MINE.

ntences together in my thoughts. Even though I knew I had to tell Mark what had happened

knock." He noticed my concerne

n't get mad," a

expression on his face changed

leave his lips. I pledged, "I didn't say anything about your back. "I wanted

That is how i

silly! They curr

f that's any comfort. I don't mind as long as you kept my secret. Even so

chest. The answer is, "I d

ver by his thumb. We were meant t

ieve me. Maybe I was mistaken, but I was very certain that telling Mark that we wer

ales are aware that you saw me part

as your first kiss. And I am aware of

eated.

ryone came clean. I am aware that you have given Camile plenty of kisses and that, had

distance. "So I have no longer any privacy at all? None? because you fo

e thankful for someone

looked. "I humbly

n. We all know where we stand quit

eye-roll.

t if you hadn't told me that Camile and I were roughly at the same

rina; you've said and done so many embarrassing

me a while to really process what he had said. Mark had claimed that he had always liked me

let the whole shirt thing out." I turned to leave, feeling

ing. I didn't mean

alright. I'll be more

wanted Mark to follow me, I ma

, and Lucy were inside dusting the

ne said in greeting.

seat on the balcony. Inform any gues

wning, Anne nodded

ad provided for us. I had a quick snooze and then spent some time on the violin. I couldn't

-and-pepper chicken when the doorbell rang. I could have been overly suspicious, but I was certain it

" Say, "Tell him I

? A

et him inside

pressed my ear up against the d

to hear anythi

their ears against the door t

pressed my ear to the door's crack, the tal

r Majesty, she's in th

, I hoped. I figured maybe we c

he ate. Her voice trembled a little bit

y. Maintain

k her to send for me after she's

might be a very

I was there and advise her to call me if she wants to tal

ree,

o sound, and I began to

m, thank you." The

d night, Yo

left. Lucy was still waiting by the door when I left. I notic

act, I believe I'm prepared to unwind. I'd want to

ary enquired. "In the event that

point them, I could see

a nap. In the morn

at a loss for words. It wasn't logical. It was obvious that we still had a very long way to go if we were go

s a guard entered, the light from the hallw

dy Katherina, w

" you ask. I y

is. You are requ

s we had sent and the warnings we had given to people back home. Natalie had experienced the same thing. After her yo

e and pajamas. I sprinted as swiftly as I could

trating on a security guard. I hurried up to him,

rying not to cry, I quest

r an unexpected hu

iblings, and me.

are. "Katherine, they're fine. I apologize; I should have kn

ed that I almos

ted some confusion. "There a

hat?" Why don'

n't here

they h

rn camp are present. They are not armed, and th

y m

speak with them, I figured I'd give

ile I ran my hand through my ha

e, but this is really

ke me to spe

hey want to talk to you specifically. If you're

th the rebels. They were undoubtedly much deadlier than I could ever be, weapon

as I raised m

hold my hand and gave my fingers a small squeeze. To the guard, he

he way into the Great Room, where two persons

seconds to locate

at of a Seven: a battered leather jacket over a patched-up shirt and a pair of heavy slacks that were cut in to fit him snugly. As he move

ble by donning leggings and a skirt made of the same material as the man's pants. Despite being encircled by soldiers, she jutted out her hip with confidence to

new who she was. I uttered a noise that

g?" you ask.

, I m

as he comforted me and returne

us, but we are unarmed. Although it would be wrong for me to request your pr

about Katherin

ant to tal

at pu

ot, the young man replied, almost arrogantly.

that you ca

ason to be wary of us, but we have no re

e of the guards, "pull down one of the tables and four chairs." The

motioned for the couple to join us over there once the table was finally remo

as we approached, focusing their attention on the two re

t to the table. Don't you think in

efore giving in. Saying "Ma

he spoke. Re

nd yo

is at your se