"I can't have children."
President Snow seemed taken aback by my unyielding response.
"And why is that, Mrs. Mellark?" he asked with an inquisitive look on his face.
This is when I concluded that an honest answer wouldn't suffice.
"Because…I'm barren," I stated plainly, trying to keep my voice steady and my gaze directly on his.
A condescending laugh escaped Snow's artificially inflated lips. "That's what your husband said in the interview with Ceasar, Mrs. Mellark. Only when he said it I actually believed him."
Husband? My mind reeled for a moment while I sorted out the confusion. Oh, yeah. I remember now. My husband is Peeta. The one who is decorating cakes at the moment when he should be here with me!
"But I am barren," I insisted hurriedly. "We've been trying and nothing's worked so far."
"Don't lie to me, Katniss," Snow hissed with contempt in his voice. "There are two beds in this house, each in separate rooms. I am not one to be fooled."
"Why is it so important that I have children?"I demanded furiously.
Snow let out a slow, ominous chuckle as if my irritability was amusing. His breath reeked of a putrid mix of blood and rotting flesh.
"Do you honestly think that after a tribute wins the Games and is crowned Victor, that we just…leave him alone?" Snow asked making a sweeping gesture with his flabby hand. "That we just leave him here with a fortune at his feet and a mansion at his disposal, with no occupation to take up his time?"
"I'll be at the Reaping every year. And I'll be mentoring tributes throughout the games," I assure him hastily.
"Yes, and what will you be doing for the remaining eleven months of the year?"
"I'll be working on my talent."
"No, you'll be raising children. It will fit in perfectly with the star-crossed lover theme," he asserted.
"I told you already, that's not happening," I declared decisively. I could feel my frustration slipping out of my control.