The Elite: Maxon POV

Chapter 7

I lay in my bed that night thinking about her. She wants to marry me. She really wants me. I don't think my heart has ever been this happy. I finally told her how I really felt and she didn't reject me like I had thought she was going to. I slept soundly for the first time in months. I even dreamed.

"Maxon?" she called out. I rose from my bed and sat up straight, rubbing my eyes.

"America? What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about you." She was wearing a silk nightgown that made her skin glow. Her chest was slightly exposed and rising and falling quickly.

"Nor I. Come and sit with me." I said patting the bed. She walked over, but instead of sitting in front of me she leaned forward and kissed me. I felt drunk. I pulled her onto my lap so she was straddling me as she weaved her fingers into my hair.

"This is very bad of us, love," I groaned. "If we get caught-"

"Maxon," she said on my lips, "shut up." That's all it took to silence me. She lifted my shirt off as I wrapped one arm around her body to bring her closer and one hand stroking her thigh.

"America," I panted. She tugged on my hair making me moan and lifted my eyes to meet hers.

"I love you," she said smiling. Suddenly there were loud banging noises. A group of what sounded like rebels were outside the door shooting to try to break the door down. America screamed as the banging got louder and louder and...

I jolted upright covered in sweat and breathing heavily. I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to calm my nerves. The banging resumed.

"Your Highness! Your presence is requested in the throne room, please come immediately," said a guard from outside the door. I threw on my robe and followed one of them down to the room.

"It's about time you woke up," said my Father as I entered.

"What's this all about Father? It's 5 in the morning."

"One of the Elite has been caught committing treason against the royal family."

My breath stopped. It couldn't be America, not after last night. My guess was Natalie and Elise. Although I hadn't said it aloud, the two of them seemed closer than friends. Elise more so than Natalie. If I sent them home it would just make my job easier.

"Who?"

"Marlee Tames." My body froze. No, no no. "She was caught slagging up against Officer Woodwork by our cameras last night. The punishment for something like this is death so-"

"No!" I yelled. My Mother looked up at me for the first time, tears in her eyes. "No there has to be another option. Please Father. She's-" I almost said she's America's best friend but I was already on thin ice. "She's a favorite of the people and death here may seem too harsh."

"I always knew you were soft, but I never suspected you to forgo your duties as a prince. You're an embarrassment," He scoffed. I stepped closer to his face.

"You may chose to forget, Father, but yes I am a Prince. I have power over what happens to these ladies in my selection. What I say, goes." His eyes blazed and for a moment I almost backed down.

"Fine," he spat. "She will not be pardoned, though. Both of them will be sentence to fifteen lashes. The hands for the girl, the back for the boy. That will show the other ladies not to disobey the laws that we have set in place." He said bringing my Mother's body closer to his. I noticed the way he said "girl" and "boy" with so much disgust. "It will happen in a few hours. They've already been chained up and sent to the cells downstairs. Go get cleaned up. I'll send for the ladies to be prepared to get up." My mother suddenly stood and left the room. "You and I will finish this conversation later," he growled. From the look in his eyes I knew exactly what kind of conversation he meant and I shuddered. He stormed out leaving me in the room.

I ran back to my bedroom and paced the floor. I didn't blame Marlee for falling in love with someone that wasn't me, I already had America. America. She'll hate me for this.

"FUCK!" I screamed throwing my desk. I raked my hands over the walls, knocking down all the photographs. I smashed half of the vases in the room, ripping down my curtains as I cursed. America will never forgive me for this and there's nothing I can do about it. I sunk down to the floor in the dark corner of my room and cried.