I finished my review contest, and the winner was ! Congratulations! Just because the contest is over does not mean you should stop reviewing. You never know when I could be doing another. I will tell you some characters will have someone that will kill them, and it is going to be epic! This chapter has some INTENSE loving, and if you are reading this story, it is rated T for this very reason. Bring on the romance! Bring on the action! Bring on the bloodshed! OK, here's the last chapter before they go into the Arena! May the odds be ever in your favor.
Chapter 11- A Night of Luxury
I stood in awe. I had just announced to my parents and the rest of Panem that I was dating my parent's worst enemy's son, and everyone stood happy with that. Or at least they agreed. Maybe it was because my parents and Luke's parents understood what love was, and they fell in love when they were in the Games. They understand what the Capitol can do to two District children. It twists your emotions from hate to love, and soon enough, you're fighting to keep each other alive.
I'm too happy to speak. I pull Luke into my arms and kiss him. People sigh and gasp around us, and we stop. The blood rushes to my face and I turn around and see my father sniffling and getting teary. He storms away and I look at my mother for help. "It's probably just shock honey. He isn't used to seeing you kissing boys. He's never seen you give interest in boys."She tries to explain. But I understand it better than she does- my father is disappointed in me. I've only done something this sneaky a few times, and it had been alright before, but this time…this time I may have gone too far. "Why don't you two go and have some fun. Liz, come home by tomorrow at breakfast." My mom says. She walks away and everyone else slowly starts straggling out. A few people offer me a good job well done and others just shoot me a glare.
Luke and I are standing together, and I know Luke has something he wants to say. "What is it, Luke? What's wrong?" I ask. His lips part and before he can say a word, his father comes over. "Luke, your mom's on the phone. Here, I'll put her on speaker." He says, pushing a button. "Katniss, you're on speakerphone." Peeta says. "Hello everybody. Luke, how dare you do that to poor Elizabeth? She's the one that had to deal with the reaction, and I'm sure she had enough nerves and things she'd have to say without bringing your announcement in." Katniss yells. ", it's perfectly fine. We had this planned. Well, I did. Luke agreed to make me happy, like a true gentleman." I reply. "Elizabeth, darling, I didn't know you were there! Oh, how is your father? And your mother? How are they taking the news?" She replies. "My father's still a bit on shock. And my mom is…my mom. She's not very known for being accepting and gentle. This is changing her, I'm sure. Both of them are being accepting though." I say. "That is lovely, dearie. Now, Luke, if you wouldn't mind, I have some news that is best taken privately." Katniss says in her honey sweet voice. Luke takes the phone from his father and takes the speaker off. He presses it over his ear and walks away.
His father and I are standing together. "How did this happen? Luke never had direct contact with you, did he?" Peeta asks. "He came to District 2, and I was on my way to training, and we…bumped into each other." I reply. Peeta smiles. "That was quite the performance the two of you worked up. I remember the day that I told Panem I was in love with Katniss. We were both so young, so naïve, and I had no idea if she loved me back. It's wonderful that Luke will never have to wonder if he's loved. He'll always have you." He says.
"I got the idea of this when I was watching your Games. I've watched them so many times I can practically recite half the things said." I respond. "Why would you watch those horrid things?" He asks. "They inspire me, I guess. I want to be like my parents. And like you and Katniss. The four of you were my role models from the time I was three, and you still are. And I swear, I am going to get your son out of that Arena alive." I say.
This conversation has turned dark and depressing fast. Luckily, Peeta brightens it up again. "You say you've memorized things said, from the Games?" He says, smiling at me. I nod my head. "Prove it. What did your mother say when Katniss snuck off to the Feast and was going to be cut into pieces?" He replies back. I have memorized this. "OK. I can recite the entire conversation. Here it is- Clove: Where's your boyfriend, 12? Still holding on? Katniss: He's out now. Hunting Cato. PEETA! PEETA! Clove: (slaps Katniss) liar! He's nearly dead. Cato knows where he cut him. You've probably got him strapped up in a tree where you can keep his little heart going. Face it 12, we're going to kill you. Just like we killed your pathetic little ally. What was her name? The one who hopped around in the trees? Rue? Well, first Rue. Then you. Then I think we'll let nature take its course with Lover Boy. How does that sound? Now, where to start? How about your mouth? Yes, I don't think you'll have much use for your lips anymore. Want to blow Lover Boy one last kiss?" I stop after that.
The events happening after those words haunt my mind, and I find it incredibly hard to say anything else. My throat closes, and I start hiccupping. Even I can't go on with that conversation, even though I know my mom will live through the incident with Thresh, and my dad will win with her. I know they are fine, but I still think about what would have happened if Katniss hadn't saved her. What would have happened to my father if he found out she was dead. Peeta seems to understand. "I know. Thinking about it hurts." He says, wrapping a strong hand around my shoulders and hugging me.
