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  DEDICATION

For Callaway,

the male child who climbed into the tree business firm in my heart

and permit me be the crown on his.

Tabular array OF CONTENTS

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter three

Affiliate four

Chapter 5

Chapter half-dozen

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter ix

Chapter ten

Affiliate 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Affiliate 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter twenty

Chapter 21

Affiliate 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Affiliate 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter xxx

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Writer

Back Ads

Books by Kiera Cass

Credits

Copyright

About the Publisher

CHAPTER 1

THIS Fourth dimension Nosotros WERE IN the Great Room enduring some other etiquette lesson when bricks came flying through the window. Elise immediately hit the ground and started crawling for the side door, whimpering as she went. Celeste let out a high-pitched scream and bolted toward the back of the room, barely escaping a shower of glass. Kriss grabbed my arm, pulling me, and I broke into a run alongside her as we made our mode to the exit.

"Hurry, ladies!" Silvia cried.

Within seconds, the guards had lined upwards at the windows and were firing, and the bursts of sound echoed in my ears as we fled. Whether they came with guns or stones, anyone showing the smallest level of aggression within sight of the palace would dice. In that location was no more patience left for these attacks.

"I hate running in these shoes," Kriss muttered, a heap of wearing apparel draped over her arm, optics focused on the stop of the hall.

"One of us is going to have to get used to it," Celeste said, her breath labored.

I rolled my eyes. "If information technology's me, I'll wear sneakers every day. I'm already over this."

"Less talking, more moving!" Silvia yelled.

"How exercise nosotros get downstairs from hither?" Elise asked.

"What about Maxon?" Kriss huffed.

Silvia didn't answer. We followed her through a maze of hallways, looking for a path to the basement, watching equally guard after guard ran in the opposite direction. I found myself admiring them, wondering at the courage it took to run toward danger for the sake of other people.

The guards passing united states were completely indistinguishable from one another until a set of green eyes locked with mine. Aspen didn't look afraid or fifty-fifty startled. At that place was a problem, and he was on his way to fix it. That was just who he was.

Our gaze was brief, but information technology was enough. Information technology was similar that with Aspen. In a split 2nd, without a discussion, I could tell him Be careful and stay condom. And maxim zero, he'd answer I know, just have care of yourself.

While I could easily be at peace with the things nosotros didn't demand to say, I had no such luck with the things nosotros'd said out loud. Our last conversation wasn't exactly a happy one. I had been about to leave the palace and had asked him to give me some space to become over the Pick. And so I'd ended up staying and had given him no explanation equally to why.

Maybe his patience with me was falling curt, his ability to run across only the best in me running dry. Somehow I would have to fix that. I couldn't meet a life for me that didn't include Aspen. Even now, as I hoped Maxon would cull me, a world without Aspen felt unimaginable.

"Here information technology is!" Silvia called, pushing a mysterious panel in a wall.

Nosotros started downward the stairs, Elise and Silvia heading the charge.

"Damn it, Elise, selection upwards the stride!" Celeste yelled. I wanted to exist irritated that she said information technology, but I knew nosotros were all thinking the same matter.

As we descended into the darkness, I tried to reconcile myself to the hours that would exist wasted, hiding like mice. We continued on, the sound of our escape covering the shouts until one man'south voice rang out correct on superlative of us.

"Terminate!" he yelled.

Kriss and I turned together, watching as the uniform became clear. "Await," she called to the girls below. "It'southward a guard."

We stood on the steps, animate heavily. He finally reached us, gasping himself.

"Distressing, ladies. The rebels ran as soon as the shots were fired. Weren't in the mood for a fight today, I gauge."

Silvia, running her hands over her clothes to smooth them, spoke for the states. "Has the king deemed it safe? If not, y'all're putting these girls in a very dangerous position."

"The caput of the guard cleared it. I'thou sure His Majesty—"

"You lot don't speak for the king. Come on, ladies, go along moving."

