Tris Prior's Selection

Chapter Twenty Seven - A Dangerous Threat

"We are gathered today, to acknowledge two things." King Marcus' voice booms through the microphone. Beside him, I see Tobias twitch a little as he re-adjusts to deal with his pain.

"Firstly," Marcus continues. "It has been decided, by Prince Tobias," the way he says his son's name makes me shiver just a little bit. "that our young lovers, Christina Williams of Candor, and the Officer Cadet of the Royal Guard, should receive a trial following the conclusion of The Selection."

The crowd of reporters, and dedicated members of the public, bubble with chatter about what the King has just announced. Many of them believed that they may have been forced to witness an execution of a member of the beloved Selected, but, for now, their trauma has been delayed.

"Secondly, it is now clear that our Elite has now dwindled to just three beautiful girls remaining." I feel hundreds of eyes pass over me. Patrica, Becky, and I are seated off to the side of Marcus and Tobias, once again Patrica wears a dress the colour of doves, but I am wearing blue, the colour of Tobias' eyes.

"We have decided to make the Selection different from those of the past; if you would, Tobias." He indicates for his son to take the podium. If you weren't looking for it, you would be able to notice the stiffness of Tobias' back, or the tension fixed in his shoulders, or the wince of his brows.

"Beatrice, Becky, Patricia, and I will shortly be commencing a tour of the Kingdom," Tobias states, leaning a little too heavily on the podium as he speaks. I watch some girls in the crowd admiring him, and for a moment I can't help but imagine swapping places with them. "We would like to see how The Elite interact with the roles that may be required of them, and, for the first time, who our subjects would like to see as their Queen. Thank you."

"I'm proud of you," I whisper to him later as we lounge quietly upon his bed. "You stood up to your Father." He barely nods, I can see his exhaustion in his movements. I can only imagine the fresh cuts on his back; Zeke and Uriah both warned me early this morning of the actions that Marcus had taken against his son. I snapped at them briefly; 'Isn't it your job to protect him,' but I now see that they are at risk of losing the only job which supports their family.

"He won't be there on the trip," He breathes, and I feel his smile against my skin. It feels like with every girl that has been eliminated from the Selection, he has become more and more himself. I never dreamt of 'winning' this strange competition, but now I am starting to realise that perhaps I have let myself fall for the Prince more than I ever thought I would. "Just you, and me." He looks up a little just to grin at me.

"And Patricia." I remind with a similar smirk. "And Becky. And Zeke and Uriah, and, you know, the likely hundreds of staff who will be joining us." He smiles for a moment, then a more serious look passes across his face.

"I really want you to do well at this Tris, I want everyone to believe that you can be a Queen, instead of just writing you off in comparison to Patrica." The reality of the Selection always seems to slip my mind in moments like this; the country is looking for a Queen, and while everyone loves to paint this competition as one of true love, I'm willing to bet very few Princes chose their wife on that alone.

"She's Dauntless," I reply, watching the ceiling above me. "I'm Abnegation, I'm born to serve." I add, recalling my first day in the room when I attempted to refuse to have any maids to help me.

"Maybe that's exactly what this Kingdom needs," Tobias breathes in response as he slowly sits up. "Someone who is going to serve it rather than take from it." My eyes follow him, and on the white cotton of his shirt I see gentle smatterings of blood.

"Don't go around saying that in front of the cameras," I breathe jokingly. "Or Patrica might try to take a few more eyes for her own. Do you reckon she keeps them in a jar or something?"

"Shhh, Tris." Tobias breathes with a tired chuckle, rubbing his face in his hands. "We need to sleep, we're leaving early tomorrow." He states with a yawn.

I take this as my cue to leave. Walking back from Tobias' chambers at this time of night is slightly risky, not because it is banned, but for fear Patricia may work out where I have been.

"Goodnight." I smile, standing up before him. "I'll see you tomorrow." I kiss his forehead lightly, my arms loosely around his neck. His arms creep up around me.

"Stay." Tobias whines, his playfulness provoked by his tired state. Dark eyes look up at me. "Please, Tris." He adds more gently.

I glance back towards the door, considering whether to take my leave. My heart yearns to stay, but I don't want repercussions from anyone who could see me.

"Another time." I breathe, moving away to head to the door. His face falls a little bit, but he covers it well.

"I'll walk you to your room, Lady Beatrice." He smiles, his hand brushing my should. "Through the gardens?"

The gardens of the palace are the most beautiful I have ever seen, and I would spend every day in them if I was allowed. In the darkness, numerous lights twinkle in the bushes and are threaded from tree to tree.

I feel Tobias' arm, strong and firm, wrapped around my shoulders as we head to the gazebo. Standing looking out upon the lights of Erudite, I feel like we could stand here forever.

"Would you be happy to stand here one day as my Queen?" He whispers in my ear, something he has never asked before, not directly. I can tell he doesn't truly expect an answer; he knows I feel conflicted.

Voices emerge from the bushes, and Tobias urges me to crouch to the ground alongside him.

"I'm counting on you with this, Patricia." Marcus' voice carries through the air. The King has no fear; he does not realise his son eavesdrops only meters away. "Becky will be no issue, as soon as we get to Amity she will withdraw, I have made sure of that."

My eyes meet Tobias' with alarm, but he is concentrating on the conversation.

"And Beatrice," Marcus chuckles cruelly. "You've already failed me once there, its almost like you don't even want to be Queen." Tobias motions at me to stay quiet, as I realise they are standing on the outside of the gazebo.

"I do want it." Patricia snaps, pleading in her tone. "Tell me what to do and its done." There's a long silence.

"Patience, Patricia." Tobias' eyes meet mine, and in them I see one thing: fear. "The end of Beatrice Prior cannot be rushed."

yooooo im backkk -E