So it's my understanding that some people are a little confused on the ending and the lack of army coming to save America. I promise all (or at least most) of your questions will be answered in this chapter. At least I hope.

Thanks to: Noelle, who cares, person, Guest, BookWorm000, winterprincess, UnicornLover12, Dl9571, Melody, Frankfish, PeetaOrMaxon, GloryToTheWind, avaatquevale2250, maggiebswim for reviewing!

WARNING! There is blood and torture in this chapter. If you get queasy or anything like that- please don't read this chapter. I'll just tell you the basics of what happened next chapter, okay?

All copyright stuff goes to Kiera Cass.

I'm really really sorry for the long wait! I've been having trouble with the inernet, google drive, and my computer! I'm sorry!

So anyway, this has been a long A/N and you guys have been waiting so patiently for this chapter! So here it is!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"I'm really sorry." Maxon apoligised for the millionth time. "I really thought I could trust him."

"It's okay." I smiled softly and stroked his cheek with my good hand. "I would've made the same mistake." He relaxed a tad. "At least we're together." I offered.

"At least we're together." He agreed and kissed me sweetly on the lips.

"So, quick question," I said after a small silence. "Why was it just you and Aspen? Why wasn't there like an army or something?" I asked. Maxon sighed irritably.

"Because parliament wouldn't let us. You see we're not married, so technically you're not princess. Therefore, you're not royalty. Which means that they don't wanna waste time and money and people. It's stupid and there all this technical stuff. I'm sorry. I let you down."

"Maxon really. Stop saying sorry. Please. It's okay."

"But it's not okay! I let you down!"

"Please. Lets not fight. Please. Lets just be together while we can." I took his hands and begged.

"You're right. I'm sorry." He kissed me on the lips.

"Awww! How sweet!" We broke apart. Ram was in front of us. I didn't even hear him come in. Maxon moved his body just slightly. He was using his body to block him away from him. I clung to maxon's arm. He waited a few moments before he spoke again. "I admit I really didn't plan for this. I wasn't expecting this at all. The prince, coming alone with one of our few spies! How perfect! How great fate works! Now like I said, I hadn't planned for this. So I'm gonna have to wing it. And might as well use our resources while we have them." Maxon glared at him as he spoke. But I was too scared to conjure up anger.

"So were going to play a little game I made up here."

And he went on to explain his sadistic messed up version of a game. When he was done explaining (which was done only to make me scared) he prepared for it.

I sat in a chair, tied up and blindfolded, facing Maxon. Maxon sat on the ground where we were, chained to the wall. I breathed heavily, afraid of what's to come. Maxon saw that and tried to calm me.

"Everything's going to be okay, okay? Trust me. Everything's going to be all right. You'll be fine. We'll be fine. Just breath. Listen to the sound of my voice, okay? Concentrate. When it comes, don't pay attention to the pain, okay? Go to your happy place. Okay?" He said as calmly as possible. I could tell he was trying to be calm for me, so I didn't panic. I concentrated on breathing and the sound of his voice.

"Happy place," I repeated. "Maxon?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"It's okay, by the way. I don't want you to tell them anything you shouldn't. Okay? It's okay. I can deal with the pain."

"It'll be okay, Mer."

"Awe! How sweet! The royal couple!" It was Aspen! I could tell his voice anywhere. But instead of warm and loving like all those nights in the treehouse, it was cold and harsh.

"Don't play with your food, boy." Another voice warned. Ram.

"Right. So here's how it's going to work. We're going to ask a question. You fail to answer the question in ten seconds, and little princess here gets hurt. Understood?"

"Aspen. You're not like this. I know you aren't." I whispered.

"Don't tell how I am and am not!" He slapped me across the face. I tasted blood on my lip.

"Don't touch her!" Maxon yelled. Ram chuckled.

"This is going to be easier than I thought." There was a moment of silence. "Let's start with a few easy ones to get started. Shall we?" There was another moment of silence.

"What's your name?"

"Maxon schreave."

"And your fiancé is...?"

"America singer."

"And you love her."

"Yes," Maxon answered.

"Good," Ram said pleasantly, interrupting Aspens interrogation. "Let's move on to the real questioning, shall we?"

