The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 6

I woke up the next morning, sighing as I rubbed my eyes. I was sprawled out on a wooden floor. Unsure of my surroundings, I glanced around. My eyes caught on a black and white maid's dress and I choked, before everything came back to me and I remembered it was America. I stroked her blonde hair gently and she groaned.

"Five more minutes, Marlee. Five." I chucked softly and laid down next to her, my chin propped up on my palm. Her blue eyes, bright as ice fluttered open and I smiled a grand smile at her that quickly turned into a lopsided grin.

"Guess I'm Marlee now, hm?" I teased, wrapping an arm around her waist. She snuggled closer, her face buried in my chest.

"Nah. You're Maxon. My Maxon." As much as it betrayed Kriss for us to be together, I couldn't not do anything. America was here in the palace and she still wanted me. I had to have her. I had to.

"I hope so." I chuckled softly.

"So how's Kriss?" She suddenly asked. My eyes widened. I wasn't prepared for this question. What was I supposed to tell the woman I loved about the woman I was married to? Even though, I still had feelings for Kriss, they were nothing compared to what I felt with America. Kriss was a tiny drop of water that got mixed into America's raging waterfall.

"Uhm... She's been tired recently, with Kriston and everything. But she's really... Uh... Happy." I stammered out. America glanced at me, questioning my words.

"Happy? And does she know about us?" She asked, arching a delicate brown eyebrow.

"Us? Um... No. No one does. Except..." My thoughts wandered to Daphne.

"Except? Except who?" Panic rose into her beautiful voice.

"No one, darling. I was just wondering what would happen if someone knew." I lied softly.

"We'd be in deep trouble."

"Not necessarily. I'm the king, after all. I could... No. No. We have to tell everyone soon enough. I will not lie to my country." I said firmly, my lips pressed together in a thin line.

"But... Kriss. The public. Riots." She whispered.

"That will be our problem. But not now." I flipped over and landed on top of her, pressing my lips to hers. Old feelings resurfaced from her and she tangled her slim fingers into my hair, her lips moving against mine. However, I still felt like an idiot. How could I tell everyone that I had lied to my wife right after we had our child? Tell them I was still in love with the girl I had met so long ago. I brushed these thoughts away as America gripped my upper arms, pulling my lips to hers once again.

I don't know how long we kissed. Or how many times. It reminded me of that time in the safe room, where I showed her my scars. Kriss still doesn't know. She dug her fingers into my back slightly and I remembered asking her if my back repulsed her. It was so long ago. She said no. "Maxon, some of those scars are on your back so they wouldn't be on mine, and I love you for them." That was the first time she'd ever said 'I love you'. I smiled against her soft lips as I pulled away. My index finger trailed from her temple, down her cream coloured cheek and to the corner of her lips. I pressed a delicate kiss there, then another on her cheek, a peck on the lips, a trail of kisses led down to her collarbone.

"Mm... Maxon... Maxon..." She whispered my name several times. I was getting light-headed, I felt feverish. I pulled her closer to me, so close until she was pressed up to me. Her forehead touched mine... And pulled away abruptly.

"Maxon, you're burning up!" She exclaimed, placing her cool hand on my front.

"Mm?" I mumble, dazed beyond control, maybe from the kissing, or maybe I was sick.

"We need to get some antibiotics into you." She said tenderly, standing up.

"No..." I let out a breath of disappointment, reaching up. I wrapped my fingers around her forearm, and felt the scar from our selection, when we'd left to talk to August and Georgia. My thoughts wandered to the northern rebels and how they'd saved so many lives. I was broken from my daydreams when America hoisted my body up. That girl had muscle. I laughed dreamily.

"Oh Maxon." She sighed and half dragged me out. By then, I was half dead. Black spots danced in my vision. I remember her talking to a guard, who brought me to the infirmary. I remember a kind sounding nurse, forcing bitter tasting liquid down my throat. I remember Kriss and Kriston. Bits and pieces that don't fit together quite right.

It wasn't until three days later that I woke up properly. I'd been fed, I recall that but nothing else, really, I sat up, a wave of dizziness causing me to sway. I gripped at sheets of the hospital bed. A nurse walked inside, her eyes on her clipboard. I cleared my throat. She jumped, evidently surprised.

"Your majesty. Oh dear god. You're awake. Shall I get the queen?" She rambled, flustered as she scrambled to curtsy. Her bouncy red hair left her bun. My eyes fixed on the tendrils and I thought of America. Of course I did. A breath of disappointment passed my lips.

"Please do." I replied clearly. As she left, I slumped back into the mound of pillows behind me. I ran a calloused hand through my tousled hair. A couple strands got caught between my fingers and I ended up pulling out several of them. I shuffled my fingers until the golden brown strands drifted off. That's when Kriss ran in, without Kriston however.

"Oh Maxon, darling. I was so worried. What happened? How did you get sick?" I cringed internally. She was speaking fast, although worried, she was giving me a headache.

"I'm fine now. It was just a bit of a fever." I consoled her.

"A bit?" She arched an eyebrow. I shrugged my shoulders lightly in response.

"Oh well. At least you're okay. At least there's that." She sat on my bed and took my hands in hers.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I... Love you too." I mumbled, unsure if my words were really true.

Hey guys! So how'd you like this chapter? Did you notice the new cover? I hope you liked both, the chapter AND the cover. Anyways, thanks for staying loyal.

Stay fab,
Val.