“I can’t believe how unprepared we were, going out in a palace truck without more guards. And there are rebels just walking the streets. Since when are they not hiding? Where are they getting these guns? I feel clueless, helpless. I’m losing the country I love a little every day. I nearly lost you, and I—”
Maxon stopped himself, his frustration fading into something new. He moved his hand back to my cheek. “Last night, you said something . . . about love.”
I looked down. “I remember.” I tried to contain my blush.
“It’s funny how you can think you’ve said something when you never really did.”
I giggled, feeling that the words were coming in his very next breath.
“It’s also funny how you can think you’ve heard something when you didn’t either,” he said instead.
All the humor vanished from the moment. “I know what you mean.” I swallowed and watched as his hand moved from my cheek to lace his fingers through mine, knowing that he and I were both watching them. “Maybe, for some people, it would be hard to confess that. Like, if they worried they might not make it to the end.”
He sighed. “Or it would be hard to say if you worried that someone might not want to make it to the end . . . maybe never quite gave up on someone else.”
I shook my head. “That’s not . . .”
“Okay.”
For everything we’d said in the safe room, for everything we’d confessed to each other, for everything that had firmly settled in my heart, these small words were the most frightening things to pass between us. Because once they were out there, we could never take them back.
I didn’t completely understand his reasons for hesitating, but I knew mine. If he ended up with Kriss after I’d put my heart out there, I would be upset with him, but I would hate myself. It was a risk I was too frightened to take.
The silence was making me uneasy, and when it became too much, I spoke.
“Maybe we could talk about this again when I’m feeling better?”
He sighed. “Of course. Completely thoughtless of me.”
“No, no. There’s just something else I wanted to ask you about.” There were bigger things than us to consider right now.
“Go ahead.”
“I had a thought about my guests for the upcoming tea party, but I would need your approval.”
He looked at me, confused.
“And I want you to know everything I would intend to discuss with them. We might be breaking several laws, so I won’t do it if you say not to.”
Intrigued, Maxon propped himself up on one arm to listen. “Tell me everything.”
CHAPTER 17
THE BACKDROP FOR OUR PHOTOS was plain and light blue. My maids put together a lovely dress for me, with little off-the-shoulder cuffs that just covered my scar. For now, my days of strapless gowns were gone.
Though I looked pretty good, I was completely overshadowed by Nicoletta, and even Georgia was dazzling in her gown.
“Lady America,” the woman next to the camera called. “We remember Princess Nicoletta from when the women of the Italian royal family came to visit the palace, but who is your other guest?”
“This is Georgia, a dear friend of mine,” I replied sweetly. “One of the things that I’ve learned from the Selection so far is that moving forward means joining your life before coming to the palace with the future that lies in front of you. I’m hoping to make another step in joining those two worlds today.”
Some of those standing around let out satisfied noises as the cameras continued to capture the three of us.
“Excellent, ladies,” the photographer said. “You can go enjoy the party. We’ll be taking some candid shots later.”
“Sounds fun,” I answered, motioning for my guests to come with me.
Maxon had made it clear that of all days, today was one when I really needed to be on. I hoped to be the lead example of what an Elite should be, but it was hard for me to try and be so perfect.
“Tone it down, America, or rainbows are going to shoot out of your eyes.” I loved that even though our friendship was brief, Georgia could see right through my act.
I laughed, and Nicoletta joined in. “She’s right. You do seem a bit perky.”
I sighed with a smile. “Sorry. Today is a high-stakes kind of day.”
Georgia put an arm on my shoulder as we walked deeper into the room. “After everything you and Maxon have been through, I highly doubt he’ll send you home over a tea party.”
“That’s not exactly what I mean. But we’ll have to talk about it later.” I turned to face them. “Right now, it would be a huge help to me if we could mingle. Once things settle down, we need to have a pretty serious discussion.”
Nicoletta looked over at Georgia, then back to me. “What kind of friend are you introducing me to here?”
“A valuable one. I swear. I’ll explain later.”
For their part, Georgia and Nicoletta made me shine. As a princess, Nicoletta was quite possibly the best guest in the room, and I saw in Kriss’s eyes that she wished she had thought of that. Of course, she didn’t have a direct line to Italian royalty like I did. Nicoletta herself had given me a phone number to contact her if I ever needed to.
No one knew who Georgia was, but when they’d heard my line—the one Maxon had specifically fed to me—about joining my past and my future, they thought that was a spectacular idea as well.
Elise’s choices were predictable. Powerful but predictable. Two very distant cousins from New Asia representing her ties to the leaders of the nation paraded next to her in their traditional dresses. Kriss had chosen a professor from the college her father worked at and her mother. I was dreading my family hearing about that. When Mom or May realized they had a chance to be here, I was sure to get a very disappointed letter from them.
Celeste, true to her word, brought full-fledged celebrities. Tessa Tamble—who had allegedly given a show at Celeste’s last birthday party—was there in a very short but glamorous dress. Celeste’s other guest was Kirstie Summer, another musician who was mostly known for her outlandish concerts, and her outfit was more like a costume. My guess was that it was either something she usually performed in or an experiment in painted leather. Either way, I was surprised she got through the door, both because of the way she was dressed and the fact that if you passed within a foot of her, you could smell the alcohol radiating off her.
