The Elite: Maxon POV

Chapter 3

The evening following the Report, with America's publicly well taken suggestion about making the draft voluntary, I rushed to her room. Negating my manners, I burst into her room eager to share my exciting idea.

"I had an idea," I said shutting the door behind me.

"Your Majesty," said her maids in a chorus before all dipping to graceful curtsies. One of them dropped her pins.

"Oh let me help you," I offered bending down.

"It's alright," she insisted, a furious blush over taking her face. She and the other backed out of the room, but not before making wide eyes at each other.

"Oh, um goodnight, miss," said the small one, backing out of the room. Once the door was shut, America and I broke down in laughter.

"They're a funny lot," I said. I should really learn their names soon.

"They just admire you so much," said America with a grin. I waved away the compliment.

"Sorry to interrupt," I said just now realized how impolite it was for me to enter a woman's chambers without knocking.

"It's fine," she said pulling out her last pin from her hair. It fell down her shoulders like an erupting volcano as she ran her fingers through it. "Do I look okay?" she said turning in her seat. I swallowed slowly and nodded. She was breathtaking.

"Anyway this idea," I started, hoping she hadn't noticed me staring.

"Do tell."

"You remember the Halloween thing?"

"Yes. Oh I still haven't read the diary. It's well hidden though," she promised.

"No worries, nobody is looking for it. Anyway, all those books said it fell in October right?"

"Yeah," she said.

"Well it's October now. Why don't we have a Halloween party?" I suggested. I held my breath waiting for her response.

"Really? Oh Maxon could we?" she exclaimed with a bright smile.

"Would you like that?" I asked finally letting out a breath.

"I would love it!"

I explained the plan, to have everyone in the palace dress up and to announce it to the public so everyone could celebrate. "Your sister would love that, yes?"

"Of course she well. Everyone will!" she said bouncing in her seat. I pursed my lips.

"How would she like celebrating here, at the palace?" America's eyes practically bulged out of her head.

"What?"

"Well I'm supposed to meet the family of the Elite at some point during the competition. What better time than now? All the siblings--" She cut me off by jumping into my arms.

"Do you mean it? Could they really come?" she asked with glassy eyes.

"Of course. I've been longing to meet them," I said. "I know you love them and you'd do practically anything for them." I felt her smile against my chest. "After all you stayed in the selection for them," I said. I wished it were untrue, but if time is what America needs, then time is what I'll give her. She jerked away from me.

"Maxon," she started slowly, "They may have been part of the reason I stayed in the beginning, but they're not why I'm here now. You know that right? I'm here because..."

My heart was practically leaping out of my chest. "Because?" I needed to hear her say it. I was seconds away from ending the whole selection if she said the words. She bit her lip, staring into my eyes. My god she was sexy. Without even trying. "Because?" I asked again smirking. She threw me a flirty smile and began to walk past me toward the door.

"America Singer, you get back here," I chuckled running in front of her. I wrapped my arms around her waist bringing her closer to me. "Tell me," I begged, inches from her lips. She pressed her lips together refusing. Oh so she way playing with me. "Fine, then I shall have to rely on other means of communication." I pushed my lips against hers and she dipped back a little. She brought my closer, wrapping her hands around the back of my head. I parted my lips slightly, deepening the kiss. All of a sudden, I felt tears streaming down her face.

"Darling, what's wrong?" I asked softly. She sighed.

"I don't want to leave all this." I laughed, thinking about when she first arrived and described the castle as a "cage".

"It does grow on you eventually," I said.

"You can be so stupid sometimes, Maxon," she said wiping her face and smiling. "It's you. I don't want to leave you." I stood in shock of what I just heard.

"Me? You want me?" I asked her. She nodded. "But--How---What did I do?"

She shrugged. "I just think we'd make a good us."

"We'd be a wonderful us," I said drawing her near. I kissed her again, with more passion. I wanted her to feel my love for her. "Are you sure? Absolutely positive?" I asked once more. She smiled and nodded her head. I wanted to believe it, I wanted to so badly but I couldn't help the doubt that started creeping into my head. What would my father have to say about this? If America were to eventually become my wife, what would she have to say about my--. No. I mustn't think such thoughts. We sat on her bed and I let her head fall on my shoulder. These quiet moments were the ones I adored the most.