The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 13

Panic coursed through my veins. America. America. America. My eyes lowered to my hands which I had noticed had begun to shake. I pressed them behind my back.

"Come on, Kriss, darling, let's go get you something to eat." I whispered, my head slightly fuzzy.

"That sounds nice." She mumbled, swaying on her feet. Something was off. I took Kriston from her arms gently, wrapping my free arm around her waist.

"What's going on?" I asked tenderly, pressing a gentle kiss against her forehead.

"Nothing. Nothing." She shook her head, blinking a couple times as if it would clear her head.

"Promise?" I asked uncertainly, searching her eyes but coming up empty handed. She stayed silent for a while.

"Promise."

********

I had managed to slip away from Kriss for a moment. I rushed down the long hallways, my breath shallow. My head was spinning and it felt like a thousand bricks were being balanced on my head, compressing it into a flat pancake. I reached the palace infirmary and sucked in a breath. I grasped the long shining, silver handle in my fingers and pulled it open. The first thing that caught my attention was the number of occupied cots there were. A couple of patients were awake and chatting or reading. They were all bruised and bloody but when they noticed me, tried to stand and curtsy or bow. My eyes widened in alarm.

"No, no please." I murmured, walking over to the nearest woman, helping her sit back down.

"Your highness." She whispered, doe eyes widening a fraction as she looked at me.

"I'm just Maxon." I chuckled.

"Yes, you- Maxon." She nodded, flushing a bright crimson red. I smiled weakly before looking around. Where was America? Then, I spotted a sleeping figure through one of the windows on one of the private room doors. I saw blonde hair splayed all over the pillow. I swallowed.

"Give me a minute, if you please." They all nodded and returned to their conversations. I glanced around quickly before slipping into the room discreetly and silently. I pulled down the paper shutter that easily covered the glass. I walked over hesitantly and pulled along with me the plush covered chair before sitting down. I tucked a lock of false blonde hair behind her ear.

"Hey, darling." I whispered. I was quite possibly imagining it, but her lips seemed to curve upwards for a split second. I hummed.

"How have you been? I've been worried about you." I murmured, sighing.

"I don't think my heart has ever been as crazy." Except on my wedding day. I shook the thought out of my head. How could I love two women?

"Anyways, I just came to check up on you." I stood up, pressing a gentle, swift kiss to her forehead. She shifted. I blinked. Her head rolled over slightly to the right, facing the chair where I'd previously been sitting. Her eyelids fluttered but didn't open. I frowned. It didn't make sense. Sighing, I walked over to the door, opening it a fraction of an inch. Then I froze. Another shift. I heard it. A soft scraping against the simple white sheets of the cot. Then I heard her voice. My legs weakened.

"Why did you leave, Maxon? Is it for Kriss?" A bitter laugh

"Of course you did. It's always for Kriss, always." I wanted to scream that it wasn't, but it was true. The pain etched in her voice caused my heard to shred itself into a million pieces.

"I wish you were just mine." And then it was silent. I swallowed thickly, slipping out as I walked out into the gardens, hurrying to a specific part of the garden. I stood in the very part where America has kneed me in the 'thigh'. A man did not take that long to recover from a knee to the thigh. I sighed, siting down on the green grass, freshly, neatly cut. I ran my fingers through my hair, squeezing my eyes shut. Everything was too much. Too much. I had to care for a baby, rule over a country that had been in my bloodline for generations and to top it off, didn't know which woman I loved more. I bit my lip with enough pressure to break the skin. I tasted the metallic tang of blood on my tongue and grimaced. I brushed the back of my hand over my bottom lip, wiping away the blood quickly.

Why was my life so complicated?

*******

I woke up the next morning, rubbing my eyes. I rolled over to my right and found a sleeping Kriss. I smiled softly, rolling back over to face the ceiling. The golden rays of the sun warmed my face, letting my smile grow. I sat up slowly, kissing Kriss' forehead as I slipped out of bed. I changed in my closet, pulling on a white dress shirt and dress pants. I glanced around in my closet and realized, for the first time, that everything I owned was dressy. I laughed to myself. Not much of a surprise though, was it?

I spent the rest of the day mostly holed up in my office. Work. Work. Work. Work. Work. Work. Lunch. Work. Work. Work. Work. Work. Work. Then it was time for dinner. I heard a soft knock on the door and called,

"Come in!" My eyes were still trained on the paper in front of me.

"Hey." Kriss' soft tone caused me to turn around. She was holding Kriston. I smiled and when she offered, I took him gently from her arms.

"Dinner?"

"Of course." I smiled and took her hand, cradling Kriston in the other as she cooed at him, her head on my shoulder. I kept a firm smile on my face, kissing her temple. But inside, my thoughts were flying everywhere.

How could I love two women?

Hi guys! I know it's been way over a month and I'm sorry. Thanks for sticking around. 😊 Just wanted to let y'all know about a book that I started to write with my friends on threegirlsandabook ! It's called Sugarskull Skyraiders and we would love some feedback. It would mean so much if you could check it out! Comment if you did for a dedication in the next chapter!
Thanks! Ily.
Val