Selena's POV:
Time in the Capitol flew by quickly. I was sitting on a chair and two Avox girls were doing my hair for my so-called wedding. I shuddered at the very thought of having to walk down the aisle to meet Nico. Lately, he's been in a hot and cold mood. One moment he is nice and kind, and the next his emotions evaporate into anger and irritation. It was quite frightening too and I couldn't help clench my fingers to my sides. The Avox girls weren't oblivious to my fear. I kind of been venting to them lately. These two girls were our servants and since he likes me naturally, he didn't hire any stylists for the wedding.
The blonde hair girl, who I later learned her name is Nina, gave me a pat on the shoulder. Juliana, the girl with the most beautiful blue eyes that I've ever seen, was still combing my hair. Through the mirror in front of me I saw her smile at me. This made me happy, at least once all of this is over I will still have my two friends. They are my only friends in this dreadful capitol. I can see why Katniss and Gale were so bitterly against this place. I hate it just as much, perhaps even more. Juliana finished combing and she assembled my hair into an erratic French braid. It was fancy, but still natural. It's cool to know that French braids are still used, even in the future.
A knock on the door drew all of our attention to the door. Hector, Nico's personal assistant, looked skeptically at us. "Almost done? The wedding will be starting soon."
Nina held up five fingers, which caused Hector to sigh. "Alright."
He left then and they quickly helped me up. I was already bawling, but they didn't care. Both my friends wrapped me up into a warm embrace. "Thank you." I whispered, once I finally made myself calm down.
I was dressed in a white dress with a simple trim and veil. My friends had to stay behind and all I could do was apologize for Nico's selfishness. Hector escorted me to the Capitol Hall, where the wedding would take place. It wasn't anything fancy since Nico wasn't the type to dress up and parade around like other people here in the Capitol. He smiled as Hector walked me down to him. I cringed as he took my hand in his. Nico pressed a kiss to my hand and waved Hector off.
"You look beautiful Selena." He said. I tried my best not to notice his constant stare on me. The man who is marrying us wore a dark suit and had elaborate sea green colored hair. He said the typical marriage vows and gave Nico permission to kiss me. I wasn't even asked if I wanted to marry him, and clearly I did not. Nico must have specifically given the man orders not to ask me for permission. Nico lifted my veil up and looked into my green eyes. His hand felt warm as he stroked my cheek with one of his long fingers.
"I love you Selena," he said and kissed me deeply. I felt his lips graze my lips more than necessary and I think it was to show that he had a power over me.
I pulled away and tried not to cry. It was true, whether I liked it or not. Nico possessed a power over me. He was calling the shots, not me. His arm clutched mine as he walked us down the aisle and out of the court house. All we had to do was prick our fingers on the way out and that's how the marriage was determined. They didn't sign papers like they do in my time. This way, if I were to go to some other district, it would be known that I'm married. In fact, there was no ring exchange either. I glanced down at my bare finger and couldn't help but be thankful for that. Most importantly I hated the name change. Nico had given instruction for my name to be changed to Selena Cortez. Once we were home, Nico took me into his arms. He stroked my back.
"I know it's been hard for you to adjust to Capitol life." He whispered. His hands stroked my back and cupped my cheek so I would have to look at him.
"No kidding," I replied. He could hear the sarcasm in my voice, which caused his eyes to turn sinister. "So no rings then. I guess that will make you happy."
He glared before saying anything. "Selena, have in mind that you are my wife now. You will submit to me. There will be no more childish games." He said gruffly. "Also, it's different in the Capitol. You get to pick the ring, not me."
"Great, but I still don't understand you. One minute you tell me you can't control yourself and the next you tell me what to do and that you're the boss." I snapped.
He sat us down on the couch and took my hand in his. "I can't explain everything to you right now. You just have to be patient with my mood swings. I'm not going to make you have sex with me, so you can go to bed."
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."
Nico's eyes watched me as I retreated to my room. He was the one who decided all this, not me. And who has a wedding at night anyway? I'm more of a day time person, but they are Nico's decisions, not mine.
