Hello all! I hope that if you are in America, you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We were sick. Blah! I'm so tired of sick people lol…
I need to thank the usual suspects, norbertsmom, Maria, and fremus.
I have some exciting news! Over on Tumblr, I am organizing a holiday writing thingy that I'm calling "Winter in Panem". So be on the look out for some holiday fics coming up that week of December 20th! Many have said that they are working on something and I can't wait to read! I know that I'm working on a (yeah, I know) Twisted Christmas and maybe a Christmas from this little fic? Would that be a good thing? To have a glimpse of what is coming, six months from now? Its something that I can do to thank all of you for reading, and following/favorite and for commenting!
And.. this is the chapter you have all been waiting for! Enjoy!
A couple of days later, Katniss marries Peeta while a very excited Violet and Ethan dance around them. Father Plutarch blesses them, and their friends and families bear witness. After Peeta gives her a chaste kiss, her entire village gives them a cheer.
Several ladies of the village prepared a wedding breakfast with enough food for everyone. Katniss tries to feel happy, instead feels too overwhelmed to really do anything but wonder if she has done the right thing by marrying the king. Several tables have been arranged outside of Haymitch's house so everyone could enjoy the celebration. As the guest of honor, King Peeta sits at the head of Haymitch's long table that they brought outside with Katniss sitting to his left.
She reaches for her glass of wine and bumps into his hand instead. Their gazes meet, and each gives up a nervous chuckle. "Are you nervous too?" she asks a little breathlessly.
She watches him swallow hard and quickly takes a gulp of his own wine. He leans over so he can whisper, "You, besides Ethan, and now Violet are the only things I've ever really wanted in my life. And now I'm afraid I've lost you."
"Why would you ever say that?"
He brings her hand up to his mouth and murmurs against her knuckles, "I just want you to know that I married you because I want you to be mine. Not for any other reason." He presses a lingering kiss. "I'm in love with you, Katniss."
With his words, all of the worries she had about marrying this man are gone. She no longer cares that her entire village watches her claim his lips. It's not until she hears the cheer that she tries to stop, but he keeps her there by gently cupping her face. She sees the grin in his eyes when he says, "I think I've been waiting for you forever."
Not sure how to answer him, she instead presses another kiss to his lips. Katniss only pulls away when she hears Prim behind them chuckling. Katniss scowls at her sister while she refills their goblets.
The rest of the day passes in a whirl between the eating, the villagers wishing them well, and the celebrating. When Katniss finally realizes that it's dark, she only has to look at Peeta's face to see how exhausted he truly is.
"You must be tired," she leans over to murmur in his ear. "We need to be on the way."
He grabs her hand, and then pulls her onto his lap. The men at the table chuckle at her as she scowls at him. They make their excuses and leave. "Where are we going?" He asks.
"Aren't we going to the castle tonight?"
He shakes his head and kisses her. "Your mother asked if Violet and Ethan could stay with her tonight and I thought we would stay here one more night."
"Really?" She would never admit out loud how relieved his words make her feel. It must show on her face because he hugs her tight.
"If I could I would move the castle here to your village. I'm afraid your friends and family would be very upset with me."
She chuckles. "Probably. So you are going to stay in my cottage with me, tonight?"
He steals another kiss. "There is no where else I would rather be."
She surprises him by leaping off of his lap, and reaching down to help him to his feet. Once he is up, she says, "Let's go check on Violet and Ethan."
He nods, and hangs on to her as they make their way across the yard to her mother's cottage. They find Lily sitting outside her door in an old chair that Katniss remembers her father making long ago. Lily stands up and wraps Peeta in a hug. It warms Katniss' heart to see her family welcoming him. Lily hugs her next, whispering, "Congratulations dear. I think you two will make one another very happy."
She whispers back, "I hope so Mother. Have you seen Violet and Ethan?"
Lily pulls away with a big grin and a finger to her lips. She opens her front door, and Katniss and Peeta both peek into see Ethan and Violet curled up on a sleeping pallet in front of the fireplace fast asleep. "They are—"
Peeta interrupts Katniss, "Safe and cozy."