"Are you serious?" I asked. "Nosotros're going downward in that location for nothing."

She stock-still me with a stare that might take stopped a rebel in his tracks, and I shut my rima oris. Silvia and I had built a friendship of sorts as she unknowingly helped me distract myself from Maxon and Aspen with her actress lessons. After my little stunt on the Report a few days ago, it seemed that had dissolved into nix. Turning to the guard, she connected. "Get an official order from the king, and we'll render. Keep walking, ladies."

The guard and I shared an exasperated look and parted means.

Silvia showed absolutely no remorse when, twenty minutes later, a unlike guard came, telling united states we were free to go upstairs.

I was so irritated by the whole state of affairs, I didn't wait for Silvia or the other girls. I climbed the stairs, exiting somewhere on the starting time flooring, and continued to my room with my shoes still hooked on my fingers. My maids were missing, but a small argent platter holding an envelope was waiting on the bed.

I recognized May's handwriting instantly and tore open the envelope, devouring her words.

Ames,

We're aunts! Astra is perfect. I wish you were hither to come across her in person, but we all empathise you demand to be at the palace correct now. Do you retrieve we'll be together for Christmas? Non that far abroad! I've got to become dorsum to helping Kenna and James. I can't believe how pretty she is! Here'southward a moving picture for you. We honey you lot!

May

I slipped the glossy photograph from behind the note. Everyone was there except for Kota and me. James, Kenna's husband, was beaming, standing over his wife and daughter with puffy eyes. Kenna saturday upright in the bed, belongings a tiny pink package, looking equal parts thrilled and wearied. Mom and Dad were glowing with pride, while May's and Gerad's enthusiasm jumped from the epitome. Of grade Kota wouldn't have gone; in that location was nothing for him to gain from being present. But I should have been at that place.

I wasn't though.

I was hither. And sometimes I didn't empathise why. Maxon was still spending time with Kriss, even later all he'd done to get me to stay. The rebels unrelentingly attacked our safety from the exterior, and inside, the king's icy words did just every bit much impairment to my confidence. All the while, Aspen orbited me, a cloak-and-dagger I had to keep. And the cameras came and went, stealing pieces of our lives to entertain the people. I was being pushed into a corner from every angle, and I was missing out on all the things that had ever mattered to me.

I high-strung dorsum angry tears. I was so tired of crying.

Instead I went into planning manner. The but way to set up things right was to end the Choice.

Though I still occasionally questioned my desire to be the princess, there was no

doubt in my mind that I wanted to be Maxon'south. If that was going to happen, I couldn't sit down back and wait for information technology. Remembering my final chat with the male monarch, I paced equally I waited for my maids.

I could hardly breathe, then I knew eating would exist a waste matter. Merely it would be worth the cede. I needed to make some progress, and I needed to do it fast. Co-ordinate to the king, the other girls were making advances toward Maxon—physical advances—and he'd said I was far as well plain to take a chance of matching them in that section.

Every bit if my relationship with Maxon wasn't complicated enough, there was a whole new issue of rebuilding trust. And I wasn't sure if that meant I wasn't supposed to inquire questions or not. While I felt pretty sure he hadn't gone that far physically with the other girls, I couldn't help only wonder. I'd never tried to exist seductive earlier—pretty much every intimate moment I'd had with Maxon came about without intention—merely I had to promise that if I was deliberate, I could make it clear that I was just as interested in him as the others.

I took a deep breath, raised my mentum, and walked into the dining hall. I was purposely a minute or two late, hoping everyone would already exist seated. I was correct on that count. But the reaction was better than I'd hoped.

I curtsied, swinging my leg around so the slit in the dress fell open up, leading nearly all the way up my thigh. The apparel was a deep crimson, strapless and practically backless, and I was nigh positive my maids had used magic to arrive stay upward at all. I rose, locking eyes with Maxon, who I noticed had stopped chewing. Someone dropped a fork.

