A Twisted Fate

Chapter Sixteen

The next morning I was ecstatic, radiating with joy. I felt my pulse speed up as Anne dressed me and I nearly stopped breathing as she tightened my extravagant day dress. 

As I stepped out of the door I saw Aspen waiting. I knew he had come to walk me to the dining hall, to show he was giving me up... but when I saw him strangled with a hug from Lucy I couldn't help but feel jealousy.

"Goodbye," he whispered, placing his hands on my shoulders, "America I hope you find the greatest happiness with him, he's more than I could've ever been."

"When did you learn I was getting married?" I asked.

He flashed a smile at Lucy, "a little bird told me. Anyways let's get you to your royal husband!" I nearly laughed so hard I fell over as Aspen walked me down, Lucy trailing behind us. As he caught me we met the eyes of each other... and then Maxon swerved around the corner. 

"What?" He said, confused and broken as I saw his eyes water, "America- is this..?"

I shook my head, not wanting to meet his eyes as I explained, "I wanted Aspen to walk me into the dining hall to show we'd given up on each other... back home we used to date and I want to make it clear we aren't compatible anymore and you're the one for me."

Maxon snorted and then huffed, "well maybe Kriss or Celeste is the one for me... I'll have to think about it while you pack your bags. And don't try me with another excuse or lie that officer Leg- I mean Aspen and you hardly know each other." 

Tears trickled down my cheeks, "you can't mean it he was giving me up. I never thought my life would be dramatic, now I realize how wrong I was to put faith in this whole selection and sign up."

I tried to meet Maxon's gaze but his eyes kept darting away from mine. He turned around and walked away. As Lucy carried me to my room I started sobbing, not in a hopeless way but in the sense that I didn't want this to be my future, and when I started to enjoy it the one person I truly loved slipped out of my grasp.

And if Maxon truly had loved me he would regret sending me away again because of a misunderstanding. Closing my eyes I tried to rest, but I was immediately disturbed by a knock, and Celeste barged into my room.

"Hey, America... what's wrong? You missed breakfast and the ceremony is around two so you need to look perfect for your-," Celeste started before I cut her off.

"For Kriss's big day! I was walking down to breakfast with Aspen so he could release his former love for me then Maxon came and misunderstood something about it and I'm assuming he didn't talk to you so..." I said before my friend gently placed a hand on my back.

Meeting my eyes Celeste whispered, "America... if I was Maxon I'd marry you because you will fight for what you believe in and you are compassionate. Kriss is a fine lady but a horrible queen and Maxon will see how it punishes Illea when she spends all day lounging."

"So you admit they're getting married?" I asked, "because I don't care anymore... Maxon isn't awful but I hope I never see him after this."

"You won't," a voice said from the doorway and I turned around to see Queen Amberly.

I stumbled up and tried to bow but she shoed me away and continued, "my dear I believe my son loved you. As he walked down to breakfast he was heartbroken... I was worried you'd declined but now I see matters are much more complicated, and none of which are your doing."

"Thanks?" I tried, almost giggling at Queen Amberly's childish expression. Celeste left and the queen wrapped her arms around me and whispered, "I'll have him change his mind if it's the last thing I'll do. I don't agree with my husband when he says Kriss is the best option." 

I smiled, even if I didn't marry Maxon, which was looking more likely by the second, I'd have Amberly as an ally and that was all I'd ever need.