"Maxon remember, I'll be fine. Don't answer anything you shouldn-" I cut myself off when I felt a knife to neck. Maxon didn't say anything.

"Do you know that we're looking for something?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what we're looking for?"

"No."

"No idea at all?" But Maxon hesitated. "Go on, I'm willing to listen to theories."

"A book?"

"Good, good." There was a moment before he spoke again. "Is there a secret library in the palace?"

Hesitation.

"Maxon, it's okay. You don't need to say anything. I'll be okay." The knife left my neck. Only to reappear at my left hand. I tried to move my hand away but he grabbed it and forced my fingers apart. He put the knife to my ring finger.

"Such pretty hands. Delicate fingers. Perfect for say- putting a ring on?" Aspen said. Funny how a year and a half ago, he was the one about to put a ring on my finger. The knife slowly dug into my finger. I tried to pull away but couldn't. I whimpered when the knife broke flesh. I could feel the blood slowly dripping down my finger.

"Okay! Okay! Yes! Yes there's a secret library! Don't hurt her! Don't hurt her!" The blade left my hand and I was left there to bleed.

"Is there a diary in that library?" Ram asked.

"I don't know what girl would put her diary on that library but-"

"Don't bullshit me! You know exactly what I'm talking about!" I knew Maxon was playing dumb. We both knew exactly what diary he was speaking of. The blade reappeared again, but on my forearm this time. I tried to move away from it, but Aspens familiar hands grabbed my arm roughly and held me still. Again, he slowly put more and more pressure on the blade, until it cut into my skin. I could feel it cutting my skin and muscle. I couldn't help but let out a cry.

I could simply feel maxon's resolve slowly crumble.

"It's okay. I'm fine. I'll be fine." I reassured Maxon.

"No! Look!" Ram said. "Don't turn away, you coward! Watch! Watch your girlfriend! Look at her bleed! And it's because you can't tell the truth! Look at her pain!" Rams voice now came from where Maxon was. He could just imagine ram forcing maxon's head to look at me. I was forced back to reality by the pain. The blade was given a quick flick under my skin. I tried not to. I knew it hurt Maxon more than it hurt me. But I screamed in agony.

"Yes! Yes! There a diary in that library! Please! I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just don't hurt her anymore! Please!" The blade left my skin.

"The diary is of president Illea, correct?"

"Yes," Maxon breathed. He sounded defeated. And it simply broke my heart.

"I am going to release you, understood? And you are not to move until the door is shut. And if you don't, I will hurt you both more than you can possibly imaged. Understood?"

"Understood." Maxon ground out. Chains clanked together. Then there were footsteps and the door shut. Maxon gently removed my blindfold. Then he silently moved to work on untying me. All the while, I tried to stay awake. I was suddenly very tired...

"America! No! Stay with me! Stay with me, darling. Please!" He begged. But I was too far off to care.

My eyes fluttered open. My head hurt, so I tried not to move it. But my eyes moved to see where I was... I'm so confused. Where am I?

I was laying in a cushiony bed, with about two pillows under me. Something uncomfortable was at my nose. I reached to take the uncomfort away. But something stopped my hand. Another hand. I looked at its owner. Maxon!

"No," he said patiently. "Leave that there, darling." I looked down to notice a needle stick in my arm. I reached with my other, free, hand to take it out. I don't like needles! But Maxon stopped me again. "Mer, stop. It's okay."

I tried by to cry, but the tears overpowered me.

"Maxon," I tried to say. But my voice was raspy.

Only then did I realize how fuzzy my brain was. How dry my throat was. How empty my stomach was.

"Yeah,darling?" He asked with a small,gentle smile.

"Water," I whispered. He looked at me with realization.

"Can I get some water over here for her?" He raised his voice. A nurse brought a cup of water over. I tried to hold it, but my arms shook. He took the water gently from my hands and put it to my lips. I sipped at it gratefully. Finally, when I was able to talk, I asked the first question that came to mind.

"What happened?"

Hey! So next chapter will be Maxon's POV telling what happened. Then we'll go back to the romantic mushy-gushy stuff I know you all like!

Thanks!

~C.A.M.3