This chapter has a trigger warning for a rape scene. Please read at your own discretion.

Leah Rockwell, 30 years old

18th May, ADD 30 (2230), one month before the 30th Hunger Games

I light the last candle and blow out the match. The faint smell of charred wood is quickly overpowered by the sweet scent of plum and rose. I breathe it in and smile.

These scented candles were such a good purchase! Hermes and I went on a trip to the Capitol recently for a photoshoot, and while I was there I took the opportunity to explore a few new shops which had opened up, one of which sold beautiful handmade cosmetics, soaps, perfumes and candles. They're all-natural too, using only the finest ingredients. Only the best for me, after all!

I'd bought a lot from that store. Hermes frowned when he saw the laden bags on my arms, but wisely didn't say anything. I bought it all for a very special occasion, which he will see very soon.

It's the fifteenth anniversary of when we became a couple. Of course I would go all-out for it!

There's special shades on the lamps, which give the whole room a warm, lusty atmosphere. The bedsheets are clean and I've scattered rose petals - real ones, not those horrid fake ones - over them. A ridiculously expensive bottle of champagne sits on the bureau next to two of our fanciest frosted glasses.

And, I'm wearing a brand-new set of lingerie. Hermes can't say that I don't treat him well.

Speaking of Hermes, where the fuck is he?

He had to do a lesson at the Academy and said he'd be back by seven, but it's now nine o'clock and there's no sign of him. Come on! After all the work I've done trying to make this night memorable! I deserve to have my time respected!

I wander over to the window, open the curtains, and look out over at Medea's house. I've caught Hermes sneaking over there before, and if he's there now, then so help me…

To my luck, most of Medea's curtains are open and I can see right into most of her rooms relatively clearly. She's having a gathering with all the other female Victors.

I remember now! She'd been bleating on about it for months now, saying how much fun she and the others are going to be having. She does this every time we get a new female Victor, but never before has she been so subtle about her dislike for me.

I fucking know that bitch deliberately scheduled it for this night. She knows it's an important date for us and I know she's trying to ruin it for us, because that's just how petty she is.

I watch the windows with narrowed eyes. If Hermes is indeed over there, no doubt he'd be in paradise, surrounded by easy women.

But I don't see Hermes. Instead, I see Berry balancing a stack of books on her head in the living room while Medea and Lillian cheer her on. I see Jemima twirling around with that old hag Garland, while obnoxiously loud music blasts from the stereo. I see Lapis surreptitiously stealing petit fours off the plate of Hillis, the newest, shiniest female Victor, while Victoria shakes her head with a frown.

Upstairs, Mara is adjusting her hair in the bathroom while chatting with Mags, who is balancing on the edge of the bathtub and leaning back to look at the ceiling, for some weird reason. And…

What's this?

Electra is in the master bedroom, rifling through Medea's bureau drawers. Every so often she'll take out an object, inspect it closely, then either put it back or stuff it down the front of her dress. I peer closely, wanting to see if I can catch a glimpse of what she's hiding in her dress.

Eventually Electra shuts all the bureau drawers and moves on to the bedside table. She pulls open the top drawer and shuts it immediately. She opens the second one down, and even though I'm watching at a distance, I can see her resting-bitch expression change into her version of gleeful.

She slowly reaches her hands into the drawer, but before I can see what she's grabbing, I suddenly hear a "Hi, Leah!" emanating from outside.

I look down to see that the living room window is now wide open and Garland is leaning out of it, with most of the others crowding round behind her. She waves jovially up at me.

I don't return it. Instead, I open my window and shout out of it. "What do you want?"

Garland doesn't falter in her annoying enthusiasm. "Just saying hi! What are you up to?"

I fold my arms and glare down at her. "I was trying to have a nice, romantic, peaceful, evening with Hermes, thank you very much!"

Garland grins at me. "But he's not in the house yet, is he?"

"How the hell do you know?"

"Because I can see him walking through the front door. Hi, Hermes!"

And, unbelievably, I hear him call out a hello in return, which makes everyone giggle. Then the front door swings shut with a bang.

Now that their entertainment is over, those next door shut the window and return to their business. Good. About time.

I look upstairs. In the bathroom, Mara and Mags stare at me for a moment then continue their conversation. In the master bedroom, Electra's eyes meet mine, before she shuts the drawers and scurries out the room like a frightened rabbit.

I decide to keep what I saw to myself. Medea can handle having a few of her belongings pinched; she can afford to replace them. And, let's be honest: she deserves it.

I listen as Hermes drops his stuff in the entrance hall and thuds up the stairs in those ridiculous thick-soled shoes that I hate so much. When he enters the room, I'm already severely displeased.

He looks around the room. "Hello, honey. Have you been planning something?" He kisses my cheek. I grunt in response. Then I notice he has something in his hands. A rectangular-shaped wrapped gift tied with a bow.

He holds it out to me with a smile. "Happy anniversary, Leah."

I take it and tear off the wrapping paper. Inside is a box of lotions and skin creams. Moonlight Magic, the label reads. With soothing scents for the ultimate in comfort and relaxation. Guaranteed for a good night's sleep. And there are magnolias on the labels! Not a bad gift, Hermes. Not bad at all.

"Thank you," I say, then put the box on my bureau. "Now, it's time for me to give you my gift."

Hermes gives me a tired smile. "I think I can guess what it is."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" I plant my hands on my hips. "Get undressed, and then we can get down to business."

Hermes's smile falters as he rubs the back of his neck. "Actually Leah, I'm feeling pretty tired tonight. Can we do this some other time?"

I stare at him in shock. What the fuck is wrong with him? First he shows up late, wasting my precious time, then he doesn't want to do anything?

I fold my arms. "Excuse me, but can't you see how much work I put in to make tonight special? The least you can do is be a little more reciprocative."

"I'm sorry Leah, but I just don't feel like it tonight. I appreciate the work and all, but I've had a long day and I just want to sleep." Hermes starts undressing and I feel my blood beginning to boil.

I'm not about to let all my hard work go to waste! I did not wait up an extra couple of hours just for him to blow me off as if I was nothing!

Hermes dresses in his pyjamas and crawls into bed, shutting off his lamp. I get in next to him, turning off my own lamp.

"I'm sorry," I lie. "I'm just disappointed, that's all."

"I'm sorry too. I'm just not in the mood tonight. I promise I'll make it up to you sometime soon." He gives me a peck on the cheek, then rolls over onto his side, facing the window with his back to me.

There! I've gotten him to lower his guard! It's too easy, really. Hermes is so gullible. Does he actually think I'd give up so easily?

The only light in the room comes from the scented candles. I watch the light flicker off of Hermes's hair for a while until I'm sure he's asleep, or at least close to it. Then I make my move.

Moving quickly, I lay his body flat on the bed and then straddle him. I roughly press my lips to his as I wind my fingers through his hair. If I feel really closely in just the right spots, I can feel the scar from when he had to go to hospital.

I run my fingers along it. A reminder of what happens when you cross me.

Hermes stirs beneath me. His arms raise up, his hands press against me, trying to push me off, but I don't let him. Instead, I kiss him harder, biting his lip, reminding him who's in charge here.

He'll give up soon. He'll realise how futile it is, and stop resisting. He always does.

Just then I hear a new song begin to play from Medea's house. This song is hellishly loud, with so much bass that it's practically shaking her house and ours.

Out of frustration, I bite Hermes's lip. Hard. He winces. I growl at him and he pipes down.

I wish everyone would just shut the fuck up sometimes.

I'm so sorry everyone. I felt gross just writing this.