Hello readers!
Virtue01 Review:
"Thank you for the update great chapter. I am glad that Maxon gave into America to help the testing. She is smart and have so much compassion about her friends, maids and Illéa and Maxon is very proud of her. Again you have captured their characters so well. Welcome back from your vacation hope you had a good time and rest."
WriterQueen123 Response:
I'm so happy you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you for the support!
AJBurt Review:
"In love with this book! Update!M pleeeeeaaasssse."
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you for commenting! I try to update as soon as possible.
bja133 Review:
"questions need answers"
WriterQueen123 Response:
You totally inspired the name of this chapter! Thank you for leaving a message.
Thank you to those who reviewed! I really love reading your thoughts. Unfortunately, I will be traveling again this week, so the next time I update will likely be in two weeks. Again, I'm so sorry for the inconsistent updates this summer. Enjoy!
I couldn't enjoy the delicious breakfast that I was eating with Maxon. Today, we would be attempting to uncover more information from the palace workers that had been found lying on our previous interrogations. This included Paige, who I felt was too young and sweet to be involved with the murderous Southern Rebels.
"Everything will resolve somehow, Ames," Maxon said, sensing my worry. He rubbed my shoulder as I stared blankly at my plate.
"I wish you could be sure of that," I sighed finally.
"Are you okay to continue the work today?" my husband asked, lifting my chin gently to look into his eyes. I felt the world sway briefly as I looked into Maxon's chocolate eyes, feeling their warmth as if it was tangible.
"Absolutely," I confirmed. "I have to."
"I didn't ask if you had to, darling," Maxon smiled. "Are you okay? Don't think that I have't noticed your untouched strawberry tart."
"It's not easy," I admitted honestly. "But this can't be easy for Paige, either."
"So, you're almost positive that Paige is innocent?" Maxon asked hesitantly. "I wasn't there when she was arrested."
"Yes, Maxon. She saved me when I was on the streets after being shot. Anyway, I will have other moments in my life when I can relax. Now, it's time to get some answers."
Maxon followed me to the Meeting Room. The six arrested men and women were waiting there, handcuffed. Aspen, Carter, Officer Goods, and Officer Shane surrounded the group. Maxon took my hand as we entered, nodding to me encouragingly.
The guards bowed as we entered. "These six citizens claim not to recognize each other," Aspen said.
"Why don't we go into further questioning with the lie detectors?" Maxon said.
"Great idea, Your Majesty," Aspen agreed. He pointed to the polygraphs on the table.
"Who will test whom?" Carter asked.
"I'll take Paige," I volunteered. I saw a flicker of doubt in Aspen's eyes, but he nodded and handed me a lie detector.
"You may use the room you questioned her in last time," Maxon offered. He gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek before turning to the others.
I walked over to Paige and grasped her handcuffs, leading her out of the room.
"Paige, please explain to me the full story of your connection to the Southern Rebels. Yesterday, when interrogated, you claimed that you were in no way part of the Southern Rebels. The lie detector did not read this as the truth. Please tell me the truth," I said, connecting her to the device.
"Okay," she breathed shakily.
"First, what is your full name?"
"Paige Luz Hemmen." I nodded supportively.
"What is your connection to the Southern Rebels?" I willed Paige to tell me the real story.
"My...my mother was a leader of the Southern Rebels. She died when I was four, and my father had already left before I was born. Before dying, my mother handed me over to the Rebels, wanting them to shape me into a powerful, ruthless figure that could continue her awful work. It was rough," Paige confessed, her bottom lip trembling. "By the time I was six, I had wrapped my mind around my situation. I can't remember the place that I was kept at all. The only memory I've held on to is the sound of screams. Now, I realize it must have been a torcher chamber, or something. I wasn't heavily guarded, because no one expected trouble from a six year old. But the night I heard agonized shrieking, I tried to leave. I didn't know my way around the area well, and happened to bump into a guard, who reported me immediately. I was whipped five times on the back after the new leader realized that I'd attempted to escape."
"Wow," I whispered, tears forming in my eyes.
"I can't remember the pain," Paige shrugged. "After the beating, I grew terrified of everyone around me. I must have contracted post traumatic stress disorder, because I would get flashbacks of the whipping, nightmares, and avoided eating. All I could focus on was the need to escape. I was only six and a half when I tried to leave again. I was old enough to want to get away, but too naive to understand how I'd have to live afterward. I'd have no food and no shelter. No life. At bedtime, which was eight o'clock for me, I slipped out of my hard bed and tiptoed outside. I can't remember whether the door of my bedroom was locked, but I managed to get out. The Rebels must have been having a meeting or something, because there had to be fewer guards for me to successfully escape," Paige recalled. "I just silently followed the walls of a hallway until I reached the exit. There were three, or maybe four locks on this huge door. Even if I'd been able to unlock all of them, I wouldn't be nearly strong enough to hoist them off the door to get out. The rest of the details are muddy," Paige squinted, trying to remember. "I believe a young boy, who I'd never seen before, unlocked and opened the doors for me. He had to have been eleven, or something. I don't understand how, but I was suddenly out in the open. My savior was gone. I just ran as far away as my little legs could take me until I collapsed on a bunch of grass, exhausted and sobbing. Somehow, I've managed to survive. I've been on the streets almost my entire life. I met another group of girls on the run and joined their little gang when I was nine, or so. We became like family. Two of the girls died along the way, but we carried on and stuck together. I never wanted to go to an orphanage or anything of the sort. I suppose I was afraid I would be trapped like how it was with the Southern Rebels. Then, you found me," Paige smiled.
