The Elite: Maxon POV

Chapter 17

The next few days were spent at the market and small towns. It was the last day before we returned to the kingdom and we had yet to meet the officials of New Asia. My father just tested me on my language skills which he deemed subpar. We walked through the town for the last time.

"Son, tell me about the selection. I need an update seeing as it's been going on rather long."

"Uh, what do you mean?" I asked scanning the shops.

"How was what I said confusing," he snapped.

"What I meant was, what do you want to know?"

"Everything."

I began to give him little snippets of the outings and conversations I'd had with The Elite.

"Who do you think you will be sending hone next?" he asked bluntly. He continued talking without letting me answer. "That Natalie girl is incredibly boring and bland. She's quiet though which is a good quality to have in a queen. One who knows her place as a wife and as a partner." I nodded and opened my mouth to speak, but he kept talking. "That god-awful red head must be on your list? She's okay looking but she's got a hot temper, smart mouth not to mention she assaulted you!"

"Technically it wasn't-,"

"After that girl got canned, I've been keeping an eye on her and I've got to say I'm incredibly underwhelmed."

"Father, I'm not sure who I will be sending home yet. I know Lady Celeste is beautiful, but they woman is as powerful as she is vindictive. Lady Kriss is compatible and agreeable, but sometimes so much so that it's as if she doesn't have her own mind. And Lady Elise—" I paused to watch my words. "Well let's just say I hope she can do more to help with this war than she is right now. No one is above another," I said. A complete lie, but it was better than telling him the truth about how I feel.

"Fair enough," he grumbled. We've got to get going now."

"You go ahead, Father," I said walking toward a shop. I've seen something that caught my eye.

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My father notified the palace of our arrival. I'm hoping that the girls weren't too worried. We weren't set to arrive until past midnight so the palace would be asleep anyway. When we set down my father left to his chambers without a word. I went to my suite and lay in my bed with my suit clothes on. My maids came in, offering to help me undress and prepare for bed.

"Thank you, ladies but I think I'll head to the garden. Maybe take some pictures." They excused themselves and I took my camera off of the shelf. As I walked out I glanced at the mirror and frowned. I always look so put together, like a doll. I chuckled thinking that's something America would say. I shrugged off my jacket and untucked my shirt. With one ruffle of my hair, I put my glasses on and head outside. I felt so stressed out. Between the strange and arbitrary trip with my father, council meetings, war meetings and keeping up with the selection, I had taken little to no time for myself. When the palace was asleep was the best time to get some alone time. I started snapping pictures of the shrubbery when I thought I heard a noise. I stopped taking pictures and looked around.

"Psst!" came the voice again. I whipped my head up toward it and saw America's flash of bright hair. I smiled and waved. She tugged on her ear and motioned for me to come up to her room. I practically sprinted up the palace stairs and waited outside the door, camera in hand. I knocked and she opened the door with a flourish only to be greeted with my camera lens. The picture was beautiful, a shocked smile plastered on her face.

"You're so ridiculous. Get in here," she said tugging my arm.

"I couldn't help it," I said laughing. She asked me about my trip and I found myself telling her about the oddness of it all.

"Ahem, while I was there, I saw something in a little shop." I pulled the bracelet out and showed it to her. It was a blue string covered in blue and purple beads with traditional writing inscribed on each of them.

"It's blue and you um..seem to like blue?" She smiled.

"I love blue."

"I didn't find anything for anyone else though, so let's just keep this between you and me?" I asked her while tying it around her wrist. Truthfully I didn't look for a gift for anyone else.

"I love it. Thank you, Maxon."

We talked for a bit, but I could tell something was bothering her. As if on cue, she started to cry.

"What's wrong?"

"I just ... I don't understand you," she said sobbing. I brought my hand to her cheek and wiped away her tears.

"America," I said sincerely, "I'm an open book for you. Anything you wish to know about me, just ask."

"I just don't think I'm ready," she said looking down. I frowned.

"I understand. I'm here, though. I'll
always be here."