Lowering my gaze, I walked to my seat, settling in side by side to Kriss.

"Seriously, America?" she whispered.

I tilted my caput in her direction. "I'1000 distressing?" I replied, feigning confusion.

She put her silverware down, and nosotros stared at each other. "You lot look trashy."

"Well, yous look jealous."

I'd hit pretty close to the mark, because she flushed a bit before returning to her nutrient. I took express bites of my own, already miserably constricted. As dessert was existence set in front of me, I chose to stop ignoring Maxon, and equally I had hoped, his eyes were on me. He reached up and grabbed his ear immediately, and I demurely did the same. My gaze flickered quickly toward King Clarkson, and I tried not to grin. He was irritated, another flim-flam I'd managed to become away with.

I excused myself offset, giving Maxon a chance to admire the back of the apparel, and scurried to my room. I closed the door to my room backside me and unzipped the gown immediately, desperate for a breath.

"How'd it go?" Mary asked, rushing over.

"He seemed stunned. They all did."

Lucy squealed, and Anne came to help Mary. "We'll hold it upward. Simply walk," she ordered. I did every bit I was told. "Is he coming tonight?"

"Yes. I'one thousand non certain when, merely he'll definitely be here." I perched on the edge of my bed, arms folded effectually my tum to continue the open up dress from falling downwardly.

Anne gave me a sorry face up. "I'm deplorable you'll have to be uncomfortable for a few more hours. I'm sure information technology'll be worth information technology though."

I smiled, trying to look similar I was fine dealing with the pain. I'd told my maids I wanted to get Maxon's attention. I'd left out my hope that, with any luck, this clothes would be on the floor pretty soon.

"Practice y'all desire usa to stay until he arrives?" Lucy asked, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

"No, but aid me zip this matter support. I demand to think some things through," I answered, standing then they could assist me.

Mary took concord of the zipper. "Suck information technology in, miss." I obeyed, and as the dress cinched me in again, I idea of a soldier going to war. Different armor merely the same idea.

Tonight I was taking down a human.

Chapter 2

I OPENED THE BALCONY DOORS, letting the air sweeten my room. Even though it was December, the breeze was light and amused my peel. Nosotros weren't immune to go outside at all anymore, not without guards by our sides, so this would take to practice.

I scurried around the room, lighting candles, trying to make the infinite inviting. The knock came at the door, and I blew out the match, bolted over to the bed, picked upward a book, and fanned out my dress. Why yes, Maxon, this is how I always look when I read.

"Come in," I offered, barely loud enough to be heard.

Maxon entered, and I lifted my caput delicately, catching the wonder in his optics as he surveyed my dimly lit room. Finally he focused on me, his gaze traveling upwardly my exposed leg.

"There y'all are," I said, closing the book and standing to greet him.

He shut the door and came in, his eyes locked on my curves. "I wanted to tell yous that you look fantastic tonight."

I flicked my pilus over my shoulder. "Oh, this thing? Information technology was just sitting in the dorsum of the closet."

"I'chiliad glad yous pulled information technology out."

I laced my fingers through his. "Come sit down with me. I haven't seen you much lately."

He sighed and followed. "I'm sorry about that. Things have been a fleck tense since we lost and then many people in that rebel set on, and y'all know how my male parent is. We sent several guards to protect your families, and our forces are stretched thin, so he's worse than usual. And he'due south pressuring me to end the Selection, but I'm holding my footing. I want to have some time to think this through."

We sat on the edge of the bed, and I settled close to him. "Of form. You should be in charge of this."

He nodded. "Exactly. I know I've said it a thousand times, merely when people push button me, it makes me crazy."

I gave him a little frown. "I know."

He paused, and I couldn't read his face. I was trying to effigy out how to move this forrard without being pushy, but I wasn't sure how to industry a romantic moment.

"I know this is silly, but my maids put this new perfume on me today. Is it too strong?" I asked, tilting my neck and so he could lean in and exhale.