“Nicoletta,” Queen Amberly said, approaching us. “How wonderful to see you again.”
They exchanged kisses on both cheeks before Nicoletta spoke. “The joy is all mine. I was elated when I received America’s invitation. We all had such a wonderful time on our last visit.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” the queen commented. “I’m afraid it’s going to be a bit calmer today.”
“I don’t know,” Nicoletta countered, pointing over to where Kirstie and Tessa were standing in a corner and talking loudly. “I’m betting those two will send me home with at least one story.”
We all laughed, though I could see a little anxiety in the queen’s eyes. “I suppose I should go introduce myself.”
“Always the picture of bravery,” I joked.
She smiled. “Please, relax and enjoy yourselves. I hope you get to meet some new acquaintances but, honestly, just take some time together with your friends.”
I nodded, and Queen Amberly left to meet Celeste’s guests. Tessa was looking fine, but Kirstie appeared to be picking up and smelling every finger sandwich on a nearby table. I made a mental note not to eat anything near where she’d been standing.
I surveyed the room. Everyone seemed busy eating or talking, so I decided now was as good a time as any.
“Follow me,” I said, heading to a small table in the back. We sat, and a maid brought us tea. Once we were alone, I dived in, hoping this would go smoothly.
“Georgia, first, I haven’t had a chance to apologize about Micah.”
She was shaking her head eve
n as I spoke. “He always wanted to be a hero. We all accept that things might . . . end like that. But I think he was proud.”
“I’m still really sorry. Is there anything we can do?”
“No. Everything’s taken care of. Trust me, he wouldn’t have chosen a different end,” she insisted.
I thought of the mouselike boy in the corner of the room that night. He willingly ran out into the fray for me, for all of us. Bravery hides in amazing places.
I turned back to the matter at hand. “Well, Georgia, as you can see, Nicoletta is the princess of Italy. She visited with us a few weeks ago.” I looked between them. “At that time she made it clear that Italy would like to be an ally to Illéa if certain things changed.”
“America!” Nicoletta hissed.
I held up a hand. “Trust me. Georgia here is a friend, but I don’t know her from Carolina. She’s one of the leaders of the Northern rebels.”
Nicoletta sat up in her seat. Georgia gave her a timid nod, confirming what I’d said.
“She came to our aid recently. And lost someone close to her in the process,” I explained.
Nicoletta placed her hand on Georgia’s. “I’m sorry.” Then she turned to me, curious as to how all this tied together.
“What we say needs to stay among us, but I thought we might be able to talk about some things that would benefit everyone here,” I explained.
“Are you trying to overthrow the king?” Nicoletta asked.
“No,” Georgia assured her. “We’re hoping to align ourselves with Maxon’s reign, and work toward eliminating the castes. Maybe within his lifetime. He seems to have more compassion for his people.”
“He does,” I added.
“Then why do you attack the palace? And all those people?” Nicoletta accused sharply.
I shook my head. “They’re not like the Southern rebels. They don’t kill people. They sometimes deliver justice that they see as fit—”
“We’ve gotten unwed mothers out of jail, things like that,” Georgia interjected.
“They have broken into the palace, but never with the intent to kill,” I added.
Nicoletta sighed. “I’m not so bothered by that, but I’m not sure why you need me to know them.”
“Neither am I,” Georgia confessed.
I took a breath. “The Southern rebels are getting more and more aggressive. In the last few months alone, their attacks have increased, not just at the palace but across the country. They’re merciless. I worry, as does Maxon, that they’re very close to making a move we won’t be able to recover from. Their idea of killing their way down the Elite’s castes is pretty drastic, and we’re all afraid those attacks are going to escalate.”
“They already have,” Georgia said, more to me than to Nicoletta. “When you invited me here, I was happy if only to be able to give you more news. The Southern rebels have moved to the Threes.”
I placed a hand over my mouth, shocked that they were progressing so quickly. “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” Georgia confirmed. “The numbers shifted yesterday.”
After a moment of quiet worry, Nicoletta spoke. “Why are they doing this?”
Georgia turned to her. “To scare the Elite into leaving, to scare the royal family in general. It seems like they think that if they can stop the Selection from finishing and isolate Maxon, they’ll only have to get rid of him in order to take over.”
“And that’s the real worry. If they come to power, there’s nothing for Maxon to offer you as king. The Southern rebels would only oppress people further.”
“So what do you propose?” Nicoletta asked.
I tried to walk lightly into the criminal territory in front of me. “Georgia and the other Northerners have a better opportunity to stop the Southern rebels than any of us in the palace. They can see their moves more easily and have had chances to confront them . . . but they’re untrained and unarmed.”
They both waited, not seeing what I was implying.
I lowered my voice. “Maxon can’t siphon money from the palace to help them buy weapons.”
“I see,” Nicoletta finally said.
“It would be under the full understanding that these weapons would only be used to stop the Southerners. Never against an officer of any government-issued position,” I said, looking at Georgia.
