♡ Odette's POV ♡

I hadn't seen my friends since I had been Chosen by Zayn nearly a month and a half ago. Needless to say, I owed it to them to at least visit. Besides, things at the Manor were starting to get back to normal, security gradually lessening. The Elites had apparently gone back home to the Salvatore residence, even though I hadn't seen a single one yet. Zayn said they preferred to keep a low profile, but still. I would like to at least meet one.

I had woken up alone again that morning, the cold sheets meaning Zayn had had to get up early for another meeting. It still stung a bit not seeing my king next to me when I woke up, but I understood he was a busy man. He couldn't just drop everything and be with me a whole day.

After getting dressed and having Falene do my hair and makeup, I set out for a quaint little cafe I had told my friends that morning we would meet at. Seamus tagged along, Zayn's orders. I could just imagine the little grimace he would have on his face, but after the incident at the beach town he couldn't have me go unattended.

Seamus was enjoying himself in the limo we took to the little cafe, pressing buttons and staring in amazement at everything. I had to laugh at his wonder, his big grey eyes looking like a child's as he messed with everything.

The cafe we were meeting my friends at was one of my personal favorites. Dad had always taken me to it whenever he got a day off from work, they made the best soups and sandwiches.

Zayn had booked the entire large party room in the cafe for just us four, taking every precaution to ensure I was safe. He probably wanted to come, but Ivy had informed him there were raids in a small farming village in the southern part of the Empire, and his services were to be needed.

We were seated by a nice man in the secluded party room, doors being shut to offer more privacy. Our drink orders were taken as we waited for my friends to show up, the sound of clicking heels on the hardwood floors minutes later an indicator of their arrival. The doors opened just barely, and Mazelle and Alice stepped in the room, looking just as I remembered.

Alice was dressed sweetly in a button up blue dress and Oxford shoes. Her brunette locks had been curled and pinned back a little, her deep chocolate eyes framed by shimmering champagne shadows. Silver jewelry was on her small fingers and wrists, making them look daintier and more fragile.

Mazelle's golden hair was up in a bun that gave me headaches just thinking of it. Her black day dress was new, sky high nude heels adding a good three inches to her tiny height. Timeless pearls were the only jewelry she wore, the necklace matching the earrings. Her makeup was perfect, her head held high and posture rigid and straight.

She let her strict manners slide as soon as she saw me, a huge smile on her face before she enveloped me in a hug.

"Hello, darling. It was so nice of you to invite us out." Mazelle spoke,

"I thought it would be nice to see you again after so long."

"Long? Odette, it's only been two months." Alice corrected me, she was always a stickler for accuracy.

"Still, I missed you." I smiled, both girls offering a small one in return.

We all took our seats, Mazelle's eyes settling on Seamus almost immediately. She had always been the most flirtatious one in our little group.

"Who's this?"

"This is Seamus, he's head of security at the Manor." I introduced him, Seamus shyly smiling at both of my friends.

"Head of security? Odette, you never told us you got your own hunky bodyguard!" Mazelle exclaimed, Seamus' eyebrows raising in amusement as he stared at me. I rolled my eyes at him jokingly before addressing my friend.

"Mazelle, you're engaged!" Alice flushed, Mazelle only smiling slyly at Seamus.

"Still, I would love to have a hot guy protecting me." She pointed out, Alice staring at her disapprovingly.

Mazelle had been Chosen by a rich entrepreneur named James McEnroe, while Alice had been Chosen by a wealthy business owner named Darren Thomas. Still, despite the wealthy and good-looking men they had been Chosen by, they were still fascinated with my life now that I had been Chosen by Zayn.

Mazelle seemed extremely intrigued by the idea of personal beauty maids.

"So, they pick out outfits and do hair and makeup and everything? Sounds like heaven to me." She sighed dreamily, the quieter Alice laughing softly.

"I guess. It was kind of weird at first, but you get used to it." I admitted, Mazelle still fantasizing over the idea of a closet being the size of a master bedroom when I caught sight of Alice's wrist. A black rose was inked onto her left wrist, the Thomas family Mark, I presumed.

Alice must have caught my staring, holding her wrist out more for me to see.

"Isn't it lovely?" She smiled as I stared enviously at the tattoo.

"It is," I admitted. "When did you get it?"

"Last month. His whole family just loved me and insisted I get Marked right away." Alice smiled. "We're getting married in two weeks. I was going to phone you, but you've been so busy with all the horrible Revolution stuff."

Alice was already getting married?

"No, it's ok, I understand." I assured her, my heart sinking when I realized that both Mazelle and Alice were already engaged. I was the last one left behind.

I was startled out of my self-pity by Alice tapping me on the arm.

"Do you think you and Zayn will be able to come?" She asked nicely. "I understand if you can't, I just thought it would be fun for you both."

