Hi guys! Thanks for the reviews! I will probably do a Maxon POV when I think it will be important to see what he is thinking. If you want any other POVs, just comment! Here's a chapter focused on Aspen. Hope you like :)
While I am planning my assignment later that afternoon, the rebel alarms sound. Are they the Northerners or Southerners? A guard bursts into my room and firmly grabs my arm, half dragging, half carrying me to the passageway that leads to the safe room. "My maids!" I exclaim. Where are they?! Are they safe?!
"They'll be fine Lady America." the guard replies. I didn't get a look at his face. Who is he? While he is opening the passageway, I get a clear view. Green eyes, black hair, a handsome face I would know anywhere. I gasp. Aspen! He was outside the whole time! "Aspen, we need to talk." I say firmly. "Kind of busy trying to get you away from the rebels, Mer!" he exclaims. Oh yeah, the rebels. I had almost forgotten about them.
Aspen opens the door, and I duck through. We run down the passageway. "When can we talk?" I demand. "Later Mer. Let's just get you safe for now."he replies, distantly. Arriving at the entrance to the safe room, I turn to Aspen. "Stay safe, Aspen." I may not be in love with him, but I still love him. "I will." he assures me, but doesn't look me straight in the eye. He's still mad. I knock on the safe room door, and Maxon opens it. "America! You're okay!" he embraces me, and I hug him back. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the king glaring at me, and Kriss looking mad. Well, as mad as Kriss can look. "I'm fine Maxon. Officer Leger got me here safely." I turn to look at Aspen, and find him gone. "Good. Now why don't you go and sit over on one of the cots until the attack is over. If you need anything, just tell me." Maxon says. I nod, and take a cot by Elise.
The attack is over in an hour. In the meantime, Maxon talks with his mother and father, occasionally comforting Kriss or Celeste. But never Elise or I. We don't need comforting as much as they do. We are stronger. The thought comforts me.
While I am walking to my room, the king stops me and says gruffly, "You did well enough on the Report I suppose. Keep acting like that and you might have a chance." Then he walks away, leaving me baffled.
Aspen is standing guard by my door. I sigh with relief. "You're alright! Oh Aspen I was so wor-"he cuts me off by putting a finger to his lips. "Quieter Mer, someone could hear you." he reprimands. Oh, right. I need to be careful. It seems whenever I am with Aspen, I forget everything else. I can't let that happen anymore. "Right," I reply. There's a long pause, then I ask,"Aspen, are you mad at me?"
His whole body seems to sag. "It's just that you said you were leaving, and you needed space to breathe, then you came back, and now you're competing for Prince Maxon, and I'm pretty sure you're going to win." he says, out of breath. I'm taken aback. He thinks I'll win? Why? Has he heard anything? I become hopeful, and it must show, because Aspen looks even more sad. "You want to marry him, don't you." he states. I nod, a little embarrassed to admit that in front if him. "It's just, I thought you loved me. You told me you loved me, you said I had a chance. What happened to that?" He asks, dejected. "Aspen, I do love you. I will always love you." I say gently. "I'm just in love with Maxon." I watched him as he took that in, looking utterly and hopelessly defeated. I hated to make him feel this way, Aspen is my first love. It's hard to just let go of that. But I had made my choice. And I needed information. "Aspen, what makes you think Maxon will choose me?" I ask.
He sighs. "Well Mer, there are rumors. Rumors that Prince Maxon will choose you because he's in love, or because you can help change the country." I already know all that. Why does he think that rumors will give me a better chance? "And...and I heard something. Something I wasn't supposed to hear." he continues. That catches my attention. "Maxon was talking to his mother. He said "I can't decide between Kriss or America. I know that the people love Kriss, and I love her too, but I also love America. I think I would be happier with her." his mother reminded him that he would have to live his whole life with the girl that he chose, and Maxon replied "I'm leaning towards America right now. I know she makes rash decisions and all, but I think I could help her with that." So there. That's what he said. Are you happy now?"Aspen asks tiredly. "That must have been before I ruined the entire country on the Report. He doesn't love me that much anymore." I reply glumly.
Aspen shakes his head. "You can be so naive sometimes, Mer." he smiles, a small one curling up the corners of his mouth. "Maxon still loves you very much. He actually said what I just told you the day after the Report." My hopes soar. "Really?! Oh Aspen, that's wonderful!" I hug him fiercely. Then I remember that I'm talking to Aspen, the boy still in love with me. How can I be so cruel? I pull back, studying his face. "Aspen, why are you telling me this if you don't want me to marry him?" I question. He sighs. "I just want you to be happy Mer, it doesn't matter with who. I just want you to be happy."
Tears well up in my eyes. Here he is, making me feel so much better, and I'm just making him feel worse! "Oh Aspen", I whisper. "I love you so much." He looks hopeful. I can't bring his hopes up to have them come crashing back down. "But I'm in love with Maxon. Remember?"
"Yes Mer, I remember. Do you think we could still be friends? Good friends? he asks. I grin.
"I would love that, Aspen." He smiles back, and pulls me in for a hug. "Just be happy Mer. That's all I ask." I am amazed by his unselfishness. "I am, Aspen, I am."