Author's note: Y'all, this is almost over! Thank you so much for being patient with me as I worked my way through it. I cannot wait to see what you think.
Many thanks to my beta oh_well AKA karin6824!
Thanks also to my bestie and forever prereader writingbutunpublished.
Happy reading!
Part Eleven
Katniss stood alone in her room looking out at the darkness beyond her window. It had been a long month as the world had expanded and settled.
Peeta's arms wrapped around her from behind. "You should be in bed."
"I was waiting for you." She leaned back into him. "The coronation is tomorrow and I don't think sleep is going to come easily."
"There are plenty of things we can do while we wait." He nibbled at her neck as he pulled aside the top of her dressing gown. She loosened the rest of the robe and his hands took in every inch of her naked body.
She reached back and tangled her fingers in his hair. "You'll be by my side, won't you?"
Slowly, agonizingly, he trailed his lips up to her ear. "Every moment." He pulled her earlobe into his mouth and sucked.
Katniss felt her eyes roll back into her head. "Good. I'm going to need you."
"I need you now." Peeta scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. Slowly, he pulled her dressing gown aside. His fingertips glided over her skin as he took her in. "Tomorrow you officially become a princess. You won't be just mine anymore."
She smiled. "No matter princess or kitchen maid, I'll always be just yours."
He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss over her lips. "Do you promise me?"
She gently cupped his cheeks. "I promise."
Peeta grinned and stood to remove his clothes. Katniss wet her lips as she watched him hungrily.
"Hurry!" She begged.
"I'd rather not." He tugged Katniss to her feet and pushed the dressing gown off her shoulders.
Hands roamed over familiar flesh. They set her skin on fire and her heart pounded harder. Her breath became ragged and she opened her mouth to beg him to take her already.
He stole the words with a deep kiss. He moved closer, letting his erection press into her.
She squeezed his hips and pulled him toward the bed. "Peeta, please."
"You could beg me from your knees."
"I'd rather see you on yours." She sat on the edge of the bed and spread her legs wide.
Biting his lip, Peeta dropped to his knees in front of her. "This is my second favorite view of you." He trailed kisses up her thigh.
When his mouth made contact with her swollen clit, she took in a sharp breath. "And what is your first?"
He lifted his head and gave her a smile that revealed his dimples. "You moving over me." He pressed his mouth to her once more, sucking hard.
Katniss dropped her legs down on his shoulders and tangled her fingers in his hair. She leaned back on her other hand and let the waves of pleasure start to flow through her. Peeta was making the most satisfying sounds as he worked his mouth over her.
She stepped over the ledge and grasped his hair tight in her fingers. She let out a string of incoherent words and then fell back on the mattress panting heavily.
Peeta trailed his hands over her body as he stood and hovered over her. His lips brushed against hers as he spoke. "Are you tired now?"
"Far from it." Katniss gave him a kiss. "Are you?"
"No." He lifted her up and laid her along the bed. "I wish I could live inside you forever."
"It would make being productive a little difficult, don't you think?"
He slid into her. "Perhaps so." He kissed her softly. "But I really like it here." He began to move and she met every stroke.
Peeta rested his forehead against Katniss's and started murmuring how much he loved her. She wrapped her arms around his back and tangled her leg around his. She adored every moment they exchanged pleasure, but she loved it most when their skin slicked up with sweat and slid together.
His eyes fell shut and he gritted his teeth. It was a sign he was growing closer.
She kissed him and whispered, "It's all right, my darling."
He let himself go, crying out softly as he came.
She continued to whisper to him as he came back down to himself. He kissed her several times before he moved away.
The room was quiet save for their breathing. Katniss pulled the blanket over the both of them as she moved to rest her head on Peeta's shoulder. He kissed her forehead just before she let sleep take her.
Katniss was pulled, poked, and prodded until she was in her perfect regal appearance. She sent the team away and walked through the door to Peeta's room. She paused when she saw him with his hair perfectly parted and his new clothes tailored to perfection. The coat and breeches were a beautiful shade of blue that matched his eyes and the waistcoat underneath was her favorite shade of green.
"You are beautiful," she sighed.
He smiled. "If I'm beautiful, then you are radiant." He took her hands in his and kissed them. "I will be beside you every moment I am allowed."
"I'm a princess, I think I should be able to have a say of what you're allowed." She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"We are going to be late." He pulled away and slipped his hand into hers. "Come along. You should eat something."
"I'm too nervous to eat." They walked together downstairs.
Prim leaned against the wall wearing a white dress with purple trim. "I'm so nervous. Katniss, are you nervous?"
"I'll be better once this is all over." Katniss walked into the breakfast room with Peeta.
Prim followed. "How long will it all take?"
"All day." Peeta said. "My grandfather used to talk about your grandfather's coronation as king. The parade, the ceremony in the church, the dancing in the streets, celebrations all through the city. It might be a little different with a pair of princesses." He leaned forward and whispered, "I've heard rumors that citizens are hoping for a better reign from you."
Katniss smiled. "I suppose we shall see."
There was a commotion outside. Peeta stood to find out what was going on, but was met at the door by a footman.
He bowed. "Your grace, there is a bit of a situation."
Prim's eyes went wide. "Rory!" She exclaimed, running toward a boy standing just outside.
Katniss noticed the others standing behind them and pushed past Peeta and the footman. "Mrs. Hawthorne, you are most welcome." She smiled at Vick and then her eyes fell on the little girl. "My, Posy, how you've grown."
The little girl dipped an unsteady curtsy. "Hello, your highness."
Katniss leaned down, "You don't need to curtsy to me, darling."
Posy smiled shyly and pressed her face into her mother's skirt.
Hazelle wrapped her arms around her children when Peeta met them. "I apologize for arriving through the front door, your grace. Vick isn't well and the walk has tired him."
