More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Darling? The word, so tender and personal, enveloped me. In that moment, any desire I had to fight my feelings for Maxon disappeared. I wanted to be his dear, his darling. I wanted to be Maxon’s alone.
FINALLY
I decided that I would at least present him with an opportunity to ask me. I made my way across the floor, planning to jump into their conversation. When I got close enough to do that, Maxon turned to Natalie.
Now what are we DOING
I looked over Aspen’s shoulder and found Maxon dancing with Kriss. Again. Wasn’t he even going to ask me once?
Ticking me OFF
But he seemed more interested in touring the palace than in dancing.
I think dad is looking for this book room
Maxon managed to pull me even closer. “I was saving this one. I’ve put in time with all the other girls, so my obligations are over. Now I can enjoy the rest of the evening with you.”
Personally a note with your intentions would have been nice
I shrugged. “You’ve been avoiding me all week, dating the other girls. And … I saw you talking to my dad. I thought you might be telling him why you had to kick out his daughter.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. I was not going to cry here.
yes queen, let's open the communication channels RN
“America, stop,” he said gently. “I’m such an idiot. I had no idea you’d see it that way. I thought you felt secure in your standing.”
Okay at least he's apologizing
“Honestly? I was trying to give the other girls a sporting chance. From the beginning, I’ve really only looked at you, wanted you.”
Ooo ooo ooo weeeee
“Soon, when it’s proper for me to end the Selection, when I propose to you, I want it to be as easy as breathing for you to say yes. I promise to do everything in my power between now and that moment to make it that way. Anything you need, anything you want, say the words. I will do everything I can for you.”
Intentions!!!!! KING BEHAVIOR
It would be slow, and I would have to tell Maxon, but I would do it.
Oh yes honesty
I couldn’t imagine anything strong enough to take that happiness away.
Ominous
“It’ll be … over soon,” he managed. “Six!” “Love … you,” he stammered.
This is painful 😫
“Maxon,” I said slowly, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do this. I could never stand by and watch someone get hurt like that, knowing it was my judgment that sent them there. I can’t be a princess.”
What an idiot I’d been. I’d almost given up the one person in the world who really knew me, really loved me. Aspen and I had been building a life together, and the Selection nearly destroyed it.
THROWING THE KINDLE
MAYBE THIS ISN’T THE RIGHT THING TO SAY, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW: WHEN YOU RAN FOR THE STAGE, I’VE NEVER BEEN SO PROUD OF YOU IN ALL MY LIFE. YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN BEAUTIFUL; YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN TALENTED. AND NOW I KNOW THAT YOUR MORAL COMPASS IS PERFECTLY ALIGNED, THAT YOU SEE CLEARLY WHEN THINGS ARE WRONG, AND YOU DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO STOP IT. AS A FATHER, I CAN’T ASK FOR MORE.
😣
And Celeste hits her maids. Not with anything more than her hands, but they come in for ice from time to time.”
WHAT
It seemed Aspen and I had a date tonight.
Are you actually serious!? Ooo she’s asking to get caned bro
wasn’t sure how I’d explain myself when Maxon came knocking, but that ended up not mattering. He never showed. And I couldn’t help but wonder whose company he was enjoying instead.
I really don’t see how this trainwreck ends up working out
“You’re so smart, America. It’s no wonder Maxon liked you so much.” And she went back to eating. I didn’t miss her casual use of the past tense.
For some reason I thought Maxon would be there, waiting by the back doors for me. He wasn’t.
Not aspen growing on me. Listen you gotta give love and attention!! That’s where my loyalty lies!!
I can’t send either of you home.”
Either?!?!
Up until then I could convince myself that I’d imagined everything I’d seen between him and Kriss, but now I knew for sure. He liked her. Maybe as much as he liked me.
WHATYYYY
But this was Maxon. And try as I might to pull away, I still cared about him. I wasn’t ready to give up completely.
This is a love merry go round at this point. We are just going around and around
broken English—
Oh cringe - let’s say mixed English or limited pls
I thought of Aspen’s certainty that I couldn’t be a princess.
Well I’m glad my Aspen pull is over. I’m still not team Maxon at the moment. I’m team America
“Sometimes I feel like Maxon and I are in our own version of the Selection. It’s just him and me, and one of us will get you in the end;
They want us to be big, so there’s plenty of food. And the injections, too,”
The WHAT
“I thought that after you saw that Marlee was fine, things would change. I was sure you’d find a way to care about me again. But that hasn’t happened. Even tonight, you agreed to see me, but everything about you is standoffish.”
“That’s not acceptable. I need an answer. Because I can’t send someone who really wants this—who wants me—home if you’re going to bail out in the end.”
DANG
“I’ll just go see what Kriss is doing.”
Now that was petty af
“What’s gotten into you? Aren’t some of the guards natural Twos? Aren’t they your friends now?” “Nothing’s gotten into me,” he answered defensively. “I’m the same as ever. You’re the one who’s forgotten what it was like to live in a house with no heat.”
I have a theory that Aspen is in the rebellion and is working it from the inside
“You’re not done, America,” he contradicted me quickly, his stance saying as much as his words. “You’re done when I say you are. You’re upset right now, but you aren’t done.”
Oh heck no. This man needs a punch in the face
“Maxon Schreave, you are nothing but a child who has his hands on a toy that he doesn’t want but can’t stand for someone else to have.”
PERIOD
I slowly shook my head with an expression that conveyed we would never speak again if I had anything to do with it.
It was really cruel of him to play with her like that, considering how intimate he was with Celeste.
Exactly
Then I remembered the look in the king’s eyes tonight. And Maxon’s effort to hide his fear. How could any man do this to his son?
Noooo babyyyyy
“I was afraid that if he didn’t have me, he’d want you.”
Oh Maxon
“Don’t you want me to explain Kriss and Celeste? Don’t you think you deserve that?”
I did
“One look at your back says you’d do damn near anything for me. And I threw it away. I just threw it away ….”
My breathing was uneven as I spoke. “I’ll never see you again. It’s all my fault.” He held me closer. “No, I should have been more open.” “I should have been more patient.” “I should have proposed that night in your room.” “I should have let you.”
GIRL DINNER!!!!
she’s going to win, we need a plan.” Her smile was diabolical, and I grinned with her.
LET’S GOOO
