Your Royal Husbandness (The Selection fanfic)

Ch 9: A long night

I'm really sorry for taking so long to update. If you're still reading and sticking around, THANK YOU! YOU'RE AWESOME! :D

Hopefully I could update more often since I'm on summer break. Enjoy!! Vote and comment if you like it! It'll mean a lot! 

Maxon's POV:

(From Ch.7)

I turned on the lights in the hallway and gasped.

There was blood splattered on the wall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ch9:

Maxon's POV:

My stomach dropped. My mind was empty. All I can think of was America. I dashed to the guards' room immediately and made the guards search the vicinity of the hotel. I started searching every corner of the suite frantically, hoping to find America somewhere, unharmed.

Nothing. I ran my fingers through my hair as I catch my breath.

America.

I closed my eyes and tried to compose myself.

America.

Officer Nelson rushed into the suite and said, "No sight of the queen, Your Majesty,"

I felt a little lightheaded. The next hour passed by in the blur. I remember the other guards coming back telling me America was nowhere to be seen. It was when Officer Nelson spoke that I finally 'woke up' from my trance.

"Your Majesty. I know this is the last thing you wanted to do, but I'm afraid we'll have to contact the palace and send more soldiers here for a larger scale search." Officer Nelson said apologetically.

I sat down on the sofa and rested my elbows on my knees. "No, we can't do that. Not yet. There's no guarantee that the news would be kept in secret once we contacted the palace. We can't let Illea know their Queen's gone missing. We can't show our vulnerability. That'll only set things into chaos, giving the rebels a chance to fight us,"

Officer Nelson hesitated a moment, "But Sir—"

"I said NO!" I didn't realize I was shouting until the words echoed in the room, ringing in my ears.

The guards in the room glanced up at me for a brief moment before busying themselves again. Officer Nelson blinked and left me with my thoughts.

I massaged my temples with my thumbs as I think of what to do next.

I paced around the room impatiently. It's 4:03 in the morning. America's still nowhere to be found.

~~~~~~~~~

Half an hour passed. I've sent off few of the guards to search the streets again. All of a sudden a familiar voice filled my ears. Not just any voice. America's.

"Maxon," She called. Her voice was weak.

I looked up from the floor and saw her pale face. I ran to her and held her just in time before she fell. She leaned against my chest and whispered my name again.

I laid her down on the bed and brushed her sweaty hair away from her face.

Officer Adams went to the maid's room next doors and brought Anne. "Your majesty! How are you feeling?" Anne hurried over to the bed and held America's hands.

"Just a little tired," America muttered.

"Oh dear! Your head's hurt." Anne said anxiously as she lifted America's head carefully, revealing the blood on the pillow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I made a cup of warm tea as Anne cleaned up America a bit and took care of her injuries.

I sat on the edge of the bed, next to America and handed her the cup of tea. She sipped it slowly.

"America, are you alright? What happened?" I asked as I held her hand in both of mine, trying to warm her cool hand. Her hand was so fragile, as though it was porcelain and it might break if my grip is too strong. I waited for a brief moment for her to answer. I could see her gathering her thoughts, not sure how to put them in words. I caressed her hand and reassured her, "It's okay. You can tell me anything,"

She didn't say a word. I cupped her cheek with my hand. "Hey, look at me. Everything's gonna be alright. You're safe now. You can tell me," She stared at me and closed her eyes for a brief moment.

Anne walked in and told me, "Your Majesty, I think it's best if she takes her rest,"

I nodded and told two of the guards to guard the front door of our suite and dismissed Anne and the other guards.

I slipped into my side of the bed after they all left. "We'll talk about it in the morning, okay? Don't worry, you're safe now," I stroked her shoulder gently and turned off the lights. I wrapped my arm around her and fell asleep shortly.