Tears run down my pale face. I can't control it, and thank god the cameras are gone. Nobody can see my breakdown. "I never had a problem with it. I watched those Games, and each time I knew my parents wouldn't die like 22 others that were less fortunate. It never made me cry." I reply. Peeta holds me as I cry, and I think about how my own father never had to hold me like this. I had never cried in front of him. Or my mother for that matter. I had never cried to either of them. Never show weakness. That was the rule in our district. Luke walks over to us and stops with a confused expression on his face. His brow furrows in worry. I wipe away my tears and pretend nothing happened. His dad lets go of me and I kiss Luke to stop him from asking questions. It works pretty darn well. He takes my hand in his and brings his lips to my neck, kissing my from my shoulder to under my ear. "My room?" He asks. I throw a flirty smile at him.
He leads me off to his room, and I can't help but feel a little weird. Was this what that slime ball Miklisho did with the girls that were stupid enough to follow him? Was this the way they felt before they realized Miklisho had tricked them? I realize that I don't care. I am with someone that I love right now. I am going to have the most wonderful night of my life. This would be the first time we would sleep together and not care who happened to possibly walk in. We wouldn't think twice about stripping down to our underwear, because we don't have to hide anymore, from anybody. We would just do it, and we would enjoy our new found freedom.
He opens the door and I walk in, going right to the bed around the corner. He won't be able to see me until he gets close, and the lights are out. I sprawl out and look seductive, actually trying this time. I hear Luke's footsteps, and the light flicks on. "Hey there." He walks over to me and sprawls out next to me, taking my face in his hands. I tilt my head and he kisses me perfectly. Our lips were made to be touching. It isn't a wet, sloppy kiss, unless I want it that way. I push my tongue into his mouth and I feel his slide into my mouth. We have gotten so good at this.
His hands leave my face and go for the sleeves of my dress. He manages to pull them off my shoulders and kiss me at the same time. I reach behind my back and undo the corset. I can feel my blue silk bra under it. Luke reaches behind me and starts to pull the dress off my body. We are still kissing. My dress is down around my stomach and I wiggle it off completely, laying it on the bed behind me. I'm still wearing my midnight blue leggings, my bra, and my underwear. Now it's Luke's turn. I pull the buttons of his shirt and they come undone very quickly. In a few seconds, his shirt is off, revealing his gorgeous skin underneath. He is the most attractive boy I have ever seen in my life, and the first boy that I am seeing shirtless. His skin is flawless. No blemishes. Nothing that could make me want to leave. I love him so much right now that I can't even feel my lips anymore. Now that I am thinking about it, we have been kissing now for at least 20 minutes straight, and my lips have gone numb. I've never had that happen before.
He reaches down and undoes his belt and the button on his pants. He pulls his pants off, revealing his black boxers. Boys have so much less clothing. I pull of my leggings. And you can bet my bra is the first thing to go flying into the air. I am gasping with pleasure, moaning as he sucks on my neck. I am going to have such an amazing hickie in the morning. Wait, he better stop or my dad will kill him. I pull his lips away from my neck which takes a lot of effort. I am so tired already. My muscles are screaming at me to stop, but this is such a rush! Now I know how my parents felt when they were younger.
Luke and I are both in our underwear. I am so not ready for this. It's the ultimate test of love. It's the one thing that you wait for when you're in a relationship. Anyone can kiss and lay together in their underwear. But only the bravest and most in love people can allow each other into their body.
I don't want to seem young and naïve, but that is the way it will come across if I don't have sex with him tonight. It's why we're wearing barely any clothing. "Liz, are you sure about this?" Luke asks. "Yes. I love you, and this is my way to prove it." I say. I take my underwear off. I climb under the blankets and Luke climbs in next to me. He throws his underwear on the floor. "Are you sure?" I ask. "Yeah. I'm sure as I ever will be." He replies in a soft voice. He is making it so hard to think about saying no. I can't do this! Luke pulls me closer and I can feel his lower body near me. "Luke. I can't do this." I say. "I thought I could, but I can't." I continue. "I understand. I can wait until you're ready. I will always wait for you, no matter what." He whispers in my ear. "Let's make a promise. We'll do it on our honeymoon. It will be a little while, and by then I'll be ready." I say. "I love that idea. Just like I love you." He replies.
I lay my head on his bare chest. It's warm, and I feel safe here, with him. Nothing could ever take me out of this wonderful fantasy I am in. And I don't want to leave it. I kiss him, and feel my eyes get heavy. I close my eyes, sleeping on him, and I dream of him the entire time I sleep.
So, what did you think? Are you excited about the Arena? I know I am! Please, leave me a review or send me a message to let me know what you think. This is what I want you to do- in a review, write what you think positively. Then, write some constructive criticism, if you have any. Then rate it 1-10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. Then submit it and I can see it. And so can other people, so maybe a discussion would start. That would be so cool! Hope you liked the chapter. I had a lot of fun writing it. Delicious Love, MrsLukeCastellan. THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!