Lily says behind them, "They are fine. I'll come and get you if they need you, but they were so very tired, I doubt they will be waking before morning."
Katniss sighs, "Alright mother." She kisses her on the cheek. "We'll see you in the morning."
Some of the men hear them talking, and word quickly spreads through the crowd that the bride and groom are headed to their bed. Peeta chuckles along with the wishes from his people while Katniss gives them a weak smile. She isn't surprised when Madge and Jo pull her aside before they make it to her cottage.
"I'm so happy for you! Why didn't you tell us that you were meeting the king?" Madge whispers.
"Yeah, how long have you been meeting him?" Jo adds.
Katniss looks over her shoulder and sees Peeta talking to Gale and Thom. She returns her attention back to her friends. "I saved his son last summer." Peeta rejoins her side and offers her friends a smile while he slides his arm around her waist. Katniss sees the look in his eyes and she feels the wonderful warmth touching her every nerve. She glances at her friends and says, "Goodnight, ladies."
She hears Madge bust out laughing, while Jo says, "Alas, my night won't be as good as yours! Goodnight, Your Majesty!"
Katniss almost shoves Peeta into her cottage and slams the door, latching it behind her. Someone has already been in here, and with how close Madge and Jo were, she is guessing that it was them. There are gentle candles lit throughout and she can smell the herbs they use to clean with. She can't stop the tears that spring to her eyes, touched that her friends would do this for them.
She watches him in the candlelight looking around, his eyes lighting up when he sees her. He must see the moisture in her eyes because he closes the space between them quickly. "What's wrong?" He asks as he wipes her cheeks.
"They came in and cleaned up the cottage for us."
Peeta nods, and pulls her into a hug. He presses a kiss against her temple, and whispers, "We don't have to if you don't want to."
She looks up at him, worry on her face. "Is your leg hurting you? Let's sit down—"
"Its not hurting, I didn't know—"
"Oh," she says, feeling the heat that she knows is making her cheeks rosy. She swallows hard before she stumbles over her words, "No, I mean I want you. I want to have our wedding night."
In the low candle light of her cottage, she watches the same flush climb high on his cheeks. He clears his throat. "Good, because I think all I've done is dream about you."
She smiles as she remembers the dreams she has been dreaming about him this past year. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. Its not like we are virgins or anything like that."
He clears his throat and smiles sheepishly. "I have a confession." She doesn't say anything, but instead waits for him to finish. "I am a virgin."
She searches his eyes, and she shakes her head when she sees the same mischievousness in his eyes that often light up Ethan's. "Well then sire, if you are a virgin, I am sorely disappointed. I was anticipating your seduction this eve."
He chuckles. "Oh my lady, my seduction is but a simple one. I was just going to tell you how beautiful you are and beg you to let me in your bed."
She sighs, a big and overly dramatic thing, "Well I suppose that would work—"
Before she can say anything else, he sweeps her up into his arms. "Peeta! Put me down!"
"Be still," he commands. "I've got you."
He carries her towards the bedrooms. "But your leg. Are you sure you are alright?"
"My leg is fine." He stops outside the bedroom doorways. "Now, which bed is ours?" He asks. She can finally see into her room where Madge and Jo have light the room with even more candles. "Ah, I'm guessing this is it?"
He sets her down on her feet, so she is looking away from him at the bed. She is speechless as she takes in the Katniss blossoms covering the bed. He murmurs in her ear, "They did all this for us?" He waits for her to nod, still unable to speak. He whispers, "What kind of flowers are those?"
She can no longer keep her emotions in check when she says, "Katniss flowers."
He presses a kiss on her neck. "That is sweet. Should we move them off the bed?"
She doesn't say anything, but steps forward to gather the gentle blossoms together. She puts them on the side table. Its not until she sees his hands gathering them up on the other side of the bed that it hits her, she truly is married to this man that she has been dreaming about for a very long time.