"I'll ask Zayn, but I think we'll be able to make it." I forced a smile, Alice giggling happily and beginning to ramble on and on able everything that was planned for her wedding, continuing even as our food came. Mazelle was fully interested and immersed in conversation, but I couldn't have be more detached. I could tell Seamus noticed my forced smiles and laughs as Alice and eventually Mazelle talked about their weddings and how amazing their fiancées were.

I swirled my spoon around my soup, not really eating much as my mind raced with thoughts. Mazelle and Alice had been Chosen at the same time as me, yet they were both engaged already. I couldn't help but feel left behind, knowing Zayn and I were nowhere near marriage. The rest of the lunch went about in the same manner, Alice and Mazelle asking each other questions and occasionally including me. I didn't blame them, I would be wrapped up in my own bubble if it were me who was engaged. Seamus tried to involve me in the conversation more, but once he saw the faint dejected look on my face, he stopped.

The limo ride back was silent, Seamus not knowing what to do or say as I sat and stared out of the window. I was so immersed in my self-loathing thoughts that I jumped slightly when Seamus touched my hand.

"Are you alright? You've been awfully quiet." He asked, his face full of anxiety and worry.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I offered Seamus a forced smile. Instead of just leaving it alone like I hoped he would though, Seamus pressed on. His hand intertwined with mine, his longer fingers engulfing mine. My eyes locked with his, his eyes suddenly seeming to hold more depth.

"You and I both know that's not true. What's wrong? You've been acting strange ever since the lunch."

I had to break from his gaze, my eyes flicking back to my shamefully bare wrist.

"It's nothing...just..." I started, Seamus urging me to continue. All the while he still held my hand tight, refusing to let me dwell on whatever was troubling me. "Mazelle and Alice were Chosen the same time as me, yet they're already Marked. I doubt Zayn will marry me anytime soon, and I don't even know if he wants to yet."

Seamus' hold on my hand tightened as he sighed. "That's what's been troubling you?"

"I know, it's stupid." I flushed in embarrassment. Seamus had things like the safety of everyone in the Manor to worry about, and here I was worrying about marriage. How foolish.

"It's not stupid. I just wish you realized how special you are. You're not like everyone else, for starter's you're the king's Chosen one. I'm sure Zayn has pressing matters to worry about right now and that's why he won't marry you." Seamus' features suddenly sunk. "Do you think he will marry you?"

I hesitated before answering his question. "I don't know. Who knows, maybe he'll get sick of me?"

Seamus seemed angered by my answer.

"That's ridiculous. Who would get sick of someone like you? You're pretty, smart, nice, you're everything a man would look for in a wife. Why, if Zayn doesn't see that, then he must be blind." He argued, a warm feeling blooming inside me at his compliments. Seamus released my hand after he spoke, giving me a small smile after pressing a kiss to the back of it.

"Thank you, Seamus." I smiled at him when suddenly our bodies lurched forward, the seatbelt painfully digging into my shoulder. The limo braked suddenly, Seamus pulling the divider back to talk to the driver.

"Mr. Walters, why are we stopped?"

"Sir, there appears to be a protest in the middle of the street." Mr. Walters spoke, Seamus scrunching his eyebrows together in perplexity before reaching for the door handle.

"Stay here." He ordered before getting out, my curiosity getting the better of me and making me reach for my own door handle.

Needless to say, Seamus looked a little less than enthused at my appearance by his side in the middle of the protest. Seamus took my hand again as he led me through the huge crowd of people gathered with signs and yelling, both of us curious as to what the protest was about. It didn't take long for us to find out.

"Join the Revolution!"

"Down with the Maliks!"

"Kill the king!"

My eyes grew wide and my heart nearly stopped at the cries of the people, Seamus noticing and gripping my hand tighter.

"Keep your head down." He whispered, my gaze falling to the ground as Seamus led me through the crowd. My appearance wasn't too fancy, thankfully. I didn't need to bring anymore attention to myself.

It seemed that the crowd was centered around some speakers in the center of a huge plaza in the city, explaining why some of the crowd was taking up street space. A female voice could be heard, and as we got closer, we could make out her words.

Her hair was almost bleach blond and softly curled, and her eyes were a striking emerald green. She was dressed all in black, and a megaphone was in her hand.

"We need to put an end to the king's tyranny! Join us and our Leader and help us take the Maliks down!" She bellowed, people yelling and cheering with her words. I shrunk into myself, Seamus pulling me closer to him with so many supporters of the Revolution around us. They were here, so close to the Manor and so close to the royals. This was bad.

"We need to get you out of here." Seamus urged me to follow him back to the limo, my heart pounding furiously in my chest as I couldn't move from my spot.

The girl was staring at me. The girl with emerald eyes was staring straight at me, a devilish smile on her face as Seamus tugged me back towards the limo.