Peeta's POV
I stare into the mirrors in front of me and Portia finishes dressing me for tonight. The Prince's ball, what a joke, I know my mother hopes I will find a wife here tonight. But she will not be here, whoever she is. My hair is combed back, the natural curl of my hair only evident on the nape of my neck. Portia finishes the last hem on my pant leg and announces I am ready. My scheduled appearance is not for another twenty minutes, but I can hear the music and revelry already taking place in the ballroom. Effie arrives shortly to escort me to the ballroom. My mother takes my arm and the announcement is made from the other side of the grand doors. With the final words the doors open and we take our steps forward. Every man and woman bows as we enter the room and they rise to watch us descend the grand staircase to the ballroom below. The stairs we are descending connect to the balconies and sitting areas that surround the walls and overlook the dance floor below. As we reach the bottom of the stairs the crowd of people part for us. It is tradition for the King and Queen to have the first dance, but since my father is gone I have to fill in.
My mother and I twirl about the floor and when the dance is almost through she speaks to me, "Peeta dear, please do try and find a wife." Her voice is kind, but it is a false kindness. "I want to live to see my grandchildren." Just what she needed was young minds to mold to her evil ideals. I nod and smile at my mother, making false promises to do my best. She cares not for my ideas of destiny and love. I bow to my mother as our dance comes to an end and we part ways to mingle with our guest.
I make my way to Annie and Johanna, "You ladies look stunning," I say with a bow. I provide each of my dear friends with a dance and afterwards we sit and share punch. In the middle of our conversation I hear the doors to the ballroom open and I look to see who has dared to defy my mother by arriving late. Two exceptionally handsome men descend the stairs and I hear Annie and even Johanna gasp at their beauty. The one is tall with olive skin and bright grey eyes, they remind me slightly of the eyes in my dream. He has dark brown, nearly black hair, his features are hard and he has the build of a warrior. The man next to him has bronzed skin, and vivid green eyes, his hair is like copper but his features are rather soft. His is slightly shorter than his counterpart but equally as muscled. What distinguishes them is their ruggedness. Most men in this room are extraordinarily well groomed, soft and clean shaven. But these men carry themselves with a tough and robust air.
I look back to see my friends reaction to these men. Annie's cheeks are flushed red and she seems to need to fan her self with her hand. Johanna's eyes are opened wider than normal and her jaw is slack. I can tell these unknown men have had quite an effect on my dear friends.
"These must be the guests from Silex." I hear someone mutter behind me.
That would explain why no one here seems to know them and also why they are late. Annie's familiar gasp brings me back to the present situation.
"Peeta," she whispers my name so quietly I am sure no one but me hears. I flick my eyes to hers and she nods back towards the stairs, "Look." It is the only word she can manage to say, but her eyes tell me that behind me is something I need to see.
I turn my head back to the two gentlemen who have now reached the bottom of the stairs they turn their heads and I follow their gaze. At the top of the stair is a woman dressed in a fine red gown. Her chocolate brown hair in intricate braids complemented by a pearl hairpiece, she has a striking figure and walks with grace I didn't know what possible. It seems as though her feet do not touch the floor, she merely glides over it. She is beautiful indeed, one of the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on but then I see why she gasped. The woman opens her eyes to survey the room; they are a silvery gray like the harshness of steel, but with all the magic contained in the stars. Those eyes, how I know those eyes.
Katniss POV
Every eye in the room seems to be on Gale and Finnick as they descend the stairs and I can hear the gasps and see the blush forming on the cheeks of many women throughout the crowd. They do clean up very nice. They are indeed handsome men. When they reach the bottom I being to descend the steps. This room is grand indeed; I lift my eyes to take in its beauty and grandeur. I had never been anywhere so magnificent. Except for the woods of course. Natural beauty always outweighs man made beauty. Many and eye is on me as I scan the crowd, taking in every person, object and exit. I can feel the stares of many eyes but one comes particularly strongly. I turn my head searching for the origin and am met with a pair of eyes bluer than the sky and the ocean together, and with more depth, emotion and power. I find that I am looking into the eyes of the Prince; I had seen him before, but never this close. He truly was a handsome man; the rumors had not done him justice. His gaze upon me is strange and I cannot make out the emotion in his eyes. I tear my eyes away and return my focus to the mission at hand.
At the bottom of the stairs I take Gale's arm and make my way towards the witch Queen herself. I bow, though the feeling makes me sick.
"Your highness I apologize most earnestly for our tardiness. I assure you we meant no offence." She offers me a cold smile.
"You must be Lady Delly Cartwright of Silex."
"Yes your highness. And this is Edward and George, my escorts." We bow and take our leave of her. Finnick offers his hand and I take it, he walks me out to the dance floor and Gale begins to stride around the room. Surprisingly Finnick is a magnificent dancer.
"Where did you learn to dance?"
He leans in to whisper, "Cato taught me." He lets out a throaty chuckle, and I let a happy laugh peal out of my throat. The thought of Cato and Finnick dancing is almost too much to bear. He smiles and I return it with a genuine smile of my own. His voice is low and undetectable to the untrained ear when he says, "You are very pretty when you smile Katniss." I lightly tap his arm and the dance continues.
"Ok Finn, what do you see?"
"Two guards at every door, except the one near bottom right behind the stairs." I nod ever so slightly.
