The decision between writing and sleeping is always a hard one for me :/

Even though it had been whisked from the screen in a flash, I could still see the words at the back of my mind. They wanted me dead. This was my worst fear being realised and, once again, everyone else knew long before me.

"Does Maxon know?" I demanded of the General.

"Your Majesty, um." His eyes darted around the room, looking anywhere except where I stood. It was strange to make a man who was bigger than me (both taller and more muscular) squirm in his seat.

"Does the King know the reasons for the attack?" I said, in a louder voice. I stared down at him and eventually he looked back up at me.

"His advisors are telling him now. We thought it best if you didn't find out like… well like this." I closed my eyes and took three deep breaths. I didn't want to lose my temper with a man who was simply doing his job but I had a right to know. I pushed my fingers to my temples and began to massage them, I could feel a headache coming on that I couldn't handle right now.

"I came down here wondering if you had an explanation for the attack. In fact, my husband and I decided that this is what I would do whilst he was in the meeting and then we would exchange notes over lunch. Since I have found out what I needed I shall let you get on with your work." I tried to seem sincere and so I forced a smile, pretty sure it had not worked. I walked out of the office, closing the door with as much calm composure as I could manage before walking across the floor to the main door.. As soon as I opened it I came face to face with Aspen. "Officer Ledger." I called. "With me."

He followed me willingly, although several steps behind as if he didn't want to be caught in my warpath. I think he must have sensed my anger and probably knew why I was upset as he didn't speak at all until we had arrived at the Women's room, at which point he umed and ahed about entering.

"Aspen. You have my permission to come in." I snapped. He walked straight in after that. I slammed the door behind him and folded my arms. He looked around the room and I realised he probably hadn't been in here before but now was not the time for a guided tour.

"You knew." I stated, loudly of course. "You knew and you didn't tell me. I can understand the General who only knows me as the queen and, to be quite honest, barely knows me as that. But we practically grew up together. How could you not tell me?"

"Mer, I was under orders. It was to be kept a secret until Maxon decided what to do about it. It was up to him if he told you or not – we were told to keep out of it." He begged. He seemed slightly scared for his life.

"And when was my husband to be told that the rebels wish to kill his wife?" I probed, I hoped I knew the answer; that it was the same as what the General said and that Maxon had not been keeping secrets, and when could they have told him anyway? I'd been by his side since they attacked and hadn't left until half an hour ago.

"I think he's being told about now. I'm sorry, Mer. I wanted to tell you but I couldn't. I could have been sacked." I looked at his face, his eyes looked sorry and I had never known Aspen to be anything but sincere. I took a calming breath and when I spoke again it was much calmer and quieter.

"It's ok. I'm sorry. I'm just scared. And as both you and Maxon know, I don't handle fear very well." I laughed a little.

"Come here." Aspen hugged me tight and then released me. "I need to get back to work and you need to go find your husband, but I'll come see you both later." He promised. He flashed me one last smile before flying out the door again.

"I think you'd be forgiven if you said you were cheering up the queen!" I grumbled loudly, fully aware of the fact that he could not hear me. Instantly there was a knock at the door.

"Can I have a go?" It was Maxon. The door was still open, although he stood at the threshold, and he looked a little sad himself.

"Sure, come on in." I still found it strange that not even the King could come into this room without my express permission.

"What's wrong?" He asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulder before the door had even closed behind him. I straightened my skirt out a little and placed my hands neatly on top, just like Silvia had taught me.

"Hopefully, what you're about to tell me all about." I looked up at him and he looked away.

"I see. Well the good news is that I was going to tell you. I thought about not but then I knew you would find out some other way and I wanted you to hear it from me. But, there goes that plan." He chuckled a little, more out of nervousness than of any actual humour. "I don't know what to do, America. My gut is telling me to leave; for us to go somewhere else for a while and forget about the removal of the castes - which is likely what they are against. But my brain tells me that that wouldn't stop them from doing whatever they like. And my heart tells me it's the right thing to do. But it also tells me I need to make sure you're safe."

"I am, Maxon. I'm safer here than anywhere else that doesn't have saferooms and guards protecting them." I promised him, one hand on his arm.

"But I would never forgive myself if something happened to you and I wasn't there to stop it. Therefore, my advisors and I have decided that you shall be beside me when it is at all possible. Is that ok?"

"I can think of nothing I'd like more than spending more time with my husband but you have to know that I'm fine, and I will be. I promise." I kissed him lightly. "Now, I'm going to see my son, does my body guard want to come with?" He nodded and rose. It was going to be hard to convince him that this threat will pass but he could have done worse things to protect me than having him beside me, to be honest I was quite looking forward to it all.

I know it isn't very long but hope you enjoyed this chapter nonetheless and hope you have a great new year! Please give me a review and let me know if you want anything different. As suggested on my last chapter I'm going to try and do one from Aspen's POV to let you know what he's been up to. Thanks for reading and I will be back soon! – Chescaannie xx