AMERICA

Maxon dragged me through the palace, hitting bits of wall or paintings, trying to find an open safe room. Finally he found one just outside the great hall. He jumped up and pulled me up after him, dragging me further into the room before he shut the door. Then he burst into a fit of tears on the floor.

"What do they want?" he screamed. "They already killed my parents, hurt you, and ruined everything. What next?" Then I realised that this was the first attack since the death of his parents. I didn't know what to say to him to help so I laid down beside him and placed my head on his chest. I had never seen him this upset before. He put his arms around me and we laid there, with only the sound of his sobs.

"I will never let them touch you again." Maxon whispered to me.

"I promise you that we will get rid of them, I promise that each and every one of them will pay for everything they've done. Everyone they've hurt."

"I just don't understand."

"Neither do I, but we will figure it out and we will stop them." I cuddled in closer to Maxon. Soon his sobs seemed to subside and his breathing evened out. I listened to his soothing breathing. I knew that he hadn't slept properly for quite a long time, so I was glad he was finally resting.

I moved away slightly and stood up, looking around the safe room, it was just a small one so there was almost no room for anyone else after the small sink, bench and the two of us. I looked on the shelf above the sink and found a small brown blanket, I took it off the shelf, unfolded it and draped it over my sleeping love. Then I searched through the cupboard for a cup or something, eventually I found a small glass and I filled it with water from the sink. I looked in the dirty little mirror above and looked at myself. I was a mess. Kota was right, a Queen must always be beautiful, and I was a mess if anything bad happened. I wasn't strong or brave like Maxon had said, I was weak. Amberley was a perfect Queen, she was strong and beautiful at all times. I had seen her in the safe room so many times and wondered how she stayed so composed when I couldn't. But here was me, hair messed up from running, make-up more under my eyes than on them. I was no Queen, could I ever be?

I moved over to the little bench and pulled my knees up to me chest, still holding my little glass. I sipped at the water and stared at the wall in front of me. I heard Maxon stirring, and turned around to see him looking at me. I smiled at him, trying to convince both of us that I was happy. And I was, I loved Maxon, I loved the idea of being Queen, I loved the idea of helping the country. I just wasn't sure if I actually could do a good job. Maxon still had red eyes that matched my own.

"God, we're such a mess." I joked, smiling a little.

"I know I'd be a lot more of a mess if I didn't have you. Come here." He opened his arms and I fell into them, he wrapped his arms around me and I let myself fall further into him.

"I love you so much, Maxon."

"I love you too, America." He kissed me softly on the lips and we held tightly on to each other. We stayed like that for a few minutes before the door to the safe room finally opened.

"Your Majesty. Thank goodness we found you." A guard whose name I didn't know bowed to us as he spoke. We both rose and moved towards the opening, Maxon stepped out first and held out his hand to help me down the step.

"Where is my family?" I asked the guards.

"The Singers are in the upstairs parlour." One answered. He pointed up the stairs and then bowed so he could continue unlocking the safe rooms. Maxon held my hand tightly and led me up the stairs, through to the parlour.

It was a beautiful, large room, probably about the same size as the Women's room, but decorated with gold wallpaper and plush white carpet. There was a black piano in one corner, which my mother had instinctively sat at, and red sofas were spread through the room.

"Thank goodness, America." My mother walked quickly towards me and flung her arms around my neck. I removed my hand from Maxon's so that I could hug her back.

"I'm fine, mom. Did you guys get to the safe room Ok?"

"Yes, the guards took us down there." She nodded.

"It was so scary, Ames, especially when we couldn't find you." May had brought herself into the hug as well, she was followed by Gerad. Soon I felt Maxon's strong arms embracing all four of us as my mother, sister and I began to cry.

"I'm sorry, sister." Kota's voice broke us up, my mother and sister stood to my left, Gerad went back to sit with Kenna and James. Maxon held my hand so tightly that I wondered if he was scared I might kill Kota or if he worried he would.

"It's fine, Kota. You see, I know you're wrong. And one day you will see that too. One day you will regret how you've treated this family, how you left us. And since you have not shown that you regret it today, you might as well go back to Carolina as you clearly don't want to be a part of the Singer-Schreave family." I stared at Kota throughout my words and watched him as he moved towards the door. He seemed genuinely hurt by what I said, but I meant it.

After he left I went and sat down on one of the sofas near to Kenna, closely followed by Maxon and May and my mother joined us as well.

"So, any ideas on the Wedding date?" my mother broke the silence.

"Yes, we thought the 10th of February." I answered, my mother almost choked on the tea she'd been drinking.

"You mean three weeks?" She stared at me. I nodded. "Ok, three weeks to plan a wedding. That's hard at the best of times, but teams of people spend at least a year on a royal wedding."

"We just don't want to have to wait any longer than we have to. I want to have my Queen by my side as soon as is humanly possible."

"Oh, I really do understand, I just know how much work it's going to be. Am I still paying for it?" She looked at Maxon and I could see her wanting to laugh, but Maxon just shook his head.

"Don't worry Mrs Singer, I'll cover the costs. You are all welcome to stay in the Palace for the next few days if you want to, from the sounds of things you have a lot of work to do. I'll see you all in the morning." Maxon stood and left the room. I waited a few moments before speaking.

"Maxon doesn't want to say the words but it's the memorial tomorrow, and that was his way of inviting you. Come on, I'll show you to your rooms." After leading my family to their rooms on the same floor as my own suite, I went towards my room. I paused outside the door and then moved over to Maxon's. I knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

"Maxon, it's me. I'm coming in." I opened the door to find Maxon lying on his bed, facing the ceiling with his hands on his forehead. He was crying again.

"Max, it's ok, let it all out, I'm here." He moved his arms around me the second I laid next to him.

"Promise you'll never leave my side."

"I swear, hand on my heart, that I will not leave you. Ever." I kissed him on the cheek and then put my head back on his chest so I could feel his heart beating.