MINE.

l to the ground and began to crawl toward the side entrance while whimpering. Camile screamed loudly before fleeing to the rear of the

ladies!"

ar the gunshots in my ears. Anyone who shown even the slightest amount of violence within sight of the palace wou

shoes," her eyes fixed on the far end

laboring, "One of us is goin

s wear sneakers if it's me.

, less talking

ownstairs from he

hat about Mark?

ough a maze of halls in search of a way to the basement. I couldn't help but ad

distinguishable from one another. Aspen didn't appear terrified or even surprised. He

ng a word, I could tell him in an instant. Stay safe and exercise caution. He

eed to speak. Our most recent exchange wasn't quite joyful. I had asked him to give me some time to process t

ld have to correct that in some way. I was unable to imagine a life without Aspen in it. A

lled as she pushed a

d the way as we

imed. Although we were all thinking the same

unged into the darkness. Up until one man's voice broke through directly on top

uted,

the uniform emerge. She yelled, "Wait,"

n the stairs. He finally came

s were fired, the insurgents fled. Were p

th her hands. The king said, "Is it safe? If not,

er gave the all-clea

he king, sir. Women, h

us?" I queried. "There's no

ntly 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 appear

d glance with the guard

cer came and told us we could go upsta

he stairs, coming out on the first floor, and walked with my shoes still caught on my fingers to m

te May's words because I immedia

m

I could meet her in person. Do you anticipate that we'll spend Christmas together? Not too far off! I must retur

a

er, 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,

I wa

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

s of rage. I had h

d. The Selection's termination was

hy I wanted to be the princess. I couldn't just wait for that to happen if it was going to. As

needed to move quickly and make some progress. The king claimed that the other girls were making physica

re 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

onally arrived a minute or two late in the hopes that everyone would be sea

ain that my maids had employed magic to keep the dress up at all because it was a deep red color, strapless, and

and went to take a

d, "Serious

. Do you mean, "I'm sorry?" I r

e set her cutlery down. I

ou seem

e 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

myself and hurried to my room. I quickly unzipped the gow

Mary rushed ove

shocked. Al

support it. Just get outside," she commanded. I followed t

To prevent the open dress from slipping down, I sat on t

will have to endure this discomfort for a few mo

maids had been informed of my desire to catch Mark's eye. I had l

ntil he gets here? Lucy enquire

again. I replied, standing up so they could a

nd as the dress once again cinched me in, I imagined a soldie

ing down a