What If The Elite Was Different? A Selection Story

Chapter 3- Aspen's POV

As promised, here is a chapter from Aspen with answers to the question of how he and Kriss ended up where they were. Kiera Cass owns all. Enjoy! (Will be long, sorry)

I woke up with a banging headache, and I looked over to see, not Avery, but Lady Kriss. In a cell. Like I was. 

There were two guards standing in front of me, and I ran cowards, clasping the bars desperately.

"Smith?" I whispered. "Turner?" 

Neither answered, and I sank onto the cold stone floor, remembering how I ended up in the palace prison...

Everyone spins around, laughing and smiling. America hung onto Maxon, staring into his eyes happily. The way she used to stare into mine. 

I took another swig of alcohol, though I knew from experience it would only make things worse. The music was good, but not a patch on Mer's. I sigh, memories of the two of us dancing in front of my eyes.

We'd only gotten one dance so far, but considering she hasn't let go of Maxon for a solid half hour, it would probably be the only one we'd get this evening. Mer looked gorgeous in her butterfly outfit. All the Elite did. Even some guards had dressed up, but I opted to stay in my dress uniform. 

Lady Kriss stood next to me, also watching Mer and Maxon with a sour look on her face. I turned to face her, giving her my best smile.

"Would you like to dance?" I offer. Kriss nods, grinning at me.

We spin up onto the dance floor, and end up next to Mer. I couldn't help but eavesdrop slightly.

"Maxon?" Mer asks, obvious adoration in her voice.

"Yes, darling?" Ugh. Maxon is so fake. Darling. 

She smiles at him. "Why were you speaking with my dad?"

Maxon smirks, his hand resting on Mer's waist protectively. "He is aware of my intentions." Intentions? What does he mean? Just because he's the prince doesn't mean he can break laws.

I smoothly glide away from them with Kriss, not eager to hear anymore if their conversation. Kriss also seems happy enough to not be near them, but Celeste is glowering at Mer openly, clenching her wine glass hard.

"My lady," I said, bowing to Kriss when the song finished. She curtsied in return, and gracefully went to dance with another guard. 

I glanced at America's parents. They looked so happy, watching her with Maxon; they were even closer to each other now, both looking like they were in seventh heaven.

Pretty soon, the ball was over, and fireworks went off. America hurried off to her room just after Maxon, and the other Elite except Kriss left too. She gestured to leave, and I followed her out.

"Can we talk?" she asks, and I nod. We go into a small room together.

If I was smart, I would've walked away. Or at least made sure there were no cameras around. I was so stupid, and I paid the price for it...

"So Maxon's going to propose to America," Kriss tells me. 

"He might not," I argue, the hint of hope obvious in my voice. 

"Did you see them? They're in love, and they will get married. There's no hope for anyone else."

We both sigh at the same time, and Kriss moves closer to me. 

"I don't want this experience to go to waste, you know?" she continues, an inch away from me now. "I don't want to leave with nothing. I want to leave with love."

She presses her lips against mine, and I backed up into the wall. She keeps on kissing me.

Right up to the moment the cameras burst through the door.

"Officer Leger?" A smooth voice jolts me from my daydream. My eyes open and Maxon stands in front of me.

"Your Highness?" I murmured. 

"I'm sorry," he said. I look at him properly, and all I can see when I look at him is Mer by his side, a crown on her red hair. "You and Kriss are going to be caned. I'm truly sorry."

"Why?" I asked, standing up.

He frowned. "Don't you remember? You kissed Kriss, the cameras caught it, it was circulated around."

"What day is it?" I wondered, unsure why that questionn popped out when I had so many. Had he proposed to America? Did he love her? Why was I here? Where was here?

"The day after Halloween," he replied. "Listen, Leger, if you love Kriss, I won't hold you back. You deserve to happy, and so does she. But you will be caned, and become Eights. I'm sorry I couldn't stop it, but my father insisted. In fact, he wanted you killed."

I swallowed. I couldn't believe it. Why hadn't I broken away from Kriss's kiss when I had the chance? Why didn't I make sure there were no cameras before taking to her? Why did I even talk to her in the first place? Why didn't I see that coming?

"How many times?" I croaked.

"Fifteen." As much as I hated Macon, there was true sincerity and soriw as he talked to me. Maybe he was a better man that I thought.

I nodded, and turned around.

"It'll be filmed!" Maxon blurted out. "And there'll be a huge crowd. The Elite will watch too, as will their families."

Mer would have to watch this. I couldn't believe it. Were the King and Maxon really so cold-hearted?

"And it'll hurt," he added as he left. "Be prepared for that."

It was only when Smith and Turner came to take me and Kriss out that I wondered how Naxon would know that.

***

A deafening roar from the crowd greeted us as we were marched out. Kriss had been crying, and her dress was cut around the knees. I looked around the seats st the front until I spotted Mer. She looked like she would puke.

Smith led me to an 'A' shaped structure, and ordered me to kneel down, backside to the camera.   I followed his instruction, and was strapped in place, so tight it rubbed against my legs and arms. 

Beside me was a masked man with a bucket and rod. I knew what was coming. And I was terrified. 

Another masked man was standing at the front. I didn't hear what he was saying thanks to s ringing in my ear, but I guessed he was telling the hundreds, maybe even thousands of people our crimes. 

I looked at Mer again, who was clearly agitated. Maxon had a face like stone, as did his parents. 

"It'll be okay!" I called out, staring straight at America. 

The man spoke again, and I tried once more to tell Mer how I felt.

"I love you! It'll be okay!" 

I don't know what happened next, but I spotted her bury her face in her guard's shoulder. In my peripheral vision a masked man was bringing a stick down through the air. 

Suddenly, I felt sharp pain in my backside. I bit my tongue to keep from crying out. I could only imagine what Kriss was feeling.

There is an art to making people suffer, and the palace has it mastered. You give enough room between strikes to let them feel the pain, but not really adjust to it, before the next hot drives the burn deeper.

I can tell you first hand that they are masters st that technique.  I was in agony, and I kept telling myself it was for Mer. I tried to hold back my screams to make it easier for her, but I couldn't help it.

I don't know when I passed out.

Ooh, drama! Couldn't be bothered to retype all speech, so just did Aspen's. Did you like it? Next chapter will be in Maxon's POV, when he went to visit America afterwards.

16AinswE