A/N: To start off, let me say how sorry I am that it's been so long since I've updated this story. I lost my plot book, had surgery, broke my foot, moved, got a puppy...just had a lot of crap happen and things fell to the wayside. I am happy to say that I've got it all plotted back out, and it has been one of my nano projects to finish this story up! Will it be done by the end of November...probably not, but I'm really going to try! Honestly, there's not a ton left, so we shall see!
I hope you don't hate me when you get to the end of this!
I sat in front of the fire, lounging on a divan. The weather was dreadful outside. It had stormed the past day, nothing but thunder and lightning along with a cold, steady rain. Maxon had worked hard to make sure we could spend the evening together. He'd originally planned a night out in the gardens, a moonlit dinner, but the weather had other plans. Celeste graciously agreed to give up her room for the evening. Maxon must have pulled a lot of favors with her to get it.
"I met with Father this afternoon."
Maxon was pouring each of us a glass of wine. He walked back over with two glasses in his hands, gauging my reaction.
"He's come to a decision?" I asked as he handed me my glass
"Not exactly," he said as he settled down beside me. "He's adamant that I will marry someone with a title. A commoner is completely out of the question." I nodded my head. It wasn't anything I didn't expect. "We went over a list of potential candidates, and…your name was on it. I think he may give in. You are the strongest candidate, and he knows it. He is just being stubborn."
"What makes you say that?"
"The comments he made. He huffed and just said that I might get my way after all," he beamed. "With the opposition against him, I don't think he has a choice."
I bit my lip. Something just didn't feel right. The King had fought for so long to keep us apart. Suddenly, he just wanted to give up? It didn't make any sense to me.
"What?"
I took a hurried sip of my wine. "It just…seems too good to be true," I admitted.
"I think we are due for some luck," Maxon whispered as he brushed my hair out of my eyes. I smiled. "I don't think we'll get an answer quite yet. He'll wait as long as he can, but I truly think we might have gotten through the worst of it."
I nodded my head, and Maxon pressed his lips against my forehead. There was nothing to do now but wait.
The past few days seemed like an eternity. It was worse than the months we spent apart. Every hour dragged on and on, and still, the King had not given his decision.
It had been four days since the rebels had made their request. Almost two since I'd seen Maxon privately. We chatted a small bit at court affairs, but nothing substantial. If it wasn't for Marlee, Carter, and Aspen, I think I might have gone mad.
The King announced at the morning meeting that he was going on a hunting trip. He would be gone a little over a day, hunting in the neighboring province. Relief flooded me when I learned that Maxon would stay. The King had eyes that would still be looking despite his absence, but it still felt just a little safer not having him in the castle.
It didn't take long after his departure for Maxon to send word through Carter. We were to meet in the afternoon, just after noon, along with directions on how to get there. It required crossing the river, which would ensure that we'd be far from any wondering eyes.
I'd worn my riding dress and boots, which gave me a good reason to be out on the grounds with my horse. The weather had finally cleared, the ride drastically improving my mood. The sun was finally out, spring coming into full swing. Flowers were blooming, their scent mingling in with the pines. Hope exploded in my chest. I couldn't help but feel that maybe things were turning in our favor. Maybe Maxon was right, that we were through the worst of it.
I stopped my horse, hopping down off of her with practiced ease. I tied her to a branch, right next to Maxon's coat he left to mark the spot. I ventured around the bend, right to a secluded shore. It bordered the river, deep into the woods were no one would come looking. A large rock loomed on one side, shielding us from any onlookers. It was the perfect spot.
"Hello, Darling."
Maxon sat on a blanket, a basket at his side. I bounded down the little hill to him, falling on the blanket in earnest. I kissed him quickly, not hiding my smile.
"Someone's in a good mood," he murmured as he pulled away. His eyes sparkled in the early afternoon light. He looked so at ease. His tunic had fallen open at the top, giving a peek of his glorious chest.
"It's a beautiful day," I pointed out as I laced our fingers together.
"Nothing to do with the fact that I have you all to myself for the afternoon?"
"Not at all," I teased. "How did you find this place?"
