The Happily Ever After

Chapter twelve

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Maxon

America is  in my arms. America is here with me. America is safe. I have to keep reminding myself of these things because part of me believes this rebel attack will end up worse than the previous one. But America is here. America is safe. I try to conceal my worry so that America will feel safe but something tells me this rebel attack is going to be one of the worst ones we've had. 

"Maxon," she says.

"Yes, my dear."

"It's okay. It's all going to be okay. I'm here, I'm okay," Oh great she can tell how nervous I am.

"I know," I tell her. "I know."

"I love you so much," she says.

"I love you too," I respond.

"No matter what happens, I know we can get through this." I nod and let her know that I agree.

We spend the rest of the attack wrapped in each other's arms completely silent. Time always seems to stand still whenever these attacks happen. One hour seems like a minute and one day seems like three. When a guard finally comes to tell us it is safe for us to leave, I turn to America and realize she is asleep. I decide not to wake her so instead I carry her to our room bridal style. I go to place her on our bed when I realize there is an envelope on the bed addressed to King Maxon and Queen America. This must be a gift the rebels left behind for us. I should probably wake America so we can read the letter together, but she looks so peaceful so I decided to read it alone and let her stay asleep. 

Dear King and Queen of Illea,

Seeing as we were not quick enough to capture either one of you this time, we got the next best thing; your dearest friends. We have in our possession, Marlee, and Aspen. We have the same demands now as we did last time. You have three days before these two have to die. We know you will make the right choice. After all, think about how many lives you could save if the rebel attacks stopped. 

Arivor, 

The southern rebels

P.S. Stop trying to figure out our inside link.  

I shuddered. No doubt whoever their "inside link" was knew we were onto them, but we had been so careful, talking outside, only telling two people. How could they have found out we knew they had help from inside? It's not possible, we were so careful!  UGHARH!!!!! I have to fight back the urge to scream in order to not wake up America. I will let her rest thinking everything is okay for one more night. 

I go to lie down next to her intending to fall asleep but that never happens. My thoughts are consumed by poor Aspen and Marlee. I know Aspen is a fighter so I have no idea how they captured him. Just then I think of Carter. I wonder if he knows what happened to Marlee, the rebels may have left him a note as well. Seeing as I can't sleep I decide to find him.

He wasn't in his room and just as I was about to give up the search and head back to my room for the night, I saw him crying in the garden. Although crying men didn't confuse me as much as crying women, they still weren't my strong suit. I decide to leave him be and talk to him in the morning. 

I spend the rest of that night lying awake in bed watching America breath and hoping that the sweet mistress of sleep will take me under her spell.

But she never does...