"I apologize," Peeta said, "I would have sent a carriage had I known."
Katniss lifted her hand to Vick's brow to feel for a fever and his skin felt wet. "Davis, bring him to a room and send for a doctor."
"Yes, ma'am." The footman hurried off to do her bidding.
"We have to go," Peeta said softly in her ear.
"I know." Katniss turned to the Hawthornes. "We will return as soon as possible."
"No need to rush," Hazelle said, "We can settle in just fine."
Prim opened her mouth to ask something, but she was interrupted when the carriage was announced.
"I will see you later," Prim promised Rory.
Rory smiled. "I look forward to it."
Prim watched out the window until the house was out of sight. "Why are they here?"
"New servants," Peeta explained. "The housekeeper is ready to retire, so Mrs. Hawthorne will take over."
"So I still can't marry Rory," Prim grumbled.
Peeta gave her a playful grin. "Not officially."
Katniss squeezed his hand. "How do plan on doing that?"
"I don't know yet. But you will be with the man you love, Primrose. I will see to it."
Prim beamed. "Thank you, Peeta."
"Does His Majesty know?" Katniss asked. "That Gale's family is working for us?"
"He may. But he cannot control all things. I can hire whomever I want."
The closer they got to the palace, the thicker the crowds got. Most everyone was shouting with happiness, but a few spit at their carriage and shouted curses.
"Popular, aren't we?" Prim quipped. Katniss stopped her from making a rude gesture. Prim glared. "They started it."
"You're a princess, Prim, so act like it," Katniss admonished.
Prim sighed and then turned to the window with a large smile.
Peeta leaned in and whispered in Katniss's ear, "How are you?"
Katniss smiled. "Fine." She squeezed his hand again.
The carriage pulled through the palace gates. There was a crush of people at the gate preventing easy closure, but it was eventually latched. A line of open carriages sat in front of the main doors.
Peeta, Katniss, and Prim were escorted into the ballroom that was packed with members of the peerage. It was still quite early in the day, but it was evident they had been drinking a lot.
King Coriolanus sat at the top of a raised stage watching over the merriment. There were two smaller thrones beside his. Peeta escorted them to the stage and bowed low to the king.
"Katniss and Primrose, please sit," the king said. "Mallory, you are not needed."
Peeta looked between his wife and her sister. "Your Majesty, I would prefer to stay with Princesses Katniss and Primrose."
"And I would prefer some time to speak with my granddaughters." King Coriolanus waved his hand.
Peeta nodded and reluctantly walked away.
Katniss saw him take up position right at the foot of the steps. She smiled at him gratefully as she dropped into the seat beside her grandfather.
"That is a very beautiful dress you're wearing, Katniss," King Coriolanus said. "And you, Primrose. You took your looks from your mother."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prim said.
Katniss looked her grandfather over. He looked pale and his breathing seemed forced. "Are you well?"
The look he sent her was almost like a blow. But his words and smile were a complete contrast. "I am in the best of health, my dear. Do not worry. You won't be taking this throne any time soon."
Katniss decided not to press it and sat quietly. Prim, however, chattered on. She pointed out the fashions she loved the most as they passed her by. Katniss indulged her sister's babbling, but she kept an eye on her grandfather.
Before too much longer, they all made their way outside for the processional to the church.
Peeta glued himself firmly between Katniss and Prim as they walked out to the carriages. However, he was not allowed in the same carriage as his wife and sister-in-law. Katniss watched as he reluctantly took a spot in the carriage that would follow.
The streets seemed even more packed as the carriages drove through them.
And then it all happened so fast Katniss didn't know until later what was going on. There was a shout and someone pulled her from the carriage. It rolled on ahead and she screamed for her sister until her throat was raw.
Katniss was pulled into the crowd by someone very strong. He murmured in her ear, "Don't struggle, your highness. And don't worry, you and your sister will be reunited."
She recognized the voice, but there was too much commotion to see who was there. "And Peeta?"
"Fighting a good fight, ma'am. Don't worry."
A few minutes later, she was pulled into an unassuming carriage that immediately took off. She looked around to get her bearings.
"Katniss!" Prim exclaimed as she threw herself into Katniss's arms.
With great relief, Katniss pulled Prim onto her lap and held her close until the carriage stopped.
"Where are we?" Prim asked, lifting her head up.
They had arrived at the back door of their home. They were quickly ushered inside. That's when Katniss noticed the armed guards at every door and window on the ground.
Finnick said, "This is a coup, Your Highness. As soon as things are secure, the coronation you attend will be for a queen."
"Where is Peeta?" Katniss grabbed his arm. "Mr. Odair, please tell me—"
"He will be fine." Finnick said. "You have to trust him. You have to trust us." He nodded behind her.
Katniss turned to see Gale, much cleaner than the last time she'd laid eyes on him but still just as thin. She turned and ran to him, pressing her eyes into his shoulder.
"You're out," She whispered. "And you smell a lot better."
"Thank you." Gale snorted. "Your friend there snuck me out while the celebrating was happening."
Katniss turned to Finnick and gave him a rare smile. She turned back to Gale. "You'll stay here as long as you need. And make sure you eat."
"Mama has already made sure I had lunch." He kissed her hand and then opened his arms. "Come here, Primrose."
Prim stepped into his arms. Katniss watched a moment as they pair reunited. All the Hawthornes were like their family and Prim had felt Gale's loss almost as much as Katniss had.
Katniss turned to Finnick. "When do you think we will know something about my husband?"
"There is no way to know," Finnick explained, "He was part of the group that was to detain your grandfather until his trial."
"He won't survive it," Katniss said softly.
She suddenly felt too exposed. There were just too many people. Without a word, she hurried up to her room.
