, so yeah. I hope you enjoy!

"Maxon, where are we going?" I laughed.

We were riding on his horse, flying through the woods. I sat in the front of the saddle with his arms wrapped around me. He held the reins with confidence, weaving through the forest with expert skill. We'd be riding for a while now, and I was anxious to see where we were going.

"It's a surprise. Be patient," he scolded as he slowed the horse to a trot. "They said once you marry all your wife will do is nag." He planted a quick kiss on the side of my neck, laughing all the while. I couldn't stop smiling if I had wanted to. His joy was absolutely infectious.

"Guess you will have a lifetime of my nagging then," I pointed out.

"And I couldn't be luckier."

I had to disagree, for I believed I was the lucky one. For all intensive purposes, I was now Prince Maxon's wife. I was the future Queen of our country, and no one knew but us, three witnesses, and a priest.

And the only part I cared about was the fact that Maxon was mine.

Our ceremony had ended just a short while ago, and after a delicious dinner, Maxon announced that we were taking a small trip. It didn't seem to surprise anyone else, but it did surprise me. He didn't say where we were going, only that I would enjoy it.

I thought about the ceremony as we ventured through the greenery. It was beautiful and simple, perfect for us.

We stood in front of the priest, our hands intertwined. Marlee and Carter stood behind me, while Aspen stood behind Maxon. I know Maxon wanted Celeste to be here, but it was better for the rouse that she wasn't.

"These are solemn vows you are about to take, and they cannot be broken lightly. By entering into this covenant, you are promising to be loyal to your partner, to enter into the marriage and to make it public. By the grace of god and country, you will be man and wife. Do you understand this?" the priest questioned.

"I do," I promised. I looked at Maxon, who had a heart stopping smile on his face.

"I do, by my honor as future King."

We repeated the words the priest told us, which were basically the marriage vows that were standard. He brought out the goblet of wine, which we took a sip of while the other was holding it. It was a symbol of our unity, of our promise and commitment to one another. Normally, rings or some kind of token was also exchanged, but we couldn't do that just yet. If the King saw anything out of the ordinary, it may tip our hand.

"Let what is promised before God and these witnesses never be pulled asunder. May you stay by each other's side for as long as you both shall live."

With that, Maxon pulled me into his arms, his thumb softly caressing my cheek. He kissed me briefly, but I felt so much love in that tender touch. When he pulled away, he left whispered words on my lips.

"Forever, my Queen."

We came to an opening in the woods, where a small home sat. The stonework was absolutely amazing. It was covered in vines and moss, but it looked cozy and comfortable. Smoke rose from the chimney, indicating that someone had left a fire.

"What's this?" I questioned.

"This is our honeymoon, darling. I'm going to take you on a proper one once we make our marriage official with the public, but until then, I want you to myself for the next couple of days. Is um…I hope that's okay," he finished nervously.

I turned back to him, planted a quick kiss on his lips. "Of course it's okay."

He pulled the horse into the small barn out back. He gracefully dismounted and helped me down. I was still wearing the dress from the betrothal ceremony, so I was thankful for his help. I had to admit, a part of me was anxious about what was actually going to happen this weekend, but mostly, I was just excited. I'd dressed warmly for the ride, as it was chilly and the air was damp with mist, but I hadn't brought anything else.

"Um, Maxon? I don't have anything to wear."

"Marlee helped me. I brought some things over here earlier today."

"You think of everything, don't you?" I said as I looped my arm through his.

"When it comes to you, yes." He placed his hand over my own, and we walked towards the little house.

"Whose place is this?"

"It's Count Leger's, I mean Aspen's, actually. It's on the eastern side of his property, which happened to not be far from Carter's. It's the hunter's cabin. He offered it to me when I spoke with him of our plight. He said no one is living here at the moment, so we have it at our disposal."

"But isn't it improper for Marlee and Carter to stay at their house alone?" I reasoned. Maxon raised his eyebrows, a confident smirk on his face.

"Wasn't it improper for me to stay with you all those nights?"

I blushed deeply, fighting a smile. "Yes, of course it was. And I enjoyed it."

"And maybe they will enjoy some alone time. They don't have a secret passage to use in the castle. Don't worry. Carter is a much more of a gentleman than I am."

"It's not Carter that I worry about. It's Marlee."

Maxon laughed as he opened the door. "They are getting married in two weeks, America. If something does happen, no one will know."

"I know," I muttered. Maxon shut the door behind us, lowering the bar so there wouldn't be any unwelcomed guests. He moved over to me, wrapping his arms around me. I leaned back into him and let my head rest against his shoulder. His breath brushed my ear, sending chills all over my body.

"So what do you want to do?"

My breathing just about stopped. Now that we were basically married, I figured that we had come to be alone for a reason. What should I say? I was nervous, maybe a little scared, but it wasn't Maxon that scared me. It was only the unknown. I shivered slightly, and Maxon gave me a gentle squeeze.

"Let's warm up a bit. I don't want you to catch anything."

Maxon moved from me towards the smoldering fire. He began building it up, filling the small cottage with extra warmth. I sat on the small bench in front of the fire, letting the flames dry my damp dress and hair.

"Here," he muttered as he wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. "We should be good to go once the flames do their work."

I offered him a small smile, gesturing to the space beside me. He started to sit down with me, but he suddenly stopped.

"Oh I forgot something," he exclaimed as he got up. He quickly went outside, but before the door could shut, I could see the drizzle had now turned to a steady rain. I leaned against the back of the chair, the beat of the drops against the roof comforting. I curled up on the chaise, pulling the blanket tighter around me.

