The Selection (The Selection, #1)

by Kiera Cass

Christmas was still the same. It’s not like you could change the birth date of a deity.

Lol

But you should know that love can wear away under the stress of being married. Someone you think you love now, you might start to hate when he couldn’t provide for you. And if you couldn’t take care of your children, it’d be even worse. Love doesn’t always survive under those types of circumstances.”

“Are you all right, my dear?” he asked me. “I am not your dear.” I looked up to glare at him.

“Thank you.” He took the hand he was holding and lowered his lips to it. When he pulled away, he gently placed my hand in my lap. “Good night.”

Gerad’s letter was short and to the point. He missed me, he loved me, and please send more food. I laughed out loud at that.

Yeah, Mom, I’ll just keep telling the prince that he has absolutely no shot with me and offend him as often as I can. Great plan.

“Oh, yes. She’s still here,” Maxon said, not letting his eyes wander from Gavril’s face. “And I plan on keeping her here for quite a while.”

I hope you find someone you can’t live without. I really do. And I hope you never have to know what it’s like to have to try and live without them.”

In that moment, it felt like we had a connection, something true and deep.

“If you don’t want me to be in love with you, you’re going to have to stop looking so lovely. First thing tomorrow I’m having your maids sew some potato sacks together for you.”

“I can’t help it.” I sighed. “One can never help being born into perfection.” I fanned my face as if being so pretty was exhausting.

Something about the tentativeness of it made me feel beautiful. Without a word, I could understand how excited he was to have this moment, but then afraid at the same time. And deeper than any of that, I sensed that he adored me.

“Yes, Maxon,” I whispered. “It’s possible.”

I TOLD NO ONE WHAT had happened between Maxon and me, not even Marlee or my maids.

All I saw was that Maxon wore a handsome, awestruck expression, which slowly turned into a smile, a smile for no one but me.