Hi again!

I just hit 1,100 views and this makes me really happy that people are enjoying this story and more and more people are reading it! It means so much to me that loads of people like it and are still reading it. At the beginning of this story, I thought that nobody would like this story, that it was a ridiculous idea but I went ahead and tried. So in the end, I did what I thought was never going to do. The most important thing is to try and I hope that if you guys have dreams too, they come true.

I don't know what to say just that I love that you guys like this story and I am really happy to hear from you guys! So thanks so much for being a reader and here is the fifth chapter. I hope you like it!

Chapter 5

As usual, Maven was correct. I couldn't sleep. And the night I slept under the influence of the drug was probably the last time I would sleep. About half an hour after Maven entered the cell, I glanced up at him. He was sleeping. He looked so peaceful. I almost believed that the Maven who was my betrothed, my friend was back.

Almost.

The dark circles under his eyes stood out against his pale skin made me wonder why I didn't notice them before. It looked as though he hadn't slept in months. I crept up to him slowly and touched his cheek. I studied his face closely. He looked so young, not like the psychotic king everyone thought he was. He looked like the Maven I wanted back and I missed.

The Maven I loved.

I cupped his cheek, resting my forehead gently against his. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

"I loved you, Maven. But then you died and left me here. With a monster," I whispered. I kissed his cheek and silently crept back under my sheets because I knew, no matter how hard I tried, the old Maven would never return to me.

I watched him the whole time. Sometimes, he would move around, groan a little.

He even cried once.

Other times, he would whisper something so softly that I couldn't hear him, just see his lips moving.

It was interesting to see him sleep. A murderous, psychotic man could sleep a sleep so deep. It seemed like he would never wake. But when the clock struck ten, he gasped awake, panting. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping he would believe my poor act. But curiosity took over and I peeked at him through my eyelashes.

He glanced at me and his face softened, his shoulder relaxed, his whole body seemed to sigh. He walked over to me, cupping my cheek. His mouth opened and then closed. His cheeks turned a soft silver as his fingertips lingered on my cheek. His hand dropped to his side and he walked away, leaving the cell.

As soon as he left, I sat up straight. A thousand thoughts ran through my head as I breathed heavily. My heart raced a million times a minute every time he touched me. The only answer I could think of was that I was afraid, afraid of his power over my life.

But what if... No. I wouldn't. I would never care for him. He is responsible for the lives of millions and millions of Reds.

As I desperately thought of another explanation, my cell was being unlocked. I jumped back under the covers and wrapped myself in them. Maven entered, wearing a crisp white shirt, his bare chest showing. He leant against the wall, gazing at me. After a few minutes of his stare, I couldn't bear it. I rubbed my eyes and rolled over, pretending as though I had been asleep the whole time. I glanced at him in surprise. He smiled, standing up straight.

"Have you been here the whole time?" I asked.

"The guard informed me that you had finally fallen asleep so I came in to see for myself. After what Evangeline did, I didn't really think you would have been able to." The door kicked open and the guard stepped inside, handing me a tray of food. I looked at its contents, disgusted. I didn't deserve it. After what had happened to the young girl, I lost my appetite completely. Pushing the food away, I suddenly realised that I hadn't even known the girl's name. She died because of her belief in me. Tears pricked my eyes. But I willed them back.

I vowed to never cry before him. Not when he was still this monster.

He cocked his head to the right, looking confused.

"Why won't you eat? I thought you would have been starving after two days of not eating." He asked.

"Oh, so now you care about my health and how I feel!" I spat. He recoiled, hurt. For one moment, I could see the old Maven under there, the one who had almost come back last night. But the mask was quickly put back on, as he straightened his back, looking down at me.

"Mare, watch your tongue. Do you know who you're talking to? I could take it away just as easily as you use it." He said, silkily. I looked down at my hands.

"Sorry, Your Highness." I murmured. I could feel a flush creeping up my neck.

"That's better. Now, eat. I want to see the food gone when I come back in... Two hours." He turned swiftly, leaving the cell and me alone again.

The clock struck twelve, nearly an hour after Maven's second visit.

"Stupid food. I hate you," Wow, now I'm talking to a tray of food. Well, something they call food, but which looks barely edible. I didn't think I would crack that easily. I tried a spoonful of some grey stuff but nearly choked on the hard lumps. Still, I forced myself to swallow the disgusting substance down, nearly vomiting it back up in the process.

Either I'll die killed by one of their 'Royal Highnesses' or this food will kill me.

I forced the rest of my food down, tearing up with every bite. It took about half an hour, so I had another half hour all to myself. I climbed back into bed, trying to ignore my stomach's complaints and tries of shoving the food back up. Maven came back to check on me. He ordered someone to take the tray away. Then, sat at the other end of my mattress.

I sat up, bringing my knees to my chest.

"Well, Mare, I was wondering if you could accompany me tomorrow at dinner. We have some things to discuss. I'll be waiting in my room." He sounded nervous, which was also different. Whenever he thought I was conscious, he kept his mask on.

"Yes, Your Majesty" I whispered back, like a robot.

"Great!" Maven said, smiling. He stood up, dusting down his clothes, though they were already clean, and headed towards to door. Just before he left he added, "Oh, and if a few maids come in here and take you away, don't be alarmed."

He shut the door and left but not before throwing me a charming smile over his shoulder. As soon as he left, I vomited.

Dumb food.