The Happily Ever After

Chapter thirteen

Hey guys sorry for not updating yesterday! I'll try to write two chapters today to make up for it:)
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America

I woke up before Maxon expecting to be in the safe room but to my surprise I was lying in our bed. I got up to go to the bathroom and I noticed an envelope on our nightstand. It was addressed to the king and queen. Had Maxon already read this? Why had he not woken me up to tell me what it said? After all the letter was addressed to me as well! I put those thoughts away and open the letter.

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 have trouble reading the end of the letter because my hands are shaking so much that they cause the letters to blurt. Tears are cascading down my cheek as I wonder how on earth we can make this right. My tears are suddenly wiped away by a familiar hand.

"Maxon," I say still shaking. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know but I promise we will get them back just like we got you back."

I nod. Just thinking about this makes me sick. I feel as though I could throw up. Then I realize I don't just feel like I could throw up, I actually need to throw up. I race to the bathroom and make it to the toilet just in time. As I'm puking my guts out Maxon walks in and holds my hair up. Typical Maxon, always finding a way to be helpful. I love him for that but right now I feel gross and wish he would leave and wait till I'm more composed to see me.

"Maxon," I say as I finally finish puking.

"Yes my dear?" He responds.

"How come you didn't tell me about this letter last night when you read it?"

"You looked so peaceful," he explains. "And I wanted you to have one more night free of worry."

Ugh. I was planning on being mad at him for keeping the letter from me, but with an answer like that how could I?

"Do Carter and Lucy know?" I ask.

"I'm not sure," he answers.

"We should invite them up here and tell them," I say. "But I don't think we need to show them the note. That would only make them feel worse."

"I think that's a great plan. I'll tell a maid to bring them up."

Lucy and Carter enter our room with faces that make my heart shed tears the size of waterfalls.

"Do you know where Aspen is miss," Lucy asks with the slightest bit of hope evident in her voice.

"And Marlee," Carter adds. "We were waiting to tell people, but she's pregnant with a boy and I need to make sure they are both okay."

"Congratulations Carter! I'm so happy for you," I begin. "And yes we know where both Aspen and Marlee are. Unfortunately the rebels took them during the attack and are now holding them hostage. We have been given the same demands as when I was captured."

"Well we can just do what you did last time, track the video footage," Carter suggests.

"We would but we have recently received knowledge that someone on the inside is working with the rebels so no doubt they hacked into the security network so we can't find them through that method again," Maxon explains.

"Oh no!" Lucy yelps as she begins to cry. Not long after Carter joins her.

"Don't worry," I tell them. "We will make sure that all three of them get back to the palace safely. I promise."

I hope that is a promise I'm able to keep.

But right now I can't be sure I'll see Marlee or Aspen alive again.