Welcome back dear readers! Long chapter today, hope you enjoy!

Dawn -

When the alarm started, I didn't know what to do. Nina was panicking, and that was the only thing keeping me from panicking too. I grabbed her hand and started running, though I didn't know where. There was so much chaos. Then, June grabbed us both and took us to the safe room. I'm not sure I could've found it if not for her. She's the reason both Nina and I are in here right now, sleeping on hard cots that remind me of my bed back at home.

I can see how uncomfortable the girls from higher castes are, but those from the lower castes seem more at ease, maybe because we're used to it.

"Ladies!" Nadia yells.

The girls that were sleeping blink groggily, sitting up. I pretend to be asleep.

"Ladies!" she says again.

I can practically feel her eyes burning into my back, but I squeeze my eyes shut and try to keep my breathing even so it looks like I'm asleep. Just one moment. Just one moment of relief.

"Psst." Nina whispers.

I open one eye to see her face right in front of mine and jump back, falling off the cot.

"Ow!" I say, rubbing my head and glaring at her.

Everyone is looking at me, including the king and queen. Embarrassed, I straighten and tug my short gloves higher, a habit I have now come to recognize as a tell. Nadia clears her throat.

"I'm aware that most of you have no idea what that was about." she starts.

The king walks over and nods.

"Twenty-one years ago, when I married my beloved wife, America, we also defeated the rebels once and for all. However, in the last decade we've noticed attacks have started up again, especially in the last five years. That alarm has not been used since..."

The king swallows, and the queen discreetly laces her fingers with his.

"The alarm has not been used since my parents were killed by rebels."

A few shocked murmurs ripple through the crowd, but I focus on the princes and princesses. Judging by their reactions, they already knew, though it would be strange if they didn't.

"It means rebels have breached the walls of the palace." the queen says, holding her chin up.

Her face is confident, but the fear in her eyes unnerves me. I've never seen her afraid, even if I'd only ever seen her on TV. Cliffe bursts into tears, and an Asian girl who is think is named Sofia rubs her hand in circles on her back as she sobs. I avert my gaze, as does Nina.

"From now on, if you hear that alarm, you must find the nearest guard. If there isn't enough time, they'll take you to one of the smaller safe rooms around the palace. Please do not be afraid. My husband grew up like this and attacks were frequent during my own selection. The last one was a special case, and we will work with other forces to ensure their rebellion will be quelled." Queen America says.

I nod, listening along.

"All that being said, it is now safe to leave. You may return to your rooms alone if you choose, but if you wish to have company, Nadia can accompany you. That will be all."

The room does not file out quickly. First the guards leave to confirm the attack really is over, then the royal family. The girls that want to be escorted stay behind with Nadia so she can count them, but Nina, Sofia and I go ahead. We're the only girls out of the twenty-seven remaining that have chosen to go alone. Sofia gives me a wry smile which I return.

"You were brave, Dusk." Sofia says.

I force a smile. "You too."

She grins, looping her arm through mine like Nina is doing on my other side. I don't miss the poisonous look she shoots Sofia, but it seems like Sofia does. Quickly muttering an excuse about having slept on my arm wrong, I shrug Sofia's hand off as politely as possible and try to talk to her to distract her.

"What's your story for being here?" I ask her.

She blushes and looks down. Ah. She's one of those girls.

"My family needed the money." she mumbles.

"Oh." I say.

So it's not that different a reason than why I'm here.

"Do you miss them?" I ask.

What a stupid question. She smiles wistfully.

"Of course. But I'm here for myself too. I'm here to find love."

I shut my mouth and don't talk to her again for the rest of the walk. I don't know why I'm pissed at her, or why my annoyance increases when I find out she's also in the Day Wing.

-o-

I turn over in bed, unable to sleep. My stomach grumbles in protest, and I'm sure most of the other selected are going through a similar experience. Most of us didn't get to finish our dinners. My maids offered to bring something up, but they already do so much, and I underestimated my appetite. I hug my knees to my chest, but that doesn't do much except make me realize there's no way I'm falling back asleep.

