MINE.

This time, as we were taking another etiquette lesson in the Great Room, bricks started to fly through the glass. Ella immediately fell to the ground and began to crawl toward the side entrance while whimpering. Camile screamed loudly before fleeing to the rear of the room and narrowly avoiding a shower of glass. As Kylie pulled me along by my arm, I sped up to keep up with her as we ran for the door.

"Let's go, ladies!" Sia sobbed.

The soldiers lined up at the windows and started firing in a matter of seconds; when we escaped, I could still hear the gunshots in my ears. Anyone who shown even the slightest amount of violence within sight of the palace would be killed, whether they arrived with firearms or stones. There was no longer any tolerance for these assaults.

Kylie mumbled, "I hate running in these shoes," her eyes fixed on the far end of the hallway under a pile of clothes.

Camile remarked, her breath laboring, "One of us is going to have to get used to it."

I grinned wryly. I'll always wear sneakers if it's me. I'm done with this already.

"More movement, less talking!" Sia screamed.

"How can we get downstairs from here?" Eli enquired.

The question "What about Mark?" Kylie scowled.

Sia did not respond. Guard after guard fled away from her as we pursued her through a maze of halls in search of a way to the basement. I couldn't help but admire them and be in awe of their bravery for running into danger to save others.

Before a pair of emerald eyes linked with mine, the guards passing us were utterly indistinguishable from one another. Aspen didn't appear terrified or even surprised. He was headed in the direction of the issue to solve it. He was just that way by nature.

Our brief eye contact was sufficient. With Aspen, it was similar. Without saying a word, I could tell him in an instant. Stay safe and exercise caution. He would reply, "I know, just take care of yourself," without adding anything else.

I had no trouble finding peace with the things we had spoken out, but I struggled with the things we didn't need to speak. Our most recent exchange wasn't quite joyful. I had asked him to give me some time to process the Selection as I was going to depart the castle. After that, I stayed without explaining to him why I did so.

Perhaps he was losing his capacity to be patient with me and only see the best in me. I would have to correct that in some way. I was unable to imagine a life without Aspen in it. A world without Aspen was inconceivable even as I waited in the hopes that Mark would pick me.

"This is it!" Sia yelled as she pushed a mystery wall panel.

Ella and Sia led the way as we down the steps.

Dammit, Ella, quicken your pace. Camile exclaimed. Although we were all thinking the same thing, I wanted to be annoyed that she said it.

I made an effort to accept the hours I would spend hiding like a mouse as we plunged into the darkness. Up until one man's voice broke through directly on top of us, we continued walking while the sound of our escape drowned out the yells.

He shouted, "Stop!"

I turned with Kylie as we both watched the uniform emerge. She yelled, "Wait," to the girls below. It's a guard, I say.

We were panting as we stood on the stairs. He finally came over to us, panting for air.

Ladies, I apologize. As soon as the rounds were fired, the insurgents fled. Were probably not in the mood for a brawl today.

Sia talked for us while smoothing her clothing with her hands. The king said, "Is it safe? If not, you're putting these young women in grave danger.

"The guard's commander gave the all-clear. He will certainly—"

"You don't represent the king, sir. Women, hurry up and move along.

The question "Are you serious?" I queried. "There's no point in going down there,"

I kept my mouth shut as she fixed me with a look that could have put a rebel on the spot. Sia and I had developed a kind of friendship as she inadvertently used her extra lessons to assist me divert my attention away from Mark and Aspen. Following my brief stunt on the Report a few days ago, it appeared to have vanished into thin air. She then turned to face the security guard. "Send the king a formal command, and we'll come back. Move forth, ladies.

I exchanged a frustrated glance with the guard before we parted ways.

Twenty minutes later, a different officer came and told us we could go upstairs, but Sia showed no remorse at all.

I didn't wait for Sia or the other females since I was so annoyed by the entire thing. I went up the stairs, coming out on the first floor, and walked with my shoes still caught on my fingers to my room. My maids weren't there, but there was a tiny silver dish on the bed with an envelope inside.

I ripped open the envelope and ate May's words because I immediately recognized her handwriting.

Ames,

Being aunts! Astra is flawless. We all know you have to be at the palace right now, but I wish you were here so I could meet her in person. Do you anticipate that we'll spend Christmas together? Not too far off! I must return to assisting Ken and Joseph. She is so gorgeous, I can hardly stand it! I'll show you a photo now. We adore you.

