This morning feels different. Breakfast feels weird because Ava literally attacked me yesterday. Everyone keeps coming up to me and asking how I am. I shouldn't complain, everyone is making Ava the bad guy. Which she deserves, but I still hate the attention, and I wish people would move on. Kim won't stop asking if I'm okay every five seconds. She even got my food for me this morning. My wrist still throbs but my head has stopped pounding, so I am not sitting out today. I need to be stronger. This thing with Ava is a setback. A distraction. I need to get my head in the game and focus on helping the Resistance and getting out of here. They are the ones who can find my brothers.

When we get to the training room, I see Max and we smile at each other. He motions for me to come talk to him. I walk over to him, making sure I'm not drawing attention. He takes my hand and examines my wrist.

"You don't have to practice today, Octavia," he says. I shake my head.

"I want to." He gives me a light smile.

"You sure?"

"Yes." He nods and I go back to Kim with the others. When I look at Cedric across the room, he is giving me a hard gaze. He seems mad. I wish he would forget what I am, so I can feel normal when I am around him. I quickly look away and look at Kim.

"I heard we are doing something different today. They brought in Blue's." I look over to where Kim is pointing. She is right. A cluster of Blue's stand off to the side chatting amongst themselves. I search their faces for a familiar one of Lori's. No sign of her. I try not to look to disappointed. Suddenly Cedric claps his hands together to get our attention.

"Good morning, today we have some guests from the City of Water." We all turn our heads towards them. "Today we will be partnering you with one of them and together you will duel together. Today is not about winning. It's about learning how to defeat an opponent who has different abilities. We aren't going to tell you how to defeat them, so you will have to figure it out for yourselves." I think every Red in the room groans. Cedric is basically setting us up for failure. We don't know how to defeat water. Water defeats fire. Kim and I exchange worried looks. Max calls out the names and we find our partners.

I located the pretty brunette walking towards me. She smiles and holds out her hand.

"I'm Sydney," she says. Her smile is big, and I notice the several piercings in each ear.

"Octavia," I say shaking her hand.

"I like the hair," she says admiring my stark white hair.

"Thanks," I say. We both move to a matt near the wall away from the other pairs.

"What happened to you hand?" I look down at my bandage.

"Someone burned it," I say shrugging it off.

"I have to admit, this won't be easy," she tells me. A flicker of worry creases in my brow. I shake it off and nod at her. I notice a few other Reds getting ready to try and beat the Blue in front of them. I think about how I could beat her with my own Blue powers. Too bad I can't. We take our spots on opposite sides of the matt. I start by throwing 3 fire balls at her. Her water shield shoots up fast and her shield absorbs my fire. I narrow my eyes at her shield. She is right.

"I told you," she smiles. I huff in annoyance and rack my brain for another trick I can try. Before I can figure it out, she lunges at me. I quickly dodge and throw another ball at her. Her shield soaks it up again.

"Try something other than balls," Sydney says. "Stop thinking so hard." She's right, it's probably simple I'm just overthinking it. She quickly lunges at me again with her arms outstretched. I move out of the way as she summons her shield. I create my shield and they crash together. Before I know it, my shield has been absorbed by hers and I am on the floor. Did I really think that would work?

"Better try again, Octavia," Ava says mocking me from her chair in the corner. Well at least I'm not the one sitting in the chair. Sydney holds out her hand and I take it. She hauls me up on my feet and then we are back at it. She swings a punch at me, and I dodge it. I search my brain for a way to beat her. Think, Octavia. This is a duel. I'm using my defensive powers against hers. That's when it hits me. I need to use offensive powers. She swings another punch towards me, and it clashes with my offensive shield. She stops and looks at me in surprise when her fist stops. I smile and grab her arm, twist it around and throw her over my shoulder onto the floor. She hits the floor with a loud smack. I hear applause and I look up. Cedric and the others are clapping.

"Congratulations, Octavia, you figured it out. Would you like to inform the rest of the class how you succeeded?" Cedric looks at me. I see Ava seething at me in the corner.

"I learned that you don't always need to use defensive powers in fights. While my partner was using defensive so was I. They cancel each other out. I finally figured I should switch to offensive." The class claps again and Cedric gives me slight nod and walks off. I look down at Sydney to see her smiling. I grin and offer my hand.