He came near, his nose hitting a soft patch of skin. "No, dear, it'due south lovely," he said into the curve that led to my shoulder. Then he kissed me in that location. I swallowed, trying to focus. I needed to have some level of command.

"I'm glad you like information technology. I've really missed you."

I felt his hand ophidian around my back, and I brought my face up down. In that location he was, eyes looking into mine, our lips millimeters autonomously.

"How much have you missed me?" he breathed.

His stare, combined with his voice beingness so low, was doing funny things to my heartbeat. "Then much," I whispered back. "Then, so much."

I leaned frontwards, agonized to exist kissed. Maxon was confident, pulling me closer with one hand and stringing the other through my hair. My body wanted to cook into the osculation, but the wearing apparel stopped me. And so, suddenly nervous again, I remembered my programme.

Sliding my hands down Maxon's arms, I guided his fingers to the attachment on the dorsum of my wearing apparel, hoping that would be plenty.

His easily lingered in that location for a moment, and I was seconds away from just asking him to unzip it when he outburst out laughing.

The sound sobered me up pretty quickly.

"What's so funny?" I asked, horrified, trying to think of an inconspicuous way to check my jiff.

"Of everything you lot've done, this is by far the nearly entertaining!" Maxon aptitude over, striking his knee as he laughed.

"Alibi me?"

He kissed me hard on my forehead. "I always wondered what it would be like to see y'all endeavor." He started laughing again. "I'm sorry; I have to go." Even the way he stood held a sense of amusement. "I'll see you in the morning."

And then he left. He just left!

I sat at that place, completely mortified. Why in the world did I think I could pull that off? Maxon may non know everything about me, simply at the very least he knew my character—and this? It wasn't me.

I looked down at the ridiculous wearing apparel. Information technology was way too much. Even Celeste wouldn't have gone this far. My hair was likewise perfect, my makeup too heavy. He knew what I wa

s trying to practice from the second he walked through the doorway. Sighing, I went around the room, blowing out candles and wondering how I was supposed to face him tomorrow.

CHAPTER 3

I DEBATED Challenge THE Stomach flu. Or an incapacitating headache. Panic attack. Really, anything to go out of going to breakfast.

Then I thought of Maxon and how he always talked almost putting on a brave face. That wasn't a particular forcefulness of mine. Merely if I went downstairs at least, if I could just be present, maybe he'd give me some credit.

In hopes that I could erase some of what I'd washed, I asked my maids to put me in the most demure dress I had. Based on that request alone, they knew not to ask about the night before. The neckline was a scrap higher than the ones we typically wore in the warm Angeles atmospheric condition, and it had sleeves that went about to my elbows. It was flowery and cheerful, the opposite of concluding dark'due south getup.

I could barely await at Maxon when I entered the dining hall, but I walked tall at to the lowest degree.

When I finally peeked at him, he was watching me, grinning. As he chewed his nutrient, he winked at me; and I ducked my head again, pretending to be very interested in my quiche.

"Glad to see you in actual clothes today," Kriss spat.

"Glad to see you in such a good mood."

"What in the world has gotten into yous?" she hissed.

Dejected, I gave upward. "I'm non up for this today, Kriss. But exit me alone."

For a moment, she looked as if she might fight back, but I guessed I wasn't worth information technology. She sat upward a little straighter and continued eating. If I'd had whatever level of success terminal dark, so I could justify my actions; as information technology was, I couldn't fifty-fifty false being proud.

I risked some other glance at Maxon, and even though he wasn't watching me, he was still suppressing a smug expression every bit he cut his food. That was it. I wasn't going to suffer through a day similar this. I was about to swoon or clutch my breadbasket or do anything to go me out of the room when a butler came in. He carried an envelope on a silvery platter, and he bowed before placing it in forepart of King Clarkson.

The king took the letter of the alphabet and read it rapidly. "Damn French," he muttered. "Sorry, Amberly, it looks like I'll be leaving within the hr."

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