Gale's POV:
The games are over, which means Katniss and Peeta are returning to District 12. Two victors in one game was the result of this year's 74th Hunger Games. I couldn't wait to see her again and tell her what had happened to Selena. She would not believe it. My mother kept bugging me to get my mind off of Selena, but I couldn't. Selena Marts may be girly and annoying, but there was just something about her. It was as if Katniss Everdeen wasn't the girl I wanted to marry anymore. I want Selena and I want to see her now, but that wouldn't happen just yet. My hands were working on a snare at the moment and lately hunting has been good. I've got lots of rabbits and also caught a buck the other day all on my own.
Parcel Day was also something to look forward to. No one would be going hungry for awhile now in District 12. I'd be working in the mines as soon as Katniss returns, but for now I'm still hunting. Now that I'm eighteen and was no longer eligible to participate in the annual hunger games, I could actually work in the mines. More money meant more food, and my family was in desperate need of it. I had five people to feed, well six including myself. I finished with my snares and took off. I had several dead rabbits in my hands, which were caught from yesterday's snares.
I made my way out from under the fence and was shocked to see a peacekeeper. He saw the rabbits in my arms. "Well Gale Hawthorne, you're quite brave."
I didn't say anything to him. Most peacekeepers kept their heads turned when it came to illegal hunting. They wanted fresh meat just as much as everyone else did.
"That girlfriend of yours, the red haired girl is your girlfriend correct?" He asked.
I glared. "Where are you getting at with this?"
He shrugged. "Just wondering if I could help a young man, like you out. Your father, he was a fair man. I liked him a lot before he died. He never tried to haggle too much."
I shook my head at him. "Help me, how?" I knew he was being truthful about my father. Both he and Katniss's father were respected in the Hob.
He smiled and that's when I realized which peacekeeper this was, Cray. "Well, I could help you get her back."
I struggled to try to understand him. Why would Cray help me? He wasn't in debt to me in any way. This didn't make much sense to me, but I had to believe Cray. He probably was my only hope to get Selena back. "How would you be able to do that? Do you even know where she is?" I asked. I had a good idea that she's in the Capitol, but I still wasn't certain of it.
Cray scratched his arm absentmindedly. "H-m-m, well I've got friends in the Capitol. I know who took her."
My eyes widened at this. Cray knew Selena's exact whereabouts! "Where is she?" I demanded.
"Now hold on, nothing is given away for free." Cray said putting a hand up. "If you get me some meat from free then we will talk. And I'm not talking about just one time. I want a whole years' supply. You could do that, right my friend?"
It was a tough bargain, but I didn't have anything else to offer Cray. "Alright, but keep in mind that I can't control the seasons. Meat isn't always easy to find."
"Very well, but don't slack off." He said and gave me a grim smile.
We stood there for a few more seconds before he spoke up. "Selena is with Nico Cortez. Rumors say that Nico will be the next president and will be taking over for President Snow. Our president is old and he's obviously chosen the outsider for a reason. They aren't from this time, are they?"
I gulped. The two of them did look foreign. Plus they didn't seem to keen on anything from the districts. Katniss and I even had to explain the Hunger Games to them. "It's a possibility."
Cray laughed. "It's the truth you mean and I can confirm it. Nico told me himself. How else do think he was able to get to the Capitol?"
I glared slightly. "And you just let him take Selena too?"
He shook his head no. "Ah no, but I do admire young love. Your mother, Hazelle, how much do you know about her?"
I didn't get what he meant by this so I shrugged. "As much as I should know, she's lived in the Seam her whole life."
He chuckled. "We were in love once, who do you think Posy's father is."
I felt my stomach get sick. "Damn you, you're making that up!"
Cray shook his head. "Little Posy, is my daughter. Your mother loved your father of course, but she also loves me. She still does. You're not aware of this because she wanted you to be in the shadows."
I couldn't help it. I threw up my breakfast right on Cray. I coughed once I was finished and heard Cray's cursing as he wiped the vomit from his uniform. Cray is my sister's father.
And there you have it, Cray is Posy's father. Let me know what all of you think and don't be afraid to mention some ideas in a lovely review. I've had writer's block lately and once again I'm not a professional writer. So let me know if I make some mistakes that I didn't catch.
~Air~
