Ah! You guys are so sweet with your reviews! I really appreciate them. Thekatie93: I did actually think of that, and perhaps it will come up! Thank you for the kind review! Lady Luna Riddle: I'm glad you like the story and like to review it! Haha! True! There will definitely be more Seneca in this chapter! EmmaCrane: Thank you! I thought of this huge story line in my Culinary class, from daydreaming came this! Typos are my downfall, but I'm trying to be super careful now. I want to keep this updated, I myself hate when authors don't update for weeks and months. The daily updates may slow, but it depends on the time I have. Also, I realize I haven't explained about her games, but give me a break, I'm only on chapter four! Believe me, you'll get the backstory! Long update, and a little lusty. Review?
Chapter Four
Here Comes the Prize
"Promise me, you'll never leave me?" he whispers, as he lay dying in a mountain field smiling up at me through his obvious pain. "I promise. But you must promise never to leave me. No matter what," I sob. He looks at me, "Never will I be far from your heart. No matter where life takes you, I'll be there," he whispers. With that, Lucca looks up at the sky and the light leaves his brown eyes, and he takes his final breath, his smile still lingering on his face. The cannon sounds. I remove my hands from his wound on his neck, given to him by the tribute from District 1, and kiss him, my final goodbye to my dear Lucca. I then wake with a start. It's my wedding day. I sit there heaving and sobbing, rocking myself, telling myself he is okay. "Are you with me today, my Lucca? I need you," I sigh, as I lull back to sleep.
"Good morning my darling," Mother croons to me, her face close to mine. I look at her and see the beauty that she always had, other than the hair color, mother and I had the same features, cheekbones and lips and the same eyes. She looked relaxed and peaceful, which I had to smile at. I hadn't seen her this calm since father had died. Father.. Would he have approved of me doing this? "There you are Arabella! What are you doing? Get up! We have so much to do!" Katarina came in shouting. She was not as elegant as she usually was, her hair was in curlers and her eyes had a panicked look to them. So, I finally found Katarina's weakness. Planning. I can't help but chuckle as she whisks me off to the master bathroom where a stylist and her two assistants were waiting. The stylist, Eva, was in the typical Capitol get up, a frilly pink and neon green dress with black lipstick and white eye shadow that has musical notes stenciled on. She was very tall with long raven hair and amber eyes. She had two younger assistants with her, their names were Cinna and Portia, I took they were really apprentices. Cinna wore simply black pants and a black shirt with gold eyeliner and the girl, Portia clearly taking note of her mentor, had bright blond hair, and black lipstick, complimented with a purple and yellow ruffle shirt with tight blue pants.
I hop into the shower and once I get out, chaos breaks loose. Eva throws conditioner and fragrances in my hair, while Portia waxes my legs and Cinna plucks my eyebrows. From there on, we have to go a large building the Capitol, similar to the Justice Buildings, but more for parties and events. They take me to a room and start fussing with my makeup. Eva does my face while Cinna and Portia go to get my family ready. Eva gives me a long cat-eye look with long regal lashes and gives me a light grey eye shadow, she then focuses on my lips and puts a light pink color on. I hardly recognize myself, I look like a princess and feel like a prisoner. Then comes the time I slip into the dress. It fits perfectly, accenting my body and making me look thin, yet curvy. "You look gorgeous. You make a beautiful bride!" Eva encourages me. She then proceeds to do my hair, with the help of Cinna and Portia who just came back. Portia makes a small bump at the top of my head and then Cinna carefully perches the tiara on the top of my head. Finally, they curl my hair at the bottom and my hair goes from the usual straight, to shining and curly. Katarina comes in and sighs as she sees me. "Oh, goodness. You look beyond perfect. Are you ready to go? Everyone is waiting and ready now! Your sisters look so cute!" Katarina is so excited for this moment, more than me. She tells me that someone will give me the cue on when to come out and she scurries out. Three minutes later, I get the cue. Showtime.
Silently, I glide down the aisle on a long white carpet that is surrounded by mahogany floors in and enormous and bright room. The rows of people I can hardly make out, only President Snow, my family, Effie Trinket, lucky me, I think to myself. I also see Caesar Flickerman and Haymitch Abernathy, my mentor. After what seems like a million years, I've reached Seneca. He looks extremely happy and his hair is slicked back as usual and his eyes are piercing, he has on a jet black suite with a blue tie that matches his eyes. He takes my hands and the ceremony begins. To be honest, most of it is a blur to me. I stare off and pretend I'm somewhere else, or that Lucca is here. That he is the one I'm going to marry, but I know that can't happen. "I do." I say, when it's my turn, I have no idea what has been said or done, just paying attention enough to know when to say it. Seneca then takes my face so gently and kisses me. The crowd cheers and it's over. I'm married.