She isn't sure what to say, but she does know what she wants to do. She waits for him to finish, before she lets the words, "I want you to kiss me," tumble out of her mouth.
He must be nervous also because in spite of his still sore leg, he meets her on her side of the bed in just a couple of bounds. He gently cups her cheeks, and in that breath before he kisses her, she knows that this is real.
She kisses him, but only for a moment. She pushes away from him, but only so she can guide him to sit down on the bed behind him. She notices how stiff he eases himself down, so she asks, "Are you sure that you feel like doing this tonight?"
He sighs, "I've been waiting for you for what feels like forever-" She gets on her knees before him while he is still talking and smiles a secret smile to herself when he loses his words. She reaches for his boots, and begins to unlace them.
He chuckles, and she eases the boot off then she starts on his other one. After they are off, she straightens up, and reaches for his shirt. He meets her with a quirked eyebrow. "Its your turn next," he says, his voice doing good things to her.
She reaches for his pants, loosening the ties. She can feel him looking at her, but she won't meet his eyes. She scoots back and he stands up. She slides his britches down, swallowing hard when she sees his bulge under his smalls. He offers her his hand, and she grabs it so he can help her up.
When she is on her feet again, he turns her around so he can loosen the ties of Annie's dress. "is it loose enough? I-I-I have never done this before."
"You've never unlaced a dress before?" she asks, surprised.
Out of the corner of her eye, she can see him shake his head. He whispers, "Amelia never needed me like this—"
Katniss isn't sure what to say so she murmurs instead, "Loosen it a little more."
She catches the dress and holds it over her breasts before it hits the floor. She can't stop the delightful shiver that races down her spine when she feels his breath on her bare skin before he runs his fingertips down her spine. Her goose bumps rise up to meet him. He presses a kiss on the top of her spine, making her gasp in surprise.
He eases her back around so he can face her. He breathes, "You are so beautiful."
At his words, she lets the gown slide down her body. She might be wearing one of Annie's dresses, but she has on underthings that someone made just for her for tonight. Pieces of delicate fabric, Annie said was silk, meet Peeta's eyes.
She steps out of the dress and her shoes, leaving them all in a puddle on the floor. She meets Peeta's stare with a small smile when she sees his ever growing hardness rising up to meet her. Neither one of them says anything as he gathers her in his arms. He claims her lips, and she sighs happily.
This time it's him who ends the kiss first only so he can ask her, "May I have you?"
She answers him with only a nod, and she starts backing up, pulling him along with her. She stops only because the bed hits the back of her legs. She eases the so skinny straps off of her shoulders and as the silk as it runs down her body, it leaves even more goose bumps in its wake. She looks down and she watches him step closer to her, so close that their toes are touching. He skims her arms, barely touching her and she looks up at him with a question on her lips. She doesn't get a chance to ask when he is answering her thoughts. "I never got to see Amelia this way. Our marriage was an arranged one," he gives a bitter chuckle, "we never even slept in the same room. I only went to her when she called for me. I could bring in a single candle then I had to blow it out when I was there. I never—"
Katniss smiles, and climbs up on the bed. He follows her and she can see now how he hesitates, unsure. She says, "I'm yours tonight." She lays down and welcomes him into her arms. "I'm yours always. Will you make love to me?"
He nods and brings up his hand, unsure where to touch her. She puts her hand over his, and guides him to her breast. He cups her gently, and she runs her fingers through his messy curls. "Kiss me," she sighs. He leans up, aiming for her mouth but she shakes her head guiding his mouth to her nipple.
He looks up at her and she can see the question in his eyes. She nudges him to her breast and moans when his mouth finally finds her. He stops and she can see the fear in his eyes. "You didn't hurt me, it felt good."
"It did?"
She nods. "It did." She grins when he returns to her, making her desire for him pool in her center. He kisses his way to her other breast, making her hips buck. That, it seems he understood. she throws her leg over him, and feels where he still has his smalls on. She hooks her toes in them and says, "I want you see you."