"Well, more like you found me," I grinned.
"You brought me to the palace, and this has been the highlight of my life since."
"That is an amazing story, Paige. I'm so sorry that you've suffered so much."
"It must seem like I suffered, but it's all I knew. I lost nothing when I left the Southern Rebels. My mother never loved me, so I wasn't miserable when she died. It may seem like I was ridiculously mature at such a young age, but growing up in such a hostile environment taught me to trust and rely on nobody except myself. Through determination, I healed myself of PTSD, and became my own comfort and source of love when I needed it."
"That's beautiful," I remarked, a tear slipping down my cheek. I almost forgot why I'd asked Paige to uncover her past in the first place. "Paige, the lie detector was even this entire time, which means this story was the truth." Paige nodded. "Does this mean that you don't have a current connection to the Southern Rebels?"
"I do not," Paige promised.
"That makes sense," I said thoughtfully. "You technically have a relationship to the Southern Rebels because you grew up with them. However, you were never a part of their schemes or agreed with their methods. That's why you have no intention of joining them now."
"Yes," Paige said, grateful for my understanding.
"Let's walk back to the Meeting Room. I'll have to talk to the rest of my group, but it looks like you're innocent, Paige." I unstrapped her from the lie detector gently.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!" the young maid beamed.
"I also know that some of the details of your story are fuzzy. That's not your fault at all, because you were so young. However, we may need your help with this case, because you know more than any of us do. Perhaps we can dig deeper on the story of the boy who helped you. We may also learn more about leaders of the Rebels. Do you remember your mother's name?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't. Maybe it'll help if I could look through a list of possible names? I'm not even sure if I ever knew it, though. I only know my name because I had a pin on all of my clothes. Only my first, not my last name," she said, answering the question in my eyes.
"Well, thank you for your help," I added warmly, walking out of the room with Paige trailing behind me.
"I got a lot of answers," I told my team, quickly summing up Paige's story.
"That is a crazy childhood," Carter commented.
"She was telling the truth the entire time. This means that she could be a real asset to this investigation. We can try to dig up more of Paige's memories, and see if she can lead us to more members of the Rebels," I said excitedly.
"Perfect," Maxon nodded. "Paige is no longer under arrest. Please unlock her from the handcuffs, Officer Shane."
"Yes Your Majesty," the guard responded, and walked over to Paige to release her.
"Paige, if it's all right with you, you're welcome to return to your job as my maid again," I told her as she walked by.
"I'd love to, Your Majesty! Thank you." Paige dipped in a quick curtsy and left.
"We've found information on our interviewees as well," Aspen said.
"This meeting is adjourned," Maxon said. "Let's get back to this case tomorrow. At the moment, we have a great lead."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the guards chorused and bowed.
"That was a big day, eh?" Maxon grinned when we were alone in our room.
"I'll say," I agreed.
"Do you know what big days call for?" Maxon asked mischievously.
"What?" I giggled, falling into his arms.
"Fun nights," he whispered with a smile.
I kissed Maxon slowly, savoring the moment and feeling his sweet, soft lips. I felt the fire inside of me grow, consuming all of my thoughts. Only Maxon could ignite the flame within me. I pushed him back smoothly and we toppled onto the bed, kissing dependently.
Maxon kissed my ear, his finger gently trailing down my nose, to my cheekbone, to my lips.
I answered by plastering my mouth on his and kissing him in a way I'd never thought possible. My day dress came off, and I fumbled with the buttons of Maxon's suit before sliding his shirt and coat off completely. My hips were moving against him, knowing there must be more. Maxon settled himself between my legs. I cradled his hips with my thighs. Everything in my life was a distant memory, and nothing in the entire world felt as good as the sensation of him slowly sliding into me.
"Are you all right?" Maxon asked. He sounded as if he was holding himself in check, as if it took all of his will to do so.
I arched and stretched beneath him, sending Maxon deeper. "I've never been better," I panted, moaning with pleasure. I slowly slid a hand down his sculpted abs, shuddering as Maxon attacked my neck, planting kisses below my ear, under my chin.
"You're amazing," I whispered as we gently released each other.
"I love you," Maxon breathed. "I need you." I closed my eyes, letting the magical moment seep in. I fell asleep with my hand curled in Maxon's, relishing the reality of being Maxon's completely.