Hello readers!
NerdGirl007 Review:
"You are an amazing author and I really admire what you're doing with this fic. I could not imagine one better than this. I am a little bit confused about the trip to France though. Is it for 1 or 3 months?"
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you so much for your kindness! The trip to France was going to be three months for Maxon alone. However, he worked with the advisors to trim the time down down to one month so that his whole family could join him. Thank you for commenting!
lav Review:
"DUN! DUN! DUN!
Hate the cliffhanger but love it at the same time. Thanks for the update. And I really hope Kenna lives!
Thanks for all the joy you bring to us readers! hope to see an update soon!"
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you so much for reviewing! I really appreciate your continuous support.
Virtue01 Review:
"Thank you for the update, it might be a short chapter but, it is pack with drama and intrigue. You never fail to leave me wanting to read the next chapter urgently. I know you have a lot going on now but you never fail to deliver so I do understand."
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you for your understanding. I value your message!
WritingGoddess12 Review:
"Oh my heart! This is such a good story. You do a great job of writing the characters to their true forms. Keep up the good work!"
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you so much for the sweet review!
Anna Review:
"I loved these so much! I only discover this series yesterday, still I somehow couldn't stop reading. Now that I've read them all, I'm kind of disappointed... I HAVE TO ACTUALLY WAIT TO READ THE NEXT ONE! I don't know I will take it. However, I'd gladly say that I would wait for years for an update than the series to have been written by anyone else."
WriterQueen123 Response:
Thank you so much! This comment means more to me than I can express. I appreciate your patience, and I hope you enjoy future chapters!
Thank you all for reading my story! It's crazy to think that the first chapter of this story was published a little more than a year ago! I hope you enjoy.
Dr. Ashlar's face was grim when he stepped out of the hospital's Emergency Room. Mom, May, Gerad, Maxon, and I had been anxiously waiting to hear the results about Kenna's condition. I was able to say hello to my older sister when they first moved her in, but we'd been waiting for forty minutes now. James had refused to leave her side.
"My ladies, my Queen, and my King..." The doctor trailed off, his voice trembling. I paled, and Maxon squeezed my hand. "It is unlikely that Lady Kenna will make a recovery." I let out a strangled sob. The very air I breathed was choking me. "She knows this," Dr. Ashlar continued, "and would like to see you all."
Maxon wrapped his arms around me, but I shoved him off and dashed into the Emergency Room. My mother, looking twenty years older, followed with May, Gerad, and Maxon. "Kenna?" I croaked, crouching next to her bed. My voice was barely more than a scratchy whisper. "Kenna?"
Mom sat next to me and took Kenna's hand, rubbing it with closed eyes. "My baby, my baby," she breathed.
"Hi," Kenna said softly. She tried to smile for us, but I could see the pain in her eyes. May was on the other side of me, stroking Kenna's hair and trying to be strong. Gerad was sitting next to her, miserable.
"It's too soon," I said, kissing my big sister on the cheek. "I love you." My mother, May, and Gerad echoed me.
"I love you, too," Kenna whispered. "I'll be okay. I've always wondered what it's like to dance on the clouds." Her words made me cry even harder, and I put my arms around Gerad and May. I couldn't imagine going through this at twelve years old, like my brother.
Maxon stepped closer. "I love you, too, Kenna," he said quietly. "I'm so lucky to call you my family." She nodded, weakly smiling at him in thanks.
James was on the other side of the bed, Kenna's fingers laced together with his. His head was bowed down, resting over her heart.
Kenna died an hour later after suffering a cardiac arrest. I cried with Mom, May, and Gerad for what felt like hours. Maxon was always there for me, by my side with open arms. After crying with my broken family, my whole body felt numb. I said my good-byes and retreated to my bedroom.
I lay down on my bed in a crumpled heap, sobbing without tears. My beautiful, caring big sister was gone.
I remembered a moment from our childhood. I was probably seven at the time, and it was winter. The toaster was broken, so we were eating cold bread and cheese. After I finished my share, I complained about being hungry. Mom and Dad scolded me for being ungrateful for the little we had. They were each eating a half portion of what my siblings and I received. After we cleaned up dinner, Kenna privately pulled me into our room and dug out half of her bread and cheese from her worn pocket. I accepted my sister's gift gratefully, but I hadn't truly appreciated her kindness.
Kenna was always a giver. But even as the queen, I couldn't give her life.
Maxon entered my room quietly, closing the door with a click. "America?" he asked tentatively, kicking off his shoes and lying next to me in bed. He didn't touch me; he was simply being with me.
I continued to sniffle, my head buried in a pillow. "How is it even possible, Maxon?" I cried, sobs racking my body. "How can she just be here one moment and gone the next? Love doesn't do anything or help anyone. It just makes you hurt."
Maxon started to say something, but he closed his mouth. I lifted my head off the pillow and stole a sideways glance at him. He was nodding. "I know America. I'm so, so sorry." He gently brushed his fingers through my hair, sending tingles down my spine. There was a single second that I forgot about everything - I was just absorbed in the moment, feeling Maxon's soft hands in my hair.
I immediately felt a ripple of guilt. I didn't deserve to be this comfortable. My sister just died. After having the harsh realization, I pulled away. My eyes watered, but Maxon let me be. Mary quietly entered the room and dropped off a grilled cheese sandwich. It was my favorite meal for when I wasn't feeling a hundred percent.
Seeing the sandwich triggered the memory of Kenna giving me her cold bread and cheese, and I started gulping for air. I couldn't stop gasping, and my tears made the world swim.
"America," Maxon said, his voice cracking. He sat up and lifted me onto his lap. I couldn't think; I couldn't breathe; I couldn't function. I let myself collapse in his arms, and Maxon just rubbed my back. A cocoon of warmth surrounded me. Maxon rubbed my back until I fell into a dreamless sleep, completely worn out.