The Elite (Selection)

to Elise. They both looked like they were shaking.
    “Amberly, take this back to where it belongs,” he said, shoving the book in her hand. She stood there, nodding her head but not moving. “Maxon, I need to see you in my office.”
    I watched Maxon; and maybe I only imagined it, but it looked like panic flickered briefly behind his eyes.
    “Or,” the king offered, “I could simply talk to her.” He gestured over to me.
    “No,” Maxon said quickly, holding up a hand in protest. “That won’t be necessary. Ladies,” he added, turning to us, “why don’t you all head upstairs? We’ll have dinner sent to you tonight.” He paused. “America, maybe you should go ahead and collect your things. Just in case.”
    The king smiled, an eerie action after his recent explosion. “Excellent idea. After you, son .”
    I looked at Maxon, who seemed defeated. I felt ashamed. Maxon opened his mouth to say something, but in the end he shook his head and walked away.
    Kriss was wringing her hands, looking after Maxon. I couldn’t blame her. Something about all of this seemed menacing.
    “Clarkson?” Queen Amberly said quietly. “What about the other matter?”
    “What?” he asked in irritation.
    “The news?” she reminded him.
    “Oh, yes.” He walked back toward us. I was close enough that I decided to retreat into my chair, afraid of being out there alone again. King Clarkson’s voice was steady and calm. “Natalie, we didn’t want to tell you before the Report , but we’ve received some bad news.”
    “Bad news?” she asked, fiddling with her necklace, already too anxious.
    The king came closer. “Yes. I’m very sorry for your loss, but it appears the rebels took your sister this morning.”
    “What?” she whispered.
    “Her remains were found this afternoon. We’re sorry.” To his credit, there was something close to sympathy in his voice, though it sounded more like training than genuine emotion.
    He quickly returned to Maxon, escorting him forcefully out the door as Natalie broke into an ear-shattering scream. The queen rushed over to her, smoothing her hair and trying to calm her down. Celeste, never too sisterly, quietly left the room, with an overwhelmed Elise close behind. Kriss stayed and tried to comfort Natalie, but once it was clear that she couldn’t do much, she left as well. The queen told Natalie there would be guards with her parents for good measure and that she would be able to leave for the funeral if she wanted to, holding on to her the whole time.
    Everything had gotten so dark so quickly, I found myself frozen in my seat.
    When the hand appeared in front of my face, I was so startled, I shied away.
    “I won’t hurt you,” Gavril said. “Just want to help you up.” His lapel pin shimmered, reflecting the light.
    I gave him my hand, surprised by how shaky my legs were.
    “He must love you very much,” Gavril said once I had my footing.
    I couldn’t look at him. “What makes you say that?”
    Gavril sighed. “I’ve known Maxon since he was a child. He’s never stood up to his father like that.”
    Gavril walked away then, talking to the crew about keeping all that they had heard tonight quiet.
    I went to Natalie. It wasn’t like I knew everything about her, but I was sure she loved her sister the way I loved May; and I couldn’t imagine the ache she must be feeling.
    “Natalie, I’m so sorry,” I whispered. She nodded. That was the most she could manage.
    The queen looked up at me sympathetically, not sure how to convey all her sadness. “And … I’m sorry to you, too. I wasn’t trying to … I just …”
    “I know, dear.”
    With how Natalie was doing, asking for more of a good-bye was too selfish, so I gave the queen a final, deep curtsy and slowly left the room, wallowing in the disaster I’d created.

CHAPTER 28
    THE LAST THING I WAS expecting when I walked in my doorway was the smattering of applause from my maids.
    I stood there for a moment, genuinely moved by their support and comforted by the shining pride in their faces. Once they were done making me blush, Anne took me by the hands.
    “Well said, miss.” She gave a gentle squeeze, and I saw in her eyes so much joy over my words, for a second I didn’t feel so awful.
    “I can’t believe you did that! No one ever stands up for us!” Mary added.
    “Maxon has to pick you,” Lucy cried. “You’re the only one who gives me hope.”
    Hope.
    I needed to think, and the one place I could