"We shall wait till the drinks have been passed and the toasts have been given. Then with the inebriation setting in we can make our move." The dance comes to an end and we bow to each other. Finn leads me to where Gale has stopped.
I see Gale's body tense as he sees something behind me. I do not turn instead I wait for a signal from him. Behind me someone clears their throat and I turn to see the blue eyes of Peeta Mellark, Prince of Panem.
Peeta's POV
She finishes talking to my mother and the bronzed escort takes her out onto the dance floor. They are both beyond graceful on the floor and many a couple stops to watch them dance. I notice that she is far more practiced than he; although he is graceful his footing is not confident. However she floats like a swan on water. Graceful and beautiful, magnificent and radiant.
I make my way to my mother, "Mother who is she?"
"Lady Delly Cartwright from the kingdom of Silex." She replies coolly. And with that she walks away again to mingle with other important figures. I return to Annie and Johanna. Both of them still seemed to be slightly overwhelmed. I notice Annie's eyes are locked on the bronzed man, he smiles as he talks to the beautiful Delly, she smiles back at him and she is breathtaking. He whispers something in her ear and I find myself wishing that I was in his place. Jealousy touches me at the way he holds her and whispers in her ear. Then a laugh rings from her throat, it is a beautiful sound and I find myself quite curious as to what he said to make her laugh. Their dance comes to an end and they walk towards the tall, dark man. I grab Annie and Johanna's hands and place them on my arms guiding them forward to where they stand.
The tall dark man takes notice of us, but when I reach them I clear my throat to get her attention. She turns to me and her eyes widen ever so slightly. The three of them bow deeply before me. When she returns her eyes to me I take my chance. "Lady Delly Cartwright of Silex it is an honor to meet you."
She shakes her head and with a slight smile, "No your highness the pleasure is all mine."
I take the time to introduce Annie and Johanna, "Ladies Annie Cresta and Johanna Mason." I gesture to each of them.
"A pleasure," she replies.
"Good sirs," I turn my address to the gentlemen, would you do my friends the honor of a dance?" The dark man says nothing instead leads Johanna silently to the floor.
However the other allows a charming smile to grace his lips, he takes Annie's hand in his and places a soft kiss upon it, "It would be my honor." His eyes never leave hers.
I turn to Delly and gaze into those grey eyes. "May I?" She places her delicate hand in my own and I lead her out to the floor. She is every bit as graceful as I imagined, her touch is soft and gentle. But there is a fire hidden behind her eyes, she is such a mystery. I find myself entirely captivated by her beauty and grace.
Katniss POV
I bow to the Prince as our dance is done. I regret having to part from his touch so soon. There is something about him that sends shivers down my spine and the spark humming through my veins. But I must tear myself away because I have a more important mission to focus on. And no matter how different he seems he is still a part of the royal family and a part of the problem I am trying to fix.
Gale and Finn are entirely lost in their partners; this part will have to be done alone. I make my way to the unguarded door and follow a series of hallways; hiding from guards and the like till I find my way to the Queen's chambers. Cato's instructions were good. How lucky that he used to come here often before he left to join me on my noble quest. Four guards block the door I need to get behind. I toss a rock down the hallway behind me and two of the guards breakaway to check the disturbance. I slink into the shadows and wait for them to pass as they do I silently approach behind them and use my fingers to pinch just the right nerves to send them into unconsciousness. I drag them off to the shadows where they won't be seen immediately. I wait patiently for the next two guards to come looking and use the same approach. I grab the keys off of them and make my way to the door. It unlocks with a loud clunk but there is no one around to hear it.
I slide quietly through the door and make my way to the location of the jewels. The chest is in a room off the side of the bedchamber. I see a few pieces that have a light coating of dust. These ones won't be missed, at least not right away. I grab them a lift the skirt of my dress tucking them into the pouch strapped to my leg. But before I make my way out I hear the four guards return and start searching the room. Shoot! I hide behind the door to the room and wait for them to peer in and check. I hear them leave the room and I dash for the window. Scaling the side of the building I make my way over to a window that leads into the hallway. This is a lot more difficult in a dress than I had intended. I hear a group of soldiers marching my way and I duck behind a curtain. They pass oblivious to my presence, discussing how something isn't quite right in the Queen's chambers. When they are passed I make my way back to the door to the ballroom and slip through unnoticed. For a palace this place needs better security. That was far too easy. I smirk, as I think of exactly how easy it was, not even a real challenge.
I make my way around the couples on the dance floor and nod to Gale and Finnick, indicating that we need to get going. Gale leaves Johanna Mason with a wink and a kiss on the hand. And Finnick leaves Annie Cresta with a lingering kiss on the cheek. We begin to make our way up the stairs and out the door but my hand is taken hold of by another and I turn to see whom it belongs to.
Peeta, shoot. "May I have the pleasure of seeing you again Lady Cartwright?" Think fast Katniss! I scold myself.
"I'm sorry your highness but I must return to my home without delay." And with that I spin on my heel to catch up with Gale and Finnick. We reach the horses without a hitch and ride out to the rendezvous point. Success is very sweet.
Author's Note: Hey everyone. Sorry for the delay. I put all of my stories on a temporary hiatus last wee because I was in vacation and decided to write a vacation story. If you are interested check out Down in Mexico. My stories will continue now. Also check out my preview for an upcoming story, Invisible to the Touch. Please review!