A/N: It's been so long! But here it is! Chapter 2.
Chapter 2
Katniss' hands caressed the bow. It was light, yet almost as deadly as its arrows. It was made from the finest steel that even only the wealthiest in the Captiol can afford. Wielded especially for her, Katniss remembered the first time she laid her eyes on them.
It was their seventh anniversary, and the Capitol held their breaths as she walked in her red flaming gown, as they renewed their vows. It was a grand affair, and when Snow pledged himself to protect her for all his life, he placed his hand on the small of her back and kissed her. It was one of the rare moments they touched each other.
Her husband was always cold and he thought of her as a child, and Katniss convinced herself that their marriage did not need such petty things. It was for the peace of Panem that Katniss married him, for the peace of Prim and her mother. He did not expect anything but loyalty from her and Katniss did not expect anything but promises kept.
So they went on their married life, hardly even married. They had functions to attend to distract them. Her husband was the president of Panem, and she was a victor. They had their roles to play and meetings to go to.
Always busy, it was seldom that they saw each other. But they would talk sometimes, of tedious things and their obligations to the country, but it was amicable enough. He made sure she was doing her duties, and she made sure he was keeping his side of the bargain.
The first years of their marriage, Katniss could not dare sleep on their marriage bed. She lay stiff every night, afraid that somehow he would find a way to kill her. But as the years went by, she was able to close her eyes even just for a few minutes. Soon enough, it grew into hours, and finally, the whole night. Sometimes he would seek her warmth when he is deep in his sleep. She always managed to move away into her side of the bed, but some nights, she let him, and even dared to move closer.
But that was years ago, though. Katniss could not remember the exact time, or the exact date, but after she went into her victor obligations, involuntarily reliving her days in the arena, she found solace in him. It was one of those nights where he sought her, and feeling alone and afraid, Katniss was quick to let him hold her. She did not know if he was awake or asleep then, but ever since that night, Katniss could not sleep without feeling his presence beside her, and his arms started seeking her almost every night. It was quite ironic, how the man she feared so much, could make her feel so safe in the darkest hours of her night.
"Child," he would call her in the privacy of their home. Sometimes he would reprimand her when she failed to do her duties as the First Lady properly and other times he would want her to sit beside him after a long day at the Capitol. At first she thought because he thought it best to keep her in his sight most of the time, but her husband was proud and arrogant. He would never think for one second, that anyone could breach his security.
One day he came home to her, "Child," he said, and then he kissed her long and hard, his one hand wrapped around her neck, and his other forcing her chin upwards. He was tall, and Katniss tasted roses.
Katniss shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking of such things. She packed weapons—daggers, spears, all kinds. She did not know how this could go.
David did not know why the President was lounging on the chair. Even with his hands tied up behind his back and his feet bound, the man looked positively relaxed and regal—almost bored.
"She's going to torture you, you know," he spat.
Snow arched an eyebrow, a smirk forming in his lips. "Oh?"
He looked so smug.
"She'll make it slow, make it hurt," he taunted. "It'll wipe that arrogant look on your face for good."
Snow gave a lipless smile—looking amused.
"I'm a little insulted she only put one guard on me," he said. "And a stupid one at that."
David grunted. How dare he. The man was powerless, defenseless, tied up with no way to move. He could start the torture now and no one would know any better. They were alone, his comrades ordered to guard the only entrance into the rebel base. They had captured the most powerful man in Panem. The President's army was coming for them. They were more than ready though. Years and years of a quiet rebellion allowed them to make weapons rivalling the advanced inventions of the Capitol. Now the only thing left was to take control of the Capitol, to kill its symbol of power.
David took a look at the man again. He didn't appear the least bit worried. David wondered if he knew what his capture meant, what it meant for Panem, what it meant for his life. Perhaps the man only appeared to be calm. It was also possible that the man was thinking of means to escape. David heard whispers of the man's frightening intelligence and cunning. But it was impossible to escape. Yes, David was only one man but he was one of the better fighters and was especially trained for hand-to-hand combat and the president was old. And Snow couldn't possibly escape with just his wits.
"There are more guards outside the door," he bluffed. The man looked like he didn't believe him. "And more guards at the elevators. You cannot escape."
Snow chuckled. "I won't," he said as if the mere idea was idiotic, thus supporting his earlier claim of having a stupid guard.
David shut his mouth. He didn't like the way Snow made him feel—inferior, like he was a child. But what else could he expect of a man who threw children together to fight to death?
