The Selection (Selection - Trilogy)

from behind us.
    “Prince Maxon?”
    We turned, and Celeste was standing there, talking to the queen of Swendway. It was clear she wanted to have this conversation with Maxon on her arm. She waved, inviting him over.
    “Why don’t you run along?” I said, my annoyance leaking into my voice again.
    Maxon looked at me. The expression on his face reminded me that this was part of the deal. I was expected to share.
    “Careful with that one.” I gave Maxon a quick curtsy and walked away.
    I made my way toward the palace, and along the way noticed Marlee sitting alone. I didn’t even want to be with her right now, but I noticed she was parked on a bench near the back wall of the palace in the brutally hot sun, her closest companion a young, silent guard stationed just a few yards away.
    “Marlee, what are you doing? Get under a tent before you burn your skin.”
    She gave me a polite smile. “I’m happy here.”
    “No, really,” I said, putting a hand around her arm. “You’ll look like my hair. You should—”
    Marlee jerked her hand out of my grip, but spoke gently. “I want to stay here, America. I prefer it.”
    There was a tension in her face she was trying to mask. I was sure she wasn’t upset with me, but something was going on.
    “Fine. Try to get some shade soon, though. Sunburns hurt,” I said, attempting to cover my frustration, and walked toward the palace.
    Once inside, I decided to go to the Women’s Room. I couldn’t be gone for too long, and at least that room would be empty. But when I went in, I found Adele sitting near the window and watching the scene unfold outside. She turned when I entered and gave me a small smile.
    I walked over and sat next to her. “Hiding?”
    She smiled. “Kind of. I wanted to meet you all and see my sister again, but I hate it when these things turn into state functions. They make me tense.”
    “I’m not such a fan myself. I couldn’t imagine doing things like this all the time.”
    “I bet,” she said lazily. “You’re the Five, right?”
    The way she said it, it wasn’t an insult. More like she was asking if I was in the club. “Yeah, that’s me.”
    “I remembered your face. You were sweet at the airport. It’s the kind of thing she would have done,” she said, nodding out the window toward the queen. She sighed. “I don’t know how she does it. She’s stronger than most people know.” I watched her pick up a wineglass and sip away.
    “She does seem strong, but ladylike, too.”
    Adele beamed. “Yes, but it’s more than that. Look at her now.”
    I watched the queen. I noticed her eyes were trained across the lawn. I followed her gaze, and she was watching Maxon. He was speaking to the queen of Swendway next to Celeste while one of his cousins clung to his leg.
    “He would have been a great brother,” she said. “Amberly had three miscarriages. Two before him, one after. She still thinks about it, she tells me so. And then I have six kids. I feel guilty every time I show up.”
    “I’m sure she doesn’t think of it that way. I’ll bet she’s excited every time you visit,” I assured her.
    She turned. “You know what makes her happy? You do. Do you know what she sees out there? A daughter. She knows that when this is all over, she’ll have two children.”
    I turned from Adele to look at the queen again. “You think so? She seems a little distant. I haven’t even spoken to her yet.”
    Adele nodded. “Just you wait. She’s terrified of becoming attached to all of you just to watch you leave. Once it’s a smaller group, you’ll see.”
    I looked at the queen again. And then at Maxon. Back to the king. And then to Adele.
    So much went through my head. How families are families, no matter their castes. How mothers all have their own worries to bear. How I really didn’t hate any of the girls here, no matter how wrong they might be. How everyone out there must be putting on a brave face for some reason or another. And finally, how Maxon had made me a promise.
    “Excuse me. I have someone I need to talk to.”
    She sipped her wine and happily waved me away. I ran out of the room, and back into the blinding sun of the gardens. I searched around for a moment and found that Maxon’s young cousin had begun chasing him around a shrub. I smiled and approached slowly.
    Finally Maxon stopped, waving his hands in the air, admitting his defeat. As he laughed, he turned and saw me, his smile still wide on his face. When our