"You do?" he asks after he lets her nipple go with a pop. She nods, and he gets up the best he can and slides them down. He is fully erect now, and she knows how wet she is.
"I need you," she says, unable to keep the whine out of her voice. He smiles when he sees her parting her legs for him.
"Are you sure?"
"Peeta!"
He climbs over her, and this time he gives her wink. "This part I know how to do," he says.
"Well show me," she chuckles, months of frustration making her eager. He slides in easy and they both moan together. He stills, enjoying her heat, and she pants wanting more. Its been so long for the both of them, it only takes a moment for them both to come together. He falls to the mattress beside her, pulls her into his arms, and they both doze off together.
She wakes up, wrapped up in his arms. She doesn't want to move, but her bladder demands that she does. She is able to unwrap herself and hurry over the chamber pot. After she cleans herself, and looks back to the bed, where her husband watches her. She rejoins him under the covers where he greets her with a kiss and by pulling her as close as possible.
He is bolder than he was the night before when he cups a breast before he makes his way down to her center. "What are you doing?" She asks.
He gives her another kiss then says against her lips, "I'm telling my wife good morning."
She chuckles against his lips before he claims hers. She runs her fingers through his messy-morning curls while he cups a breast. He pinches her nipple so she tugs on his curls. He pulls away only so he can find that same nipple so he can bite it. She pants, "Peeta."
He hums, "What?" against her skin, sending ripples of delight through her.
"I need you," she whispers.
"Oh you do?" He teases as he runs his hand down her torso. She loves the way he is looking at her right now, never wanting to forget it. He finds her clit, and he pinches it just like he did her nipple. The orgasm is quick, leaving her breathless in its wake. Before she has a chance to catch her breath, he is on top of her, sinking into her depths making them both moan together. He leans over her, kissing her again as he pumps in and out of her. The bliss that washes her over is so great, all she can do is hang on to him as they come again together.
After they catch their breaths, they help each other get dressed while they steal kisses. Katniss turns to exit the bedroom, but Peeta grabs her arm. He steals another kiss, then asks, "Are you and Violet packed?"
She shrugs, not wanting to meet his eyes, nervous with her answer. "There isn't that much to pack, but yeah, we are ready."
He pulls her back into his arms. "Do you know what I'm looking forward to the most?" She shakes her head. "I get to spoil you and Violet. New gowns, new shoes, I'm even going to get Violet a pony."
She opens her mouth, wanting to say something, but glad when he kisses her instead. "Lets go get Violet and Ethan so we can go home, alright?"
She smiles at him, even though his words make her stomach churn. After kissing her mother and Prim goodbye, they gather in the carriage from the castle. Katniss and Violet's meager belongings, including her bow and quiver, are under their feet. Both sets of eyes grow wide when they feel the carriage lurch forward. Katniss smiles when she sees Ethan grab Violet's hand.
Katniss is used to walking to the castle and it taking an hour to get there. With four horses pulling, it takes them no time to reach the castle. It's not until they reach the front door and stop that it really hits her, she married the King of Dosean yesterday.
She looks out the carriage window and sees people, many of them her friends, lined up on the steps leading up to the great doors. Peeta squeezes her hand and whispers, "Look at me." She finds his eyes, looking at her with concern. "Are you alright?"
She glances at the children who are on the opposite seat looking at her with worry in their eyes. So she nods, not wanting to scare them. "I think so."
He watches her for a moment more, before he taps on the door. The door flies open and the man sets down a step. Peeta gathers the cane that still has to use, and scoots to the edge of his seat. He isn't able to get to his feet the first time, so Katniss, not thinking of anything but to help her husband, she lays a hand on his arm stilling him. She slides out of the carriage ahead of him, and reaches in so she can help him out. She isn't sure, but it looks like the look he gives her is one of relief. He accepts her hand, but whispers, "I should be the one helping you."
