Break My Heart a Thousand Times (The Selection Series Story)

Chapter VI: "On the Wings of Love"

Chapter Six

[] ONE MONTH LATER []

I breathed in a fresh of cool air as I exited the palace. It was a beautiful night in Angeles, and a rare full moon bathed light over the peaceful garden. I had been dying to go outside after my leg had been injured, but Chelsey had forbidden me to anything besides the necessary work for the past month. I had finally convinced her to let me go outside today.

I walked, my right leg slightly dragging behind me, over to the small bench next to a big green tree and looked over all the flowers. Without thinking about it, I slipped my feet out of my flats, pulled off my socks, and lay them on the damp, cool grass.

I sighed in relief. Closing my eyes, I imagined myself back home, in my backyard, sitting on a makeshift swing hanging from a huge oak tree. I took in a deep breath, fully relaxed for the first time since I'd been here. I opened my eyes again, and I looked at the stars. It amazed me how many they were, and how small and significant we must be compared to all of them.

My fists clenched as I remembered how Aspen and I would go in our backyard every night he was home. We would stare at the stars, make up our constellations, and just be together. It was one of my favorites traditions of Aspen being home. We had been together, and that had been all that really mattered.

I started crying without realizing it. I wasn't sobbing, but the tears were coming fast, hot and angry. I sniffed and tried to breathe, reminding myself that Aspen wouldn't want me crying because of him. He might even tell me that now I wasn't tied down by him, so I could do whatever I wanted. I giggled out loud at the thought of him saying that. I would never do that, of course, but it was a funny thought.

My head turned towards the palace when I heard footsteps walking down the palace steps and I used the back of my hand to wipe away tears. Luckily it wasn't Chelsey, which I had worried at first. I didn't want to be called back inside on a beautiful night like tonight.

But I was surprised. The young king himself was walking down the steps, his hands in his suit pockets and his eyes trained on the moon. While he looked relaxed, I could tell he was deep in thought. I scooted on the bench, closer to the tree, so it would be harder for him to see me.

I watched as King Maxon sat on the edge of the fountain. He skimmed his fingers in the water, and the moon reflected on his dirty blonde hair. Right now, he looked the most peaceful I had seen him, if a little sad.

Something in the bush next to me rustled slightly, but King Maxon had heard. His eyes locked onto mine, and I blushed, but I couldn't tell if he could see my face or not in the dark.

"Who are you?" he called out, straightening himself. I stood up and walked out from under the shadow. He relaxed. "What are you doing here?" he asked. I was glad he didn't recognize me.

"Just enjoying the peace out here, Your Majesty. I can go inside... if you like." My face must have looked disgusted at the thought because the King chuckled lightly.

"No, no," he protested. "I came out for the same reason." He fell silent, looking at me. "Are you the maid who was in the safe room?" Shoot, he did recognize me.

I hesitated, and then nodded.

"You were also the one who was there with my mother, weren't you?" he asked, and I nodded again. He gestured for me to sit, so I did that too. "And the one I picked up during the attack, right?" I blushed, embarrassed that he remembered that specific. "What was your name again? Amy?"

"America, actually," I said a little snappishly. It was sort of annoying that we had to call everyone Your Majesty or Your Highness and they didn't even bother to know our names.... well, some of them didn't bother. Instead of correcting me on my tone, the king smiled.