"I knew you'd be the first to figure it out," she says as I pull her up. I frown.

"How?" She takes a step closer to me.

"I could see how powerful and smart you are." I watch her face to see if she's lying to me just to be nice, but there is not a flaw in her face. She speaks the truth and I believe her.

After training everyone heads to the hall for dinner. Sydney sits with me, Kim and her partner. The tone in the hall was happy and joyful. Something I never experienced before. I felt myself smiling and laughing in our conversations, which blended with everyone else's voices and laughs. They carried into the nights end and then it was time for the Blue's to go back to their city. I said goodbye to Sydney and watched as the guards escorted them away. As Kim and I headed out of the hall I see Max lingering near the door. He has his hands behind his back. I try not to notice him but he's just so tall and handsome I can't miss him. He locks eyes with me as Kim and I walk towards the doors. I don't miss that as I near him his hand reaches for my hand and he places something inside. I keep my smile to myself and listen to Kim as she talks about our day. I clutch what I think is a piece of paper tighter in my hand as we walk up the stairs. Kim says goodnight to me and we both enter our rooms. I shut my door and look at the note in my hand. Meet me in my room (Second door on the left in the east wing) at midnight- Max

I grin and look at the clock. I have about an hour until midnight and the buzz from tonight still hasn't worn off. I wish everyday was like this. I shove the note in my dresser and sit down at my desk. I sift through my sketches and then start a new one. This one is of eyes. Dark, brown, bold, eyes. My pencil drags across the page as I sketch each individual eyelash. When I finish it is nearly midnight and I sneak out of my room and tip toe my way to the east wing. I walk down the hall and realize the second door on the left is right across from Cedric's room. I hold my breath as I place a light knock on the door. The door opens with a whoosh and suddenly Max grabs my arm and pulls me inside. The room is similar to Cedric's. Max has less cluttered papers everywhere. He is more organized. I glance at the fireplace, which is the only thing lighting the room, and back at him. I think of Cedric's fireplace and his room across the hall.

"Did anyone see you?" He asks still holding my hand. I think he is mainly talking about Cedric. My eyes slowly adjust to the darkness.

"No," I whisper. He drops my hand and shoves his hands in his pockets. I notice he is in his dress shirt which is loosely unbuttoned. I try not to let my eyes linger on his chest for too long. He walks towards the fireplace.

"I met with Sage and Dale a few hours ago," he says facing me. He did what? I raise my eyebrows.

"Why didn't you come get me?" I ask with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

"It was during dinner and it would have been too noticeable to remove you. Plus, you seemed like you were enjoying yourself." I blush and think of the night's events. Truthfully, I'm glad he didn't pull me away, although I would have likes to be a part of the conversation.

"I was." I admit to him.

"I like it when you're happy. It seems like it doesn't happen too often," he says rocking on his toes. I nod and then change the subject. I don't want to talk about my happiness. It's a never-ending disappointment.

"What did they say? Do they have a plan yet?" I notice his expression shifts into more of a serious look.

"I have a plan," he says. I raise one eyebrow.

"You have a plan?" He grins and gestures to the couch.

"Sit with me," he says calmly. I move my feet and sit beside him. He angles himself towards me and I do the same.

"The Resistance has a brief plan. They will invade and in the chaos we will escape." I nod in understanding.

"So, what is your plan?" He looks down at his hands as I watch the shadows from the fire dance across his dark features.

"My father is sick." I intake a slow breath. "He's dying, slowly, but there's nothing we can do."

"I'm so sorry," I say. He gives me a light smile.

"My mother is in charge of finding me or my brother a bride, so one of us can be king. My brother doesn't want it. He has no interest in being king, so that leaves me." Max will be king. Why wouldn't Cedric try? He seems to have different opinions especially since he is helping me. What if he would be the better king? My thoughts shock me, but I don't let Max on to what I'm thinking.

"I'm not following," I say keeping my voice light. He meets my eyes.

"It is custom that when I do find a bride an engagement party will be held to celebrate." I don't say anything.