When he is standing beside her, she stands on her tiptoes and gives him the lightest of kisses on his cheek. She murmurs, "When you are well again, you can carry me around the castle. Until then, let your wife," she smiles at her own words, "help you."
He chuckles. "Is that a promise?"
She rolls her eyes but nods anyway. Its only when they hear the children behind them that they turn back to the carriage. Somehow when she sees Violet sticking her head out looking around her in amazement, with Ethan beside her, she knows that everything is going to be alright.
"Do you want to go see my room? Hey, Dad? Where is Violet's room going to be?"
Peeta pats Ethan on the back. "I'm not sure yet, Mac. Why don't we show them the downstairs, then we'll take them upstairs?"
"But Dad—"
"What Mac?"
Katniss' heart warms when Ethan takes Violet's hand. "I was just wanting to show her first."
She squeezes Peeta's hand, getting his attention. When he looks at her, she gives him a slight nod. He smiles back then says to the children, "Show her your room."
Ethan lets out a loud whoop and pulls Violet after him into the castle. Their parents watch them, laughing as they go. Peeta offers her his arm, and says, "Shall we?"
Her hand shakes as she loops it through his elbow. Even though he has to hold on to his cane, he brings his arm closer to his side, making her step closer too. She loves the way he feels, and it makes her feel better.
She keeps up with him and asks, "Is your leg paining you?"
"A bit. It will be alright once we get inside," Peeta says.
They both smile when Sae is the first one who comes forward. She bows into a curtsy which makes Peeta laugh and instead pull her into a hug. Katniss knows that Sae has been to see him at Haymitch's several times, but Sae still wipes tears from her eyes. When Peeta lets Sae go, she then gathers Katniss in a big hug too.
For the next half hour, Peeta introduces her to his staff. There are so many that Katniss knows that it will take her a while before she learns everyone. Sae must see the confusion in her eyes because while Peeta talks to one of his men, Sae surprises her with a gentle whisper, "You will learn them soon enough. Ask me if you need help." Katniss nods and then Sae motions towards the man Peeta is talking to. "That's Pollux. He is the one who keeps the castle running smoothly. He will do anything you ask. He just can't speak back to you. He came from another country years ago as a refugee."
"Why can't he talk?"
"Pollux stopped one day to help the princess. The king cut out his tongue for daring to even talk to her."
Katniss' hands fly to her mouth but they don't stop the gasp the escapes. She feels the embarrassment making her cheeks red when the King and Pollux both look at her. Peeta raises an eyebrow at her in question and she just shakes her head. He says something to Pollux and then crosses the room to be by her side. "What's wrong?"
"You didn't have to do that," she tries to keep her voice even and not horrified.
He turns her around so he can see into her eyes. "Yes, I did." He looks back at the staff who still linger in the foyer. "I'm going to show your lady up to the royal rooms. Thank you everyone."
They watch everyone disperse, and Sae asks, "Would you like a tray of tea brought up?"
Katniss is getting ready to go and fetch it herself when Peeta takes her hand and places it in his elbow. "Yes please Sae. And some little cakes for the children?" Sae smiles at them and heads off towards the kitchens. "I know it will take a little bit of time for you to get used to all of this."
By now, Peeta is leading her up the grand staircase. She has never seen anything as grand as this. Her stomach sinks and she wonders not for the first time if she made a terrible mistake.
When they reach the top, Ethan and Violet come running to meet them. They are both breathless, and Katniss sees the wonder on her daughter's face as she takes in her new home. "Mama! Isn't it wonderful?"
Ethan stills at Violet's words. He asks, "What am I to call you?"
Katniss looks at Peeta, wondering if he wants the castle staff to hear the conservation. She also wonders if she wants them to eavesdrop on their first moments as a family. Peeta wraps his arm around his son's shoulder's and says, "Let's show Katniss where she will be sleeping, alright?"
It makes Katniss' heart happy when Violet takes Ethan's hand and guides him along after them. Peeta takes them to a doorway at the end of the hall. He opens the door with a flourish, and bows to them. "Ladies first," he says and Violet answers him with a giggle.
