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he was a mystery I was excited to solve.
Clarkson put his arms around me, shielding me even more. But I suspected he needed the embrace more than I did.
I never imagined it would be a unanimous fear that would bind us like sisters.
He was everything I ever wanted. It was all the strings attached to him that frightened me.
“It’s more than that. You’d take a bullet for him if you had to.”
Besides, it wasn’t as if it would ever happen.
For as harsh as his words were, his voice seemed to caress my name.
“Listen to me,” he pleaded softly. I managed to look at him again. “Don’t ever do that again. Don’t just check out on me.”
He shook his head. “I’m Clarkson with you.”
It’s a strange thing to discover how much you matter to people you didn’t really know you mattered to.
Clarkson placed his hand out, asking for me. “You’re not exactly replaceable, Amberly.”
My word is above questioning. And if I even hint that you dared to touch my women in any way that wasn’t professional, you might find yourself in front of a firing squad.”
But take heart,” he said as he leaned in close, “you will be my wife.”
“You will be the only thing in this world that is truly mine. And I will put you on a pedestal so high, it will be impossible for anyone not to adore you.”
And maybe I’d stifled my cries by biting my pillow so Avery wouldn’t hear me.
Lucy thought for a moment. “Any girl who would risk her life for someone she loves certainly deserves to be called a lady.”
a handful of guards were left to carry away the two limp bodies that seemed to lean toward each other, even in unconsciousness.
“Don’t let anyone hurt her.” “Never.”
“I’m glad she has you. It’s like she’s got a piece of home with her.”
Everything doesn’t seem like anything when you love someone.
Focus on America. Let the world go to hell around you so long as you can get to her.
“It’s just the way it is. The sky is blue, the sun is bright, and Aspen endlessly loves America. It’s how the world was designed to be.”
It seems like everyone leaves when I need them to stay.”
“You’re the best one we have, Officer Leger.” I smiled. “When we’re down here, you three can call me Aspen.”
Lucy tilted her head. “We know you’re strong, but accepting help is its own kind of strength.”
She was his America. He was always focused because of her.
I turned back to see Maxon double over and heave, nearly throwing up over the thought.
What would I fight for in this world if I wasn’t fighting for her?
You’re it for me,” I said with a shrug. “You’re the only thing I’ve ever wanted to fight for.”
“Then what else can I ask for? I’ll take a caning for that. I’d take his as well if that was possible.” Maxon smiled sadly. “Carter literally just pleaded to take yours for you.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. I looked up at him, and even with his bleeding lip and messy hair, all I saw was the boy who insisted on taking me to the hospital wing, the boy who brought me flowers. “I’m not,” I replied as forcefully as I could.
I had found my soul mate. I knew it. And there was too much love in my heart to leave room for regret.
We had each other. The pain would last temporarily, but on the other side of it I had Carter forever. My love, forever.
They were too good together. He was control to her chaos; she was levity to his seriousness.
“This shouldn’t hurt this much,” I mumbled. “No, it shouldn’t,” he agreed.
“Lost that war. No hope for retreat now.” But while his words were filled with remorse, the little smirk on his face gave away that he was as happy as I was.
He nodded. “I’ll build you the prettiest igloo, Marlee. Everyone will be so jealous.”
I looked up at him, thinking that if I could hand choose a husband for my best friend, it’d be him.
He nuzzled his nose into my neck. “Don’t overdo it. I could rub your hands if you want.”
He kissed my cheek. “True. Besides, the last time I stole something, it was pretty big, and I got more than I deserved, and I’m already happy with what I have.”
“Hmm,” he said. “Maybe you stole me. Because I distinctly remember belonging to myself once, but now I’m all yours.”
“I’ll always be here for you, America. You know that.”
So much was going through my head, and I knew he was my only safe place.
I knew then just how much I loved her, and how much she must love me. If she felt half the worry I felt tonight, it was more than enough.
“Carter and Marlee Woodwork,” he began with a smile. My heart wanted to burst from hearing my full, true married name. “In light of your service to the crown, I, your king, am taking the liberty of undoing past punishments inflicted upon you.”
Carter and Marlee Woodwork, you are the first citizens in Illéa to be casteless.”
Maxon looked at her as if she was the most adorable thing on the planet.
But I knew—maybe even before Maxon knew himself—that it would be America.
She was also, maybe, my only friend.
I didn’t need anyone to call me her friend at the moment. Having someone to call mine was enough.