"I came across it riding a few weeks ago. I had to track it back down," he admitted. "But once I did, I realized it was perfect."
"It is," I breathed.
"And I brought something that is only going to make it better." I raised my brows questioningly, and Maxon pointed to the basket. I crawled over, unfolding the fabric to reveal what was inside. I knew what it was before I saw them because of the smell. That didn't stop the excited squeal from leaving me.
"Strawberry tarts!" I gushed. I grabbed one, devouring it. Maxon's easy laugh echoed throughout the little glen. I turned back. "Do you want one?"
He shook his head, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "No. Just you." Maxon had his arms open. I took off my boots and moved over to him, letting myself be wrapped in his warmth. He shifted so he was looming over me. He bent down, ever so gently touching his lips to mine. A sigh of pleasure left me, igniting every fiber of me.
"How are you this perfect?" I sighed as he pulled away. He licked his lips, a playful grin besetting them.
"I just know what you like, my dear." I rolled by eyes at the endearment. He laughed lightly before moving closer to me. "Plus, you taste even more exquisite than usual."
Maxon threaded his fingers through my hair, pulling me up that last inch. Our lips met, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Kissing him like this was better than riding, even better than strawberry tarts. Every single moment was infinite it its joy, sustaining my very soul.
A large crack echoed throughout the clearing. Maxon pulled away, reaching for his discarded sword. We both hastily looked around. I saw a flash of something behind the trees.
"Maxon," I whispered as I pointed to the tree line. "There."
He stood with authority, moving with assurance towards the trees. What if we were seen? What if it was one of the King's men? I didn't want to even imagine what his rage would be like. Maxon inched towards the woods. He picked up a rock and threw it towards the bushes.
A bleat echoed in the glen, followed by a deer bolting out. It bounded away from us, disappearing back into the woods. I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding.
"Just a deer," Maxon sighed. He moved back towards me, but I couldn't pull my eyes from the tree line. I was tired of living in fear of being discovered. I was tired of waiting on answers. I didn't want to live the rest of my life like this, let alone another day.
"America."
Maxon's hands cradled my head, tilting it up to face him. His thumbs brushed my cheeks, while he searched my eyes for answers.
"I know this has been hard, love," he whispered. "I never wanted this for you. I never wanted you to hide. I want happiness for us, and I'd never do anything to risk it. We are safe here."
I pulled myself closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. Maxon did the same, resting his chin on top of my head. His scent enveloped me, warming me from the inside out. I didn't want to be weak. For him, all of this was worth it.
"Maxon, I'm sorry," I mumbled into his chest.
"Don't be sorry," he ordered. "Your fears are real, America. I have the same ones."
"I should be stronger."
"You have plenty of strength. It's one of the things I love most about you," he asserted before giving me a squeeze. "We are human. We all have our moments of weakness. It's in those times that we depend on the strength of others."
"That's not fair. I can't do the same for you."
"But you have. I never would have fought against my father's wishes if it wasn't for you. You make me better, America. I rely on your strength every day to make me a better man and King."
"Do you always know what to say?" I chuckled.
"With you, I have better luck."
His lips brushed mine, hesitantly at first to see if I was alright. And I was. With Maxon, I felt stronger. I gripped into his back, pulling myself as close to him as possible. Maxon's hands handled me with care, holding me like I was breakable.
"Don't give up yet," he whispered as he moved to my neck.
"Never," I breathed.
Maxon lifted me in his arms. He carried me back over to the blanket, laying me gently down on it. I was losing myself in him, basking in his strength when mine was faltering. My fingers brushed the second tie in his tunic, quickly undoing it. Maxon lifted off his shirt. I ran my fingers over his muscular chest, tracing the lines in his stomach. The sunlight drifted through the trees above us, cradling his profile in light, his hair blending in with the afternoon light. He pulled me to him, deftly untying the laces of my dress. He pulled off the sheath, leaving me in the under dress.
"Feeling a little daring, my Prince?" I questioned. Maxon reached over my head, grabbing another blanket from the bottom of the basket.