Mother and daughter walk in. If she thought the down stairs were amazing, then these rooms, well she can't seem to be able to describe them. Rich, textured cloth lines the walls, ending at the molding on the floor. Rich carpets are at their feet, and Katniss just wants to take off her boots and and feel it with her bare feet. This first room has a sitting area in front of a grand fireplace. Then just beyond another doorway, Katniss can see the bottom of a huge four poster bed. Violet follows Ethan, leaving their parents alone for a moment.
"You are overwhelmed." He says, bringing her hands up to his lips. "I was afraid of this."
She shakes her head, wanting to say something, just not sure what. A knock on the door saves her from saying anything. Peeta starts to answer it, and she stops him. "Let me?"
He beams at her and she goes to open the door. Standing on the other side is Pollux with a tea set and the cakes Sae promised. She gets out of the way and Pollux sets it down on the low table in the room.
Pollux turns to leave but Peeta stops him before he can go too far. "Pollux, let me introduce my bride, Katniss." He looks around for a moment, then he points into the bedroom. "That little beauty in there is her daughter, Violet." Pollux bows deep but not before he gives her a big grin. When he straightens back up, he passes Peeta a note. They all wait for Peeta to read it. "Ah! Good news. Cinna will be able to come and measure you and Violet after all."
"What?" Even her own tone makes her flinch. "Who is coming to do what?" She scowls at Peeta.
She watches her husband nod at Pollux and he leaves, closing the door behind him. He doesn't meet her eyes, but instead calls, "Violet! Ethan! Pollux brought cakes!"
They run to the bedroom door, but slow down to a walk when they see their parents watching them. Both of them wear sheepish grins when they join their parents. Peeta motions for them to sit down.
Katniss sits and watches him unable to stand not knowing any longer. "Peeta, who is Cinna?"
Even Ethan sits up straighter. "Cinna is coming?" His excitement evident in his voice.
This time it takes Violet echoing her mother's question, "Who is Cinna?"
Ethan holds his arms out. And in a rush he says, "He comes with his measuring tape," Ethan's hands following his words. "He measures you here, and here. Then up brings it your legs—"
Peeta's cough interrupts, "Katniss and Violet aren't getting britches. I'm not sure how he will measure them for dresses."
Katniss looks down at her hands folded in her lap. She should have been expecting that they would need new dresses and such. She doesn't know what this feeling is that washes over her. If she hadn't been just a villager, she would have the clothes and the knowledge to be a proper wife for the king. Peeta joins her on the low couch. While the children chatter about the cakes.
He is still for a moment, but she won't look up from her lap, afraid of what will happen if she meets his gaze. Its not until his gentle hand settles over hers, that she looks up. He says, "Ethan, can you take Violet to the kitchens? Show her where they are and to tell Sae thank you?"
Katniss glances at them, and she smiles even though she wants to run back to her village. It's not until she hears the door close that Peeta says, "You look like you are going to run away."
She looks into his sweet sky-blue eyes, her heart telling her to stay. "Peeta—I don't belong here. Why can't I just be your mistress? You can come and visit anytime you wish—"
He interrupts her with a kiss. He pulls away from her with a loud pop. "I don't want a mistress, I want, no, need you to be my wife. I want to wake up with you tangled in the blankets with me every morning. I know that all of this is overwhelming for you. I wish I knew what to say to make it better. What I do know is that I love you. I love how you love the forest almost as much as you love your people. I love that you watch the children. You know where they are at all times. I love how you want to take care of me. Please don't change. Cinna is my tailor. Let me please give you and Violet some new dresses? If you must, then think of them as a wedding present." His words wash over her worry, washing it away.
She nods as he gives her another kiss. This time, he finds his way so he can kiss on her ear. She gives him a weak giggle and a light push. "The children—"
"Are on their way to the kitchen." He touches her knee through her skirts, and she leans back against the couch pulling away from him. He grins wolfishly at her, and reaches for the bottom of her dress and starts to ease it up to her knees. She shivers, feeling his skin against hers. the knock at the door interrupts him and he moans in his disappointment.