May

Behind the letter, I slid the glossy photo. Everyone but Kota and I were present. Ken's husband Joseph, who was grinning and watching over his wife and daughter, had puffy eyes. Ken appeared to be equally happy and worn out as he sat straight in bed holding a small pink bundle. Mom and Dad were beaming with pride, and May and Gerad's excitement was palpable. Kota obviously wouldn't have gone because he had nothing to gain by being there. But I ought to have been present.

But I wasn't.

I was present. And there were instances when I didn't know why. Even after all he'd done to convince me to stay, Mark was still spending time with Kylie. Outside, the rebels relentlessly targeted our security, and inside, the king's stern words did just as much damage to my self-assurance. Aspen continued to orbit me while I had to keep it a secret. And the cameras came and went, taking bits and pieces of our life for public amusement. Every direction was trying to force me into a corner, and I was missing out on everything that had ever mattered to me.

I forced back tears of rage. I had had enough of crying.

I switched to planning mode instead. The Selection's termination was the only way to make things right.

There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be Mark's, even though I occasionally wondered why I wanted to be the princess. I couldn't just wait for that to happen if it was going to. As I waited for my ladies, I thought back to my last conversation with the king and started to pace.

I knew that eating would be useless because I could hardly breathe. But the effort would be worthwhile. I needed to move quickly and make some progress. The king claimed that the other girls were making physical overtures toward Mark and that I was far too plain to stand a hope of competing with them in that area.

My relationship with Mark was already hard enough without having to deal with the new problem of reestablishing trust. And I wasn't sure if that implied that I was not permitted to inquire or not. I was very certain that he had not become physically intimate with the other girls to that point, but I couldn't help but wonder. I'd never intentionally tried to be seductive before; very much all of our private moments had just happened; but I had to believe that if I was purposeful, I might convey to Mark that I was just as interested in him as the others.

I inhaled deeply, cocked my head up, and entered the dining room. I intentionally arrived a minute or two late in the hopes that everyone would be seated. On that score, I was correct. But the response exceeded my expectations.

I bowed and curtsied, rotating my leg so the dress' slit opened up and nearly reached my thigh. I was almost certain that my maids had employed magic to keep the dress up at all because it was a deep red color, strapless, and nearly backless. As I stood up, I looked Mark in the eyes and saw that he had put down his gum. A fork was dropped.

I lowered my sight and went to take a seat next to Kylie.

She muttered, "Seriously, America?"

I cocked my head to look at her. Do you mean, "I'm sorry?" I responded while acting perplexed.

We exchanged a look as she set her cutlery down. I said, "You look trashy."

Well, you seem envious.

She reddened a little before resuming her meal, so I must have been quite near to the point. I only took a few bites of my own food since I was so dreadfully choked. I made the decision to cease ignoring Mark as dessert was being served, and as I had planned, his attention was drawn to me. He instantly reached up and grabbed his ear, and I obediently did the same. King Clarkson caught my fleeting glance, and I made an effort not to smile. He was agitated, which was yet another deception I was able to pull off.

Mark was able to admire the dress' back before I excused myself and hurried to my room. I quickly unzipped the gown as I shut the door to my room behind me, gasping for air.

How did it go? Mary rushed over and enquired.

"He appeared shocked. All of them did.

When Lucy squealed, Anne rushed over to assist Mary. "We'll support it. Just get outside," she commanded. I followed the instructions given to me. Asking "Is he coming tonight?"

"Yes. He will undoubtedly be here, but I'm not sure when. To prevent the open dress from slipping down, I sat on the side of my bed with my arms tucked over my midsection.

Anne gave me a dejected look. I regret that you will have to endure this discomfort for a few more hours. But I'm confident it will be worthwhile.

I grinned to make it appear as though I could handle the agony. My maids had been informed of my desire to catch Mark's eye. I had left out my wish that maybe this outfit will soon be on the ground.

Do you want us to wait around until he gets here? Lucy enquired while being very enthusiastic.

"No, just assist me in zipping up this thing again. I replied, standing up so they could assist me, "I need to think some things through.

Mary grabbed the zipper. Miss, take it, please. I complied, and as the dress once again cinched me in, I imagined a soldier heading out to battle. Various armor, but the same concept.

I was bringing down a man tonight.