“That wouldn’t be a problem.” I saw in her eyes how much she meant that, and I already knew it in my own heart. If she’d wanted to, she could have taken me out when she found me in the woods or chosen not to come running into the alley after us. But that was never her goal.
Nicoletta was strumming her fingers across her lips, thinking. I knew we were asking a lot, but I wasn’t sure how to move forward otherwise.
“If anyone found out . . . ,” she said.
“I know. I’ve thought about that.” If the king ever knew, a caning wouldn’t be enough where I was concerned.
“If we could make sure there isn’t a trail.” Nicoletta kept fidgeting her fingers near her mouth.
“It would need to be cash, at least. That makes it harder,” Georgia offered.
Nicoletta nodded and dropped her hand to the table. “I said if I could do anything for you, I would. We could use a strong friend, and if your country is lost, I fear we would only gain another enemy.”
I gave her a sad smile.
She turned to Georgia. “I can get the cash today, but it would need to be converted.”
Georgia smiled. “We have means.”
Over her shoulder I saw a photographer approaching. I picked up my teacup and whispered, “Camera.”
“And I’ve always thought America was a lady. I think sometimes we miss those traits because we see Fives as performers and Sixes as housekeepers. But look at Queen Amberly. She’s so much more than a Four,” Georgia said kindly. Nicoletta and I both nodded.
“She’s an incredible woman. It’s been a privilege to live with her,” I shared.
“Maybe you’ll get to stay with her!” Nicoletta said with a wink.
“Smile, ladies!” the photographer instructed, and we all showed our brightest faces, hoping to cover our dangerous secret.
CHAPTER 18
THE DAY AFTER NICOLETTA AND Georgia left, I caught myself looking over my shoulder a lot. I was sure someone knew what I’d said, what I’d handed over to the rebels in a brief afternoon. I kept reminding myself that if anyone had overheard, I certainly would have been arrested by now. Seeing as I was still enjoying a wonderful breakfast with the other Elite and the royal family, I had to believe that everything was fine. Besides, Maxon would defend me if he had to.
After breakfast, I went back to my room to touch up my makeup. While I was in the bathroom, sweeping on another layer of lipstick, a knock sounded at the door. It was just Lucy and me, and she went to see who it was while I finished up. A minute later she popped her head around the corner.
“It’s Prince Maxon,” she whispered.
I whipped my head around. “He’s here?”
She nodded, beaming. “He remembered my name.”
“Of course he did,” I replied with a smile. I put everything down and ran my fingers through my hair. “Lead me out, then leave quietly.”
“As you wish, miss.”
Maxon was standing tentatively by the door, uncharacteristically waiting for an invitation to enter. He held a small, thin box, and he drummed his fingers against it, fidgeting. “Sorry to interrupt. I was wondering if I could have a moment.”
“Of course,” I said, walking over. “Please come in.” Maxon and I perched on the edge of my bed.
“I wanted to see you first,” he said, getting situated. “I wanted to explain before the others came in bragging.”
Explain? For some reason his words put me on edge. If the others were bragging, I was about to be excluded from something.
“What do you mean?” I realized I was biting my freshly glossed lip.
Maxon passed the box over to me. “I??
?ll clarify, I promise. But first, this is for you.”
I took the box and unhooked a small button in the front so I could open it. I think I inhaled every millimeter of air in the room.
Resting inside the box were a breathtaking set of earrings and matching bracelet. They coordinated beautifully, with blue and green gems woven into a subtle floral design.
“Maxon, I love it, but I can’t possibly take this. It’s too . . . too . . .”
“On the contrary, you must take them. It’s a gift, and it’s tradition that you wear them in the Convicting.”
“The what?”
He shook his head. “Silvia will explain all that; but the point is, it’s tradition for the prince to present the Elite with jewelry and for them to wear the pieces to the ceremony. There will be quite a few officials there, and you need to look your best. And unlike the things you’ve been presented with so far, these are all real and yours to keep.”
I smiled. Of course we wouldn’t have been given real jewelry to wear until now. I wondered how many girls had taken things home, thinking that if they hadn’t gotten Maxon, at least they got a few thousand in jewelry.
“They’re wonderful, Maxon. Just my taste. Thank you.”
Maxon raised a finger. “You’re welcome, and that’s part of what I wanted to discuss. I chose the gifts for each of you personally and intended that they should all be equal. However, you prefer to wear the necklace from your father, and I’m sure it would be a comfort to you in the middle of something as big as the Convicting. So, while the others got necklaces, you have a bracelet.”
He reached over to my hand and lifted it. “And I see you’re attached to your little button, and I’m glad you still like the bracelet I brought back from New Asia, but they really aren’t appropriate. Try this on so we can see how it rests.”
I took off Maxon’s bracelet and set it on the edge of my nightstand. But I took Aspen’s button and set it in my jar with its single penny. It seemed like it should be there for now.
I turned back and caught Maxon staring at the jar, something hard in his eyes. It disappeared swiftly enough, and he went to removing the bracelet from the box. His fingers tickled my skin, and when he moved away, I nearly gasped again at how beautiful his gift was.