"A little, but only if you are." His nose grazed mine, his breath warm and wanting against my cheek. I ran my hands along his back, staring deep into his gaze. It'd been too long since we were like this. I pulled him down to me, deepening the kiss. Maxon ran his hands underneath my dress, his fingers dancing along my leg like fingers on a piano-forte. They brushed my hips, sending shivers all over me. He wrapped the blanket around us, shielding us from the world. I lost myself in his strength, in the comfort of his arms. I could live off the look on his face as he lifted my under dress up over my head, at the feel of the dip in his hips under my fingers. There couldn't be anything better in this world than his lips on my neck, tasting and teasing their way into me. When we were like this, our bodies moving together, so close that I lost track of where he ended and I began…
It was something I'd never stop fighting for.
When I woke, I was more than content. The soft crackling of a fire filling the air, casting a warm glow over the wood's encroaching darkness. I was wrapped in the blanket, a warm body at my back. I was deliciously tired and achy, a sleepy smile spreading across my face. His chest was against my bare back, citing a now familiar yearning in me. Maxon squeezed me, his lips gently nipping my neck. I went limp in his arms, sighing in pleasure.
"I can't wait to do this every single day with you," he whispered before kissing the nape of my neck. I turned in his arms and brushed the hair out of his eyes.
"Do we have to go back?"
"Unfortunately," he sighed. He traced a line down my arm, drawing soft swirls along my skin. "I wish we could stay a little longer, but it's already too late for you to be out alone. We don't want to bring any more attention to you than you already have. I arranged for Carter to meet you if we stayed out to late."
"He's sure going to get a surprise if he sees me like this," I teased. "At least you have trousers on." Maxon rolled his eyes before kissing me.
"You'll be fully clothed before then. No one gets to see you in the throes of passion except for me."
He tickled my side, earning a peal of laughter from me. He helped me get dressed, being devastatingly charming as he did. It didn't take long before we had dismantled our makeshift camp. He walked with meet to meet Carter, leading my horse as we chatted. When we parted, he placed a lingering kiss on my forehead before heading in another direction back to the villa he was staying at. It was one of the little estates just off the castle grounds, reserved for some of the wealthier families. He was dining with one of them, a perfect rouse for our outing.
Carter rode beside me in silence. The steady beat of our horses' hooves was almost a lullaby. I really was tired from everything today.
"Don't fall asleep on me, your highness," he chortled as he rested a hand on my arm. I was losing my balance off the saddle. I shook my head and offered him a sleepy grin.
"It's been a long day. And you shouldn't call me that," I reprimanded him. Carter bowed his head, but the grin stayed.
"Call it practice. Soon enough, I hope I will be able to call you my Queen." We reached the edge of the castle. Carter helped me off my horse and opened the secret passage for me. "Can you make it from here? I'll take your horse back to the stables."
"I think I can manage to keep my eyes open for the trek up the stairs," I confided. Carter chuckled lightly before handing me a small lantern.
"See you at dinner."
"If I make it!"
I gave him a wave before making my way up the stairs. It was dark in the tunnels, the usual creak and groan of the wood following me as I made my way up. I came to the landing that my room was situated on, but I stopped. Something didn't feel right. There was nothing in the tunnel in front of me but darkness. I shrunk next to the wall, listening to see if I was alone. Nothing but silence met me. It was just leftover paranoia from earlier. I shook my head. Maxon said I was strong. I wouldn't let a dark tunnel intimidate me.
I made it to my door, set down the lantern, and began to lift the latch holding it closed. This way, no one would accidently stumble into the tunnels. They were secret for a reason. Only the royal family knew about them, and it needed to stay that way.
It was stuck. I tried to put some effort behind it, but it was hard to see what was keeping it jammed in the dim light. I lifted the lantern towards the latch to get a better look.
There was a dagger in the wood, sunk deep in the plank. .
I stumbled back, knocking over the lantern. A pair of arms surrounded me, and I didn't have a chance to scream before I was hit at the back of my head and the world went dark.
Do you hate me? I'd hate me.
Thank you all for sticking through this with me. I'm glad to be writing on this again! I should have it updated again within the next week for sure.
Please leave a review if you enjoyed! Love you all!