"My plan is to find a bride and at the party is when we will escape," he says. A diversion. A huge gathering. No one will suspect. My eyes widen.

"That's a good plan," I tell him, and he smiles.

"I'm not done. You have a part too." I become a little unsettled and he notices. He places one hand over the hand that isn't bandaged.

"Let me finish." My thoughts a jumbled now. I don't know what he means. Max moves beside me to the ground in front of me. He is on one knee with my hand in his. Suddenly I know what he's about to do. I straighten up and grab his other hand and them together.

"Max..." He laughs and shakes his head.

"Let me finish," he says. "It has to be you Octavia. No one will suspect if you're by my side half of the night."

"I can't! What will people think?!" I gasp and clutch his hand tighter. "I'm already the top of my class! What will people think when I'm engaged to the Prince?"

"I don't care what they think Octavia. You shouldn't either." I look down at our hands.

"We have to do this. Sage and Dale have already agreed it's the best option." They know. How am I supposed to tell Kim about this? Will she think I'm a hypocrite? What about the Queen?

"What about your mother?" He shakes his head.

"She won't know. I will protect you." He squeezes our hands together. "Just say yes." I can't, right? This has to be a dream or a nightmare. Maybe this is the only way. I trust him, but I'm scared. I search his eyes which are full of optimism.

"Do I get a ring?" He chuckles and reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a single gold ring. I don't think I've ever seen anything so shiny in my life. The ring is a simple medium sized band. Max holds it in his hand.

"Most girls would have wanted the sparkly diamond rings, but I thought you might like one that looks similar to your dad's." My heart flutters. He's right. I don't need a diamond ring.

"It's perfect," I say. He takes my hand and slides the ring on my finger. It feels cool and soft on my skin. I watch it and admire the shine of it.

"So, is that a yes?" For my brothers, Lori, and my parents.

"Yes, it's a yes. I'm in," I smile. Max breathes a sigh of relief and touches my chin. He brushes the strand of hair by my face behind my ear. His face inches closer and closer to my face until his soft lips are on mine. His hand still holds my other hand with my ring on it. The kiss deepens and I put my other hand on his arm to steady myself. This whole night has felt like a dream. Light and effortless. His kiss makes everything feel better. My body doesn't ache, and my fingers don't tremble. My insides feel the bliss from his mouth. Maybe I can do this. I would do anything to stay in his arms forever. I feel safe and hopeful. We are in this together. We break from the kiss and he cups my cheek.

"I will protect you," he whispers. My hand finds his.

"Always?"

"Always," he says and then kisses my cheek.

When I walk back to my room, I feel like I'm walking on a cloud. I replay Max kissing me over and over in my head. I touch my lips and smile to myself when I get back to my room. Do I even realize what I have signed up for? Marrying the Prince? Be Joanna's daughter-in-law. I tell myself to relax and take it day by day. Hopefully this will work and not fall to pieces. I climb into my bed and let sleep take over me.

Darkness is what I see. Clouded darkness. Just like...shadows. I turn to see my parents standing in front of me.
"Mom, dad?" They don't say a word they just stare at me.

"Octavia," I hear a voice behind me say. I turn to see Kane.

"Kane?" My voice feels like an echo, like it never reaches to him.

"It's okay. You're going to be okay."

"Kane, where are you? Please tell me," I beg him. He isn't listening to me.

"Don't trust anyone, O," he says. I stare at him until he slowly disappears from my view. I turn and find myself alone.

"Hello?! Anyone?" I cry out into the dark.

"Don't be scared," A familiar voice says. I turn to see Cedric standing in front of me. He comes closer and then Max appears in the distance, watching us. Cedric touches my cheek and turns it towards his face.

"Don't look at him," he says.

"What's going on?" He presses a cold finger against my lips. What is happening?

"Shhh..." I stare into his hazel eyes until he drops his finger. His hands grip my arms and pulls me close to him. He smells like a pine forest.

"You have to get out of here." Cedric's voice rings like a siren and suddenly every goes still. Cedric and Max disappear, and I am left alone. The darkness around me closes in and suddenly I'm suffocating. I scream and cry out, but nothing happens. Then the darkness has consumed me. There is nothing left.