The One

1.

So this continues after America has given her report about how she wants to remove the caste system and the part where the King wants to "talk" to her. In the original book, Maxon "talks" to the King instead, but in this one, it turns out to be something else.

*Disclaimer*
All rights to Kiera Cass

CHAPTER 1
America's point of view

"Maxon, I would like to see you in my office." The king said. I looked at Maxon; and maybe I only imagined it, but it looked like panic and what seemed like fear flickered briefly behind his eyes.

"Or," the king offered, "I could simply talk to her." He gestured over to me.

"No." Maxon said quickly- too quickly, holding up a hand in protest. "That won't be necessary. Ladies," he added, turning to us, "why don't you all head upstairs? We'll have dinner sent to your rooms tonight."

"Actually, America, why don't you stay back too? We'll have a quick little chat." A cruel smile featured the king's face, who looked at me, his eyes cold.

"No, father, let's go!" Maxon exclaimed, his voice reeking of desperation.

what was happening here?

The king grabbed my arm forcefully and pulled me taking me to some room, making me wince.

"No Dad! Please! Just leave her out of this!" Maxon said and this time, the fear and dread was clearly visible in his eyes.

"She has pulled enough stunts. I will not let that happen anymore! I have to teach her a lesson!" The king shouted, making me shudder at the coldness of his voice. Panic slowly started settling in my body as well.

We reached a room which I didn't even know existed, and he pulled me inside. Maxon followed us, his relentless pleads to let me leave, and let him bare the brunt of "it" never ceasing. My own heartbeat increased- I had never heard the fanatic desperation in his voice as it was now. What was he going to do?

The king grabbed Maxon's hand and dragged him to one of the chairs in the room.

"Stay here. If you even make one single move, she will pay." the threat was clear in his voice and she believed he was capable of doing anything.

I stood there watching them, dumbfounded. My eyes briefly met Maxon's eyes- I had never seen him so afraid, so terrified. He always stayed calm and maintained his composure. Seeing him so afraid, so broken, broke my heart.

'I'm sorry.' He mouthed the words, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

The king opened his drawers and took out a rope. What was he going to do?

He walked towards Maxon and tied his arms to the bottom of the chair, making sure he won't be able to move them.

"Today, you'll watch what I've been doing to you all these years" he said to Maxon, the evil smile never leaving. His expression itself sent chills down my spine- I was truly terrified.

"Father, please, I beg you- let America go. I'm willing to do whatever you want, please dad!" he begged, his voice cracking in the end.

Yet, the king's smile only widened, seeing his son so desperate. He stood up and moved towards me, his cold eyes meeting mine. If looks could kill, I would be burried six feet under.

To say I was terrified was an understatement. Adrenaline flooded my system. It felt like my heart was going to explode, and my eyes widen with pure fear. My body wanted to run fast- escape, to the safety of the hills but instead, I was forced, frozen where I stood. There was really only one thing I could do: Pray he doesn't kill me.

My adrenaline surges so fast I almost vomited. I could taste the saliva thickening in my throat and beads of sweat trickling down my brow. I moved backwards until I met the wall.

He stood right in front of me, and I flinched- his look was murderous. Instead, he turned around, going back to the drawers. My eyes went back to those of the male who was tied to a chair, forced to watch whatever the king had planned for me.

He was trying to control his tears, and I had never seen him look so afraid. Looking at him, so disheveled, burned my own eyes as I controlled the onset of the water that tried to escape from my eyes.

The king opened his drawer and took out a whipping cane, turning back towards me. This time he smiled- a full smile with his teeth showing, yet it contained no sign of any true humour. It was pure evil.

He wasn't actually going to do that- was he?

He sauntered towards me, almost caressing the whipping cane, and I could see how much he was loving it- my reaction and his son's reaction.

"America, strip- now. Or else, he pays." he commanded.

Before I could even comprehend the true meaning of his words, Maxon interrupted, his voice desperate.
"Don't do it! I've dealt with such things before, and I can deal with it! Don't do it America!" Maxon shouted, his face contorted in pain, as he stared at me, hoping I would listen to him.

"America, strip. NOW." the king roared.