He goes to the door, and Pollux is there with another note. Peeta says, "Cinna is here, it seems. Pollux, can you go ahead and show him up?" Peeta waits for him to leave them once again before he mutters, "I'm starting to wonder if I will ever have you to myself again."
She goes to him, and pulls him into her arms. "There is always tonight. Maybe the children will go to sleep early?" She can't help to tease, trying to help herself feel better about this.
She glances over Peeta's shoulder to see a tall man standing in the hall. Peeta follows her gaze, and turns around. A grin appears on Peeta's face as they greet one another. Then Peeta pulls her to his side, and the look of pride on his face makes tears want to escape. "Katniss, this is Cinna. Cinna this is my wife Katniss."
Cinna bows low. "Your Majesty. It is an honor to be presented to you and it is a bigger honor for allowing me to make your trousseau."
She looks to Peeta, not sure what she should say, so he says, "There is also a new princess, Cinna. She will be back in a moment, I believe she is asking Sae for some more cakes."
Peeta and Cinna chuckle. "Well, maybe she will share with us her treasures." Cinna returns his attention back to Katniss. "Shall I measure you first, my queen?" He waves in a beautiful woman to assist him. "This is my Portia. She will be helping me today."
They step out of the way, so Cinna and Portia can come in. In a flurry of movement, they set up a couple of wooden boxes. That's when Portia pulls out a long, skinny piece of fabric. She bows her head and asks, "May I measure you? I might have a couple of dresses that will fit you now."
Katniss looks to Peeta, and he nods reassuringly. She can't help but to fidget under Portia's scrutiny. Portia gives her a gentle smile, and says, "I need to measure you now, without your dress. Would you like to go into your bedroom so I can measure you in your chemise?"
Katniss nods. "Oh please."
By the time Cinna and Portia set down their scissors and measuring tape, Katniss has two new dresses, Violet has three. Peeta approves many more dresses for both which Cinna promises will start arriving as soon as they are done with them.
No sooner than Cinna and Portia leave, Sae comes to their rooms with maids carrying their supper trays. Katniss feels guilty for feeling relieved for not having to go eat in the huge dining room down stairs.
The new family eats with the children directing the conversation. Katniss' heart warms when she sees how much Peeta enjoys the children. Soon they are finished, then Violet shows Katniss her room, which is right across the hall from her and Peeta's rooms and adjoins Ethan's room.
They play with Ethan and Violet until its bed time. Then after tucking them in and goodnight kisses, Katniss and Peeta go back across the hall to their rooms.
Katniss stops in the middle of the sitting room, watching Peeta approach her in the mirror hanging over the fireplace. She's never really seen such a big mirror, just the little one that Mitch used when he shaved, so she's only seen bits and pieces of herself.
He steps in behind her, and brings his hands up to her shoulders. He presses a kiss to her temple and says softly, "Have I told you lately that I'm glad that you are here?"
"Its been a couple of hours at least." She watches him continue to kiss her neck, enjoying the warmth that surges through her every nerve. "Are you sure about me? About this, about us, I mean?"
He turns her around and claims her lips. He murmurs against them, "I have never wanted anything more. Will you let me show you?"
This time, its her who raises the eyebrow. "Show me what?"
He smirks, and leads her into the bedroom, closing the door behind them.
Brutus stomps into the throne room, a familiar domain. He gives King Snow a smart nod and asks, "May I approach, my King?"
Snow waves everyone else away and motions for his man to step forward. Brutus gives him the missive that he was just given by the spy who came from Dosean just that morning. King Snow reads the note quickly, then crumples it up in his fist. He slowly raises his snake-like eyes and then surprises all who are left in the room when he slams his fist down on the throne. "He shouldn't have refused my offer. Ready the battle ships, Brutus. Someone didn't take your threats seriously. Now it's time to go get what I want, the countries of Dosean and Trideag."