A knock sounds at my door and I startle, quickly sitting up and grabbing my robe before opening it. To my surprise, it's Sofia. She grins sheepishly at me.

"I had a feeling you'd be awake. Are you hungry?" I grin at her; maybe I haven't given her a fair chance.

I finish tying my robe and step out of the room, closing the door behind me.

"Damn right I am." I tell her.

She grins back.

"I figured out where the kitchens are. We could probably sneak in and get some food." she tells me.

I nod once, then follow her as she leaves the Day Wing and goes down the same staircase I did on my first night here. When we reach the hallway that leads to the Women's Room, she turns right instead of left and beckons me toward a door. I crack it open and the two of us peer inside, me behind her because I'm taller. There's no one in the kitchen, but the smell of pie wafts into my nostrils.

"How did you know about this?" I whisper to Sofia.

She smiles widely. She looks good without makeup too.

"The prince showed me on our date."

She opens the door all the way and we both sneak inside. To my great relief, there's no one in this part of the kitchen, and a steaming cherry pie sits on the table in the middle of the room. I wrinkle my nose. I've quicky realized cherry pie is not my favorite dessert. I look around in hopes for some strawberry tarts, but I'm quickly disappointed when I realize the cherry pie is the only dessert in sight. Frowning, I grab a puff pastry from a tray. My stomach drops when I realize how fast I've become accustomed to just having food whenever I wanted it. There was no room for pickiness back home.

I open a drawer and find a pie knife, holding it up triumphantly. Sofia holds out both her hands and makes a 'give it here' motion. I hand the knife to her and she eagerly cuts into the pie while I keep watch to make sure there's no one else here.

"Want some?" she asks, mouth full of pie.

I grimace. "I'll pass."

I take another bite of puff pastry, loving the texture of the meat and the slight hint of garlic. A light chuckle from behind us makes us both turn. Austin is leaning against the doorframe, a small smirk on his face.

"Your Highness." We breathe simultaneously, curtsying.

"You don't have to do that with me." he says.

I can see Sofia's jaw working to finish the large piece of cherry pie in her mouth and have to resist the urge to snicker. Austin raises an eyebrow at me, but I pretend not to notice and shove the rest of the puff pastry in my mouth, even though I know it's way bigger a bite than I would normally take. I almost choke, but I don't want to look stupid in front of the prince, so I force myself to swallow.

"I'm glad you like my cherry pie, Lady Sofia."

Sofia freezes from where she's cutting another slice. She grins sheepishly.

"You made this?" she asks.

Austin nods. My stomach flips. Could these two be any more obvious?

"Yes. I also made that puff pastry Dusk is eating." I shrug unapologetically, reaching into the tray for another.

"I'm not sorry. I was hungry and you left your food unattended." I remark.

He just laughs a little, and Sofia joins it. They'd make a good-looking pair.

"Anyway, I'm not hungry anymore, so I'll be going back to my room." I lie, hoping they'll let me go.

"I'll go with you, Dusk." Sofia says.

Austin looks a little sad to see her go, but he doesn't protest when we slip out of the door.

"Wait!" he whisper-shouts.

Sofia and I both turn, but she walks back. He whispers something in her ear that makes her blush, then she walks back to me.

"What was that all about?" I tease.

Her blush deepens.

"Do I want to know what he said?" She looks down.

"He said if he's lucky, he might see me again another night."

I don't know why a wave of nausea washes over me at that statement. Maybe it's because someone like Sofia has already found love. Maybe because of how easy it was for Austin to get her to fall for him. Or maybe, just maybe because a small part of me wants to stay here.

Dusk -

Seeing Dawn on TV is the only thing keeping me sane. The stack of letters sitting on the floor next to our bed just keeps growing in size, but I can't bring myself to send them. I keep telling myself that any day now, she'll come back home and she can read them here, but there are no signs that she'll be back anytime soon. I've been following all the magazines, and she's the people's favorite after she talked about us on the Report. I smile sadly at the thought. Of course, the public would love her. She's amazing. I love you, Starry. She used my nickname.