We have a party, of course organized by Katarina, who looks stunning in a bright red satin dress. Her lips the same intense red, and her hair is pulled back neatly. She smiles and mingles with the rest of the guests. I manage to sneak away and find none other than Haymitch. At the bar, what a shock. He looks up at me even with his alcohol, he gives me a sympathetic look, and he clearly knows this situation is not normal. "You've certainly gotten more attention than most tributes get," he says. "Clearly. Most tributes aren't forced to marry someone!" I exclaim. Haymitch who seems so uncaring when you first meet him, genuinely cares for me. He cares for all the tribute he mentors, and most die. I'm his first victor. "You're doing the right thing though, Arabella. President Snow set this whole thing up, with of course Mr. Crane drooling over you, it was a good fit. If you didn't do this, well… You don't defy the Capitol. As long as you play the pretty little housewife, all will be fine." He explains. "Do you really expect me to stay in this for the rest of my life?" I whisper, trying to avoid the eyes of the guests. Haymitch sighs, "Maybe you can. This guy really seems to be into you. While mingling at a victor party, I overheard him with Snow, talking about how brave and strong you are. How beautiful you are, how smart you are. He's got some serious feelings for you. For whatever reason, he just knows he wants you. Enough said." I look away, I see Seneca approaching and I walk to meet him. Thinking about what Haymitch said, I'm so confused by all this. Who was Seneca? He does seem truly enamored with me. He takes my hand and we make way to the tables to eat. There is foods of all kinds, stews, salads, meats and fish. So much to choose from. Being from District 12 I wasn't used to so much food, and I tried a little bit of everything. My sisters looked precious, in their matching purple dresses, their hair curled as well. My mother looked beautiful, she wore a pale green dress that flowed and had pearls on the waistline.
My mother and sister came and chatted with us for a while. The girls were disappointed to have to leave the next day, but Seneca told them they could visit often. I honestly could not expect this side to him, he is gentle and kind with the girls and very kind to my mother. We enjoy cake and mingle with the guests. I nervously glance at President Snow every so often, then he comes over to congratulate us. I feel Seneca tense for whatever reason. President Snow takes me aside "I know that you Miss Skye, or should I say Mrs. Crane will be an excellent wife for this excellent man, " he says. I thank him and say I'd do my best. When the event finally ends and the giant ballroom is empty, I say goodbye to my mother and sisters.
Finally we go back to Seneca's home. It's a large Tudor style home, which is surprising most of the Capitol homes are very modern. It's a three story with a large fence surrounding it, from what I can see a beautiful garden. My heart starts pounding at this point, because I know what he'll want, and what to be a wife meant. All of my things were delivered to the home, and he lets me go up on my own. "I have some things to quickly take care of, go up to the bedroom and relax a bit," he says. I make my way up the spiral stairs and down the hallway into the room I assume is his. It's very large with a balcony and hand carved mahogany bed. It was very large and elegant, like I have realized about this family is that they like elegant things. I'm still so nervous. I know this is natural for a wedding night, so I suck it up and go into the bathroom and freshen up. I manage to find a nightgown to change into, I carefully put my dress in the protective cover and go lie on the bed. Seneca soon finds his was back up, I can feel my pulse racing. "Your beautiful.." with that he goes into the bathroom and when he come out, he is in his underwear. I'm about to lose my virginity.. He slides into bed with me and kisses me passionately. His body on top of mine I look at his face and while he is gentle when near me he also has lust in his eyes. He quickly undresses me and then takes his underwear off and I see parts of a man I never have. He caresses my body and hold me close until I feel him thrust inside me, my cheeks immediately flush. The pain is excruciating and I feel myself holding back a scream. I don't think he was trying to hurt me, but I don't think he knew I was a virgin either. I feel myself bleeding, which he doesn't seem to notice. He kisses me on the neck and cheek and mouth telling me I'm beautiful. While he seems to be enjoying himself, I feel pain. After at least two hours of sex, he stops, and lays down cradles me close and kisses me on my forehead which is sweaty and hot. I suppose that I just transitioned from being a girl to becoming a woman.