The Elite: Maxon POV

Chapter 12

"Your Highness, quickly! There are rebels in the palace and we must get you down to the safe room at once," said one of the guards outside my door. I was still at my desk trying to understand some of the articles my assistant had given me when he came in. I followed them down a stairwell that led to one of the safe rooms.

"Where-" I began.

"Your family and the ladies of the Elite will be here soon. There are guards bringing them now."

I started to panic. They should have been here before me. "Wait," I said grabbing the arm of one of the guards, "which rebels are we dealing with here?"

"It's hard to say, sir. Rest assured we will get everyone down here safely." I ran my fingers through my hair. If anything happened to these women..to America, I wouldn't forgive myself. Natalie was the first to arrive.

"H-has anyone s-seen E-elise?" she asked with worry lines covering her face. I found it strange that that was the first person she asked for while in shock. The next to come was Celeste. Surprisingly, she stayed quiet and kept to herself. She either was that good of an actress or she really was that scared. I paced the floor frantically.

"You," I snapped as I gestured toward a guard, "Where the hell are they?!"

"Your Highness, we have guards with the ladies right now; I can assure you they'll bring them here safely." I was losing my mind. Suddenly, I saw a head of bright red hair come blazing down the steps.

"Am I the last?" she asked.

"No. There's still Kriss and Elise." I tried not to stare, but seeing America safe and close to me was the reason I could breathe again. I turned slightly, peering into the darkness. I was contemplating giving into my instinct, but I knew she was still upset with me and although it had only been a week, she was so withdrawn. I submitted to my emotions and brought her close to me in an embrace.

"I know you're still upset with me, but I'm so glad you're safe." I've missed you more than you could imagine I thought but didn't dare say aloud.

"I'm glad you're safe too," she said sighing. I closed my eyes and held her tighter, wanting this moment to last forever. I opened my eyes and saw Elise coming down with a guard.

"Elise! She's here!" I exclaimed with delight. I turned to America. "You should go now. Silvia is waiting for you both. We'll talk soon," I said, although it was more of a question, a plea. America nodded and scurried to the safe room with Elise close behind. I paced the floor anxiously. Finally, I saw Kriss come down being carried by one of the guards.

"Hey," she said weakly.

"Hey," I said scanning her body for a wound of some sort. "Here let me," I said taking Kriss's light body from the guard and carrying her into the safe room. "I got you," I said. She smiled at me, her eyes sparkling. "What happened?"

"I tripped...I don't think anything is broken but it really hurts."

"We've got some supplies in here to help you," I said gently laying her down on the floor. I bandaged her ankle as delicately as I could. "Get some rest, Kriss. You still have that project to work on." She moved close to me and lay her head on my shoulder.

"I'm so excited," she whispered. "We've been putting together a lot of ideas. She's a hard worker. America. I guess I understand now why you only like her so much." She didn't say it with jealousy or anger. She said it like she had accepted it.

"Well that's not entirely true," I whispered back. "I don't like only her."

"No?"

"No." I raised her chin toward my face and her eyes sparkled in the pale moonlight we had from the tiny window. "Gosh you make this so hard, you know."

"What do you mean?" she breathed.

"You've no idea how badly I want to kiss you."

She giggled at me and nestled her head back into the crook of my neck. "You know why I can't, Maxon. But maybe...some day?"

I leaned my head back on the wall and began to close my eyes. "Yeah...maybe."