Maxon entered carrying a bottle of wine and two goblets. I smiled as he sat back down beside me. There were raindrops in his hair, and his cheeks were flush from the chill.

"I've been waiting for this. I made sure to bring it with me so we'd have it to celebrate."

"Why was it so important?" I lectured merrily as I brushed the raindrops from his hair. "Now you may be the one to catch something!"

"First off, darling, I don't get sick. Secondly, it's important because I had a bet with Celeste that I would be married before she did. She gave this to me when I left the castle. My cousin has accepted defeat, and that's a big enough reason to celebrate. However, it pales in comparison that you are now my wife."

I shook my head, unable to hide my grin. He poured us each a glass and handed me mine as he sat beside me. I tipped the contents past my lips. It was cool and refreshing, with a crisp yet sweet bite.

Maxon had taken his tunic off, leaving him in just his undershirt. He had it pushed up around his elbows, making him look amazingly normal. He had some goose bumps on his forearms, so I moved over and wrapped the blanket around him as well. Maxon smiled and moved closer to me, pulling me into his lap. We draped the blanket around us, creating our own little cocoon of warmth. I was so comfortable, so at ease. I rested my head in the crook of his neck. Maxon was absentmindedly tracking patterns on my dress, moving down my arm and thigh. Every movement was stirring. I was the fire, and he was building me up. My blood was beginning to warm, to sizzle and scorch me with every touch. At the same time, though, it felt like I was freezing. I needed more.

"You have no idea how nice it is to know that no one is going to bother us. There's no one to interrupt us, to spy on us, to report us to my father. I wish we could be like this every day."

"Me too, and we'll get there. I guess being Prince isn't all it's cracked up to be, is it?" I murmured.

He shook his head before placing a lingering kiss on my temple. "No, it's not. I enjoy helping my people, but sometimes it's a lot to take. It's going to be a lot more bearable with you, though."

I nodded my head. I hadn't thought much about being Queen. Sure, I had come to terms with the responsibility of it all, of hosting diplomats and putting my country first, but I hadn't experienced it. It was going to be a big change.

"Are you worried?" he questioned.

I stared at our intertwined fingers. "I'm worried about being a good ruler, for doing right by our people. I worry that I'll let you down, that the people won't approve."

Maxon took our hands, raising mine them so he was able to place a soft kiss on mine. He worked his way back along my jaw, whispering words as he went. "America, they are going to love you. You are smart and kind. You show compassion and you truly care for others. I have no doubt that our people will become as entranced with you as I am."

He had made it back to my lips, and all thought left me. All I could focus on was his taste mixed with the sweetness of the wine, of how the soft caress of his lips was dancing with mine. I set my glass down so I could lace my hands into Maxon's hair. His shirt was so thin, letting me feel every toned inch of him. I ran my hands down his back as he kissed my neck, feeling the scars there. Nothing reminded me of how much Maxon loved me more than those scars. He was defying his father, his King, to be with me. He was going against the man that gave him those scars. I would be just as brave for him.

Maxon's fingers brushed the lacing on the back of my dress. He rested his forehead against mine, our hurried breaths mingling together. We looked up at each other at the same time. There was a touch of nervousness in his eyes. Maxon ran his other hand down my cheek, looking intently at me.

"I- I've never done this before," he admitted. I smiled, placing my hand on his neck.

"Neither have I."

He grinned in response, but it didn't reach his eyes. It quickly faded into something determined and passionate. "America, I love you. I'm going to love you until I'm old and gray, until I've passed on from this world into the next. I'm never going to leave you, never going to stop wanting you. I'm rambling, but what I'm trying to say is that you can't change my mind. If this is too soon, if you have any doubts-

I leaned in, silencing him with a soft kiss. His breath stilled as he pulled away, looking at me with wide and desperate eyes.

"Maxon, I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I want you," I whispered as I brushed my lips across his cheek. "Now." They were on his jaw. "Forever." I moved to his neck.

Maxon's fingers tipped my jaw up, our lips colliding together once more. As we kissed, his fingers undid the lacing. When he got to the bottom, he ran his hands along my back. My chemise was so thin, letting the heat from his hands seep into me. I pulled myself closer, wanting to be completely wrapped in him.

"That was easier than I thought," he muttered playfully. I laughed with him. It eased the nervousness between us. He helped me stand, and together we helped my gown fall to the floor. We stood there looking at each other, drinking the sight of one another in. I tentatively reached for his shirt, and he raised his arms, letting me pull it from him. Once his was gone, I ran my fingers over his chest, memorizing him. He shivered slightly, his breaths becoming more ragged. I looked up at my husband. His eyes told me that he wanted me, wanted to love me, to take me as badly as I wanted him to, but the tense stance of his brow told me that something was still bothering him.

"Maxon, I trust you," I whispered. "As long as we are together, everything's going to be perfect. We'll get our happy ending."

"I won't stop fighting for it," he responded.

Maxon picked me up in his arms, carrying me over to the bed. He laid me gently down, crawling over me. His warmth enveloped me, making me feel so relaxed and at ease. One of his hands brushed up my chemise, revealing my leg. His fingers ran gently over it, making my breath catch and a low sigh leave me.

I wanted him to touch me everywhere he hadn't before. I wanted to breathe him in, for he was just as essential to me now as air and water. I wanted to drown in him, be coveted my him, to feel his hands all over me. I wanted to moan his name, for him to say mine in veneration, to becoming so tangled in each other that we'd almost become one. I wanted to make love to him, to have him, until I couldn't take it anymore.

I wasn't disappointed.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! I'm trying to get this story finished, so expect an update decently soon! :)